[plug] [link] Life in the trenches: a [VicNet] sysadmin speaks

[Leon Brooks]

    http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/27/1040511172494.html

 Q. What qualities do you rate as essential for a good sysadmin? 

 A. In rough order of importance: 

     * Aptitude.

     * Ability to learn and understand complex subjects quickly.

     * Ability to hold a mental model of How Things Work.

     * Caution and knowing how to make changes in a way that you can
       quickly and easily undo if you need to i.e. revision management
       skills.

     * Communications skills - you need to not only know something,
       you need to be able to explain it to others in plain English so
       that reasonably intelligent non-experts can understand it.

    Note that training and formal qualifications aren't on that list.
    They're useful, but only in addition to the above traits, not as a
    substitute for them.

Cheers; Leon