I have to agree with MR. Zbikowski on some things. I know that Linux is a better product than Windows (for most purposes) but Windows has the market. And without a major change in the ways that companies operate, this is not likely to change very soon. True, many large companies operate Linux at some level, but most don't want to admit it. I am an RHCE, have been for a year now, but no one is looking for them. My CCNA is what got me a job. Sure, I get to use Linux once in a while, but I just had to get used to Windows, or rather my distaste for Windows, and jump on the chance to use Linux where I have the chance. Then again, I never have been a programmer. ____________________________________ Jason Sowers Network Engineer Open Systems International 3600 Holly Lane North Suite 40 Minneapolis, MN 55447-1286 Phone: (763) 551-0559 Fax: (763) 551-1750 Email: jsowers at osii.com <mailto:jsowers at osii.com> http: www.osii.com <http://www.osii.com> & www.e-scada.com <http://www.e-scada.com> -----Original Message----- From: tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org [mailto:tclug-list-admin at mn-linux.org]On Behalf Of Andy Zbikowski Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 10:46 AM To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org Subject: Re: [TCLUG] Entry Level *nix Somehow, I got lucky. I was in the right place, at the right time, at the right price. (or something like that...) Secondly, I can deal with Windows. At this point I have completely sworn off using anything but Windows 2000 on servers (with the exception of the database server that is still running NT4, and hasn't had an issue since it went on line. If it ain't broke...) If budjeting and client hardware allowed it, I'd probally move the workstations from NT4 to windows 2000. (Just don't bother with Windows 9x or Me). If I can find a thin client to fill our needs we will probally move in that direction (if I can smash some long outstanding bugs with our main windows application anyway...) But Windows is everywhere. Get over it, learn it. I can actually sleep at night when I recomment Windows 2000. Win2K isn't perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction. The third thing I have going is on the side consulting type jobs. I started by fixing the (very) small windows network at my dad's company when ever it broke down (thankfully that wasn't often.) The other notable job was setting up a Linux firewall/nat/web/mail/file server box for the St. Lawrence Newman Center. It was all voulenteer, but probally worth mentioning. (Not one service call yet...slick!) In the next few weeks I'll be building a windows 2000 network from the ground up for an office of 10 or so. If somebody in your family or maybe a friend of the family needs computer stuff done you might find some experience there. Small businesses like that generally need some basic stuff setup, and are always concerned by cost. The last place I found myself was ISP technical support. Most ISPs use some form of UNIX, and need somebody between the customers and the admins (or developers) to setup accounts and take abuse from the users. There are probally other helpdesk positions you can find yourself in, I could tell you about a few local places that need someone with a clue, but you probally don't want the names as their offices are within shooting distance of my apartment. Muhahahahaha! (Aim the rocket at the 9th floor, center for sales, off to the right a bit for technical support...) If I have any other thoughts I'll let you know. -- Andy Zbikowski, Sys Admin | (WEB) http://www.ltiflex.com LTI Flexible Products, Inc. | (PH) 763-428-9119 (EX) 132 21801 Industrial Blvd | (FX) 763-428-9126 Rogers, MN 55374 | (PCS) 612-306-6055