Unfortunately, we've found the VTC login system to be unduly restrictive. If you choose to use a training course, then close your browser window, and attempt to login again, you'll often get the message shown in Figure B.

FIGURE B

Uh oh! I don't think they love me anymore. Click picture for a larger image.

During this review, I found that I needed to install QuickTime again. I did so, and then, subsequently, got the screen shown above repeatedly. A call to customer service was not returned.

Overall, though, we strongly recommend VTC as a very useful resource to have around -- and not just for is graphics-related programming. If you're stuck trying to figure out something in Windows, in Office, on your Mac, and even in some arcane Web programming areas, there's likely a VTC course and lesson that can help. However, due to VTC's restrictive login system and lack of customer service responsiveness, we've got to take an extra point off our rating.

OUR RATING: 3 of 5

For more than 20 years, David Gewirtz, the author of Where Have All The Emails Gone? and The Flexible Enterprise, has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and is a member of the instructional faculty at the University of California, Berkeley extension. He can be reached at david@zatz.com.