Linuxgruven (Score 2)

I first heard of Linuxgruven this summer when I responded to an ad offering network engineer positions and training. Like many people, I was slightly suspicious of the offer but was persuaded by the fact that I could pursue independent study; I was not REQUIRED to pay any money or take any class. I started to study on my own. I found that independent study was not going to work for me; I did not have enough *NIX experience to help me along.After a week of self-study, I couldn't have told you the difference between /etc/ and /var/. I called back and signed up for the course. I won't say that the course was easy, or that it prepared me for all the questions on the certification tests. It certainly didn't prepare me for all the different things I have had to do since I started in October.It did prepare me to study and understand more than basic Linux material.Furthermore, after the class was over, help was available if I asked for it. Since I have started, I have mostly configured VPN's and firewalls - not bad for someone who didn't know a command that wasn't identical to one in DOS. I routinely switch back and forth between about four or five different Linux distributions. I can set up DNS, Apache, ftp servers, print servers, NFS, NIS, Samba, and who knows what else. I am comfortable with almost any aspect of routine system administration or networking, and if it's not routine, I know how to look for help, RTFM, and understand the FM. Usually, I can get whatever I'm trying to do to work. In short, I have quite a few skills I didn't have a year ago because of Linuxgruven's training, and I'm learning more every day. I've even been promoted. In most things in life, you only get rewards commensurate with your effort. Linuxgruven is like that. I worked like a dog studying and getting lots of hands-on practice, and now it's paying off. I'm not saying that Linuxgruven is perfect, because nothing is. However, anyone who feels slighted because they weren't able to get certified should take a long look in the mirror and ask why not.