Linux From Scratch comes up in a job interview...

pete · 17-11-2009, 01:10 PM

So you're interviewing for a Linux Sysadmin position and you discover that you'll be supporting systems on customer premises that are built on LFS. You will be the sole provider of maintenance and security patches for these devices, plus the developer of new devices/software. These are not small custom boxes, but full-fat internet-accessible servers.

What do you do?

webman · 17-11-2009, 01:15 PM

If the company were happy to move to something you knew about, I'd plan a migration to another distro. If not, tell your agency you don't do LFS.

sparkeh · 17-11-2009, 01:19 PM

Hmm sounds exciting to me and I'd go fo it

I would never go to a job interview and tell them a bunch of things I wanted changed for me to take the job. Better to get yourself established and if you are getting on well make some suggestions as to how you think somethings could be improved.

somabc · 17-11-2009, 01:20 PM

It depends doesn't if you like building LFS and they offer you a good deal then why not?

patty04 · 17-11-2009, 01:21 PM

Not have a problem with that.

DrCheese · 17-11-2009, 01:36 PM

Run away screaming... or at least plan a migration to a supported distro. I can see no logical reason why LFS would be required. You would go totally insane keeping them up to date and you'd have absolutely zero support should anything go wrong.

kmount · 17-11-2009, 01:42 PM

Not have a problem as long as there was sufficient documentation outlining the builds and the reasons for choosing this system over AN Other.

If it turned out to be a "because the last guy wanted it" type scenario you can then make your case as to why/if you'd suggest change. (security/patch management, peer support, etc)

budgester · 18-11-2009, 10:54 PM

Of course it all depends on why they use LFS.

There are some very good reasons for it.

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View Poll Results: What would your response be to having to work with LFS in production?
Not have a problem with that.	10	43.48%
Make moving to another distro a condition of job acceptance	7	30.43%
Afterwards tell the agency that you didn't think the job was a good match for you.	1	4.35%
Run away screaming	4	17.39%
Other	1	4.35%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

17-11-2009, 01:10 PM	#1
pete Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In the server room, with the lead pipe. Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 108 Thanked 174 Times in 129 Posts Rep Power: 53	Linux From Scratch comes up in a job interview... So you're interviewing for a Linux Sysadmin position and you discover that you'll be supporting systems on customer premises that are built on LFS. You will be the sole provider of maintenance and security patches for these devices, plus the developer of new devices/software. These are not small custom boxes, but full-fat internet-accessible servers. What do you do? Last edited by pete; 17-11-2009 at 01:15 PM..

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Linux From Scratch comes up in a job interview...

17-11-2009, 01:15 PM	#2
webman Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: County Durham Posts: 6,865 Thanks: 457 Thanked 372 Times in 292 Posts Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 117	If the company were happy to move to something you knew about, I'd plan a migration to another distro. If not, tell your agency you don't do LFS.

17-11-2009, 01:19 PM	#3
sparkeh Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2,145 Thanks: 304 Thanked 280 Times in 200 Posts Blog Entries: 11 Rep Power: 69	Hmm sounds exciting to me and I'd go fo it I would never go to a job interview and tell them a bunch of things I wanted changed for me to take the job. Better to get yourself established and if you are getting on well make some suggestions as to how you think somethings could be improved.

17-11-2009, 01:20 PM	#4
somabc Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,395 Thanks: 53 Thanked 196 Times in 126 Posts Rep Power: 53	It depends doesn't if you like building LFS and they offer you a good deal then why not?

17-11-2009, 01:21 PM	#5
patty04 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lowestoft/Suffolk Posts: 111 Thanks: 7 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Rep Power: 2	Not have a problem with that.

17-11-2009, 01:36 PM	#6
DrCheese Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 254 Thanks: 14 Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 13	Run away screaming... or at least plan a migration to a supported distro. I can see no logical reason why LFS would be required. You would go totally insane keeping them up to date and you'd have absolutely zero support should anything go wrong.

17-11-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
kmount Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 3,559 Thanks: 216 Thanked 516 Times in 471 Posts Rep Power: 118	Not have a problem as long as there was sufficient documentation outlining the builds and the reasons for choosing this system over AN Other. If it turned out to be a "because the last guy wanted it" type scenario you can then make your case as to why/if you'd suggest change. (security/patch management, peer support, etc)

18-11-2009, 10:54 PM	#8
budgester Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Enfield, Middlesex Posts: 356 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 20 Posts Rep Power: 12	Of course it all depends on why they use LFS. There are some very good reasons for it.

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Linux From Scratch comes up in a job interview...