Is it worth learning Linux?

[Rocco]

So I had a customer call yesterday, asked if I supported Linux. I haven't worked with Ubuntu for about 5 years now, so I said no, I wouldn't feel comfortable working on it, getting drivers up, troubleshooting problems, etc. He said nobody else within 80 miles works on it either.

This is my first call in almost a year asking about Linux, so I don't know if there is much of a market for it. It was always my experience in the past that if you use Linux, you almost always have enough knowledge to get things up and running on your own.

So is there anybody in a smaller town/setting that can say whether or not it was worth the time to learn Linux? It just seems like I would be spending a lot of time/resources on learning a system that until yesterday, nobody has asked for. I think I would feel like Microsoft putting out Windows 8 on a desktop, when nobody asked for it.

 

[Rocco]

I must add that until this past year, I used to learn stuff just for the sake of learning it. For now, unfortunately, I don't have the time to do this. Almost every decision I make, every new thing I am learning, every new book I purchase, is to increase my bottom line.

 

[GCS]

My experience has been much the same... If they run linux they usually know how to manage it on their own.

While I do love linux... there is a reason people use windows and one of those reasons are support.

I personally run linux on a daily basis, however would I support it outside something I installed myself? No, absolutely not.

There are so many variants that you need to be pretty adept at working with them. Doing one thing in CentOS is complete different in something built on Debian or Fedora.

If anything I'd say learn RedHat, personally though unless you get calls on a monthly basis or so.. I wouldn't bother learning it purely to support it.

 

[mraikes]

You've answered your own question.

I can recall only one time in the last five years that someone asked me about providing support for Linux. I declined.

On the other hand, I probably get one call a year from people who were setup on Linux by a well meaning friend/relative/tech who told them how easy and wonderful it would be. They call me to remove it and reinstall Windows.

 

[Vicenarian]

Well...one time, a customer told me he needed me to have a look at his 'Linux server', which turned out to be a D-Link NAS

 

[GCS]

Well...one time, a customer told me he needed me to have a look at his 'Linux server', which turned out to be a D-Link NAS

In his defense it was probably an embedded linux installation running that NAS.
Technically a ''server'' but yeah lol.... Not what you'd expect when a customer says ''linux server''

 

[NYJimbo]

5 years ago I might have said yes. Today I WILL say NO.

Unless you intend to target *NIX customers its really a waste of time.
That's coming from someone who has BSD/Linux and other *NIX experience going back to the late 80's.

 

[Markverhyden]

If they run linux they usually know how to manage it on their own.

^^^^^

That says it all. At most you might see a little bit of hardware work if the box is complicated. Such as an IBM server or a special build box.

 

[codegreen]

Knowing Linux is helpful for any technician, as there are many useful Linux-based repair and data recovery tools, and the ability to set up your own in-house Linux "servers" on cheap hardware can be very handy. It just may not be directly profitable.

If you're thinking in terms of supporting Linux installations that are already in place, it's probably not worth it. Any residential Linux users either support themselves, or call the family geek that installed it for them. Small businesses normally don't normally have Linux servers or workstations. Medium and larger businesses do often have Linux in their server rooms and data centres, but they also have IT staff to support them. Your mileage may vary, of course. If you were seriously thinking about offering Linux support, you would have to do some market research in your area to gauge the demand in your target markets. But I'd be surprised if there was much demand.

However, learning Linux can be profitable to your business if you develop niche products or services built around it, instead of offering general Linux support. In my case, one of my clients provides staff and services to mapping and resource exploration companies. I've put together a suite of server applications based on the needs of his clients, running on a LAMP stack. My client pays me to set these up, adds his markup, and sells them to his clients. Linux excels at providing an inexpensive web server platform for these types of things. So, managing Linux systems actually occupies a significant portion of my billable hours... but all of them are Linux systems that I originally set up myself. No one has ever called me to get support for a Linux system they already had.

Bottom line? Learning Linux probably isn't going to expand your business if you're simply going to add "Linux support" to your service portfolio. If you want to look at it from an educational perspective, it can give you some more tools for your toolbox, and is helpful for your business's backend infrastructure. But, if you can come up with a specific business product or service that you can build around Linux, it can be rather profitable.

 

[lan101]

Agreed with all the above. I asked myself the same question about apple. I know my way around the OS enough to figure things out and troubleshoot. I don't get enough people calling about hardware repair to make it worth my time to learn to fix them so I don't bother. I got just a handful of customers on mac computers and I tell them call me about their issues and if I can't fix it then I would direct them to an apple store or reseller.

I can't ever think of a time I was about linux by any customers. Which to think about is quite surprising lol.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Knowing Linux is helpful for any technician, as there are many useful Linux-based repair and data recovery tools, and the ability to set up your own in-house Linux "servers" on cheap hardware can be very handy. It just may not be directly profitable.

If you're thinking in terms of supporting Linux installations that are already in place, it's probably not worth it. Any residential Linux users either support themselves, or call the family geek that installed it for them. Small businesses normally don't normally have Linux servers or workstations. Medium and larger businesses do often have Linux in their server rooms and data centres, but they also have IT staff to support them. Your mileage may vary, of course. If you were seriously thinking about offering Linux support, you would have to do some market research in your area to gauge the demand in your target markets. But I'd be surprised if there was much demand.

