Hello all. I've just registered and thought I'd quickly introduce myself.

I'm been involved with computers ever since our school library got an Apple II. Started cutting my teeth on the Commodore Vic 20 and stayed with them through the C64 and Amiga 500. By then I was in university where I had some exposure to Unix but worked mostly in a DOS/Windows world. Got my degree in Computer Science (Systems) and applied that knowledge working for the Canadian Army in Ottawa for another eight years, after which I became a consultant (still in Ottawa). I'm mostly a "technical architect" but I also dabble in coding and sysadmin work (again, mostly in the Windows world).

I've tried to get more involved in Linux but found that unless I needed to use it, I just wouldn't put in the time. Thus I've installed several distros over the past few years only to let them rot until I wipe the disk and install the next one. Well, now I have some serious Linux work to do and as my first step, I'm building an OpenSuse box on which I plan to run VMWare Server (which will allow me a lot of flexibility and experimenting further). After this intro, I'll be posting my first question in the server forum. Hopefully, somebody can help me!

PS: I'm also reading the "Linux Administration Handbook" by Nemeth/Snyder/Hein and so far it's one of the best books on Linux I've ever found. It answers a lot of questions that other books seem to gloss over in their rush to get you on the desktop.

Welcome to LQ, Doc.

One thing you might consider if you are now working professionally with Linux is LPI certification. I have just started working more professionally with Linux myself. LPI-1 doesn't cost much (and you might get your employer to pay for it, like me ). You also learn lots of sys admin stuff that way, and you can do it all by self study.

As a bonus, I believe they are based n Canada...

Mons

Thanks, monsm. I do plan on getting certified. I'll have to look into LPI. I believe that Novell has their Linux certification as well, which I'm also looking at because a number of clients that I deal with are trying to get off that NetWare ship before it sinks completely (and of course are being sold on OES right now). I do like the self-study aspect of LPI - I tend to work well that way.