9-year-old plots his fifth Microsoft certification

Getting kids today to unplug from technology can be difficult, but for the parents of 9-year-old Marko Calasan of Skopje, Macedonia, it's nearly impossible. With four Microsoft certifications already under his belt, Calasan plans to get his fifth IT certification as a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Calasan also intends to use the novelty of his story to teach others about technology via books, YouTube and more. Network World Senior Editor Denise Dubie caught up with the young Calasan via e-mail to learn more about his high-tech hobbies.

See Marko give Active Directory training and eat a Windows 7 birthday cake

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What is your first memory of working with IT and computers?

Because I was too little when an interest for IT technologies was created in me and when I first started working on the computer, I do not remember when I started working on computer. But my first memory is from when I was approximately 3 years old when I was making simple actions like personalizing Windows, then installing Windows, making remote desktop connections with workstations and servers on remote locations, and so on.

What about IT interests you?

I am very interested in IT technologies because they enable making many things, starting from the usage of e-mail, sharing files and documents, to making robots that can go underground instead of miners, and many other things.

What or who do you feel influenced this interest?

Well, I made the first choice, IT technologies, when I sat before the computer and I felt the feeling of power and safety. The feeling was really wonderful, and when I started working with computers, I saw the whole spectrum of things that can be done using the computer.

What was your first major accomplishment, in your opinion, in your high tech career?

My first major accomplishment was getting my first certificate, MCP, when I had almost 7 years. After I got the certificate I did not finish there, I got my second certificate, MCDST, and so on while I got my last certificate, MCSE. Now I am making HD lessons over IPTV and I am really glad about the success which I made in the past months and years.

Also read: 11-year-old takes school network by the horns

What certifications have you completed? Which ones do you want to complete in the future?

I have completed the following four certificates: MCP, MCDST, MCSA and MCSE. I hope that also I will get the certificate called "Microsoft Certified Trainer" because I like to share my knowledge with others.

What do you see yourself doing in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, I plan to make books for Windows 7 (for beginners, medium users and advanced users). I also plan to get the MCT certificate to make big innovations in the IT technologies and to research deeper in the area of IT technologies.

What do friends or family think of your gifts in the high-tech arena?

At first they looked at me a bit weird, but now I am a classic friend. In fact, my knowledge of computers is completely separate from my friendships with my friends and family. I have too many calls and e-mails for computer troubleshooting and there are so many I have not always had time to provide solutions to all the problems and that is why I like to write books for Windows 7 and my HD educational video lessons too.

What kind of smartphone do you carry?

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I still have no smartphone, but I have an HP PDA with Windows Mobile 6 installed on it. Although I have a classic cellular phone and a PDA, I have configured one phone for one customer in one company I am currently managing.

What is your favorite search engine?

My favorite search engine is Bing (formerly Live Search) because it gives me the most accurate details about my search and I prefer it when browsing the Internet. Also I have the Bing program installed on my PDA and I use it when I am in motion. Also my alternate search engines are Yahoo and Google.

For your personal preference, Windows or Mac OS?

For everyone, the choice is different, so for me I use Windows because I am satisfied with its security, stability, scalability, productivity and many other good advantages of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Although all the workstations on my ownership are installed with Windows XP, I have one workstation in my home that is already migrated to Windows 7, and I plan to migrate to Windows 7 on all workstations on all locations. Windows 7 is the newest and the best operating system from the Windows collection of operating systems.

Have you come across any great freeware products?

Yes, sure I have freeware products, like antivirus programs (Microsoft Security Essentials) and many other freeware programs that I have implemented in all the locations. Freeware programs consist 60% of the software installed in all the locations by my ownership.

What's your take on open source software?

Well, I still have not used any open source software, because I want to implement only the platform that I know the best and which is tested by me.

What technology do you think is currently underrated and will be very in demand in the future?

I think that the most underrated technology are the certificates (X.509), because the certificates offer the highest level of authentication security [but are used very little] throughout the whole world. I want most of the current authentication technologies to be replaced with certificates! The X.509 certificates are compatible with many platforms and the collaboration between the operating systems authentication can be increased extraordinarily.

Which technology do you think is currently overrated and being hyped beyond its potential?

I personally think that the progressive download (those with links to content without a streaming method) are overrated and they consume the whole bandwidth available across an uncontrolled stream of bytes unlike the streaming method, which employs a controlled stream of bytes by means of distribution.

Why do you think people find it interesting that someone at your age is skilled and enjoys working in technology?

I think that the people find that very interesting because I always help them when there are problems with their computers, and I help them with buying good products and software especially for their needs.

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