Running Linux used to be like building your own bike out of a mixed bin full of unlabeled old French and Italian parts without Sheldon Brown's site to use as a reference. It's getting to be a lot more like e-mailing the LBS and having them drop by your house with a made-to-order Project One Madone (though the retro-grouch in the next cubicle disassembles his so he can install a cup-and-cone bottom bracket). You could end up with something great either way, but your chances of ending up with an unusable monstrosity were are lot higher in the old days.

Software Engineer for a corporation that provides legal & business research and risk solutions services.

Senior Designer for a company that builds military trucks.

programmer at a large financial firm.

Yes I like your analogy.

I went to college for computer science and worked as a programmer initially. Then I fell into Unix system administration.

Janitor, garbage man.

Machinist, Honeywell Aerospace.

Software Consultant and my own boss.

Professor of Urbanism in one of those Manhattan Universities

What is your day job?

I’m not in the High Tech field, but I will bring this runaway sideband discussion gently back on track with the OP:

I searched for Linux on Wikipedia, and as I suspected, “Linux s a Unix-like and mostly POSIX-compliant computer operating system…” Now it so happens that I went to college with Rich Stevens, who as I understand, is the virtual Unix equivalent of Sheldon Brown…Guru of the Unix gurus” on Salon.com.

He even has an entry on Wikipedia. He is likely the most famous person I knew in college, though I did lose track of him over the years. (If he is indeed so famous and well-known, and if interested. I have an amusing (IMO) anecdote about him, FYA).

Anyways, Rich knew me well enough to give me the nickname “Doc,” because I was in pre-med. I did go to Medical School and became a pathologst. I once came upon a BF subscriber whose screen name suggested he is also a pathologist and I sent him a PM. He was one, and even suggested that I come out to Texas and look at a job, but here in Metro Boston,

Though my title has been the same for a few years, I'd say I'm in transition.

Officially I'm the Director of IT at a non-profit that specializes in energy efficiency programs and research. Historically I've told people that I'm a software developer. While I still do write code, that's become a smaller part of my job. Some key leaders of the organization have retired recently or will be retiring soon and that's meant greater responsibility. I have a new found appreciation for the softer skills and what it takes to be good at them.

accounting for a small food manufacturer. I have been there now for 13 years.

Chief Technology Offer for a public school district.

I negotiated a car in my contract, so I can drive all over the district during the day, then bike to/fro work.

City P&D driver in the LTL freight division of a major parcel carrier.

Leisure pursuits specialist

PC Technician for University of Houston

Commercial Sales Mgr. (think doors and door hardware) really doesn't cover the job description very well. As head of a small dept. at a small wholesale distributor, I wear a lot of hats. Sales, purchasing, job estimating, project manager, computer, catalog, production consultant, etc. I have my own office and most days it's not a bad gig.

When we moved here in 2013 I was hoping to do this as well. Worked out otherwise though. You doing the MS150?

I teach engineering at a community college. The students take their first two years with us, and then transfer (mainly to the u of mn) to finish their degrees. The classes I teach are for students who plan to major in mechanical, aerospace or civil engineering.

I always said that I used to pass gas for living while serving in the US Air Force. Now I drive Santa Sled all year round!

Flew Kc-135 in USAF, now fly B767/757 for UPS.

I'm an in-house sales rep for a major skateboard distribution company. Like, real skateboards and not the ones at Wal Mart. The equivalent would be bikes at your LBS with good components vs the mass produced versions with lower quality components sold at said chain store. Hope that makes sense.

Plumbing Estimator by title, IT support by chance.

normally I just lurk around here but this thread is interesting. I'll play.


seems some of you start at the beginning with school. I never went to post secondary so...

in highschool, I excelled at physics, technical maths and drafting. unfortunately these bright points were overshadowed by lack of attendance(tbh I was just bored), multiple suspensions(contraband, fighting, burnouts on school property, etc) and general disregard for all those who opposed my jackassery(read: everyone).
I discovered quickly the real world wasn't full of peers who applauded that party machine and decided to smarten up and figure out what I was good at. sorted it out pretty quick and for the past 13 years I have been a technician with Audi.
still haven't grown up but the only peers I care about(my two boys) don't mind at all.

Dog adoption counselor for a large nonprofit animal rescue in Austin. Broke but happy

I'm a United Methodist Pastor. Which presents an interesting commute strategy. I live only a few miles from my office. But often, that's not where I'm at! I put 18,000 miles on my car last year and about 15,000 on my motorcycle (a lot of the motorcycle being 'recreational miles' though); despite living only a couple of miles from the office.