A computer science BS degree is four years long? Or more?
Although, the cases are much greater that you will convince recruiters and interviewers, that you have the skills to make the business want to hire you. You do not necessary need such a BS degree.
What I did was take Certificate courses at University of Washington for C, C++ and JAVA. Each langauge coonsisted of 3 classes. Beginning C, Intermidate C and finally C Advanced. So, for a total of 9 classes for the 3 languages.
At about 500 dollars a class, this aproach is WAY WAY less than a full blown 4 year commitment to a BS degree. The final BILL and resulting student loans may take years and years to pay off.
What you need to do, is build web sites. Write software, even if the software is already commmon and written. Have code and working programs as proof you can code.
If you are in Networking, write articles and Subnet masks, how they work, and post them to as many blog and tutorials HOWTO sites as you can. making sure your Full real name is credited with their submission and prove they are authentic.
Finally, make friends on the Internet, by chatting in Forums and collecting a 'contacts list'. Meeting people already in the field, I have been offered many jobs, even to goto London to work for someone there. What you may end up finding you will only know. until you try. Dont expect to find anything, just do it and see what happened.
Have a portfolio of your work, that with Certs in your specific fields of interest (even able to be taken ONLINE) is the most efficient way through pricy college fees.
As usual, someone out there manages to get linux up and running on yet ANOTHER platform.
Maybe, Steve Balmer was right. Linux is a virus, that spreads to every nook and crany on anything it touches.
Good for Linux.
Why not run on the iPhone, I say?:)
Selling software bits, is an eroding industry. More and more software is becoming commodities.
This is not a bad thing at all!
One needs to think more down the lines of PROVING A SERVICE, using all that free and open software.
This is what virtually all major profit web based businesses are doing, and have been doing from the start.
Amazon, uses open source to provide a service.
Google, same, Yahoo facebook, myspace and on and on.
SaaS, Software as a Service is the furture. Selling software will soon only be left to the very elite, complex or specialized programs.
Intuit, Quickbooks. 3dsmax 3d rendering software. Adobe products.
But, if you are in the open source world and plan to make a long term living selling open software, well good luck!
Open source software was never intended to be made to be sold, it was intended to be software anyone could use to create new, and interesting markets in the 'services' field, using f/oss software.
Or simply just writing software to make an existing business more efficient.
Not a good idea. In fact a waste, when Firefox clearly continues to gain on all shares due to the add ons.
What is better advice is for facebook and other major players that want customization regarding the browser space, is to simply write a Firefox add on.
Maintaining and being a target for accusations for when hackers find holes in your specialized browser can be avoided.
The blame would go to mozzila, not nessasarily your add on (facebooks).
Remember, that without the browser, Google is nothing. Without ADs, Google is nothing. (unless they start to sell and market other things besides ads)
So, I view this browser situation as a 2 edged sword.
On one end, defining a new standard in high quality browsers, coupled with GEARS and a super fast Javascript engine, could usher in Javascript games, AJAX apps and so much more. This would, without a doubt grow Google AD revenued.
However, on the other edge of the sword is the fear of the AD Blocker add on, that will no doubt block a lot of google ad revenue. The browser, which google depends, could turn into it's worse enemy.
We have already seen this with Firefox's ad blocking add on. Some argue, that only savvy internet users activate it. however, if you use Ubuntu, the add on is installed by default.
A way to ensure Google does not jeapordize their AD revenues is key.
I think that would be pretty easy to get around, technologically speaking.
Maybe that is why Google is not putting more resources into Chrome???
Don't let them trick you into thinking you need MORE megapixels. It's all a feature bloat trick, sales people love to use to make the devices more expensive.
No really, I love the deep field/space research. Amazing imagines.
I thought Hubble was broken again?
I guess they fixed it.
You guys have to know that the person that wrote this article is an old timer in the computer industry. Since, 1970's and he makes a living as a Linux / Open Source Consultant.
The problem he is having is that he spends MORE time explaining to the 'windows addicted world' that there IS an alternative to Windows that can help in your business computing needs.
yes, it is true that Dell / HP / Acer and any PC Builder has the right to sell their machines the way they want.
