OK, a little off topic, but I needed to ask for an opinion or views on this. Right now I'm thinking it is best to renew some certifications that I have. One certification that I've always considered getting is the Linux+ Certification. Some 5 ~ 6 years ago, Linux was just breaking into Microsoft's ground, so I brushed it off and didn't give it much consideration to become certified in it (being limited in study material and popularity too, though l've been learning Linux and have been using it pre 2000).

Now that the server OS market has changed and is leaning more towards the penguins favour for various services like web, storage, virtualization, etc...,I'm in no way a pro or a noob either when it comes to Linux, though I've never been shy to use Linux. I've compiled kernels, installed and maintained servers for a variety of services like hosting VM's, file serving and firewalls. I've even trying different distro's from the very novice Ubuntu and Knoppix to the very manual driven distro's like Debian and Gentoo and also used Slackware as a desktop replacement to Windows some years ago.

I guess their is always more to learn about something and it amazes me that a kind of OS that is free (in most cases), very resilient and less prone to crashes and or requiring a reboot and has been spun off for different purposes exists.

Getting back to the point, I like Linux, it as out there in many ways and functions and I don't see it leaving or disappearing any time soon. Has any on the forum have got or would recommend obtaining a Linux+ certification? Thanks.

It seems like your know your way around linux.

The only reason I could see going for certification is if you feel there is a requirement to know more and a job opportunity.

 

I've never taken a unix class.

I've learned everything from books, hacking and web pages.

 

If I had to go for another job or a consulting position where credentials were required, I would go for the certification.

 

If you are looking through CVs / Resumes and one person has it and another doesn't.... which one are you more likely to see?

 

Some people don't value these qualifications but anything that can give you an edge has to be a good thing if you ask me.

Couldn't agree more with this statement. Some technical accreditation like Cisco stuff can be a requirement for getting a job but most IMO are only useful for not stopping you get a job.

 

People lie on CVs. Ive seen people claim expert knowledge of Server OSs when what they mean is they really mean is... I have passable knowledge Excel.

 

Accreditation stands you out and the process of having to pass exams forces you to learn stuff you otherwise would have no interest in which invariably is the stuff that stands you out from the crowd in the end.

Yeah, well basically that is the reason I would consider getting CompTIA Linux+ certification, like my Microsoft and Cisco cert's some time ago, it would be purely for the CV.

Having said that, you learn more by reading, studying and doing practical too when studying for a certification, probably more then just using casually playing with an OS, regardless of what Platform you're trying to master. But on a final note, you can be a pro at something too (much like some of the members here, their Linux skills are exceptional), and never bother with the certification. It is true, you can lie in a CV and say you have experience and what not, it is a shame you just cannot prove your 'true' knowledge in an interview, relying on certifications to get a job.

The certifications will help if you have no other related experience on the resume.

 

I used to do a lot of hiring of consultants for IT work.  consulting firms would submit resumes...  I looked for work experience first.  Certificates alone can be very misleading, and in some cases, just plain fake.

 

If you get to the point where you have an actual interview, you probably are well past the point where a certificate is needed. 

 

Also, you CAN prove your knowledge in an interview... but it takes an interviewer that also knows a little about the needed expertise.

 

It is difficult in a short interview to determine an applicant's abilities.

 

Sometimes, if an interview was going well, I'd ask the applicant a completely off-the-wall unix question.   

Something like:

  What letters of the alphabet are NOT possible arguments to the "ls" command?

 

I really did not care  so much about the answer, but on how it was answered.

 

An old co-worker suggested I use a two-part question for interviews that were not going as well. 

    1.  did you ever take a "Turing Test" ?

    2.  did you pass ?

 

Just an FYI.  I've never been "certified" with a CompTIA Linux+.    It would probably not stop me from getting a position.

 

Joe L.

An old co-worker suggested I use a two-part question for interviews that were not going as well.   

    1.  did you ever take a "Turing Test" ?

    2.  did you pass ?

 

That is brilliant!!  If i ever end up having to do some interviewing I am so asking that question.

 

As for the first one; I probably would have answered it something to the effect of, "A man ls on the command line will tell you what can and cannot me used as arguments to the command."  I would have to go through and check exactly which can and cannot be used.  I can only think of a few off the top of my head that i know CAN be used.

The certifications will help if you have no other related experience on the resume.

 

I used to do a lot of hiring of consultants for IT work.   consulting firms would submit resumes...  I looked for work experience first.   Certificates alone can be very misleading, and in some cases, just plain fake.

 

 

This is very true. I'm a network admin for a communications company and when we interview for open positions, real world experience is much more valuable than certifications.

An old co-worker suggested I use a two-part question for interviews that were not going as well.  

   1.  did you ever take a "Turing Test" ?

   2.  did you pass ?

 

That is brilliant!!  If i ever end up having to do some interviewing I am so asking that question.

Thanks...

As for the first one; I probably would have answered it something to the effect of, "A man ls on the command line will tell you what can and cannot me used as arguments to the command."  I would have to go through and check exactly which can and cannot be used.  I can only think of a few off the top of my head that i know CAN be used.

And by answering in that way, I'd know your level of knowledge.

 

The correct answer, of course, is a question itself:

BSD or System V?

 

I did once have an applicant answer "yes" to both parts of the "Turing Test" question...  

I think he was stretching the truth about his passing it.

 

My apologies to having side-tracked the original question.  Certificates will help in the absence of experience or when the job ad is worded so that it is an absolute requirement for the position.   A series of certificates in related topics will help.  They show breadth of knowledge, but actual experience (and knowledge) will work best.

 

Joe L.