Demand for a BSD Associate Certification Guide
I have an idea for a new book. For the last year I have been part of
the BSD Certification Group (BSDCG). I started out as a Group member, but moved to the Advisory Board when TaoSecurity business occupied too much of my time.
Last month the BSDCG published its BSD Associate Exam Objectives (.pdf) The document outlines all the skills a candidate for the BSD Associate cert is expected to have. However, no specifics are given. For example:
I am considering writing a BSD Associate Certification Guide. The guide will cover all of the 7 domains on the cert:
1. Installing and Upgrading the OS and Software
2. Securing the OS
3. Files, Filesystems, and Disks
4. Users and Accounts Management
5. Basic System Administration
6. Network Administration
7. Basic Unix Skills
Half of the work is already done. I know everything that needs to be covered. What I need to do now is provide answers to the questions.
What do you think? Would you like a book that addresses all of the seven domains for all of the BSD OS' covered by the cert (FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonFly BSD)?
the BSD Certification Group (BSDCG). I started out as a Group member, but moved to the Advisory Board when TaoSecurity business occupied too much of my time.
Last month the BSDCG published its BSD Associate Exam Objectives (.pdf) The document outlines all the skills a candidate for the BSD Associate cert is expected to have. However, no specifics are given. For example:
3.2.12 Change the encryption algorithm used to encrypt the password database.
Concept:
Given a screenshot of a password database, the BSDA candidate should be
able to recognize the encryption algorithm in use and how to select
another algorithm. The candidate should also have a basic understanding
of when to use DES, MD5 and Blowfish.
Practical:
login.conf(5); auth.conf(5); passwd.conf(5); adduser.conf(5) and adduser(8)
I am considering writing a BSD Associate Certification Guide. The guide will cover all of the 7 domains on the cert:
1. Installing and Upgrading the OS and Software
2. Securing the OS
3. Files, Filesystems, and Disks
4. Users and Accounts Management
5. Basic System Administration
6. Network Administration
7. Basic Unix Skills
Half of the work is already done. I know everything that needs to be covered. What I need to do now is provide answers to the questions.
What do you think? Would you like a book that addresses all of the seven domains for all of the BSD OS' covered by the cert (FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, DragonFly BSD)?
Comments
Thanks,
Shahid
It's a great idea! Very good!
Thanks a lot,
Marcos
Even with that said, if the book is already half done and you just have to write it out, then you might as well write it and ignore me. :)
Adam
Yes, I think it would be a good topic for a book. You have a specific topic and organization of material already in mind. For someone like me who has no real desire to pour through man pages and huge documentation to study a topic, I think this is a great approach.
On the other hand, I would hate for the BSD certification to be about as useful as a MCSE, with someone going through a cram session to meet the criteria, then not know jack due to lack of practical experience.
Double-edged sword and all that. Although I have no plans to get BSD certified, I think it would make for an interesting read.
Will BSDA be < Basically Senseless Dumb Associate > ?
I am not going to argue the merits of the certification here. That has been discussed extensively in the BSDCert mailing list, so I recommend perusing those threads.
The book will be unique because it will address all of the BSD Associate tasks for all four mainstream BSD OS'. (Yes, I plan to cover DragonFly, even though I would prefer not to.)
The book would indeed be sold. I cannot afford to spend months writing a book only to then publish it for free on the Internet, meager though the royalties may be.