Yes, it is true that if you want to be just like Mr. Dell and start your OWN company selling Linux Pre-installs you have to concider that by the time a company gets to the size of DELL or HP for example that they can afford to buy hardware and software in such BULK that the OEM costs are WAY less then for a 'start up' company. Therefore, your machines that run Linux only will not be as inexpensive and you will not have the MONEY ( that Dell / HP have ) to provide the awesome support.
I bet with A LOT of certainty that there is A LOT of talk between Microsoft and Dell when Dell decided to pre-install ubuntu linux. I Can ASSURE YOU that Micheal Dell and Microsoft lawyers had a little CHAT about the ramifications if Dell suddenly starts promoting Ubuntu over Vista. Microsoft is ready to charge Dell's OEM premium low prices and JACK the price up to SCARE Dell into 'not talking too much' about this Ubuntu thing, that happens to be FREE and VERY competive. Big businesses all have SECRET agendas between them to ensure one does not screw the other.
That is why is it SO HARD to find Ubuntu by way of navigating Dell's website... it is because Microsoft WANTS it that way 'or else'. money = power = pursuation. The only real way to find Dells sales page for Linux Ubuntu is by having to goto ubuntu.com FIRST and then clicking on the DELL icon from there. This is for a reason that regular consumers are not aware of and are between the lawyers of Dell and Microsoft.
Also, the complaint that most people would not be able to install an OS. If you can put a CD in the drive and power up the install of Ubuntu SHOULD be 2-3 clicks away. The CD's OF COURSE that would come with the Dell or ( Hp , Acer ) would be special Ubuntu CD/DVDs that were self installing and for the computer model that came with the CD. The drivers and all the would be known and installed. So, the user does not have to know how to install an OS.
I like the idea about a slashdotter's remark that Dell ( including the others ) should have an option to minus $50 if they want Linux instead of Vista. The consumer should be made aware of how much money it costs to install an OEM OS. Also, most the time we just buy the same OS software over and over again and most just think it is FREE because it CAME with the machine as the bundle. This of course is NOT true as the consumer is paying $50 or what dollars for the OEM operating system. We are not told this and it is HIDDEN. It should NOT be a HIDDEN cost. Linux is FREE so the consumer would choose to SAVE 50 bucks and become curious about Linux. Most already have an XP CD laying around from previous machines so if they do not like they can install that.
So the point is... I do not think GOVERNMENT should mandate Dell or Acer or HP etc.. but rather I think Dell needs to make sure that Microsoft is not 'scaring' them into offering alternatives 'of fear that Microsoft will stop selling cheap OEM Window OS's to them' and therebuy harming the business model of Dell. If that were the case than YES the government should step in because that WOULD BE anti-competiveness and using FEAR and monopoly tactics to 'protect' what microsoft fears most.. and that is losing ANY market share. Windows is ALL that Microsoft has going for it... really.
just my 2 cents... we will have to see.
I like the idea of this Christmas that 1 Linux geek give away a Free Linux machine to a family or friend this year. Let them run XP in VMWARE ontop of Ubuntu or whatever. Wheen them off the microsoft addiction. They do nto know anything better.
You guys have to know that the person that wrote this article is an old timer in the computer industry. Since, 1970's and he makes a living as a Linux / Open Source Consultant.
The problem he is having is that he spends MORE time explaining to the 'windows addicted world' that there IS an alternative to Windows that can help in your business computing needs.
yes, it is true that Dell / HP / Acer and any PC Builder has the right to sell their machines the way they want.
Yes, it is true that if you want to be just like Mr. Dell and start your OWN company selling Linux Pre-installs you have to concider that by the time a company gets to the size of DELL or HP for example that they can afford to buy hardware and software in such BULK that the OEM costs are WAY less then for a 'start up' company. Therefore, your machines that run Linux only will not be as inexpensive and you will not have the MONEY ( that Dell / HP have ) to provide the awesome support.
I bet with A LOT of certainty that there is A LOT of talk between Microsoft and Dell when Dell decided to pre-install ubuntu linux. I Can ASSURE YOU that Micheal Dell and Microsoft lawyers had a little CHAT about the ramifications if Dell suddenly starts promoting Ubuntu over Vista. Microsoft is ready to charge Dell's OEM premium low prices and JACK the price up to SCARE Dell into 'not talking too much' about this Ubuntu thing, that happens to be FREE and VERY competive. Big businesses all have SECRET agendas between them to ensure one does not screw the other.
