Re: Working with Linux

Anders Holm <[email protected]> Sun, 4 Dec 2016 22:49:53 +0000
Newsgroups gmane.user-groups.linux.ilug.general
Message-ID <[email protected]>
Agreed.

These are great for reference, for learning, you want more hands on.. :)

//anders

On 03/12/2016 18:16, paul wrote:
> I suggest doing simple projects to learn bash.
> It'll stick way more than just reading.
> 
> I learned a lot making cronjobs to renew my https certs, and email
> pornography to a friend of mine.
> 
> 
> 
> -paul
> 
> On 03/12/16 17:29, Wolfgang wrote:
>> Great advice! Picked it up.
>>
>> I will work my way in with the bash-related materials at first and then
>> branch out into the other texts.
>>
>> I should invest in a proper e-reader though!
>>
>>
>> -Wolfgang
>>
>>
>> On Friday, 2 December 2016 09:43:14 UTC, Anders Holm wrote:
>>
>>     And for your evening reading pleasures, here's an opportunity to expand
>>     your library:
>>
>>     https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle?imm_mid=0eb37f&cmp=em-prog-books-videos-na-promo_humble_bundle_unix_20161201
>>     <https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle?imm_mid=0eb37f&cmp=em-prog-books-videos-na-promo_humble_bundle_unix_20161201>
>>
>>
>>     //anders
>>
>>     On 01/12/2016 09:40, bigbro wrote:
>>     > Hi,
>>     >
>>     > Looks like you've already got some good answers - and thanks for
>>     asking
>>     > your question here. Many of us have been using Linux for a long time,
>>     > but we're all still learning!
>>     >
>>     > In case it helps, you might want to consider certification just as a
>>     > method of ensuring you get a broad coverage of topics. While
>>     > certification does go out of date, many of the certifications
>>     require a
>>     > broad coverage of Linux and Systems Administration knowledge, and
>>     so the
>>     > manuals and course syllabus materials may be a great starting point.
>>     >
>>     > LPIC ( https://www.lpi.org/our-certifications/lpic-1-overview
>>     <https://www.lpi.org/our-certifications/lpic-1-overview> ) and
>>     > RedHat ( https://www.redhat.com/en/services/certification
>>     <https://www.redhat.com/en/services/certification> ) are both
>>     > well established, and their training materials are mature and
>>     accessible.
>>     >
>>     > There are also many courses on EdX, Coursera and undoubtedly other
>>     > continuous learning communities.
>>     >
>>     > Best of luck, and enjoy learning about Linux.
>>     >
>>     > Best regards,
>>     > -->Gar
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > 2016-11-26 18:37 GMT+00:00 Wolfgang <[email protected] <javascript:>
>>     > <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>>:
>>     >
>>     >     Hi Mark!
>>     >
>>     >     Thanks for taking the time to reply. Really appreciate it!
>>     >
>>     >     Great advice regarding my profile. I have been considering
>>     this for
>>     >     some time, hence my LinkedIn page has been a bit static of
>>     late. My
>>     >     predicament has mainly been that I don't want to be seen as
>>     >     overselling myself, as I don't have much to offer yet in the
>>     way of
>>     >     technical expertise. I am a writer however, so that's not a very
>>     >     good excuse: I suppose I need to find a way to frame it in the
>>     >     context of my ambition to undertake further training and make a
>>     >     transition into a new field. I will work on that in the coming
>>     week.
>>     >
>>     >     Your advice about making sure you don't jump on an offer just to
>>     >     fill a position is also very insightful, it's something that I
>>     may
>>     >     have otherwise overlooked. Keeping an end goal in mind could make
>>     >     the difference between finding satisfying career and just
>>     finding a
>>     >     job in the short term.
>>     >
>>     >     I have been looking into my choices for the coming year and it
>>     seems
>>     >     there quite a number of options in Cork. UCC offers several
>>     >     conversion courses, both as MAs and HDips: there's an Applied
>>     >     Computing Technologies HDip <http://www.ucc.ie/en/cko08/> that
>>     seems
>>     >     to cover quite a lot of bases, including programming (Python, I
>>     >     believe), web development, databases and applications
>>     development.
>>     >     There's also the Interactive Media MSc
>>     <http://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr05/>
>>     >     that's open to graduates from other disciplines, though I feel
>>     that
>>     >     degree may have less overlap with Linux than the HDip. I also
>>     know
>>     >     several people involved in the nebulous field of Digital
>>     Humanities,
>>     >     which is also represented by an MA at UCC
>>     >     <http://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr05/>, though I'm not really sure how
>>     useful
>>     >     it may be on the job-market.
