🚀 go-pugleaf

Ian wrote:

> On Fri, 29 Nov 2002 00:02:16 +1100, Alexander <alexycyap@bigpond.com>
> wrote:
> 
>>Hi all,
>>
>>I'm thinking of studying for some sort of Linux certification. Preferably
>>study at home for an end-of-term exam.
>>
>>Does anyone have any advice on any good Linux certification program
>>available in Melbourne? How much would it cost (I'm paying out of my own
>>pocket)?
>>
>>What sort of certification would be right? I've been using Redhat 6.x -
>>7.x for a couple of years, and started playing with Mandrake 9 last week.
>>I'm not aiming to work as a dedicated system admin. My main job is Java
>>developer, but I would like some certification to prove I can setup and
>>maintain my Java Web apps running on Linux boxes.
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any advice.
> 
> Re: comments on aus.computers.linux
> There are plenty of valid arguments for certifications even in the
> world of Linux:
> http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue33/york.html
> Here are some more reasons to pursue a certification:
> http://www.lpi.org/why_lpi.html

No-one is denying there is value in certification, even those articles 
point out it's mainly to get you past the HR people and the M$ brainwashed 
types.

IF you have the luxury of time and money you aim for a recognised degree 
course from an accredited university and that's a fact.


> Basically if Linux is to mature as a corporate solution, as an
> administrator you will have to prove your skills beyond the narrow
> scope of particular work place implementation and show that you can
> comprehend all the capabilities of the OS. Unfortunately for some
> people, being loudly opinionated in a newsgroups/forum or endlessly
> criticizing Microsoft will not be enough in a corporate environment. I
> foresee a typical industry pattern with a rising demand for Linux
> certification as companies require employees to be a "known quantity"
> ie reliable, dependable and replaceable.

Unfortunately for you, stating the blindingly obvious changes nothing. Whiz 
your CV over to me at some stage, I'll keep you on file, unless I feel 
differently.


> Now to do something a bit unusual and address Alexander�s question.
> With the direction that Java development is taking it would be prudent
> to have some sort of Linux certification, Sun Certified Java
> Programmer should also be a goal.
> 
> Certifications that you could pursue are CompTIA Linux plus, LPI, SAIR
> http://studyguides.cramsession.com/cramsession/unix/default.asp
> http://www.certcities.com/certs/linux_unix/

Sure....I'd say the HR people or the IT Dept of the organisation you're 
potentially looking at will be most impressed by voodoo certs from 
somewhere they've never even heard of.

"But hey!, I got this nifty certificate sent all the way from 
Florida!..look! look!", my dog has one too"


 
> RHCE practical test centres are AFAIK only in 33 cities in the US so
> it�s not a realistic option for Aussies atm.

Rubbish.

Last RHCE course I had here (in Adelaide) was two months ago. I'm sorry, 
you're the expert, how many RHCE exams have YOU given?


> Linux+ would be a good place to start as it is only one exam and is
> fairly easy, on a par with A+ or N+. The non-profit LPI program is
> also impressive and extensive.
> http://www.lpi.org/c-process.html

As above......meaningless to people that have never heard of them. Any 
reputable certification stream must be backed by a vendor who is :
A: Here
b: Known
c: Accredited here, not in Orlando or Quebec.



> Some people prefer self study, others instructor lead training,
> usually it�s down to the cost with commercial instructor lead training
> costing up to $990AUD per day and you would still need to undertake
> additional study to pass an exam.

Incorrect yet again.

Don't take my word for it..contact Redhat Australia...Qld or NSW, ask them.



> P2P file sharing programs can provide a wealth of certification study
> guides and technical manuals on almost any program. So it could only
> cost you time and the exam fee!

That's exactly the point I was making..why not just stick the thing on the 
back of a cornflakes packet then?


> For books try Angus & Robertson who have a permanent 20% off sale on
> computer books at their 379 Collins Street store. Borders at Chadstone
> and McGills at 187  Elizabeth St in the city are also very good. All
> three locations have an excellent range of titles for people in
> Melbourne.

Well, there's a no-brainer....also try Unibooks..I presume universities 
have bookshops in Vic ?

 
> Examinations are all computer based multi choice or
> simulation/diagramming, and they�re very flexible. You can book an
> exam an hour before you take it, so you only take it when you�re ready
> (depending on test centre availability).
> 
> You can book online, but it�s better to ring the toll free number,
> most testing centres have both VUE www.vue.com and Prometric
> www.2test.com testing stations.

Leave your voodoo certs alone...go redhat and just ring them up.



> A good site to get more information on certifications is
> www.cramsession.com they have good study guides with notes written
> around exam requirements, unfortunately they have moved to a pay
> system for the PDF versions, with multi page html version being
> advertising supported. There are also exam reviews and forums, which
> are a bit hit and miss.
> 
> Overall certifications shows a base level of knowledge, it also proves
> that you have the dedication and organisational skills to study and
> pass the test, which can count for more than the actual content of the
> exam.
> 
> A little more generic reading on certifications:
> http://www.certmag.com/issues/jan02/feature_sosbe.cfm
> 
> Ian

Why thank you for your $0.02 on everything in certification-land and the 
wonderful, "opinionated" MS bashers infesting aus.comp.linux.