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Need help heading to Open Source

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by ge3putt 1 view

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Up until this point my career has been in VMS Systems Management. Due to losing my position, and a scarcity of VMS sites, I am trying to restart my career with a focus on Linux, and the open source tools, and utilities. I would love to become involved in web development and support, e-commerce, and architecture/infrastucture using Linux, and open source.

Here is my question:
Other than learning the basics of Linux sys admin, what are the most current and prevalent open source software packages, and tools which are musts to learn in order to compete for the job I want these days?

6 replies

by jmgarvin

While you should have the basic tools to move to Linux, you might want to do a couple of things:
1) Pick up Linux in a Nutshell by O'Reilly. This is an excellent reference and can clear up an issues you may have transitioning
2) Get the LPIC (Linux Professional Institute Certification) ASAP. If you just can get through the 101 and 102 test, you should be fine. The 201 and 202 test are pretty advanced, but unless you plan on totally focusing on Linux sys admin, don't bother.

I think for distros you might want to download 4 of them. Pick up Fedora Core 3 or 4, Debian, Slackware, and SuSe. They should give you an idea of how things work.

If you don't want to install a distro, try the live cd option. If you want more distros try distrowatch.com

I also have a blog of some Linux security stuff, so you can check that out and see where you stand.

Good luck!

by jaqui

would be "lamp"
linux apache mysql php
which, in all fairness, would also include freebsd, openbsd, postgresql and perl, python, c, c++, delphi.. ( any programming language actually )
with the open source os you can use any executable as cgi, so coding something for use in a web app as cgi is a good skill to have.

certification, use the most respected for your location, usually comptia in the us.
try to avoid a distro centric certification or outlook as they can inhibit using the best tools available.

RHEL, great if you want completely non standard system
Suse, haven't been able to install, my bios doesn't like thier scsi interface requirement.
Debian, one of the distros closest to the intent, pure community driven.
Mandriva, a growing concern, with a decent set of tools.
Slakware, one of the oldest, and closest to linux ideals in being a community distro.
the list is huge, there are well over 40 different distros. almost all have a livecd version.
if you have options as to which will be used, get the livecd for any distro that catches your eye and boot up, see if it does have what you want and need. then either download the full distro ( community distros and versions this is pretty much only method ) or purchase a boxed set of the distro you choose.

to get fully into the core of linux, lfs.
building a linux system from scratch does teach a lot of what is actually required for a distro, but it's not for someone that is going to be using linux as end user. ( document writing..spreadsheet work etc.. )
a system / network admin can make great use of the knowledge from doing so. a developer also.

by ge3putt

So far I have obtained an RHCE. I studied on my own for a month, then took their course, and the exam. I do not have enough Unix/Linux experience to travel less trod upon paths, so I bit the bullet, paid out of my pocket, and got through it.

Just having basic admin skills, won't even get me on the subway. All the linux related jobs posted want a lot more pre-reqs and all seem to be slightly different from each other. I have just started to delve into "LAMP", on my own, by buying a book and starting to follow along. All the needed tools, utilities and packages needed to run and support a web/database/mail etc. server are still to be explored. I am going to be studying web development soon, as well, and hopefully before long I can compete for a Linux centered position. Thanks.

by jaqui

all you really need to study is the php mysql end
apache configuration you can read the docs included with the distro, or on apache.org website.
for linux, literally comptia is the most recognised option, and has downloadable study guides.

but you can download the linux admin and networking guides from tldp.org, lots of technical reading in networking, reasons for such and such a setting. only problem is the guides may be outdated for the actual current software.
( I bought version 2 of them hard copy, and while badly outdated, a good foundation still for the os )

by emmanuel sibanda

Mambo is the one good open source and I have seen a number of sites developed using this Content Management System, e.g. spiderblack.co.za

Please assist as I am also new in this Web development field. My projects include casinotrainingcentre.co.za / welldoneboys.net / manepe.com / thinking.com

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