>>     >
>>     >     I just saw that CIT also offers a CompTIA Linux+ qualification.
>>     >     Looking over the course outline, it does seem like I could
>>     probably
>>     >     keep up with most of the content considering I run Linux at
>>     home on
>>     >     my personal machines. Not entirely sure how CompTIA would hold up
>>     >     against *nix certifications from www.linuxacademy.com
>>     <http://www.linuxacademy.com>
>>     >     <http://www.linuxacademy.com>. I will certainly be checking their
>>     >     offerings out though, it would be brilliant to get started ASAP.
>>     >
>>     >     The Cork Education and Training Board also offers some
>>     introductory
>>     >     ICT related courses, from Java Foundation training to web
>>     design and
>>     >     virtualisation. I got my Microsoft Office Specialist Master cert
>>     >     there (always though that bombastic title was pretty funny,
>>     >     considering you basically learn how to use an office suite), so
>>     >     that's always an option too.
>>     >
>>     >     I've already bought a paper copy of 'The Linux Command Line: A
>>     >     Complete Introduction' by William E. Shotts Jr. and have been
>>     >     working my way through it. I also have been following
>>     tutorials on
>>     >     Youtube covering basic commands and writing bash scripts, though
>>     >     embarrassingly enough the only two I have written are: a basic
>>     >     script that compliments my girlfriend if prompted (makes sure she
>>     >     doesn't get cross at me working away with Linux) and a script
>>     that
>>     >     outputs pacman warnings to a text file for file integrity reasons
>>     >     (so I can monitor if anything like file sizes or contents have
>>     >     changed without me knowing about it). Sometimes the problem with
>>     >     tinkering alone like that is to figure out what to try and build.
>>     >     Which explains my first script.
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >     I'll be sure to pick up the Bundle, had been looking over it
>>     >     yesterday. Perhaps I'll get myself a Kindle or similar to make it
>>     >     easier on my eyes too, not sure how well I can read them on my
>>     mobile.
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >     Once again, thanks for your help! It's given me a lot to think
>>     about.
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >     Best regards,
>>     >
>>     >     -Wolfgang
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >     On Saturday, 26 November 2016 08:40:34 UTC, Mark Kenny wrote:
>>     >
>>     >         Hi Wolfgang,
>>     >
>>     >         First thing to do is get your LinkedIn updated. Within the
>>     >         summary section you should project your passion and
>>     interest for
>>     >         working with linux. Recruiters searching linkedin are
>>     doing so
>>     >         with keywords so try and ram as much in there as possible.
>>     Just
>>     >         be careful that when you do get approached about a job that
>>     >         you're not getting sold a dud as recruiters are simply
>>     looking
>>     >         to fill a position, whilst you're looking to follow a
>>     passion.
>>     >
>>     >         The biggest challenge you face is persuading a company to
>>     take a
>>     >         chance on you as opposed to somebody with relevant
>>     >         certifications/degree/masters/experience. Springboard courses
>>     >         are good and I know people who have come through them to get
>>     >         employment, though they were not looking to work with
>>     linux. A
>>     >         quick search on the springboard site for linux returns no
>>     >         matching courses. A blank search of the IT conversion does
>>     show
>>     >         up some courses for "cloud computing" (Cork IT has two Fetac
>>     >         level 8 courses) and these could be a good gateway to working
>>     >         with linux.
>>     >
>>     >         There's a Humble Bundle on sale at the moment which should
>>     >         provide a lot of valuable knowledge if you manage to work
>>     your
>>     >         way through
>>     >         them: https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle
>>     <https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle>
>>     >         <https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle
>>     <https://www.humblebundle.com/books/unix-book-bundle>> Some stuff
>>     >         is possibly dated but there will be a good grounding on a
>>     lot of
>>     >         *nix areas.
>>     >
>>     >         What Padraig says about certification is true, they can
>>     become
>>     >         irrelevant after a while. As you're coming from zero IT
>>     >         background though, they could be an option if a 2 year
>>     >         conversion course is too much of a time investment.
