Author Interview: Robb Tracy

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GoCertify: What level of demand to you see for people with Linux+ certification? Can someone who earns a Linux+ certification expect a pay boost?

The IT environment and job market has changed dramatically since then. First of all, a glut of MCSEs has developed in the field. Coupled with the fact that many training companies became "MCSE-Mills" (turning out unqualified candidates) I think the Windows certification has lost a lot of its former value.

Second, there as been a slow-but-steady movement towards Linux on both the desktop and in the server room. Why? Because Linux has a much lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as compared to Windows.

I believe that Linux-certified administrators are a key influence in the adoption of Linux. The biggest fear I've encountered on the part of organizations considering a move to Linux is the concern that long-term, quality support just won't be there when they need it. Having a Linux-certified individual on staff makes this much less of an issue. Talk about having a marketable skill set!

GoCertify: How long should someone plan on preparing before they will be ready to attempt the exam?

Robb Tracy: Even though Linux+ is an entry-level certification, the exam is still quite difficult. Too many candidates try to cram the night before their exam. For most folks, it just doesn't work.

I would recommend allocating about two months to adequately prepare for the Linux+ exam. Spend the first month reading the book, performing the lab exercises, and completing the practice tests. Then spend 2 -3 weeks practicing with a Linux system. You need to get to the point where you can complete the tasks covered in the certification objectives without looking in the book for help.

Then, spend another week or two right before the exam reviewing the key concepts in the book. If you'll follow this regimen, you should pass your exam.

GoCertify: How different are the various Linux distributions and does it matter which one a candidate uses to study?

Robb Tracy: There are a lot of similarities between the 100+ Linux distributions currently available, but there are also a number of differences. The Linux+ certification is designed to be vendor-neutral. Ideally, you should be able to take the concepts covered in Linux+ and apply them to any Linux distribution with minimal difficulty.

In real life, however, this isn't always possible. The folks at CompTIA knew this when they designed Linux+, so they standardized on the following distributions:
• Fedora (Red Hat)
• SUSE
• Mandrake
• TurboLinux.

GoCertify: What does the disk that is included with your book contain and what is the best way to use it?

Robb Tracy: The CD that comes with the book includes two very helpful study tools that you can use to prepare for your Linux+ exam:

• MasterExam: The MasterExam contains several hundred practice test items that you can use to prepare for the Linux+ exam. You should use this tool after you have read the book and completed the lab exercises to identify topic areas that you need to spend some more study time with.
• CertCam Video Training: This is a really cool study tool. The goal behind CertCam is to make sure you can actually do the tasks covered in the book. To create the CertCam Video Training, I sat down and recorded screenshots on a Linux system. If you need to know how to do a certiain task, you can watch the CertCam video and then try it yourself on your lab system.

GoCertify: Are there additional self study resources you recommend to people preparing for Linux certification?

Robb Tracy: The book is pretty comprehensive. However, Linux is a very broad topic and the Linux+ objectives from CompTIA reflect this. There's no way we can cover every topic in depth in the book. (If we did, the book would consist of multiple volumes each thousands of pages long.)

In addition, we, as authors, aren't allowed to see the question banks for the Linux+ exams. A lot of students I work with have this misconception. They assume that, because we are writing CompTIA-approved courseware, we have privy access to the exam. This isn't the case. In fact, we have only a very limited idea of what's on the exam.

With this in mind, I highly recommend that you consult additional training resources as you prepare for your exam. One of the best resources available to you is absolutely free. This is the collection of man pages and info nodes that are installed on your Linux system. While not the easiest of documents to read, they are absolutely loaded with valuable information.

GoCertify: What would you suggest might be a good next step after Linux certification?

Robb Tracy: In today's IT labor market, the key to your own marketability is to have multiple skill sets. The more skills you can put on your resume, the more attractive you will be to a prospective employer.

Obviously, you should next consider obtaining a higher-level Linux certification. As we discussed above, Linux+ is an entry-level certification focused on supporting Linux workstations. If you want to move into the server room (and I highly recommend that you do, you'll increase your paycheck substantially), then you should consider getting into one of the following certification tracks:

• Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) Level 1, 2 and 3: Like Linux+, LPIC certifications are designed to be vendor-neutral. If you're looking for Linux skills that can be applied across the board with a widely-accepted certification, then this would be a good choice.
• Novell Certified Linux Professional (CLP) and Certified Linux Engineer (CLE): If your employer uses Novell's SUSE Linux distribution (my favorite), then these certifications would be an excellent choice. Note that these certifications are vendor-centric.
• Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) and Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE): If your employer uses one of Red Hat's excellent distributions, then this is the certification track for you.

However, I also strongly recommend that you pursue training and certification in a tangential area of specialization. Employers today need an employee who can do more than just support systems. They need tech people who can also plan and implement projects, write code, and manage teams of people. My recommendation would be to explore training and certification in areas such as project management or organizational behavior.

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