[CLUG] Summary: Social meet-up on 20 December 2008

[Donal Hunt]

[ I attempted to send this earlier in the week but it never made it to the
list due to an incorrectly set from address. ;) ]

Attendees: *Christian, David, Peter,  Jean-Pierre, Donal* + 1-2 others whose
names escape me right now

Various topics came up over the evening that the lurkers on the list may be
interested in...

*Training*
Jean-Pierre mentioned that there appears to be a lack of linux training
available in the Cork area. He has been learning by himself mostly and there
may be an opportunity for running training in the area (i.e. if there were a
number of interested parties) or for some social sessions where folk can
come and ask questions / get help with an issue they aren't familiar with.

ILUG / CLUG mailing are both great places to ask questions but sometimes a
in-person experience is more desireable.

A quick search indicates the following training available:

New Horizons Ireland (based in Dublin & Galway) offer classroom based Linux+
training for a few euros shy of €2000. The US parent also offers courses
online in a self-paced style.
Redhat only offer their courses in Dublin.
Professional.ie offer various linux courses in Cork on a regular basis it
seems.

I haven't used any of the above companies so can't provide any feedback.

I also came across the following listings on www.qualifax.ie:

Novell Certified Linux Professional (3064) - Module 1              (
http://www.qualifax.ie/?Mainsec=courses&Subsec=course_details&ID=29750)
Novell's SuSe Linux Administration (Course 3072)                   (
http://www.qualifax.ie/?Mainsec=courses&Subsec=course_details&ID=29759)
Novell SuSe Linux Administration (Course 3073) - Advanced   (
http://www.qualifax.ie/?Mainsec=courses&Subsec=course_details&ID=27144)

2 of the 3 courses have the possibility of being 70% subsidised by FÁS.

There seemed to be some positivity about meeting up more frequently and
talking about Linux related topics...

*Scripting*
Various discussions about scripting languages. Python and PHP seems popular
for website related scripting. bash / ksh seem to be the preference for
quick scripts.

*Employment*
Doesn't appear to be many jobs going in the Cork area in relation to
SysAdmin / Linux. A number of folk are studying in UCC in various topics...
Our american friend from Montana (Sean I think) is the main coordinator for
the the gnome irish translation team and is allegedly studying in UCC.

There may have been 1-2 other topics that escape my memory so feel free to
add to my recollections. :)
Regards

Donal