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Rick Butler · Sep 30, 2026

Shea Bennett said:
I dropped Windows years ago and never looked back. I only use it by force for servers or cloud stuff and if necessary at work. Outside of that. Window$ is dead in my own personal ecosystem.

I've gotten into arguments now with folks who are stuck in the Microslop cult, which now is being led by Slopilot. And I've been tinkering with Omarchy as of yesterday...loaded it on a couple machines. It's not very peppy on my Dell Chromebook 3400 - which I've learned is very reliant on the "super" key. Took me a minute to find that the key is bound to the one with a magnifying glass - so I'm mostly in business there. The Optiplex 7070 is screaming like a banshee.

But getting away from Windoze has been actually good for me. Makes me have to actually learn how to use my computer, rather than having Microsoft tell me how I'm supposed to use it.

admarnelson said:
I’ve tried and I keep trying. Tell me the secret.

Dogged persistence, my dude. Linux is a tool to get something done, so mastering the tool is what you have to do. Yes there are things that we'll always need a windows machine laying around to do - but I'm finding that to be less and less in my work.

Mitch Garvis said:
I cannot imagine dropping Windows completely... but I have curtailed my use of it somewhat. Story to follow. (and yes, I was married to a Microsoftie, and she divorced me! Turnabout would be fair play )

Well, I can't comment on the marital bit - Ms. Butler would probably not be happy if I wiped her machines and put Ubuntu on them - although she may teeter towards the Linux side of things if Microslop keeps insisting that Copilot manage your life, particularly if that data starts getting exfil'ed prolifically to the dark Azure cloud. And nothing that she does has a Windows requirement, so aside from learning how to do things in Linux, she may not be too, too broke up about it, overall.

Stephen Schneiter · Sep 30, 2026

Join the CompTIA Instructor Network and special guest @BrianFord as he Leads the Security+ TTT series using the CompTIA CertMaster Learn content. Brian will cover the exam objectives and provide hands on examples as you strengthen your cybersecurity analytics skills. We will discuss how to cover the content with students and suggest various labs to let students gain hands-on experience as they prepare for certification.

The new CompTIA Security+ (SY0-801) represents the latest and greatest in cybersecurity, covering the most in-demand skills related to current threats, automation, zero trust, IoT, risk – and more. Once certified, you’ll understand the core skills needed to succeed on the job – and employers will notice too. The Security+ exam verifies you have the knowledge and skills required to:

What: CIN TTT Series: Security+ V8
When: November 03 - November 19, 2026 (Six sessions), 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Who: Brian Ford
Where: ON24
Register Now

Stephen Schneiter · Sep 30, 2026

The CIN mobile app was removed earlier this year. Unfortunately it was not as popular as expected and the use did not match the cost for updating and maintaining.

Tony Mationg · Sep 30, 2026

whoa! this is great!!!

TechTrainer11 · Sep 30, 2026

Yes it is missing or yes its there? because on my ipad, Iphone and MacBook pro its says no its not there?

abiodun1991 · Sep 30, 2026

TechTrainer11 said:
Why has the CIN APP been removed from the APP store

yes it is

Nick Pierce · Sep 30, 2026

Shea Bennett said:
@Stephen Schneiter or @Nick Pierce will there be a TTT for the new version of Security+ 801?

Yes there will be. Dates have not been solidified yet though.

TechTrainer11 · Sep 30, 2026

Why has the CIN APP been removed from the APP store

TechTrainer11 · Sep 30, 2026

Any one know why the CIN app has been removed for the App Store?

Rick Butler · Sep 29, 2026

So as I sit here writing Anthology reports and installing Omarchy on an old OptiPlex 7070, and trying to work on my SC300 MSFT learning, I can hear Redmond crying now...

Okay, not really, but @jasoneckert should appreciate the joke. But I thought I'd share with all of you the next steps on the journey with my walk away from Microsoft and their incessant need to push Copilot into every corner of my life.

So, in my list of learn by doing stuff for Linux - here are my current personal research projects:

1) AlienWare X17R1 running Commodore Vision OS 3.1 - still waiting for 4.0 to come out
2) Surface 5 with Linux Mint - it's almost heresy, but these days, Microsoft and I are pretty much frenemies.
3) Puppy, then Lubuntu on a Dell Chromebook 3400 - I may switch this one up with Omarchy - Wow, had to pull the battery so I could clear Google's stranglehold and load a proper UEFI BIOS so it would even take Linux. Say goodbye, ChromeOS - I never really loved you.
4) AlienWare M18 running Ubuntu 26 - The divorce is still in place; I have not gone crawling back to Windows because I miss MS Office that much.
5) Avalanche OS on my old LG G Watch. Finally breathed life back into my ailing timepiece.
6) And of course, the aforementioned Omarchy which I gotta say, has got to be the cleanest desktop interface I've seen.

