[ale] More AJC Stuff

[Keith Watson]

At 02:23 PM 3/25/96 -0500, you wrote:

>Frankly, though, I'm really amazed that more people aren't showing an interest
>in Linux purely for the reason that it's an operating system with abilities
more
>or less similar to Windows NT (for example), and yet it's _freely
distributable_!
>To me, the history and method of its development is at least as interesting as
>its unusual copyright statement, and could easily work as the substance to an 
>article that started off mentioning the (lack of) cost of Linux to grab
people's 
>attention.
>

I see the AJC issue as a mute point. I vote with my wallet, case in point I
don't read the AJC mostly due to a lack of interest in what they find
interesting.

However, I would like to comment on the point above. I have been interested
in Linux for some time now and follow the mail list on a regular basis. I
even try to stay up on what the latest issues are. Why? Because I get paid
to know what's going on and what direction technology is headed.

However knowing what is going on and being proficient in it are two
different things. I sell my proficiency, that's the nature of the market. I
have a very limited amount of resource time and money to spend in staying
proficient in hardware and operating systems. So, I spend my time where it
will get the best return balanced against where the market is going. Right
now it is a better investment in my time to be proficient in Sun OS than in
Linux.

Please read on before hitting the flame key. :)

When I go to a prospective employer they are looking for a very specific set
of proven skills. Having proven skills in Sun OS is more sellable than being
a Linux guru. Personally I think that the things learned in using Linux
actually make you a better systems administrator. However, the employer
doesn't see it that way. The key is that the vast majority of companies
using some flavor of UNIX do not recognize Linux as a valid skill
substitute. This is beginning to change. I have started to see job postings
(two so far) that list Linux experience as a valid substitute for experience
in the operating system being used. I'm sure that the advent of POSIX
compliance will help this process along.

The big point of this is that the people who are not willing to recognize
Linux are not the non-techie masses represented by the AJC but the UNIX
gurus reading UNIX World and Sun Expert. They are the ones that the expo
should be aimed at. When I can substitute proficiency in Linux for
proficiency in any other form of UNIX when looking for work, that will be
the day Linux is in the main stream. 

I agree with the posting I read on this mail list that said that we have to
do a better job of presenting Linux and that fanaticism has given Linux a
bad name. A trickle of water made the Grand Canyon. Likewise incremental
improvements in Linux, and more people being familiar with it will
eventually lead to critical mass. But like an A bomb, if you don't trigger
it correctly you just end up with a small bang and radioactive debris on the
floor. Take the time to build critical mass and trigger it correctly...
Linux may be the proficiency of choice. Till then I'll keep watching,
reading, and putting in a good word when I can. Practicing yet another
sellable skill, walking the fine line between fanaticism and knowing what's
going on.

keith

PS for all my supposed technical expertise :) I could have sent it to the
right address the first time.

keith
-------------

Keith R. Watson                        GTRI/AIST
Computer Services Specialist IV        Georgia Institute of Technology
keith.watson at gtri.gatech.edu           Atlanta, GA  30332-0816
404-894-0836