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====== Welcome ======

Welcome to my blog. I will discuss various challenges I have come across in my career as a Linux Administrator.

 
==== My Background ====

When I was young, just 5 years old, my father sat me down to type in a computer program in old [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC | BASIC ]] on a [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64 | Commodore 64 ]]. We created a children’s game called “Guess My Number”. I really enjoyed this experience and I knew then that I wanted a career in computers.

I took as many computer related classes (mostly programming) as I could throughout middle school and high school. A friend introduced me into computer hardware so i started building custom systems for myself. I also learned to write programs and scripts in many languages including the following:

  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC | BASIC ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Basic | Visual Basic ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_%28programming_language%29 | Pascal ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C_Programming_Language | C ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bash_%28Unix_shell%29 | Bash ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEARL_%28programming_language%29 | Pearl ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_%28programming_language%29 | Python ]]
  * [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP | PHP ]]

==== Linux ====

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[[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux | Linux ]] was created by [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds | Linus Torvalds ]] and released around 1992. In high school, my friends introduced me to Linux. I installed it on my computer. At the time, the Linux installer did not help with partitioning your hard drive (make room for another [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system | OS ]]). Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this either and I was unable to use my computer. I had to wipe out everything and reinstall Windows 3.1.

==== College ====

In college, I was introduced to systems administration with [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetWare | Novell Netware ]]. At that point I decided to change career paths to become a systems administrator. Instead of writing programs, I manage servers and workstations. Then I started taking Unix classes. We were using [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenServer | SCO Unix ]]. These classes gave me the knowledge to manage Unix and Linux systems.

While taking these classes, I decided to give Linux another try. This time I had the knowledge and experience to run both Windows and Linux on the same computer. I kept this setup for a couple of years. Then I decided to drop windows altogether. From then on, I only used Linux on my systems.

==== Work ====

Since then I have worked as a Linux administrator for more than 22 years. I have built, managed, and maintained websites for companies, universities, customers, and celebrities. I have setup [[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAMP_(software_bundle) | LAMP ]] systems for family members to share photos. I have even setup a remote access/[[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network | VPN ]] solution.

I have created many tools to assist with various duties including the following:

  * web-based equipment inventory system
  * web-based storage status and alert page
  * web-based DB replication and MHA status page

Additionally, I have created many scripts to automate tasks. I have experience with several monitoring systems and created custom monitoring plugins.

==== Conclusion ====

In conclusion, I have many years of experience to draw upon and write about.