I've burned through some YouTube videos and while the information is there, much of it is not very well presented or structured and seems to jump from subject to subject without filling in the gaps between them.
Do any of you know of a website or even a YouTube channel that offers quality, well-presented information? I'm not above paying for some online classes if any of you have some experience with them.
Thanks.
https://www.edx.org/search?tab=course
I take at least one class from them a quarter. They have a good variety and are backed by major 4 year institutions. Great place to go if you are just looking to learn something new and not needed a certification. Most are free if you don't need/want the certification.
What sort of basics are you after? IT is a pretty big field.
In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :
I currently know how computers work sort of. I know how access control systems work from a hardware perspective. I don't know how the network that ties those systems together works. I fight the network in my office at least once a year. I would like a foundation that I can build upon. I would also like some specific computer knowledge in how the various components of a computer system communicate and how network components communicate.
Beyond that, I'm not sure I even know the questions to ask, so some general information would be helpful as well. I probably need to start with an IT 101 class and go from there.
I notice that Google offers some free courses like this. https://www.coursera.org/learn/system-administration-it-infrastructure-services
Is something like that worthwhile or a waste of time? 31 hours to complete so that would be a pretty big waste of time.
In reply to Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) :
I don't know what the quality of these is, but based one what you describe above it sounds like the first two chapters of this course might cover the basics of networking you're after.
I'd suggest looking at CompTIA A+ and Network+ curriculum. Both represent a knowledge base of a competent junior worker. At that level, you'll be positioned to make smarter decisions about what to learn next.
Whether you sit for the certification is a different matter - they're not overly hard, but it might help next annual review. They have continuing education requirements, and if you have both, renewing Net+ automatically renews A+.
Just look at the page for each certification to see which you're more interested in learning, then look for courses that match that curriculum.
Udemy is a pretty okay and very reasonably-priced way of learning, though I don't think they have any lab work.
I like having labs when I'm trying to learn something new, and that might include something you put together yourself or a class you choose.
In reply to bmw88rider (Forum Supporter) :
Thanks!
Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:I notice that Google offers some free courses like this. https://www.coursera.org/learn/system-administration-it-infrastructure-services
Is something like that worthwhile or a waste of time? 31 hours to complete so that would be a pretty big waste of time.
I haven't done edx, I have done Coursera. I would not recommend Coursera.
Its unclear from your earlier post exactly what you are trying to learn. You seem more like a 'get your hands dirty' type of guy - i.e. straight to the lab work. If you are trying to build a system, solve a problem, etc. I think you might be better off finding the right place to ask questions, learn the right questions to ask, then ask those. Just a thought.
https://www.edx.org/course/computer-science-101
I would start there from the sounds of it. I mean it's free so if you don't like it or find it not fitting your needs then no big loss. I've started a few there and never finished because the content wasn't what I was looking for.
Thanks for the input guys. I have signed up for a Network+ class. We will see how it goes.
If you have any other suggestions let me know.
In reply to Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) :
Be sure to tell the boss about it at your next review.
In reply to OHSCrifle :
He's a shiny happy person, so he probably won't care. 
As far as I've had interaction with our IT people, all you need to know is:
"restart the computer"
And that's about it.
Should qualify you to be a technical specialist.
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