That is why is it SO HARD to find Ubuntu by way of navigating Dell's website... it is because Microsoft WANTS it that way 'or else'. money = power = pursuation. The only real way to find Dells sales page for Linux Ubuntu is by having to goto ubuntu.com FIRST and then clicking on the DELL icon from there. This is for a reason that regular consumers are not aware of and are between the lawyers of Dell and Microsoft.
Also, the complaint that most people would not be able to install an OS. If you can put a CD in the drive and power up the install of Ubuntu SHOULD be 2-3 clicks away. The CD's OF COURSE that would come with the Dell or ( Hp , Acer ) would be special Ubuntu CD/DVDs that were self installing and for the computer model that came with the CD. The drivers and all the would be known and installed. So, the user does not have to know how to install an OS.
I like the idea about a slashdotter's remark that Dell ( including the others ) should have an option to minus $50 if they want Linux instead of Vista. The consumer should be made aware of how much money it costs to install an OEM OS. Also, most the time we just buy the same OS software over and over again and most just think it is FREE because it CAME with the machine as the bundle. This of course is NOT true as the consumer is paying $50 or what dollars for the OEM operating system. We are not told this and it is HIDDEN. It should NOT be a HIDDEN cost. Linux is FREE so the consumer would choose to SAVE 50 bucks and become curious about Linux. Most already have an XP CD laying around from previous machines so if they do not like they can install that.
So the point is... I do not think GOVERNMENT should mandate Dell or Acer or HP etc.. but rather I think Dell needs to make sure that Microsoft is not 'scaring' them into offering alternatives 'of fear that Microsoft will stop selling cheap OEM Window OS's to them' and therebuy harming the business model of Dell. If that were the case than YES the government should step in because that WOULD BE anti-competiveness and using FEAR and monopoly tactics to 'protect' what microsoft fears most.. and that is losing ANY market share. Windows is ALL that Microsoft has going for it... really.
just my 2 cents... we will have to see.
I like the idea of this Christmas that 1 Linux geek give away a Free Linux machine to a family or friend this year. Let them run XP in VMWARE ontop of Ubuntu or whatever. Wheen them off the microsoft addiction. They do nto know anything better.
Slashdot Mirror
A computer science BS degree is four years long? Or more? Although, the cases are much greater that you will convince recruiters and interviewers, that you have the skills to make the business want to hire you. You do not necessary need such a BS degree. What I did was take Certificate courses at University of Washington for C, C++ and JAVA. Each langauge coonsisted of 3 classes. Beginning C, Intermidate C and finally C Advanced. So, for a total of 9 classes for the 3 languages. At about 500 dollars a class, this aproach is WAY WAY less than a full blown 4 year commitment to a BS degree. The final BILL and resulting student loans may take years and years to pay off. What you need to do, is build web sites. Write software, even if the software is already commmon and written. Have code and working programs as proof you can code. If you are in Networking, write articles and Subnet masks, how they work, and post them to as many blog and tutorials HOWTO sites as you can. making sure your Full real name is credited with their submission and prove they are authentic. Finally, make friends on the Internet, by chatting in Forums and collecting a 'contacts list'. Meeting people already in the field, I have been offered many jobs, even to goto London to work for someone there. What you may end up finding you will only know. until you try. Dont expect to find anything, just do it and see what happened. Have a portfolio of your work, that with Certs in your specific fields of interest (even able to be taken ONLINE) is the most efficient way through pricy college fees.
As usual, someone out there manages to get linux up and running on yet ANOTHER platform. Maybe, Steve Balmer was right. Linux is a virus, that spreads to every nook and crany on anything it touches. Good for Linux. Why not run on the iPhone, I say? :)
Selling software bits, is an eroding industry. More and more software is becoming commodities. This is not a bad thing at all! One needs to think more down the lines of PROVING A SERVICE, using all that free and open software. This is what virtually all major profit web based businesses are doing, and have been doing from the start. Amazon, uses open source to provide a service. Google, same, Yahoo facebook, myspace and on and on. SaaS, Software as a Service is the furture. Selling software will soon only be left to the very elite, complex or specialized programs. Intuit, Quickbooks. 3dsmax 3d rendering software. Adobe products. But, if you are in the open source world and plan to make a long term living selling open software, well good luck! Open source software was never intended to be made to be sold, it was intended to be software anyone could use to create new, and interesting markets in the 'services' field, using f/oss software. Or simply just writing software to make an existing business more efficient.
