Amusing

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

What I find amusing is when you first start a job, and you meet people. There's always the one that mentions they were a "UNIX guy." Like that has street cred or something. Like I should respect him more because he worked on some UNIX system 20 years ago (which is true in most of the cases I've seen, which number 2). Every "UNIX guy" goes on and on about their time with UNIX and databases.

This actually turned into a rant, so I'm stopping the rant at that line. Just wondered what you guys think about the guy that always mentions their prior UNIX experience.

Comments

[annamaryse.livejournal.com]

No worse than the coworker working in the same phone room as me because she was too lame to get a real job, but thought she was so much better than the rest of us because she had her MCSE and CCNA -- neither of which had any bearing on the lame little software we supported, or meant anything to the even lamer users who called us for help.....

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are rare instances where an MCSE and a CCNA are good things. Usually though, it's some idiot that has no clue how to apply their knowledge in the real world.

[kayfox.livejournal.com]

I know how much people bash the MCSE right now.

But I wish I had one right now. (Looking for IT work in Bellevue + Redmond = You must be a Microsoft type (if not already applying for Microsoft))

[anivair.livejournal.com]

Here's the trick: it's worth mentioning. because if you say you have a Microsoft certification that can mean you know stuff. it can also mean you have a pulse.

If you know nix (esspecially current nix, though even old UNIX platforms will do) it means that you actually know things. maybe not as much as you think you do, but enough to have gotten by in a nix environment. And if you did it 20 years ago it's even more impressive, because it means you had to do research, read books, and learn it yourself. Anymore, i can jump online and have any linux problem solved in an hour or so thanks to the brilliant open source community.

As to the social ramifications and whether they're saying that just because they wantot feel smart, i can't say, but I think that in most cases you'll find that you're not dealing with a moron.

there's a vast difference between understanding how a computer works and being able to use troubleshooting tools written by MS.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you put. However, this guy and the previous fellow do not have a clue about any type of hardware or software. That's the kind I'm referring to.

You're right about MCSE's being handed out like candy, and I really don't want to get into a big drawn out debate. I just find it amusing that some people like to mention these skills that were useful 20 years ago. This guy was a database guy, not a real *nix user.

I mean, this guy had no clue what a pcmcia card was, except that he needed one for his wifi access on his laptop.

[indigo-max.livejournal.com]

Anytime someone even mentions that they have some M$ cert, my eyes roll back in my head and I start speaking in tongues. I respect someone with UNIX or Mainframe background a lot more than some person who has learned nothing but how to double click an icon and open up an ap.

Max...

[kallell.livejournal.com]

just ask if it hurt when it was cut off

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

ROFL.

[tjernobyl.livejournal.com]

I had a guy that was trying to get a linux system up and running. I got quite excited, because I didn't get calls that required thinking very often. When I asked him what distro he was running, he didn't know. Well, it was worth a shot...

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

See, linux is the flavor of the month (sorta). It's good he's opening up his mind, but at least know the name of the OS you plan to install.

[abstrak-tokatl.livejournal.com]

ya.. those unix guys are just like mac guys. fucken facists

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHA. That's most definitely true in some cases. Some just never shut up about this database thing they worked on 20 years ago that has no bearing on the present. At the same time though, they are very curious about technology. Maybe I can learn him something.

[samwize.livejournal.com]

See, I just get amused when I see people dis on MS certs. I worked damn hard for my MCSE and MCDBA, as well as have a ton of experience. What makes me laugh is that it's usually the linux/unix guys who are dissing... until they need their game machine fixed. A good windows geek is damn handy when you have to deal with clients.

So yeah, anyone with an unwaranted sense of superiority is annoying, and you do tend to find that proportion out of whack a little more (in my experience) in the unix guys.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

See, I got a buddy who's got most or all of the certs and he knows his shit. He used to tell me, "you can't mess anything up that I can't fix." Which was true, so, he's not the norm.

[jon787.livejournal.com]

I bet their "UNIX experience" was majoring in Business at a school that only had UNIX workstations in the computer labs.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

haha, yeah.

[jecook]

I have respect for those that can rebuild a corrupt SQL database by hand. that's scary shit.

By and large, If it's a computer and a user interface of some kind, I can work on it, with the exception of mainframes. Never worked on those. Not sure if I want to. The dinosaur tamers get my respect automagically.

I don't automatically dis the folks with certs until I see them in action. then I pass judgement.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's a good philosophy to have and I do try to follow that. Just kinda irks me when I mention I'm in IT and someone mentions that they did Unix db 20 some odd years ago.

[byh.livejournal.com]

Well, I am an UNIX guy.

I used to operate a SCO UNIX system with an INFORMIX database engine on it and I still remember how to use console ftp and telnet commands.

I rarely mention it in public though because it usually means people asking unix-related questions and I know that my knowlege sucks. So I keep it for CVs and job interviews :)

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

sweet. That kind of knowledge is good to know.

For the record, I'm not dissing the GOOD Unix guys. I'm only talking about the ones that have to mention it in every sentence when you first meet them.

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

Anyone, in any field, who feels they have to mention their certifications and/or qualifications without being asked usually has no confidence in their own abilities.

Either they can do the work, or they can't.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[lions-tambua.livejournal.com]

hey, iam a Linux guy too! so i want every single one of you to bow down in front of me, kiss my feet and ask for an audience. But not enought iam a linux guy, iam also an windows guy so dont stop kissing my feet and giving me money to make me talk to you!
--------
ok... is that the kind of "win/nix guy" you mentioned ? :)
we have actually TWO of those guys here. One with Linux, one with Windows.
They are TECHNICALLY good, but idiots when you come to ask for help.

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

Technically good is great, when all you need to do is maintain systems. Being able to walk someone through an issue AND maintain systems is where it's at.

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Just don't get me started on the VAX guys. Oh, god, they're so painful. See, Unix and Windows architecture isn't that different. It's only VAX architecture that does things *properly*.

Then there was the guy I worked with that didn't like anything after the PDP11...

[docskurlock.livejournal.com]

Never met a VAX guy. Thank god, cause apparently they're egotistical. Oh wait, so is nearly every other computer "expert."

:D