Re: LAMP: I think, therefore maybe I am.

[5mi11er]

in reply to LAMP: I think, therefore maybe I am.

Yes, I'd say so. Not being a server admin, simply puts extra constraints on games you could play with file permissions. And it adds the benefit of removing a whole lot of work that you might otherwise be forced to deal with rather than working on your project.

What is it that makes you think not being an admin reduces your expertise with LAMP?

-Scott

[punch_card_don]

My question is way before "does not being an admin reduce my LAMP expertise"..

It's more: "I've been doing this stuff very matter of factly in my little corner all these years, and came across a mention of LAMP, read the description, and thought it sounded like me - but before I go around claiming to be a LAMP expert, I'll check to see if I've not missed some arcane detail that disqualifies me so I don't look like a total idiot when I put LAMP on my resumé."

[derby]

Well I would consider you a LAMP developer ... but it seems to me the PHP folks have somehow weaseled their way into controlling the mindset about what P is.

[Jenda]

Well. I think it's best to decide (and keep saying) that the P stands for Perl, Python and PHP. Ruby doesn't fit though :-P

[5mi11er]

LAMP, and other derivations on the theme, describe an environment in which lots of useful stuff can be put together. Saying one is a "LAMP expert" is ambiguous because that could mean several different things.

It could say the person knows how to install a LAMP environment on disparate OSes, it could mean it is the prefered environment of an architect who doesn't actually do much heavy lifting, it could mean the person can tune the environment to run really well with huge databases with lots of throughput. It could mean you're a one man shop that has had to configure and design the architecture, and code, and design/build the web pages (which sounds like your boat).

Like most buzz words, it's pretty hollow until you understand the exact memes and context that are intended.

-Scott

[punch_card_don]

... one man shop that has had to configure and design the architecture, and code, and design/build the web pages (which sounds like your boat)....

I'm thinking "Expertise in all phases of web application development in a LAMP architecture."

[andye]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The point is that you're developing for the LAMP platform.

OK, so your expertise is mostly in the 'p' and 'm' parts, but as long as you're not advertising yourself as a Linux sysadmin or an Apache specialist, I'd say that's ok.

Bearing in mind that most recruitment agencies don't have the slightest idea what any of this means anyway... and if you're in an interview with an actual employer then you'll be able to discuss exactly where your experience lies.