I thought about resurrecting my Harvester HCI environment - had a 16 node cluster set up - that I never really leveraged...sadly.

So, what are your side-table projects that you have rolling?

Mitch Garvis · Sep 29, 2026

I cannot imagine dropping Windows completely... but I have curtailed my use of it somewhat. Story to follow. (and yes, I was married to a Microsoftie, and she divorced me! Turnabout would be fair play

)

Mitch Garvis · Sep 29, 2026

Wezzie Lukhere said:
Today I just passed Linux +. One needs to be on top of things to pass Linux + , its not an easy exam. Thanks Steve, CIN Director and Jason for all the resources and support. Its full of commands and hands on application of Linux stuff. One really needs to know what is happening otherwise, you can be left off guard.

Thanks Thanks

Congratulations Wezzie! I passed it in November and agree that it is NOT an easy exam. Fortunately, CompTIA has plenty of resources to help.

Ozidi Odunze · Sep 29, 2026

Mitch Garvis said:
Interesting... I don't see a thread about this reasonably new certification?

OUR STORY SO FAR:

It was Friday afternoon when the training broker emailed me to ask if I have this certification, and if I am available the weeks of September 28 and October 5. Available? YES. Certified? No... but it is a mesh of cybersecurity and AI so it shouldn't take much. 'Can you be certified by Tuesday?' Wow, that's cutting it tight... but who needs a weekend when Monday is the holiest day of the Jewish year, right? Fine... I booked my exam appointment and downloaded the courseware.

I blazed through the course manual and PowerPoints over the weekend, and by the time I lit the candles I was comfortable in where I was. I would have another hour or two to study Monday night after breaking the fast, and then if I felt I needed it again on Tuesday morning.

(I did not count on getting sick Sunday evening and spending a lot of the next 36 hours very under the weather)

Tuesday morning I scrambled to arrange my makeshift exam area in the hallway; I made sure my son would take his German Shepherd out for a couple of hours, and I bribed my (much smaller) dog with treats so that she would let me sit the exam undisturbed.

It was one of those exams when I was not sure what the final page would say... but when I clicked and it read that I passed I was relieved. Also... it was not a borderline pass. Yay.

This marks the eleventh CompTIA exam that I have passed. To date my record is 11-0, which is much better than my record on Microsoft exams.

I realized as I booked the exam that this is the first version 1 of a CompTIA certification that I have ever taken. I never sat a CompTIA exam until 2021... my Network+ was the 98th certification exam I ever sat. I may have come late to the party with CompTIA, and while I might regret not starting sooner, I am glad I started. I am enjoying the vendor agnostic nature of the certifications that I never had with Microsoft or VMware... and there seems to be a lot more teaching opportunities for CompTIA these days than some other vendors.

Now let's see how much I enjoy delivering the SecAI+ in person next week!

I relate to your experience!

Abobakr Samim Khorami · Sep 28, 2026

No advice but, wish you a good chance.

Gregory Childers said:
I'll be taking the Linux+ XK0-006 exam this week. I have to admit that my Linux experience isn't on par with my Windows experience, but I do know a lot about hardware, software, scripting, security, networking, IAM, etc.

Do you have any advice that might help me prepare for the Linux+ exam? I have access to the CertMaster Learn, Labs, and Study materials. I also have access to the Instructor PDF and the slide decks for the class. Any sage advice, tips and tricks, "must-know" topics, or hints you can provide (without violating the NDA) would be greatly appreciate

Ednei P. de Melo · Sep 28, 2026

Don't forget to focus on the finer points and details of technologies and services related to Linux and its software - such as configuration parameters, system architecture, package management, fine-tuning, and so on. I came across some questions exploring aspects that aren't heavily highlighted in study materials; had I not been a regular user of the system, they would have easily gone unnoticed. &;-D

Gregory Childers · Sep 27, 2026

Mitch Garvis said:
I do not disagree… but I don’t only want them passing the exam, I want them having some hands-on experience. It also gives me a break from lecturing.

