I’ve always thought that the computing industry needs to be more professional, I mean you wouldn’t get someone without a lot of letters after thier name to build a bridge, yet anyone can attempt to build complex software.

So I’m working towards getting some certificates to try and prove my level of skill and hopefully help when touting for contracting work.

LPI The Linux Professional Institute provide a certification that is produced by an ‘open source’ methodology ie: techies contribute ideas to what someone needs to know to be called competent. The level one exam has two parts, 101 and 102 and in August 2004 I passed the 101. It was a bit of a shock: its a swine of a test and seems to ask the most obscure questions.

The methodology The multiple choice computer taken test seems to work by asking really obtuse questions. The idea is that if you use linux competently day in, day out you will get a fair proportion right. If you’ve just studied its going to be a lot harder so the exam weeds out exam cram or theoretical knowledge. For instance in the section “GNU and Unix Commands” (stuff I use daily) I scored 95%, but the “Hardware and Architecture” section got a pants 57% : fair enough I don’t routinely fix or install hardware under linux. It’s tough but fair.

Part two Having being shocked with part 1, I’m trying to get a lot more practical practice in for the 102 exam. This usually means thinking of something weird to do on my machines, like installing a tape drive. Once the 102 is passed, I’ll be certified to level 1. (certified again lol)