However, learning Linux can be profitable to your business if you develop niche products or services built around it, instead of offering general Linux support. In my case, one of my clients provides staff and services to mapping and resource exploration companies. I've put together a suite of server applications based on the needs of his clients, running on a LAMP stack. My client pays me to set these up, adds his markup, and sells them to his clients. Linux excels at providing an inexpensive web server platform for these types of things. So, managing Linux systems actually occupies a significant portion of my billable hours... but all of them are Linux systems that I originally set up myself. No one has ever called me to get support for a Linux system they already had.

Bottom line? Learning Linux probably isn't going to expand your business if you're simply going to add "Linux support" to your service portfolio. If you want to look at it from an educational perspective, it can give you some more tools for your toolbox, and is helpful for your business's backend infrastructure. But, if you can come up with a specific business product or service that you can build around Linux, it can be rather profitable.

Excellent points. The only real downside to learning Linux is that you may occasionally find yourself absent-mindedly trying to enter bash commands at a Windows command prompt.

 

[GCS]

Excellent points. The only real downside to learning Linux is that you may occasionally find yourself absent-mindedly trying to enter bash commands at a Windows command prompt.

lol, that's about as true as it gets...
I can't tell you how many times I've sat down and typed

ls or ifconfig and thought.... durrrrrr

 

[codegreen]

Excellent points. The only real downside to learning Linux is that you may occasionally find yourself absent-mindedly trying to enter bash commands at a Windows command prompt.

Well, I for one never confuse the Unix and Windows "ping" command switches. *cough*

 

[16k_zx81]

So I had a customer call yesterday, asked if I supported Linux. I haven't worked with Ubuntu for about 5 years now, so I said no, I wouldn't feel comfortable working on it, getting drivers up, troubleshooting problems, etc. He said nobody else within 80 miles works on it either.

This is my first call in almost a year asking about Linux, so I don't know if there is much of a market for it. It was always my experience in the past that if you use Linux, you almost always have enough knowledge to get things up and running on your own.

So is there anybody in a smaller town/setting that can say whether or not it was worth the time to learn Linux? It just seems like I would be spending a lot of time/resources on learning a system that until yesterday, nobody has asked for. I think I would feel like Microsoft putting out Windows 8 on a desktop, when nobody asked for it.

The thing about Linux, is that you need to use it ongoingly in order to stay familiar with the commands and switches. Ive used it on and off for the last 10 years and always come back to the same problem - I forget all the command syntax each time I go away from it and come back. Of course, if you have a photographic memory, that won't be an issue

Linux looks like a GUI, but when your customer asks you "do you support Linux" it probably means they want someone who understands the back end of it, and that means a really sound understanding of its infrastructure, and how to administer it from a Terminal.

In my experience thats hard to acquire unless you are on it every day for quite a long period of time....

 

[coffee]

I service pretty much all linux flavors - Redhat / Fedora / Ubuntu / Mint / Debian.

I have a nitch market of residential customers that I also have installed it for them and service it.

Why do I do this? Pretty easy answer - I have a totally secure market presence in linux and no one will want to service them. I have a 'captured' audience if you will.

I dont look at it as 'should I learn it' as you only get a few calls a year on it. I see it as a way to develop a market place. But you also need to select the right type of customer which is based on their needs. You also need to select the right flavor of linux. There are over 100 different flavors and they are all designed around a particular need. Just because one looks good doesnt mean you should be using it.

My customers that I have converted to linux are extremely happy and have no wish to go back to windows. I also get all the business for computer upgrades, Printers and other devices.

coffee

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'd say "most" IT places can get by just fine without knowing it.

*nix users is certainly a niche market. I know of one 1x consultant in my region that does business *nix systems. His area of coverage is large. His competition...pretty much non-existent.

As you move into SMB support and more complicated systems, it can certainly benefit you to be at least partially familiar with *nix. As many products that you sell/service...may run on it. And often if you need to roll up your sleeves and dig into them deeper than through the GUI...support will have you navigating through command line. Of course the product/service you resell likely has support and they can walk you through it. But...having at least some familiarity with it allows you to more easily service it..and perhaps do some basic troubleshooting/repair yourself.

Some examples....*nix based firewalls/UTM appliances, *nix based backup appliances. We work with them on a fairly regular basis.

A month or so ago I built a *nix based server in our Rackspace cloud...so I could install our cloud Ubiquiti Unifi controller up there.

 

[clayb226]

I have always felt, that I made a wise choice, in learning Linux. I use it on our servers, headless systems, all CLI. But, I enjoy developing the skills to troubleshoot the inner workings of the system. Linux, I think, is a great platform, and I feel it is making a rise in the small to medium sized business market. If you plan to support these types of clients, I think it would be a wise choice for anyone looking to support these types of alternatives. As far as supporting Linux computers for the residential sector, I see where that could be hit and miss, due to reasons already stated, but I love them Linux Servers!!

 

[SetU2]

From a cost/benefit analysis I'd say emphatically No! From a broader understanding of computers and embedded devices it isn't a bad idea, when you have the time.

 

[nesrinamb]

Well I would say that if your working with small and medium sized businesses Linux really it makes little sense.

If your entering the world of network security then that's all Linux so their it does make a lot of sense but for the most part no. (writing this now on Ubuntu)

 

[altrenda]

A working knowledge of Linux is helpful for a tech, but If you want to learn an OS to expand your business, I would spend my time on Mac and OS X.