Not a good idea. In fact a waste, when Firefox clearly continues to gain on all shares due to the add ons. What is better advice is for facebook and other major players that want customization regarding the browser space, is to simply write a Firefox add on. Maintaining and being a target for accusations for when hackers find holes in your specialized browser can be avoided. The blame would go to mozzila, not nessasarily your add on (facebooks).
Remember, that without the browser, Google is nothing. Without ADs, Google is nothing. (unless they start to sell and market other things besides ads) So, I view this browser situation as a 2 edged sword. On one end, defining a new standard in high quality browsers, coupled with GEARS and a super fast Javascript engine, could usher in Javascript games, AJAX apps and so much more. This would, without a doubt grow Google AD revenued. However, on the other edge of the sword is the fear of the AD Blocker add on, that will no doubt block a lot of google ad revenue. The browser, which google depends, could turn into it's worse enemy. We have already seen this with Firefox's ad blocking add on. Some argue, that only savvy internet users activate it. however, if you use Ubuntu, the add on is installed by default. A way to ensure Google does not jeapordize their AD revenues is key. I think that would be pretty easy to get around, technologically speaking. Maybe that is why Google is not putting more resources into Chrome???
Don't let them trick you into thinking you need MORE megapixels. It's all a feature bloat trick, sales people love to use to make the devices more expensive. No really, I love the deep field/space research. Amazing imagines. I thought Hubble was broken again? I guess they fixed it.
Sorry, but what in the hell does openSolaris have to do with 'Year of the Laptop'?
You guys have to know that the person that wrote this article is an old timer in the computer industry. Since, 1970's and he makes a living as a Linux / Open Source Consultant.
The problem he is having is that he spends MORE time explaining to the 'windows addicted world' that there IS an alternative to Windows that can help in your business computing needs.
yes, it is true that Dell / HP / Acer and any PC Builder has the right to sell their machines the way they want.
Yes, it is true that if you want to be just like Mr. Dell and start your OWN company selling Linux Pre-installs you have to concider that by the time a company gets to the size of DELL or HP for example that they can afford to buy hardware and software in such BULK that the OEM costs are WAY less then for a 'start up' company. Therefore, your machines that run Linux only will not be as inexpensive and you will not have the MONEY ( that Dell / HP have ) to provide the awesome support.
I bet with A LOT of certainty that there is A LOT of talk between Microsoft and Dell when Dell decided to pre-install ubuntu linux. I Can ASSURE YOU that Micheal Dell and Microsoft lawyers had a little CHAT about the ramifications if Dell suddenly starts promoting Ubuntu over Vista. Microsoft is ready to charge Dell's OEM premium low prices and JACK the price up to SCARE Dell into 'not talking too much' about this Ubuntu thing, that happens to be FREE and VERY competive. Big businesses all have SECRET agendas between them to ensure one does not screw the other.
That is why is it SO HARD to find Ubuntu by way of navigating Dell's website... it is because Microsoft WANTS it that way 'or else'. money = power = pursuation. The only real way to find Dells sales page for Linux Ubuntu is by having to goto ubuntu.com FIRST and then clicking on the DELL icon from there. This is for a reason that regular consumers are not aware of and are between the lawyers of Dell and Microsoft.
Also, the complaint that most people would not be able to install an OS. If you can put a CD in the drive and power up the install of Ubuntu SHOULD be 2-3 clicks away. The CD's OF COURSE that would come with the Dell or ( Hp , Acer ) would be special Ubuntu CD/DVDs that were self installing and for the computer model that came with the CD. The drivers and all the would be known and installed. So, the user does not have to know how to install an OS.
I like the idea about a slashdotter's remark that Dell ( including the others ) should have an option to minus $50 if they want Linux instead of Vista. The consumer should be made aware of how much money it costs to install an OEM OS. Also, most the time we just buy the same OS software over and over again and most just think it is FREE because it CAME with the machine as the bundle. This of course is NOT true as the consumer is paying $50 or what dollars for the OEM operating system. We are not told this and it is HIDDEN. It should NOT be a HIDDEN cost. Linux is FREE so the consumer would choose to SAVE 50 bucks and become curious about Linux. Most already have an XP CD laying around from previous machines so if they do not like they can install that.
