When a senior dev rants about how they don't need a certificate, I agree, but counter them with the question: If certificates are so easy to get and meaningless, why haven't you bothered to get them?
Note: I can think of a number of reasonable answers why not... but their response to that question is often enlightening as to exactly what kind of dev they are.
To a big corp, it signals that you play by the rules, and that a 3rd party has vouched for you.
To a small company, it signals that you don't learn by yourself, and expect things spoonfed.
I'm not saying either is wrong, but they are different mindsets, large companies have more need to order than small companies.
I don't think they say that at all. Now, I do get that impression about some people that list tons of training classes on their resume (especially the ones that list training classes without an accompanying certification).
Personally, I hold an MCBDA, MCITP, and A+ certifications. I pepared for the MCDBA and MCITP on my own through a combination of books, websites, and hands on toying with the systems. I prepared for the A+ in a peer group. I have had a mentor that taught me a tremendous amount, but I never took formal classes for any of it, or expected any of it to be spoonfed.
Aren't you answering your own question here?
The biggest problem is cert's would almost never pass the same standards as the equivalent from most govt's Education Exam board. If they did, perhaps they would be more useful. Education Exam standards can also vary significantly between countries, and these com's sadly can't be bothered in expending the effort internationally.
Unfortunately some of the certified people I've met have been so genuinely awful that I don't think you can even claim that. I tend to be with the article author on this one - people tend to get certified because they are unable to compete in other ways and want to bolster their resume.