I just taught the 220-1201 and 220-1202 combined class in one week. I barely completed all the lecture in that time.

Mitch Garvis · Sep 27, 2026

Gregory Childers said:
Most of the CompTIA certifications lean heavily on the theory and processes, but don't particularly require much technical depth with any of the products or services.

I do not disagree… but I don’t only want them passing the exam, I want them having some hands-on experience. It also gives me a break from lecturing.

Abu Afza · Sep 26, 2026

sqlgeek said:
Congratulations!

Thanks

Gregory Childers · Sep 26, 2026

Mitch Garvis said:
That’s what I was doing… not teaching until Monday. I actually had the decks and pdf but wanted to see if the labs were working.

I haven't done the labs in more than a decade. I tell the students that the labs will enhance the lecture, but they should do them outside class hours.

Most of the CompTIA certifications lean heavily on the theory and processes, but don't particularly require much technical depth with any of the products or services.

Bruce Weaver · Sep 26, 2026

They have definitely had some hiccups lately. It's always good to check https://status.comptia.net/ The 23rd hit our school pretty hard with the outage.

tisemtine · Sep 26, 2026

congrat

peter hanwith-horden #1 · Sep 26, 2026

malik Mo said:
I am looking to hire a security+ instructor. The instructor will teach two live online sessions per week, review practice questions, explain key exam objectives, and help students prepare confidently for the certification exam. Remote opportunity with the potential for ongoing cohorts.

Interested instructors, please send me an email at [email protected] with your experience, availability, and expected rate.

Thanks,

hello sent my resume

Hashmi · Sep 26, 2026

I recently enrolled in the CompTIA AI Fundamentals Competency Certificate through the Train The Trainer Webinar Series.

During enrollment, I reached a step asking me to select the instructor who teaches my class, as shown in the attached screenshot. However, when I search for an instructor, “No matches found” appears.

I am a CIN community member and instructor, and I would appreciate guidance from anyone who has completed this course or encountered the same enrollment issue.

Thank you for your help!

fsusd-chris · Sep 25, 2026

richardwarrenwbu said:
When will the CIN TTT Series: Linux+ V8 recorded sessions become available, and where?

It was a great series; unfortunately, I missed two sessions and look forward to making them up. Plus, I want to review several of the sessions.

Richard Warren

If you register for the TTT above, they give you the links to all 10 sessions on the event.on24 site that is used to stream the classes. If you click the link to a session that has already happened, it has a recording of the session there. Hope that helps.

VICTOR CHIDI OKPURUKA · Sep 25, 2026

Mitch Garvis said:
Interesting... I don't see a thread about this reasonably new certification?

OUR STORY SO FAR:

It was Friday afternoon when the training broker emailed me to ask if I have this certification, and if I am available the weeks of September 28 and October 5. Available? YES. Certified? No... but it is a mesh of cybersecurity and AI so it shouldn't take much. 'Can you be certified by Tuesday?' Wow, that's cutting it tight... but who needs a weekend when Monday is the holiest day of the Jewish year, right? Fine... I booked my exam appointment and downloaded the courseware.

I blazed through the course manual and PowerPoints over the weekend, and by the time I lit the candles I was comfortable in where I was. I would have another hour or two to study Monday night after breaking the fast, and then if I felt I needed it again on Tuesday morning.

(I did not count on getting sick Sunday evening and spending a lot of the next 36 hours very under the weather)

Tuesday morning I scrambled to arrange my makeshift exam area in the hallway; I made sure my son would take his German Shepherd out for a couple of hours, and I bribed my (much smaller) dog with treats so that she would let me sit the exam undisturbed.

It was one of those exams when I was not sure what the final page would say... but when I clicked and it read that I passed I was relieved. Also... it was not a borderline pass. Yay.

This marks the eleventh CompTIA exam that I have passed. To date my record is 11-0, which is much better than my record on Microsoft exams.

I realized as I booked the exam that this is the first version 1 of a CompTIA certification that I have ever taken. I never sat a CompTIA exam until 2021... my Network+ was the 98th certification exam I ever sat. I may have come late to the party with CompTIA, and while I might regret not starting sooner, I am glad I started. I am enjoying the vendor agnostic nature of the certifications that I never had with Microsoft or VMware... and there seems to be a lot more teaching opportunities for CompTIA these days than some other vendors.

Now let's see how much I enjoy delivering the SecAI+ in person next week!

congrats on the pass!

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