How long does it take to learn LINUX?

How long does it take to learn linux?


Choosing between Linux %26amp; Sql Server 2005?


Choosing between Linux and Sql server 2005??


IT jobs require 3 years of experience so how do I get in??


I am between 2 choices:


Either learning Linux and try to learn as much as i can home but it might take me 2 years to be good and marketable.


Maybe less what do you guys think?





I am also considering learn SQL Server 2005 to become an assistant DBA.





But even if I have lab to practice both jobs positions


require 3 years of experience.





So my question is job wise what do you recommend me to learn ? Linux or SQL Server 2005?





And if the requirement are 3 years of experience how do I get into the field?





I am 49 so I need to get myself established soon.





Thanks.

How long does it take to learn LINUX?
Can you try a little of both to see which you prefer? Linux is a free download. Get yourself 5 CD's, download and install Fedora and play around with it. Even if that takes you 3 days, that's a small investment to help you decide if you want to spend the next 3 years doing it for a living.





Or, download cygwin (a free unix shell for Windows) and learn to write a few shell scripts.





I don't know how you would try a little SQL Server, but there might be a free evaluation download. You will probably need a book to help you play around with this.





In summary, you can teach yourself just about any computer technology for the price of a fat book ($60) at Barnes and Noble or Borders and a lot of persistence. Persistence and patience may be the most valuable personality traits for a programmer.





Sure, we all get lazy and sometimes have to do things we don't want to do, but if you are totally unwilling to teach yourself difficult things, then you may never excel in the field. Look into management or some related field instead.
Reply:Well, I would say that if you want to learn a DBMS that is profitable, learn Oracle.





Learning Linux could take varying amounts of time. Do you have an UNIX experience?