Or, you can access help by way of the help button available at the top of each view, shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C


Online help accessed via view help button. Roll over picture for a larger image.

While the database is relatively easy to use, the online help can be helpful. As previously stated, you process the training material at your own pace, and it isn't necessary to navigate the material from start to finish (or top to bottom in a view). Like a book, you can pick and choose what items need your attention.

Figure D provides a glimpse of one of the available items.

FIGURE D


Course item focusing on database security. Roll over picture for a larger image.

It concentrates on database security, providing a nice diagram to drive home the concept. It continues with a discussion of the Access Control List, Roles, Server Access, and so forth. The individual course documents are lengthy.

Each course item provides helpful tips as well. In Figure E you'll find an example of a tip included with the database security entry; it includes useful information pertaining to user types.

FIGURE E


An individual tip located with the database security course entry. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Activities are included with most course documents (as shown in Figure A). These activities provide a list of steps for getting more familiar with the concept via a list of steps. Figure F provides an example of getting more familiar with database security.

FIGURE F


Course activity concentrating on database security. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Sharing ideas and asking questions
The second item included with TLCC courses is a discussion database. This allows you to share thoughts with other users, as well as post questions for the TLCC staff. The TLCC on the Web button allows you to access the discussion postings on the TLCC site, shown in Figure G, but you can easily replicate the data to your local copy as well.

FIGURE G


The TLCC course discussion database. Roll over picture for a larger image.

In Figure H, you'll see the replication page for the two databases.

FIGURE H


The TLCC course database replication. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Just the beginning
The System Administration 1 is the first of two training courses for Domino administrators. There are development and end users courses available as well. Visit the TLCC site for more information on these and other courses.

Impressions
I've used various online training courses in the past, and I've found them helpful. This ranges from the W3 Schools Online Web Tutorials to other TLCC courses. These offerings have been worthwhile, but they're not a substitute for hands-on experience and information gained from other sources. An excellent advantage of the TLCC approach is the use of Domino databases so the training can easily be conducted offline--without Internet connectivity. TLCC's Notes Domino 6 System Administration 1 gets 4 out of 5 dominos. Give TLCC a try if you need to get up to speed with the latest and greatest.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

Craig Schumann is Teamstudio VP of Product Development, author of Just Enough Governance for Lotus Notes, and more significantly a humble contest judge WOWed by this year's great entries!