Whats the difference

[NightShade01]

I've seen A+ certs, microsoft certs, and some type of N cert. What is the difference between them aren't they all mostly for harware/software certification? (except microsoft b/c i know they have server admin and others too)

[doctorgonzo]

Yes, pretty much everything relating to computers is all hardware/software. But there's a lot of different hardware and software out there. There are your workstations, servers, routers, SAN appliances, firewalls, etc. Then there is Windows OS, Linux OS, Novell Server OS, Outlook, Exchange, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Access, Office, OpenOffice, PHP, ASP, XML.......and a whole lot more. There is so much stuff out there nobody can come close to knowing it all. All those different certs are for these specific areas of knowledge.

[rightcoast]

They are way to many certs to try and cover here. Your short answer would be the A+ cert is Comptia's and is a general cert that is the first one most people get. Microsoft gives tests for a few certs, they are listed here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.asp

I am not sure what you by they "N" certs, perhaps the Novell certs like CNA?

To make it easier for you, here is a list with pretty much every cert on it and a link to the page on that cert.
http://www.mcmcse.com/othercerts.shtml

[NightShade01]

thanks the info from that site was very helpful. I looked over microsoft's cert's too and i think that i will try and sit or learn enough to sit for their hardware/software exams (it's two different test, you need both). I found a site that has a bunch of A+ cert practice tests and after taking a bunch of them i seem to have a sold hold on about 80% of the things they ask/cover i think with some more studying i will sit for that too. thanks though the info was really helpful