[BSDcert] Initial thoughts

[G. Rosamond]

On Dec 18, 2004, at 10:20 PM, Brown, James (Jim) wrote:

>
>
> Hi All,
>
> Just some quick initial thoughts:
>
> "Infrastructure" -
>  
> To be useful, the cert has  to be 'officialized'.  This will require
> an examination.  Examinations require test materials, proctors, 
> grading,
> and distrubution of a credential (the actual 'certificate', or other 
> token).
> Membership lists and official contact information will need to be 
> maintained.
>
> Fortunately there are many precedents in all of these activities-
>
>  - Examinations can be 'online' (available through Sylvan, or other 
> test centers)
>    or they can be booklet form (as in the CISSP examination)
>
>  - Online tests can be easily graded, though security must be high.
>    Booklet tests are harder to grade, and harder to administer in an 
> official setting,
>    though conferences are sometimes used for this purpose.
>
>  - Membership lists and official contact information are a must.  A 
> key goal
>    is to be able to verify current, valid certification though phone 
> contact
>    or web-based lookup.
>

Of course some method of testing would be included.  SANS, eg, has 2 
three hour online exams open book at home, plus a written practical.  I 
personally like the practical as it would allow us to have the cert 
provide more BSD documentation.  I'm thinking topics like "installing 
netbsd on a mips pda", "using squid as an anonymous proxy", etc.

If we were to look at live, closed book exams, we could work with a 
handful of private institutes, like Dru's firm, in selected cities.  If 
we hit major cities such as NYC, LA, Chicago, Toronto, etc., it could 
work for the initial stage.

>
>
> Dedicated resources will be required, and those resources should be 
> 'long lived'.
> We want this certification program to last for many years, not just 
> one or two.
>

Of course.  That's why we'd probably look to formally bring together 
various firms, orgs and associations into some committee.

> Sounds like a solid business plan for this effort (and sponsoring 
> organization) is
> required.
>

more like organizations. . . into a committee, IMO.

>
>
> "Curriculum"
>
> This topic will undoubtedly receive the most scrutiny.  What is unique 
> to BSD?  What
> are the key differences from other Unix or Unix-like certs, such as 
> Sun or Linux?
> What topics are common to them?  And the big question - How do we 
> define a BSD
> certification that covers all well-known flavors?

Right. . . that's what I was thinking about also.  Some will obviously 
be general Unix, some will be BSD general, some parts will be project 
specific, some application specific.


>
>
>
> "Marketing"
>
> Any BSD certification will require extensive marketing from/with the 
> sponsoring
> organization.  "More is better" in this area.  BSD is not as well 
> known which
> presents a both an opportunity and a challenge.  The opportunity is 
> 'newness'-
> news organizations and publications will initially give press to it, 
> simply because
> it is new.  The challenge will be to maintain momentum over the long 
> months
> and years after the initial blush fades.
>

Absolutely. . . the question is how.  There could be a well-maintained 
www site, with changes, and maybe some kind of newsletter.  Some of 
advertising would obviously be done by participating educational 
institutions.

> Then, there is the annoyance factor - the 'BSD is dying' trolls and 
> their FUD.
>

Why?  That's completely irrelevant.

>
>
> In summary-
>
> This effort will require a COMMITMENT, not just a passing effort.  
> Seed money
> will be needed.  A business plan will be needed.  Infrastructure will 
> be needed.
> A thick skin will be needed.  Much discussion is needed- but we must 
> learn from
> past Unix battles and reach compromise or the efforts will all be 
> wasted.
>

That's the idea of this list and a wiki. . . but don't forget Jim, 
we're at the initial planning stages. . . not even that, more like 
brain-storming.  Dru, Ike, etc., and I have had various discussions 
about this before over the past several months.  I do have a good bit 
of notes, but we need more input from more people on the various 
aspects, such as sponsoring entities, involvement of all the projects, 
exam contents and format, etc.

> Thoughts?
>
> Jim B.
>
>
>
> PS-
>
> There is talk of a wiki.  Has one been set up?
>

I'll keep you updated on this. . ..

George