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11th Systems Administration Conference (LISA '97)
Turning the Corner: Upgrading Yourself from ``System Clerk'' to ``System Advocate''
Tom Limoncelli
Lucent Bell Labs - Murray Hill, NJ
Abstract
Two (of the many) types of System Administrators are identified: The
``System Clerk'' simply performs clerical tasks as she is told to do
them (creating accounts, installing software) while the System
Advocate proactively works with users to develop and evolve the
environment.
Transitioning from Clerk to Advocate involves a
change of attitude and ``making time'' for advocacy. Ways to develop
more ``spare'' time for pro-active work are also spotlighted. I also
explain ways to avoid the ``system administrator visibility paradox'':
nobody notices the system administrator on days when things are
working well.
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