In today's open source roundup: Become a Linux system administrator and rake in the cash. Plus: A look back at the top ten distros of 2014, and how Linux can be more successful on the desktop Linux system administrators get the big bucks The Linux job market has been hot for a while, and system administrators make top dollar. But being a successful Linux system admin requires some education and training. SJVN at ZDNet reports: Want a good job in tech? Then learning Linux is well worth your time. In 2013, the tech job site Dice reported that senior Linux administrators were making $90,853. Last year, Dice stated that Linux jobs were more in demand than ever and that salaries and bonuses were going up. But, to really go places you need to prove your mad Linux skills with a certification. The newest of these certifications, the Linux Foundation Certified SysAdmin and Engineer, appears to be both really popular with companies and really hard. More at ZDNet The Linux Foundation offers a class for $499 that will get you started on the road to becoming a Linux system administrator: This Linux system administration course will give you the background and experience you need to administer an enterprise Linux environment. You’ll learn how to install new systems with a variety of Linux distributions, how to configure systems with new hardware and software combinations, and more. This course is: 100% online and self-paced (similar to our edX Introduction to Linux course) Full of content and labs developed by our expert trainers Designed to give you a fundamental understanding of skills and knowledge necessary to be a system administrator Excellent preparation for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator exam. Bundle version includes an LFCS exam attempt. More at the Linux Foundation If you aren’t sure whether you want to commit to a class, check out some of the books about Linux system administration available on Amazon. They will give you a taste of what system administration is all about without requiring a big investment on your part. Here’s a few books for you to check out: Linux Administration: A Beginners Guide, Sixth Edition Red Hat Certified System Administrator & Engineer: Training Guide and a Quick Deskside Reference, Exams EX200 & EX300 The Accidental Administrator: Linux Server Step-by-Step Configuration Guide A redditor recently asked if he was too old to get a job as a system admin, and he got some helpful answers : Kopcikx: “Hello, I’m 30 years old and I would like to switch carrier. Is it to late to learn linux and get a job as a linux administrator? I got no experience or degree whatsoever. MY point is will i have any chances to land a job without any IT education. I’m ready to commit all my free time to study, question is : is there any sense in doing it? “ Drullputt: “Certification and Education are two different things. Education is a huge weigh but the Academic Certifications are more or less useless while the once you get at a CompTIA+ or Red Hat can make you very valuable. Nothing beats the other one really, in the end it’s all about being able to show that you are dedicated, in every sense.” GrandHegemon: “Never too late 🙂 I have no education as such and did the switch from windows web programming in the early 2000’s. You really need to know your shit though to get a head start on people though. I’d go for a RHCE cert, not because of the outcome but the knowledge that it gives you. That and get a deep understanding of networks. Oh and you’ll need to be relatively experienced at knocking out code, at least in scripting languages like sh, python etc; most of the tasks I do are automation these days. There is sense in doing it. The money is better (at least in the UK) and there’s less grey hair now as stuff generally works and stays working unlike another well known vendor.” RobandKaty: “This course is great, and free! Try it out; you have nothing to lose. If you enjoy it – pursue it further.” Randomredditor359743: “Former Racker here — you can easily get a job at Rackspace. I would recommend taking a quick 1 or 2 day course to learn some basics of Red Hat or Ubuntu. They even have new-hire Linux training courses. They really have started to hire anyone. What that means is open to interpretation, but at least it’s your foot in the door.” More at Reddit A look at the top ten Linux distros of 2014 There are lots of Linux distros out there, but not all of them are created equal. EverydayLinuxUser took a look back at the top ten distributions of 2014 and considered why they were so popular on DistroWatch. Gary Newell reports for Everyday Linux User: Last year I wrote an article called “Analysis Of The Top 10 Linux Operating Systems”. The premise behind that article was to look at the top 10 distributions of 2013, as listed on Distrowatch, in order to define their suitability for the average computer user. For the average desktop computer user I would recommend Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin, Elementary and openSUSE as first choices with Debian, Fedora, Mageia and CentOS as secondary options. I would only choose Arch if you really want to control every aspect of your computer from top to bottom or you have an interest in learning more about the underpinnings of using Linux. More at Everday Linux User PC techs and the success of Linux on the desktop Linux has lagged behind Windows and OS X on the desktop, but a writer at Datamation considers the possibility of PC techs promoting Linux to the masses. Matt Hartley at Datamation reports: We want Linux to see a greater adoption on the desktop. The obvious promoter in this arena is the existing network of PC repair techs out there; the mom and pop shops. Monetarily, offering a third platform to support on the desktop makes these shops stand out from their competition, especially if they’re offering Linux to home users. And finally, offering Linux on the desktop to home users means new clients for a tech that might otherwise be looking at losing their business, as the competition is severe these days. Remember, at no time did I suggest forgoing support for Windows or OS X. Rather, I’m suggesting techs include a third platform in their virtual toolbox of client solutions. On the enterprise front, this is nothing new. But for the tech who might be pushed out of the marketplace or simply needs to bolster up their home user client base, offering Linux is a no-brainer. Linux+support=ongoing income and new client referrals. More at Datamation Did you miss a roundup? 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