So the point is... I do not think GOVERNMENT should mandate Dell or Acer or HP etc.. but rather I think Dell needs to make sure that Microsoft is not 'scaring' them into offering alternatives 'of fear that Microsoft will stop selling cheap OEM Window OS's to them' and therebuy harming the business model of Dell. If that were the case than YES the government should step in because that WOULD BE anti-competiveness and using FEAR and monopoly tactics to 'protect' what microsoft fears most.. and that is losing ANY market share. Windows is ALL that Microsoft has going for it... really.
just my 2 cents... we will have to see.
I like the idea of this Christmas that 1 Linux geek give away a Free Linux machine to a family or friend this year. Let them run XP in VMWARE ontop of Ubuntu or whatever. Wheen them off the microsoft addiction. They do nto know anything better.
You guys have to know that the person that wrote this article is an old timer in the computer industry. Since, 1970's and he makes a living as a Linux / Open Source Consultant.
The problem he is having is that he spends MORE time explaining to the 'windows addicted world' that there IS an alternative to Windows that can help in your business computing needs.
yes, it is true that Dell / HP / Acer and any PC Builder has the right to sell their machines the way they want.
Yes, it is true that if you want to be just like Mr. Dell and start your OWN company selling Linux Pre-installs you have to concider that by the time a company gets to the size of DELL or HP for example that they can afford to buy hardware and software in such BULK that the OEM costs are WAY less then for a 'start up' company. Therefore, your machines that run Linux only will not be as inexpensive and you will not have the MONEY ( that Dell / HP have ) to provide the awesome support.
I bet with A LOT of certainty that there is A LOT of talk between Microsoft and Dell when Dell decided to pre-install ubuntu linux. I Can ASSURE YOU that Micheal Dell and Microsoft lawyers had a little CHAT about the ramifications if Dell suddenly starts promoting Ubuntu over Vista. Microsoft is ready to charge Dell's OEM premium low prices and JACK the price up to SCARE Dell into 'not talking too much' about this Ubuntu thing, that happens to be FREE and VERY competive. Big businesses all have SECRET agendas between them to ensure one does not screw the other.
That is why is it SO HARD to find Ubuntu by way of navigating Dell's website... it is because Microsoft WANTS it that way 'or else'. money = power = pursuation. The only real way to find Dells sales page for Linux Ubuntu is by having to goto ubuntu.com FIRST and then clicking on the DELL icon from there. This is for a reason that regular consumers are not aware of and are between the lawyers of Dell and Microsoft.
Also, the complaint that most people would not be able to install an OS. If you can put a CD in the drive and power up the install of Ubuntu SHOULD be 2-3 clicks away. The CD's OF COURSE that would come with the Dell or ( Hp , Acer ) would be special Ubuntu CD/DVDs that were self installing and for the computer model that came with the CD. The drivers and all the would be known and installed. So, the user does not have to know how to install an OS.
I like the idea about a slashdotter's remark that Dell ( including the others ) should have an option to minus $50 if they want Linux instead of Vista. The consumer should be made aware of how much money it costs to install an OEM OS. Also, most the time we just buy the same OS software over and over again and most just think it is FREE because it CAME with the machine as the bundle. This of course is NOT true as the consumer is paying $50 or what dollars for the OEM operating system. We are not told this and it is HIDDEN. It should NOT be a HIDDEN cost. Linux is FREE so the consumer would choose to SAVE 50 bucks and become curious about Linux. Most already have an XP CD laying around from previous machines so if they do not like they can install that.
So the point is... I do not think GOVERNMENT should mandate Dell or Acer or HP etc.. but rather I think Dell needs to make sure that Microsoft is not 'scaring' them into offering alternatives 'of fear that Microsoft will stop selling cheap OEM Window OS's to them' and therebuy harming the business model of Dell. If that were the case than YES the government should step in because that WOULD BE anti-competiveness and using FEAR and monopoly tactics to 'protect' what microsoft fears most.. and that is losing ANY market share. Windows is ALL that Microsoft has going for it... really.
just my 2 cents... we will have to see.
I like the idea of this Christmas that 1 Linux geek give away a Free Linux machine to a family or friend this year. Let them run XP in VMWARE ontop of Ubuntu or whatever. Wheen them off the microsoft addiction. They do nto know anything better.