Rather than that, instead have some sort of poll to determine how important certification is versus not.

I think the ambition choice is a good one, as it would help planning as well as open discussions about the relative virtues.

1 members found this post helpful.

The difficult part of that would be; important in what context and to whom. Because of that I don't think it would be a particularly useful general poll. Perhaps a more specific poll along the lines of "Have you found certification beneficial when looking for a Linux or Open Source related job?" or "Have you found the lack of certification detrimental when looking for a Linux or Open Source related job?" could be interesting, however. Certainly open to feedback on the topic.

--jeremy

17 years ago if I wanted to use the Debian Hungarian characters and graphics applications had to be programmed. Operate the machine and it is enough for me. Sometimes I can help a beginner and this is enough to be proud. Respect and thanks for all Linux users: who is now starting tomorrow can develop.

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks for adding the LPI Essentials. Now, I accidentally confirmed myself as having completed it, before actually doing so. Guess I better hold myself to that goal, else be prepared to be 'walked' over to the MS forums, eh.

maybe also, should have included the General issue CompTIA A+ certificate - as well?.

- have got that one.

CompTIA A+ is not a Linux certification, so would not be suitable for this poll.

--jeremy

The certificates are not important for end-users and amateur FOSS developers like me, so I have none.
The results would probably be different if the poll was limited to people requiring linux skills in their job.

I have never needed certification. First of all, I have learned, from a few library books, the basics, such as user administration, package management, shell scripting and C programming.

When I needed encryption knowledge, I then dug into the topic and learned what I needed to know.
When I needed server knowledge, I then dug into the topic and learned what I needed to know.
When I needed database knowledge, I then dug into the topic and learned what I needed to know.

Each needed to know topic was not an overnight venture, it was, in some cases a one or two month study.

The above three topics and the basics took about an elapsed time of 1 year, assuming 4 hours per day of self study.

As a "sip from the fire-hose" source of pragmatic information, I do find the training materials useful.

And, as a sometimes adjunct-faculty community college professor (and professional trainer), I can also speak well of the notion of "actual classroom instruction." It works for some people, and I am proud for having been a part of it (and plan to do so again).

However: "it isn't a Golden Ticket." Really, the certificate is not the point. You are seeking to learn a pragmatic, serviceable skill, and in that regard a piece-of-paper is only an emblem. (At the college, which had over 10,000(!) night students across the system, most of the (night) students had degrees ... even PhD's ... and were not looking for another one. They were looking for education.)

(And, hoo boy, did they keep us teachers on our toes! Even though he invited me to call him Greg, I still called him Dr. Winston.)

(Uhh, can you tell that I loved it? That I still do?)

Think of certifications as: "adult continuing-education." (Think of your local community college in that way, too.) Never stop learning(!). But: don't tie your future, or your aspirations, to the hope for a "golden ticket." Willy Wonka had one. You don't.

Most certifications are professionally designed by very competent people, and over the years I've had a small hand in designing a few of them. (Tho' not for Linux, yet.) "They are what they are, and they're not what they're not." If you know what you're buying and why you're buying, they might be a good buy. If you don't, then they're not.

Just don't "go in there, starry-eyed," and wind up having spent a lot of money just to wind up disillusioned. That happens way-too often, and it's a terrible waste of ... well ... everything. Keep your head on the ground and be an informed, realistic, consumer. Given that you are spending money on Yourself: spend wisely.