I have been looking into these courses since they came out.  I am not the type of person that jumps on to new courses.  I like to give them time to get the kinks out and see what others are saying about them.

I do have to say that the Backtrack product is superior to anything on the net.

Saying that, I have recently (re)looked into taking either the OSWP or the Pentesting with Backtrack.  Both peak my interest very much and I'd like to get to know BT to its fullest capabilities.  But the Pentesting course would be beneficial in what I currently do.  With all the comments I have seen, I am curious about a few.

Leo.  I've read where learning Leo would be beneficial.  Is it something that others think is needed? 

Scripting.  Is there a lot?  Can it be something picked up as the course goes?  I have some programming knowledge.

Time.  With a full-time position (24x7!), what kind of time did people put in?  I know there is 7 hours of video and obviously 30/60 days of lab time.  But - did the people that took this take a week off or did they do this at night/day when not working?

As with others, I do not want to be behind in the course.  I have had attended several SANS courses and have obtained the GCIH certification.  Granted the semi-new GPEN certification is more in-depth.  Being able to take a week off to attend the SANS courses are beneficial since you can (try to) put work off for that week.

Any thoughts or comments to these courses are appreciated in helping me make my decision.  I just have to take that leap.  But first, I would like some reassuring information!   

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your insights.  Most likely I will be doing the OSCP first. 
Looks like I will hit the Leo manual and look through it!

I appreciate the feedback!  I am aware and have prepared myself for that one day of no sleep in the future!  ;-)

As with all courses I have taken, doing extra stuff helps you get through.  The only way you learn is by doing all the labs + MORE!!!  You can never get enough!  Book smart can only get someone so far...Actually doing the functionality gets someone further...repetative gets someone even further! 

I'm glad to hear that someone else has taken it with a full-time job.  That is my biggest worry.  Just have to prep the family and have a do-not-disturb sign on the basement door!  :-)

i would like to see OSWP certs to be in top 3 papers in the world as backtrack will be soon release within hours , they have even released a perfect hard disk install step by muts, i hope it have more added features and this version may soon be included for the OSCP

One more Q - Are the videos downloadable and 'portable'?  That way they can be viewed anywheres without an Internet connection?


yes you can watch them off line any time any where : )

BT4 is like a HOT BUN , i am just waiting for its final launch .... there is tutorials abt how to update nvidia card drivers and cracking the WiFi with faster speed.. http://thewifihack.com

Microjay

the Alfa cards really works well, for injection purpose than other cards for BT3, what ever videos are posted in my website is all done using my Alfa cards , there are 2 types of alfa cards and both works well, best of luck for your Exam and hope the best

microjay
best of luck with ur enjoy cracking the perimeters....get me the reviews on my site