Which linux application should I invest my time on ?

babypeng · 02-16-2008, 05:30 AM

Hello All,

This question might sound stupid, but I would rather know now
that I am going the wrong direction, then after I start moving.

I started learning Linux.
I installed Debian on my home PC (GRUB dual boot to WinXP).
I am doing it because I like it and because I intend to find
a higher paying job (I am currently working as a MS Sys Admin).

I got to the point where I want to install an application
to do somemthing with my Linux installation.

My questions are:

1.
which application/which proficiency has more market demand ?

2.
which proficiency will enable me to add the little Linux knowledge
and experience I will have, to my resume,
without making fun of myself ?

3.
and which proficiency will get me there faster ?

I thought about creating a web server (Apache)
and playing with a little website
(I have a static html site that used to be on a free hosting service
untill they went off the net),
or perhaps installing "MySQL" and doing something with it
(I got some backgroung with SQL and DB2 but not practical experience).

Or anyhting else ...

Any recommendations appreciated.

Thanks in advance

BabyPeng

acid_kewpie · 02-16-2008, 07:44 AM

well as a goal i'd suggest looking at LAMP as a whole. You've already mentioned the L, A and M parts there, so well on your way, just understand about php aspects (not so much the actual coding if that's not your bag per se) and the integration betwixt and between them all. That would give you a general ability to support an understand a *huge* proportion of enterprise level open source software.

frndrfoe · 02-16-2008, 12:25 PM

if you have a decent machine I would advise installing the free vmware server and install a couple of like linux vm's as minimal installs. Then install something like like LAMP as mentioned above using the package management system on the machine, then go to your other virtual machine and install all the same packages from source so that you can learn about manual dependency resolution.
Another thing to learn would be CPAN and manual perl module installation.

I think one thing good to learn is how to deal with package management systems when they not working.