Re: I failed Linux Certification test!


<dorothydax@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1174331196.802914.24870@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have been using Linux since 2003 - 2004. I decided to test my Linux
knowledge. I took free on line Linux Certification test, and I was
barely able to answer seven questions! I feel really ashamed!

Normally, I surf the Internet, type documents using abiword or Free
Office. Play Video mplayer, and few other basic stuff. I also play
games, native linux games, and dos games using dosbox. Linux is my
main Operating System.

I am able to compile kernel, configure printers, install few .tar.bz
apps. What is it I can I do to improve my knowledge?

In near future, I really want to get Linux Certification, any advice,
recommendation would be appreciated.


You don't have to be certified to be skillful and get ahead.
At my last job I learned a heck of a lot about computer programing and
networks from a guy who has zero certifications. He runs the network for an
organization that has thousands of employees and almost a 100 locations. Big
WAN.
He helped me with my CCNA and another guy get his CCNP.
He builds most of the organizations servers from scratch and uses Linux. He
programs the ATM switches, configures the routers, writes the network
monitering code using Perl and others, etc..
He started working for them, I think, his first year out of High School,
about 6 years ago. From what I've been told he has even tought classes in
Linux and Cisco.
Through out it all he refuses to get a certification because he belives that
a certification carries with it the idea that you know more about how to
select the correct answer (A., B., C., D., or E., ) then how to actually
apply your knowledge to solving a real world issue.
If you want to know about Linux simply because you love the OS then your
best bet is to create a project for your self. Maybe set up a web server
using Apache. Or, try your hand at using Perl to perform a series of tasks.
Along the the way you will find the need to pick up a few books and dig
through them and/or start reading a lot of man pages. Ether way you will
learn a lot more about how to opperate in the real world then any
certification could grant you, save maybe a CCIE.
However, if your goal is to get into a Linux job then you might have to take
a class or two that is specifically tuned for passing a Linux cert.. After
that your company will expect you to be able to solve all their computer
problems because you have a certification and that makes you smarter then
the person who was responsible for hiring you in the first place.
Having said that, one could conclude, the only reason that any company
requires a certification in the first place is because nobody, with any
influence, in the company knows the first thing about computers in general.
And, there for would accept a person with nothing more then a certification
as proof of knowledge over someone who could actually re-write the entire
Linux core but doesn't have a single cert.
It all comes down to what your after. Do you want (A), (B) or (C)?
(A) You try to take the short cut and start by getting a cert. and get an
entry level job. You eventually figure out that you are in over your head
because you soon realise that the cert. had very little to do with real
world situations. At this point you ether jump back out of the industry or
you actually start to learn, a lot and really fast, and rise to the
challange.
(B) You take the route of actually UNDERSTANDING Linux and how everything
fits together and how to make it all work by working out one real world type
issue/project after another and becomming the type of guy that I mentioned
above.
B. is the guy that everyone seems to go to for all the answers and never has
a problem finding a job. Usually his/her only problem is trying to decide
which job offers to consider.
(C) If your in it just for fun then a cert. is a worthless waste of money.


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