Training for SharePoint 2007 / WSS 3.0

So your organization has WSS 3.0 or SharePoint 2007 - now you need to figure out how to use it, and how to manage and administer it!

END USER Training:

Microsoft has created and published FREE end user training that is available to anyone! Yep, totally FREE!! There are two version of this training. There is a standalone version and a portal version. Depending on how your organization wants to track end user training, the portal version is SCORM compliant. If you don't know what SCORM is, click here!

The standalone version is an "offline" version that can be downloaded and installed on pretty much any computer. Below are the links to both! My advice, download the standalone version first, test it out - it will probably be enough! Remember, they are both the same and you are not going to gain any "extra" training running the portal version vs the standalone.

Standalone Version: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7BB3A2A3-6A9F-49F4-84E8-FF3FB71046DF&displaylang=en
Portal Version: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=673dc932-626a-4e59-9dca-16d685600a51&displaylang=en

Each version has its own install docs and if you deploy the portal version, MAKE sure you read the entire install before you deploy! These training modules are geared towards MOSS 2007 but if you are running WSS 3.0, don't worry - the training is perfect for both. There may be some features that won't be available in WSS 3.0 when reviewing the training videos but since WSS 3.0 is an underlying core to MOSS 2007, the training will be just fine!

System Admin Training: FREE

Again - there are differences between MOSS 2007 and WSS 3.0. Depending on the version, administration will be different.

The first location for training would be TechNet. TechNet is a great resource for MOSS / WSS. I have provided links below for each version.

MOSS 2007 Admin: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sharepointserver/default.aspx
WSS 3.0 Admin: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/sharepoint/default.aspx

There is a TON of content out there on TechNet, so take it slow... it can be very overwhelming and extremely frustrating! If you are like me and hate reading, then you can opt for some videos as well. This will help break the monotony of constantly reading. The video link is provided below. Again - this is for MOSS 2007 so make sure you understand the differences between MOSS and WSS.

Link to Video Training MOSS 2007: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262880.aspx
Link to Differences between MOSS 2007 and WSS 3.0: https://sharepoint.microsoft.com/blogs/GetThePoint/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=4
Link to actual spreadsheet that shows differences: https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointserver/HA101978031033.aspx

Another good site for SharePoint material and training: https://sharepoint.microsoft.com/blogs/GetThePoint/default.aspx

System Admin Training: NOT FREE

There are some different tracks you can take when it comes to SharePoint training. There is a DEVELOPMENT track "geared towards developers" and an INFRASTRUCTURE track "geared towards system admins". Each track can be taken for each product as well, WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007. So potentially, you can take up to four actual classes if you wanted to complete the training for all 4 certifications.

If I were a system administrator, I would take the "Configuration" track for WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007 in that order!
If I were a developer, I would take the "Application Development" track for WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007 in that order!
If you are a jack of all trades - take all four exams! After you pass each one, you will receive a MCTP [Microsoft Certified Technology Professional] cert under your belt.

Here is the link to the training and courses for the above mentioned training: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-sharepoint-server.aspx#tab2

If you would like to purchase some DVD training, I would highly recommend visiting the following link:
https://www.pilothouseconsulting.com/sharepoint-products-cbt/SharePointTrainingDVD.html

One thing to note about the Pilot House SharePoint 2007 training dvd is that if you purchase the DEVELOPMENT package, you will receive both "Fundamentals & Administration".

Another option:

If you have a relationship with Microsoft Corporation, talk with your local TAM. He or She may be able to get a group of end users or system admins trained by a MS Field Engineer. This may or may not be free and really depends on the contractual agreement between Microsoft and your organization but you have nothing to lose!

HOPE THIS HELPS!!

COMING SOON - 2010 Training Guidance

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