Linux or Windows. want to settle on one for my career but cant.

[pctechnician]

I like both Windows and Linux, in particular RedHat. I want to have an administration career in one, but i dont know which one to tackle the hardest. One day i would like to get my MCSE (already have MCP forW2K). I like RedHat because of the shear customization of diff packages and unlimited free utilities. also based on the fact that Linux admins are few and far in between as opposed to Windows admins. I want a fruitful career ($$$$ if you know what i mean)

What should I do ?

A+,Network+,MCP

 

[MattWray]

Glen, you should also check out

http://www.laboratorycomputers.com,

they have some good cheap boxes, no OS though. I'd rather load it myself though.... The above mentioned deal is not as good with the 1 in front of that 69 and no HD.... Here is Lindows the OS for 60 bucks,

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...product_id=2309557&path=0:3944:3951:3954:4452

I don't know if this OS is downloadable for free.....

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[dilettante]

Maybe replace the floppy with an LS-240 drive?

Those will format 10 cent HD floppies at 20MB.

Or maybe add a CD-RW drive for local storage?

Of course unless the Lindows CD has support for these devices you'll be screwed.

Maybe when they can put the OS on flash memory for cheap they'll have something.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Matt, thanks for the link. Looks interesting. Have you dealt with them? Reputable? (Lablink that is.)

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

"The best fire does not flare up the soonest."
George Eliot (1819-1880); Englist novelist.

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[AnanthaP]

Is Linux on the way out? I didn't say so. In all new software, after the initial euphoria, there is a down slide in the share of business and then the sales (or downloads too in this case) settle down and find a market level with a steady upswing or erosion - mostly depending on other innovations. Thats where Linux is.

The graph goes somthing like this.

X
XX
XXX
XXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXX
XXXX
XXX
XXX
XX
XX
X
X

Even counting every download as an install, I'm not sure whether more people are switching to Linux.

As to why IBM is investing in Linux. Simple, to sell more boxes and not just Intel boxes. As a spin-off, they might even patent some code later.

I was talking market share. On desktops and in office suites, where M$ lives, you can't beat it. In my office, the brass will spend more for MS-Office than for any free alternative - just for not changing.

Last 2 releases of Linux have not been on schedule. The tussle is between .NET, SunOne and NetOne.

Also, there is the FUD factor. People dread having to install or tweak anything themselves. I too am following the spin-offs of the discussion on the WAL-MART deal. Why do we want LINDOWS, why not straight LINUX?

Don't get me wrong. I use both Linux and M$ products. Recently to set up a CD and document service I chose to use Linux insead of shelling out bucks to M$ for a W2K server.

But lets get real. What can do we do to make Linux more acceptable?

Each one, use at least one Linux box in your profession.

End

 

[Stevehewitt]

Make Linux more accecptable?

Well I'm not sure what you can do. As the years go on there seems to be less and less difference between Linux and Windows. The only real things IMHO is Price and Scalability. Windows is even trying to catch up with the latter point too. The NT versions of Windows have been very solid (certianly Win2k - solid as a rock) reliablity wise, I've never has problems with Security in the last 6 years I've been working on NT and although Windows is very expensive on face value, you have to take into account the 6 free support I get with my server to MS, free upgrades, everything works on it, its not hard to learn and Admins are everywhere!!!

Saying that, Linux has definatly got a market and its here to stay. 5 Years ago you could see big differences between the two - which obviously put Linux ahead, but MS have played catch up. At the moment, I cannot see any reason to change any of the systems I look after to Linux.

So to get it more accecpted?... I think that it needs to find its core strong points and try to market them a lot better. MS is designed for all round good performance, but Linux has got core strenghts in certian areas that really need to be exploited.

Phew. My fingers are sore now! Sorry for the length! ;-)

Steve.

 

[ashpp]

My experience is that Unix is on the decline, Linux & windows usage is slightly increasing.
At my current employment, the Digital & Sun servers are being replaced with Linux (RedHat). The UNIX workstations are being replaced with Windows.
Windows is being used because the company developes software for Windows, and the fact that Exceed on Demand is so good their is little need for Unix desktops anymore.

And to answer the original posters question.

Learn both, a lot of compaines use Unix/Linux for the perimeter security and ftp/webservers servers for external access. Internally they have Windows workstations, and Windows servers.

If you want a good job

Windows - Learn GP, software deployment, user management, designing a infrastructure, clustering etc

Linux - Learn nis/YP, clustering, webhosting etc

Also learn a lot about security (vpns, iislockdown, dmzs), its becoming a *very* important skill to employers.
The best way forward would be to become a complete guru about Linux and know the fundamentals of Windows.

I you haven't got a job in IT yet, then it isn't going to a easy ride even if you do have the skills
Also if you only want to get into IT for the $$$ then I really wouldn't bother.

 

[GwydionM]

Windows has aimed itself at business and managers. They mostly like what they see, and they take the purchasing decisions for places most of us work.

Microsoft Outlook is great for booking a meeting with half a dozen people working in other parts of the building. Not something I'd normally do myself, but it is central to the lives of managers and they appreciate it.

In my own case, I used to have a Mac and a Psion. But there was extra effort in needing to remind myself which system I was on, what would work and what the various [Ctrl] functions meant.

I'm sure Linux has advantages if running an operating system is your main task. But that's not most of us.

 

[MattWray]

Glen,

Yes, I have dealt with them. They are in Austin, about 2 hrs from me in Houston. The last company I worked for has bought about 4 machines from them and my wife's company bought a machine from them also. They sell good boxes with plenty of room inside. Though, I have heard mixed reactions on their Customer Service. I never had problems with them, but my friend that actually turned me on to them said they were rude to him.
You just have to make your own judgements I guess.... But I'd buy from them again....

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[GlenJohnson]

Thanks, Matt. Customer service is always dependent on the technician you talk to. A major computer company I deal with has the technician from hell. I was having problems and realized that the machine was still under warranty, I spent hours on the phone with the tech. Bottom line was
Tech: I think what you'll want to do is use the fdisk program.
Me: Fdisk? You mean you want me to wipe out my hard drive?
Tech: Yes, I think that is probably the best thing now.





Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

"The best fire does not flare up the soonest."
George Eliot (1819-1880); Englist novelist.

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[dilettante]

Don't leave out the BSDs either. I'm seeing more interest in OpenBSD because it installs very locked down to begin with. Makes a good bastion box, web server, DNS server, etc.

No as much of a "click and go" environment as today's Linux though.