Re: OffTopic--Linux Certification-Novell/CompTIA etc

[Marc M <linuxr@xxxxxxxxx>]

It really just depends on the employer.  If a person knows their
stuff and can prove it, I would think that always trumps any other
qualifications.  On the other hand if one is RHCE and another
candidate is not, the non-certified individual had better be pretty
darn fluent to be able to beat the other person out.  

Having said that, there are indeed a lot of people who DO have a ton of
knowledge and experience, and no certs.  Whether their background
is a lot of UNIX, programming or whatever, I have known many people who
basically should never 'need' to get certified, at least not in
Linux.  

However there are also a lot of people (maybe more), young Jedi knights
if you will, who just need to prove qualifications to get to the next
level ( helpdesk to Net Eng, Net Eng to Consultant, whatever). 
That is, to me, what certs are good for.   Not to get you
something you aren't qualified for, but to allow you to get an
interview or maybe a job that you wouldn't get otherwise.   

My rundown on the linux certs:  

1.  Linux+ - entry level, M/c as stated, recently made harder,
still good to get if you are someone in the second category...it still
takes you to a higher level, although I agree being M/C you can't put
much stock in it, all by itself anyway.  

2.  LPIC - mid level, along with Novell's cert.   They
take a while to get with multiple tests and such.  Novell has
basically piggybacked the Linux training onto their CNA/CNE track that
was already in place.    

3.  RHCE -- probably the best Linux cert, by far, and undoubtedly
the hardest from what I understand.    ESPECially true
now that it is 100% hands- on (RH did away with the M/C part a while
back).   Look at the job boards, they are basically asking
for RHCE (and occasionally Solaris or LPIC certifications).  


Marc