[LoCo-US-AL] [Tuxaloosa] Linux Proficiency

Robby Workman rworkman at tuxaloosa.org
Fri Dec 19 18:23:02 GMT 2008


On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:06:50 -0600
Michael Ramm <michaelramm at tuxaloosa.org> wrote:

> I am not a goals kind of guy, but I have decided that in 2009, I would
> like to become proficient in the Linux operating system.
> 
> What exactly does that mean? I am not really sure, and that is why I
> bring the question to the lists.


As others have noted, it's context-sensitive.  That aside, I'm not sure
*anyone* really knows *the* answer (unless, perhaps, it's "42") ;-)

As we all know, I'm a bit biased, but one of the things we try to do
with Slackware is build a system that is "un-complex" enough such that
one person can grok how it's all put together and how the various parts
interact with each other.  I'll be the first to admit that this task is
getting less possible with each passing day, and perhaps it's already a
lost cause, as I'm not even convinced that *I* qualify :)  The thing
is, there's just a *lot* of upstream software (udev and hal come to
mind) perceived to be black magic by end users, and it's not the most
trivial process to get it all working so that the end user doesn't have
to care much about it -- but when they do have to care, the goats
should run, because at least one *must* be sacrificed to appease the
gods.  ;-)


> When I first started thinking of metrics that I can use to measure
> proficiency, I thought of some sort of Linux certification. There are
> two Linux certifications that I found. CompTIA Linux+[2] and Linux
> Professional Institute [3] has a three level certification program as
> well. I am thinking that I would not get the actual certification, but
> instead just pass some of the practice tests. I have heard from a
> twitter friend who is also a Linux trainer that both of those certs
> are out of date.
> 
> What are your thoughts on metrics for Linux proficiency? What can I
> use to gauge my progress through this trek?


I'm not really familiar with any of the certifications, but from what
little I've looked into the LPI practice stuff, I suspect that they're
just like most other standardized tests:
1. Potentially invalid questions, such as not recognizing that there is
more than one good way to do something, and thus creating the
expectation that the test-taker is aware of the test company's way
2. Vague questions; more than one answer is potentially correct,
depending on which (equally valid) interpration of the question is used
3. No way to discriminate between the test-taker who has
"crammed" (memorized stuff) and the test-taker who has a good
understand of Linux (this point is especially important, as it's this
person who will be most affected by points 1 and 2)

-RW

-RW



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