[NTLUG:Discuss] Software future in Linux

[Greg Edwards]

Andrew Brown wrote:
> I have been working with Linux for about a year and have really got into
> the software aspects of computers. Looking for a rec'd from any software
> engineers or people in the know. I am looking to change into software
> engineering and need a piece of advice, college degree or just get some
> certifications and plug away to build abilities on my own? (current
> degree is not related to computers, very little class based learning,
> mostly self taught)
> 

Andrew,

If you want to make a career out of software engineering you'll need the 
degree.  I'd warn you that at the moment it's a tough industry to find 
work in, especially entry level.  It does seem to be getting better since 
so many people have given up and moved on to other lines of work.  Then 
again, by the time you come out of school things should be better.  The 
projected labor needs are looking good for engineers in about 2-3 years. 
That means a shortage of qualified engineers will happen again.  Don't 
expect to see a repeat of the Dot-Com frenzy again.  The days of being 
able to earn high 5 figures+ with self taught point and click tools are 
gone and probably won't happen again.

As far as making a living working on OSS, Dallas is probably the wrong 
place to be.  More and more companies are using open source, but I don't 
think development on OSS is going to be the norm anytime soon.  Company's 
seem more interested in using the OS and networking packages than 
enhancing OSS products.  If your interested in real-time embedded work and 
kernel development, it's a growth area.

-- 
Greg Edwards
New Age Software, Inc.
Custom software for an off the rack world
http://consult.nas-inet.com