Re: Newb Perspective on Docs [Was: ISP converting to automation with LDAP]

[ On Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 19:51:43 (-0400), Ron Wheeler wrote: ]
> Subject: Re: Newb Perspective on Docs [Was: ISP converting to automation with LDAP]
>
>
> The step by step approach is a problem unless it has the big picture and
> some discussion about
> 1) how to troubleshoot each step
> 2) how to handle extensions or local variance.

exactly my point. ;-)

> The question about understanding is worth discussion. As a system
> administrator, I need to know a lot of different packges from firewalls
> to accounting systems. I may need to support a number of server
> operating systems and several desktops.

Indeed, but if you have a good grouding in all the fundamental concepts
and science, and the skills needed to read and search through technical
reference documentaiton, then it's not so hard to figure out the use of
individual components of complex systems.

> How long should it take a person who is a reasonably competent Windows
> 2000 system administrator who has installed aworking Exchange server, to
> implement a Linux Postfix configuration to replace the Windows 2000
> Exchange server with a high probability of still beiing employed a week
> after going live?

It depends entirely on whether the person is an inexperienced MCSE-type
(i.e. high school plus the bare "step-by-step" no-content experience
with some different kind of system); or someone who's got a computer
science degree (or equivalent) that included a good general studies
university-style education (i.e. the kind of background that gives
someone a good grounding in the concepts and science as well as the
skills to use technical reference documents).

Even with the big picture and all the right underlying skills though it
still could take two to six weeks, plus a lot of "networking" with other
more experienced people, to ramp up and be able to produce a truly
production-quality system.

--
Greg A. Woods

H:+1 416 218-0098 W:+1 416 489-5852 x122 VE3TCP RoboHack <woods@robohack.ca>
Planix, Inc. <woods@planix.com> Secrets of the Weird <woods@weird.com>