How To Measure Linux Proficiency?

[alex at crackpot.org]

Quoting Joshua Zeidner <jjzeidner at gmail.com>:

>  As I said... "Kafkaesque".
>
>  The Question is... how does an employer measure Linux expertise objectively?
>
>  -jmz
>

I think the truth is that, like most other things to do with real  
people, you can't measure 'expertise' objectively.  The question  
you're trying to answer is 'how effectively will this person fill the  
position we're hiring for', and that's something you only truly answer  
in hindsight.

I agree with you that simple tests are, well, simple.  But that  
doesn't mean they're worthless, they just need to be kept in  
perspective as a limited measure of what a person can do.  I also  
agree that earning an advanced degree does show a person has  
commitment, and should have a good general understanding of the  
subject.  But none of that is a guarantee.  I've met a lot of  
knotheads with masters degrees (in many fields).

You find out what people know, and what they're good at, by talking to  
them and finding out about what they've done in the past.  It's not  
objective by any means, but I think it's also less artificial than  
trying to establish arbitrary tests or benchmarks.

alex