>>     They'll show
>>     >         an employer that you have an interest and aptitude in a
>>     certain
>>     >         area. I've done various certifications (Cisco, Juniper,
>>     Linux,
>>     >         AWS - I've let some expire as they're not relevant to my
>>     current
>>     >         interests/job) and while they won't make your career, they
>>     will
>>     >         certainly help you along the way. I'd recommend
>>     >         www.linuxacademy.com <http://www.linuxacademy.com>
>>     <http://www.linuxacademy.com> if you're
>>     >         interested in *nix certification or other areas of cloud
>>     >         computing like AWS/Azure, they've a free trial which is worth
>>     >         exploring.
>>     >
>>     >         Best of luck and if you've any questions, just shout.
>>     >
>>     >         On Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 2:03 AM, Pádraig Brady
>>     >         <[email protected]> wrote:
>>     >
>>     >             On 25/11/16 18:33, [email protected] wrote:
>>     >             > Hey lads,
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > Not sure if this kind of thing is allowed in the
>>     ILUG, but I'm a recent enough convert to GNU/Linux - currently
>>     running a community spin of Manjaro on two machines and Tahrpup on a
>>     netbook. I also have a Pi3 running Raspbian.
>>     >             > I spend a lot of my free time tinkering with my
>>     installs or messing about on the terminal and so far I've really
>>     enjoyed the experience. Though there's way more to learn, I know
>>     more about my Linux system and my hardware now than I ever did as a
>>     Windows user. Not to go full Stallman; but it has felt liberating.
>>     >             >
>>     >             > I've been thinking of transitioning into IT for some
>>     time, possibly by returning to college to do a conversion course, BA
>>     or a Springboard course.
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > I understand that for many of you, Linux is part of
>>     the every day at this stage, so I can also understand if you find
>>     yourself scoffing at my new-found infatuation with all things Linux:
>>     but I'm wondering if perhaps the 'grey-beards' of the group (not
>>     discriminating against the beardless) can offer me some advice or
>>     insight into working with Linux as a professional - as a systems
>>     admin or otherwise.
>>     >             >
>>     >             > One question I have is probably the most frequently
>>     asked one: how important is certification? Would being Linux
>>     certified give me a head start over somebody with a general CS/IT
>>     qualification? Or is a combination of both the best bet?
>>     >             >
>>     >             > How common are entry-level positions or internships
>>     in the Linux world? I haven't seen too many on the various job sites.
>>     >             >
>>     >             > What other IT related fields would you get to
>>     involve yourself in Linux, besides working as a sys admin? I'm
>>     thinking web design or applications development might have some
>>     overlap.
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > How big of a barrier is it not coming from a tech
>>     background?
>>     >             >
>>     >             > Some context context on my work/education history: I
>>     have a MA in Writing and have worked for several years as a
>>     freelance writer, specifically writing about the arts and doing PR
>>     for various cultural institutions. I also have some teaching
>>     experience and more or less bilingual. Not sure how much of my
>>     experience would count as 'transferable' or if there's a niche in
>>     the IT world that somebody like myself would fit in better than
>>     others. Another obstacle is that besides having taken courses in
>>     Python and Java Script through websites like Code Academy, I am not
>>     well versed in any programming language - hence me wanting to return
>>     to education.
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > And if I can ask a personal question, for those of
>>     you that started off dabbling in Linux as a hobby and later
>>     transitioned to working with Linux as professionals, how has your
>>     experience affected how you feel about Linux? Do you feel 'burnt
>>     out' at all, or have you been able to maintain some level of
>>     enthusiasm?
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > I've done solo research into the topic, so I don't
>>     want the ILUG to feel like I'm using you instead of Google. It's
>>     just that it all still feels fairly vague to me and I think personal
>>     insights would help resolve that.
>>     >             >
>>     >             > Many online resources are also quite US centric. I
>>     will be Cork based for the next few years, so if anybody has an
>>     specific advice about working in IT in Cork, that would be brilliant.
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             >
>>     >             > Thanks for your time and patience,
>>     >             >
>>     >             > -Wolfgang
>>     >
>>     >             Hey Wolfgang,
>>     >
>>     >             Thanks for documenting your enthusiasm.
>>     >             It's great to see, and the secret sauce to success IMHO.
>>     >             If you're enthusiastic about this field you'll do well.
>>     >             It's just a matter of which route is the fastest.
>>     >
>>     >             It's quite subjective how one best learns.
>>     >             Some prefer study, while others are more practical.
>>     >             Personally I don't have, nor was ever inclined to get,
>>     >             any certifications, as I feel they go out of relevance
>>     >             quite quickly, and can be too specific and commercial.
>>     >             Some prefer formal education, while others getting
>>     >             their hands dirty, like on some open source project
>>     for e.g.
