Your thoughts on Linux

[nick]

Myspace is written in CFM, so let's not even go there...

As for SQL, ever wonder why people pick Oracle over MS? Ever read how Post can run as fast as Oracle?

As for efficient queries... Maybe you're used to clicking through your queries, but usually if there's an issue with overhead of a query it's from a badly written sql query.

Umm, I don't "click through" my queries. Let's not try to dismiss a point by denigrating the person who makes it I've been optimizing queries for well over a decade. One of the ways I've been doing it was through running them as stored procedures. That's something that took a while to find its way to MySQL.

As for Oracle, I used to like it a lot (especially pre-SQL 2005), if not their business practices. I actually started using it before MS SQL (especially since it was POS pre-2000, and 200 was only passable). However, MS SQL's comparative quality went seriously up with 2005, and Oracle's hasn't improved all that much. A lot of big companies still use it (and will continue using it, for many reasons, not all of which have to do with performance), but many that wouldn't even look towards MS SQL before are now adopting it.

[nick]

Oh, and MySpace has been running on .NET (with only some legacy ColdFusion code) for a while now, ever since they went through one of their "infrastructure revolutions" 2 or 3 years ago. They're about to go through another one, by the way, they've outgrown their infrastructure again, and they need more of it to start making money on something other than PPC.

[bigmike82]

"Don't make me laugh, there's a reason you don't see Windows running on any system in the top 500 list."

Care to retract that? There's actually 5. Yeah, it's 1%, but it pretty much shoots the point that Windows can't run on super computers out of the water.

[KillZone45]

Shoot me a message anytime with questions.

What is the best way to get to be familiar with the Linux OS? I wouldn't mind being proficient enough to be a sysadmin.

[nick]

"Don't make me laugh, there's a reason you don't see Windows running on any system in the top 500 list."

Care to retract that? There's actually 5. Yeah, it's 1%, but it pretty much shoots the point that Windows can't run on super computers out of the water.

Moreover, not being an OS of choice for supercomputers is kinda irrelevant to it being an OS of choice for many other applications. To the best of my knowledge, my clients aren't running supercomputers

[nick]

What is the best way to get to be familiar with the Linux OS? I wouldn't mind being proficient enough to be a sysadmin.

A good book on the basics would be a good start. Most of such books that actually get published are good enough for the purpose.

This will also give you the idea on how to continue after that.

Many community colleges also offer various Linux courses, but the quality of instruction is often subpar. However, if you're lucky with your professor, you can learn a lot, and community colleges still have some good professors. Just do your research.

I might have some e-books on the subject. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll look them up. What level are you at when it comes to IT?

[bigmike82]

Most books are very meh.

I have to actually play with the software more so than just reading the books. To that end, one of the best books I've seen on the topic is a book teaching you FreeBSD by having you configure and install a large suite of common server applications. I can't find the damn title and I don't see it on my bookshelf at the moment...if I find it, I'll shoot you the title.

Yes, FreeBSD isn't Linux, but it's a great OS for most server applications nonetheless.

There we go!

http://www.amazon.com/Building-Internet-Server-FreeBSD-6/dp/1411695747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276009671&sr=8-1

A bit outdated at this point, though still a good intro.

http://www.amazon.com/Building-Server-FreeBSD-Bryan-Hong/dp/159327145X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276009810&sr=1-1

There's a slightly newer one.

[locosway]

If you want to be a sysadmin you need to know more than just Linux. You also need a basic understanding of programming and various scripting languages. Then, depending on what you admin, such as web servers, you'll need to know basic html, php, and so on. It also wouldn't hurt to know ruby and python.

Many companies want you to have a 4 year degree in some sort of computer field if you're going to be an admin. I'm self taught, and now with the economy the way it is, it's very hard getting a job. This is why I'm going back to school now.

[danito]

Jack of all trades master of none, keep your skills current and you will stay employed my friend (Cisco, Windows, VMware, *nix, scripting, networking are good things to be proficient in)

The whole Linux vs. windows debate is pointless. Use the right tool for the job given the current circumstances. Personal bias will not keep you employed. I have a love hate relationship with both Microsoft and Linux. I have been in the IT profession for almost 16 years now and it was not what I went to college to learn. I have an applied science degree in manufacturing and design, I learned my IT skills through hands on practice and necessity, sink or swim)

[JDay]

Yes, FreeBSD isn't Linux, but it's a great OS for most server applications nonetheless.

Gentoo Linux, the best of both worlds.

[7x57]

Windows server farm? Don't make me laugh, there's a reason you don't see Windows running on any system in the top 500 list.

http://www.top500.org/list/2010/06/100

Um...nothing on Top500 is a server farm.

7x57

[7x57]

To add to that, what's more of a standard, something that's used by 20% of the systems, or by 80%?

Ah, yes, it always comes down to the Gates rules:

1. Microsoft is more standards-compliant.

2. The standard is whatever Microsoft does.

3. The standard (meaning whatever the behavior of the currently shipping product is) will be changed as often as necessary to ensure that reverse-engineering the behavior bug-for-bug is an endless treadmill, ensuring the truth of #1.

Far be it from me to complain about such a doubleplusgood OS!

7x57

[KillZone45]

What level are you at when it comes to IT?

Just beginning, I took a few classes on Linux and didn't like it. But I would love to learn more, I know that if you have a decent enough understanding that you can get a good paying job with it. I feel that I havent given it a chance and would like to learn more.

[nick]

Ah, yes, it always comes down to the Gates rules:

1. Microsoft is more standards-compliant.

2. The standard is whatever Microsoft does.

3. The standard (meaning whatever the behavior of the currently shipping product is) will be changed as often as necessary to ensure that reverse-engineering the behavior bug-for-bug is an endless treadmill, ensuring the truth of #1.

Far be it from me to complain about such a doubleplusgood OS!

7x57

Fair or not, that's what one has to integrate with in most companies I dealt with.

[nick]

Just beginning, I took a few classes on Linux and didn't like it. But I would love to learn more, I know that if you have a decent enough understanding that you can get a good paying job with it. I feel that I havent given it a chance and would like to learn more.

If you're looking into this as an occupation, you might want to start with fundamentals of networking before learning Linux or any other OS.