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If you are a programmer, at least, look at companies that develop so-called embedded systems. The operating systems of choice in this industry are UNIX-like: WindRiver vxWorks and LynuxWorks LynxOS/BlueCat Linux. Indeed, many embedded designs are starting to utilize plain Linux.

What are embedded systems, you ask. Damn smart question - you should be proud of yourself. Fact is, probably most programmers in the world are actually developing such systems. Basically, any electronic/computing device that is not a conventional computer. For instance, gaming devices, cd-rom drives, DNA analyzers (I do that), telecommunications devices, power utility switches, routers/bridges, medical instruments, .. ..

Keywords to look for would be firmware development, embedded systems programming, real-time development.

Best part of it all is that you'll probably get to deal with some of the most interesting development environments that exist. For instance, we developed our said DNA analyzer using ObjecTime, and going forward we'll be using Rational RoseRT - tools that automatically generate C++ code based on the model that you visually draw! (You just fill in the "meat" of each function - the action that takes place in a transition, say). Logic Analyzers, emulators/simulators, virtual platforms, cross-compiler environments -- this is all the stuff that teach you everything about computers - and nice OS designs.

Now, if you were not actually asking as a programmer, but as a systems administrator or other IT drone, here is the (more limited) tip: Go for the back ends - i.e. web servers, IBM's Net.Commerce development, DNS/Firewall administration, that type of stuff. But those are not real people - the I.T. world is just to stuffed with "management types". If you still have the choice, look for software/firmware development environments - much cooler people and more casual atmosphere.

It fits...I mean if LynuxWorks is going to sell a product for VC++ users to "leverage Visual C++ to develop Linux software." Then why shouldn't linux have a tool to attract VB programmers to Linux' to program M$ VBA apps.

It fits...I mean if LynuxWorks is going to sell a product for VC++ users to "leverage Visual C++ to develop Linux software." Then why shouldn't linux have a tool to attract VB programmers to Linux' to program M$ VBA apps.