[ale] LUG in Columbus

[Jeff Hubbs]

Don't take this as gospel, but I'm thinking the answer is a resounding 
"no."  I believe that at this point, "significant business use" of Linux 
is dependent on the existence of IT solutions outsourcing providers that 
are able to supply a top-to-bottom Linux solution that has as its 
primary obvious benefit a complete avoidance of the MS tax.  Whereas on 
a lesser scale the occasional successful implementation of the odd Linux 
server here and there are within reason, jumping to "significant 
business use," IMHO, is going to take a more wide-ranging approach.

"[C]an one actually earn a living as a Linux professional down there?" 
Not unless you are ina position to create your own opportunity.  What I 
am NOT seeing in Monster listings, job fairs, etc. are companies who are 
actively seeking people to accomplish in Linux what is being sought in 
Windows-land.  Now, if some Columbus company hired me as CTO, IS 
Director, etc. (if you know of anyone, e-mail me!!!), then the notion 
would be more reasonable because, well, I'm unusual.  However, the 
reality is that Linux is still not being strongly investigated or 
implemented at most companies, although I believe that that will change 
for the better.  There are still way too many IT mgrs that are 
disinterested in Linux, like the CTO at Rock-Tenn who e-mailed me back a 
surprisingly lucid rejection of my offer to help Linux-ize his 
operation, or the (get this) IT solutions co. WHOSE PRIMARY CLIENTELE 
WAS NON-PROFITS who implemented only MS/Sybase that I ran into at a job 
fair last week.  They just about refused to take my resume (the guy was 
trying to tell me that MS gave discounts to non-profits!).  A company 
like that deserves to have their clock cleaned by people who can do the 
same or better using OSS solutions.

- Jeff


SLane at weather.com wrote:

> does anyone know if there is any significant business use of Linux in Columbus
> (TSYS, AFLAC, etc.)?
> 
> I think it would be really cool to do some proof of concept stuff for TSYS on
> replacing their 390 environment with something like a perl/mySQL/Mosix
> architecture.  I know they'd never go for it but I bet it could be done and
> would save them a pile (I know we have).
> 
> can one actually earn a living as a Linux professional down there?
> 
> not knocking Columbus (most of my family lives there; love Mike & Ed's ;-), just
> curious...
> 
> Sid Lane
> DBA - Site Operations
> weather.com
> 
> 
> 
>                                                                                                                                       
>                       John LaPierre                                                                                                   
>                       <jjlapierre at knol         To:      ALE <ale at ale.org>                                                             
>                       ogy.net>                 cc:                                                                                    
>                                                Subject: [ale] LUG in Columbus                                                         
>                       04/19/2002 07:05                                                                                                
>                       PM                                                                                                              
>                                                                                                                                       
>                                                                                                                                       
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hello All -
> 
> A couple of us Linux users down here in Columbus Ga are trying to drum up
> some interest in a local LUG, and would value your input and advice. We felt
> that an Install-fest may be a way to generate up some interest initially. Any
> advice?
> 
> btw - At the last ale-nw meeting, some expressed interest in dvd ripping on
> Linux. Ken has the technique posted on his site:
> 
> http://www.shaolinuxtemple.org/dvdripping.html
> 
> Thanks -
> 
> John L
> 
> 
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