Pluralsight Training

At FredNUG user group (http://www.frednug.org), I was given a 1 month free access to Pluralsight Training since I am unemployed. I was given an unrestricted access to the Pluralsight OnDemand! library. This is worth $1,499.00US. The OnDemand library is a series of videos of the following topics (as of Sept. 23, 2009):

1. BizTalk 2006 Fundamentals 13 Modules [12:53:29]

2. Agile Team Practice Fundamentals 8 Modules [03:16:53]

3. Windows Application Server 'Dublin' Fundamentals 4 Modules [03:16:41]

4. ASP.NET Ajax Fundamentals 10 Modules [11:26:57]

5. ASP.NET 3.5 Fundamentals 19 Modules [22:52:33]

6. ASP.NET MVC Fundamentals 9 Modules [10:01:48]

7. BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Fundamentals 8 Modules [06:06:14]

8. .NET / C# Tutorial 3 Modules [03:44:49]

9. .NET 3.5 Fundamentals 14 Modules [13:53:24]

10. LINQ Fundamentals 10 Modules [10:29:35]

11. Managed Services Engine Fundamentals 8 Modules [01:11:23]

12. Silverlight Fundamentals 14 Modules [08:27:19]

13. SQL Server 2008 Fundamentals 16 Modules [08:22:05]

14. Visual Studio Team System 2008 Fundamentals 17 Modules [02:02:00]

15. WCF Fundamentals 12 Modules [15:17:01]

16. Windows Workflow Fundamentals 12 Modules [12:36:52]

17. WPF Fundamentals 14 Modules [09:42:38]

The videos are played through the Sapphire Silverlight Player, which protects the videos from being copied. On the left pane of the screen is the list of segments or chapters of the video. Also, there is a link to the sample code. Plus, the usual player controls of the video. The video quality is pretty good as is the audio. There are also 2 buttons at the top for Optimal Size and full Size. I was kinda surprised that the instructor for the .NET/C# Fundamentals was using Windows 7 which was in beta at the time of the recording. The number of modules seems to be updated fairly frequently. They are giving access to the .NET / C# Tutorial for free to all registered users.

As you can tell from the number of modules and the time after each topics, there are many hours of training. The toughest part for me is to find the time to sit and go through the modules. Usually, I would start a module and watch the first couple chapters and then get sidetracked (maybe my ADHD kicking in?) and just continue the module in the background, while I did my work.

The speakers really seem to know what they are talking about. I think for the cost it is worth it. I know some companies charge about the same amount for a weeks worth of class room training. In fact, Pluralsight does do customized on-site training and general classes around the country. For the latest training information, check out their website: http://www.pluralsight.com.