>>     >             I was lucky in that I had a technical degree before
>>     >             I got interested in open source, but a conversion course
>>     >             to an IT degree would both ease your progress in the
>>     field,
>>     >             and also provide some broader info before you specialize.
>>     >
>>     >             Specialization is necessary really for navigating this
>>     >             now vast field. Having a particular area of expertise,
>>     >             be it a language, or service, or whatever, will both
>>     >             give better satisfaction that you're working at a level
>>     >             that is really beneficial, and is a good focus point
>>     >             in a CV or interview.
>>     >
>>     >             An often overlooked aspect in a technical career is
>>     effective
>>     >             communication, both personal and especially written.
>>     >             Having an MA in writing is a huge advantage over the
>>     >             common or garden software engineer, and combined with
>>     >             enthusiasm in a particular technical area (which most
>>     >             do not have), you can't go wrong.
>>     >
>>     >             Good luck.
>>     >             Pádraig.
>>     >
>>     >             --
>>     >             Irish Linux Users Group
>>     >             ---
>>     >             You received this message because you are subscribed
>>     to the
>>     >             Google Groups "ILUG" group.
>>     >             To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails
>>     >             from it, send an email to [email protected].
>>     >             To post to this group, send an email to [email protected].
>>     >             Visit this group at
>>     >             https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/>
>>     >             <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/>>.
>>     >             To view this discussion on the web, visit
>>     >            
>>     https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/1205b03e-9e84-96fe-9d8a-943b57b79191%40draigBrady.com
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/1205b03e-9e84-96fe-9d8a-943b57b79191%40draigBrady.com>
>>
>>     >            
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/1205b03e-9e84-96fe-9d8a-943b57b79191%40draigBrady.com
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/1205b03e-9e84-96fe-9d8a-943b57b79191%40draigBrady.com>>.
>>
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >     --
>>     >     Irish Linux Users Group
>>     >     ---
>>     >     You received this message because you are subscribed to the
>>     Google
>>     >     Groups "ILUG" group.
>>     >     To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
>>     >     send an email to [email protected] <javascript:>
>>     >     <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>.
>>     >     To post to this group, send email to [email protected] <javascript:>
>>     >     <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>.
>>     >     Visit this group at
>>     https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/>
>>     >     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/>>.
>>     >     To view this discussion on the web, visit
>>     >    
>>     https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/d75b4360-de1b-4942-acf3-7060515775e9%40linux.ie
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/d75b4360-de1b-4942-acf3-7060515775e9%40linux.ie>
>>
>>     >    
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/d75b4360-de1b-4942-acf3-7060515775e9%40linux.ie?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/d75b4360-de1b-4942-acf3-7060515775e9%40linux.ie?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>>.
>>
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > --
>>     > Gareth 'bigbro' Eason
>>     >
>>     > --
>>     > Irish Linux Users Group
>>     > ---
>>     > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>     > Groups "ILUG" group.
>>     > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it,
>>     send
>>     > an email to [email protected] <javascript:>
>>     <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>.
>>     > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] <javascript:>
>>     <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>.
>>     > Visit this group at
>>     https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/>.
>>     > To view this discussion on the web, visit
>>     >
>>     https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/CAD4VSdhYQ-1bByrEdfcTdnY5gU3mA2dFgwQ-OBidU%2Bq%2BVVm1JQ%40mail.gmail.com
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/CAD4VSdhYQ-1bByrEdfcTdnY5gU3mA2dFgwQ-OBidU%2Bq%2BVVm1JQ%40mail.gmail.com>
>>
>>     >
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/CAD4VSdhYQ-1bByrEdfcTdnY5gU3mA2dFgwQ-OBidU%2Bq%2BVVm1JQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
>>     <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/CAD4VSdhYQ-1bByrEdfcTdnY5gU3mA2dFgwQ-OBidU%2Bq%2BVVm1JQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>>.
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Irish Linux Users Group
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>> Groups "ILUG" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>> an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/.
>> To view this discussion on the web, visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/27612651-6937-4304-9c74-2236b40a1615%40linux.ie
>> <https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/27612651-6937-4304-9c74-2236b40a1615%40linux.ie?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.
> 

-- 
Irish Linux Users Group
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ILUG" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected].
To post to this group, send an email to [email protected].
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/group/ilug/.
To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/a/linux.ie/d/msgid/ilug/228f079d-05d6-048d-a8cb-5a72894e020e%40gmail.com.