No more hiding in the server room
SysAdmin Network – what’s it all about?
There is no shortage of sites offering technical advice and news to Sys Admins, so why a social network?
It is true, there are plenty of technical sites (eg. Microsoft TechNet, TechTarget sites like SearchStorage and SearchSecurity), but in contrast to the Linux community, Microsoft-centric sites tend to leave me cold. It is not that they are not helpful, but there is a gulf between the in-crowd (MVPs and misc experts) and us mortals. Like me, most readers find a page with Google, then escape as soon as possible. It’s more help desk than community.
A community adds an ongoing relationship. You get to know people to better understand their ideas. It contains a mix of voices. The SysAdmin Network is already populated by professionals who are striving for excellence and eager to share their experiences. However, the network should also support the journeyman admin making his way in uncertain times. While technical competence will always be the bread ‘n’ butter, it is the communication side, as Corellian says in his insightful blog comments, that make a really great SysAdmin. But who today guides the SA through his dealings with the business? Who can help him roll out changes to his users?
Does every SA have to learn the same lessons the hard way?
Lucky SAs have had good mentors, and the most successful ones maintain relationships for longer than they stay with a single company.
As part of my professional role, I talk a lot with Sys Admins. I have seen that, particularly within small companies, the job can be very isolating. Contrary to popular myth, this isolation is not universally welcomed by Sys Admins. Most that I have encountered wish for better connections with other like-minded professionals.
Even when it comes to asking technical questions, it is that much better to ask someone you know. Someone whose face you have seen.
The truth of this is supported by the sheer numbers that have already come to this site. I returned from a skiing vacation to find nearly 120 members had joined -- far beyond the initial modest goals of me or my co-founder Michael. We’re no old hats at this social networking stuff, so we’ll appreciate everyone’s ideas and help in getting this thing rocking.
So please, blog it, post it, comment it, link it, whatever it takes.
But enough of what Michael and I had in mind to start with, what are you looking for from this site?
It is true, there are plenty of technical sites (eg. Microsoft TechNet, TechTarget sites like SearchStorage and SearchSecurity), but in contrast to the Linux community, Microsoft-centric sites tend to leave me cold. It is not that they are not helpful, but there is a gulf between the in-crowd (MVPs and misc experts) and us mortals. Like me, most readers find a page with Google, then escape as soon as possible. It’s more help desk than community.
A community adds an ongoing relationship. You get to know people to better understand their ideas. It contains a mix of voices. The SysAdmin Network is already populated by professionals who are striving for excellence and eager to share their experiences. However, the network should also support the journeyman admin making his way in uncertain times. While technical competence will always be the bread ‘n’ butter, it is the communication side, as Corellian says in his insightful blog comments, that make a really great SysAdmin. But who today guides the SA through his dealings with the business? Who can help him roll out changes to his users?
Does every SA have to learn the same lessons the hard way?
Lucky SAs have had good mentors, and the most successful ones maintain relationships for longer than they stay with a single company.
As part of my professional role, I talk a lot with Sys Admins. I have seen that, particularly within small companies, the job can be very isolating. Contrary to popular myth, this isolation is not universally welcomed by Sys Admins. Most that I have encountered wish for better connections with other like-minded professionals.
Even when it comes to asking technical questions, it is that much better to ask someone you know. Someone whose face you have seen.
The truth of this is supported by the sheer numbers that have already come to this site. I returned from a skiing vacation to find nearly 120 members had joined -- far beyond the initial modest goals of me or my co-founder Michael. We’re no old hats at this social networking stuff, so we’ll appreciate everyone’s ideas and help in getting this thing rocking.
So please, blog it, post it, comment it, link it, whatever it takes.
But enough of what Michael and I had in mind to start with, what are you looking for from this site?
Views: 3
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Comment by Shane Corellian on February 24, 2009 at 8:02pm -
My hope is that site will help me keep my finger on the pulse of the Sys Admin and new tools and technologies that are being introduced and used. There are times I would like to bounce questions or suggestions around to System Administrators. As you mentioned, Elizabeth, our work can be a little isolating. It is necessary to be able to ask a question around the bar and have high confidence that someone will know the answer or at least be able to verify that I'm not smoking crack in my proposed solution.
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Comment by Matt Simmons on February 28, 2009 at 1:07am -
Ours is a profession that tends toward secrecy by its very nature. Computer security is the watchword of our existence, and to a lot of people, the idea that you would discuss what you're doing with your systems is tantamount to giving away the keys to the kingdom.
It doesn't have to be like that. In fact, it shouldn't. The smaller the infrastructure you administer, the more important it is to become a part of a larger community. Large IT departments have an existing biosphere where admins can grow and learn. The standalone sysadmin is largely on their own. We learn what we can by researching in our limited time, and what we find through experimentation.
Joining and participating in communities like this will accelerate the process. Of course, I'm preaching to the choir here...
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