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Mt. Carmel native involved in Linux technology development(Editor's Note: Kara (Graddy) Pritchard Is the daughter of lid and Sarah Graddy (Mt. Carmel) and grandparents are former Mt. Carmel residents TO. and Jean Graddy (Texas), and Margaret (and the late Hershell) Enlow (Mt. Carmel). She graduated from MCHS with honors In 1995 and attended the University of Evansville for one year, majoring in Computer Engineering. In June '97 she married Steven Pritchard of Decatur and moved to Springfield, where she currently resides.)Dear Editor:In 1996, I became Involved with a worldwide technology development project called Linux. Linux Is an Open Source Unix llke operating system for both servers and home computers. In fact, Linux Is used In well over half of the world’s Internet Service providers, and Is even being sold and supported by most large computer manufacturers such as Compaq, Dell, IBM and even Hewlett Packard.Linux Is replacing more and more Windows operating systems on today's technical worker and developers PCs. Best thing about Linux? It’s open source. You get the source code, you get free licensing and lfs all free. There are commercial versions available, such as Red Hat. Caldera and SuSE, but even they have versions you can download over the Internet and use for free. You can even Install it on as many PCs as you want and there are no licensing Issues.Because of such an Interesting project. I became involved with a Users Group In Carbon-dale, called SILUG(http://www.silug.org/). This was a group of 20-30 Linux users who met biweekly to discuss and demonstrate the features of Linux to new users, students, teachers, programmers and more.Since becoming involved with that user group, my husband and I have either helped start,171 - J 1 • XVrun, or participate in six Linux, Unix and Perl users groups.Getting involved In this community has opened some very interesting doors for me For the past couple of years I have been given the opportunity to travel to multiple trade shows bringing Linux enthusiasts together from all over the world. Some of these include the Linux Expo in North Carolina, the Atlanta Linux Showcase In Georgia, Comdex in Chicago and in the upcoming year Linux World in California.In addition to getting to travel, it has opened up many doors for employment opportunities. I am a Digital Unix Administrator for a Telephone Cooperative/ISP here In Springfield, my husband does HP-UX Administration for Caterpillar in Peoria.As well as the employment opportunities, I am also involved with several high profile projects and events in the Springfield area and Linux community Since December '97 I have been on the board for a Computerfest Trade show held annually at the Illinois State Fair Grounds. In fall of 1998 I was elected president of the board and organized the 1999 show. Plans are currently being made for the 2000 show as well.In addition to the trade show, I have participated in a Linux Certification Program with Red Hat Software. Now having completed the Red Hat Certified Engineer Program. I am publishing a book with Insider Press called the RHCE Exam Cram. It is currently being sold on amazon.com, and will be available in book stores such as Barnes and Noble, and libraries this September.I am also working with VA Linux Systems developing the http://linux.com/ web site. I am the project manager for the LUG Resource Development project.An additional exciting program I’m working on is a Not for Profit Youth Mentoring program. This program is being developed by the Linux Users of1__i.1*_______Central Illinois Users Group and will provide Unix training (mentoring) to high school youth. The program is aimed to give underprivileged and high school youth who aren't or are unable to go to college.The program is designed to train the youth on computer and server administration skills In a Unix environment. There is a high demand for such skills In the Technology Field today. With cooperation from area firms needing such skills, the students are provided with a chance to graduate high school and pursue a career in the technology field. For more information on this program visit http://www.Hnux-mentors.org/.Sorry to drone on. With the requests I've received from local Mt Carmel residents regarding Linux, and some of the work I'm doing. I thought the DRR might be interested In a little more technogical storyI know that several MCHS and WVC students are learning about and using Linux as well. In fact, such a lab was proposed to MCHS back in early 19%. but was turned down. As a free operating system, the school would have saved thousands on the Microsoft Windows and NT licenses by setting up labs running Linux, and could have networked the schools easily in early 1996 to share resources and the Internet for students and teachers. Funny, what was then turned down as unstable new technology’ is now the leading topic of IT magazines and is being used everywhere from rendering the graphics for 'Titanic. to the military, to Microsoft's Antitrust Trial as proof of 'there is competition for Windows’:)You can reach me at kara@llnux.com.Kara Pritchard Linux Users of Central Illinois (217) 698-1694 kara@luci.org 4.^__1_
Newspaper Details
Mount Carmel Daily Republican Register
Mount Carmel, Illinois, US
Thu, Jul 22, 1999
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Patty M.
IL, USA 25 Jan 2018
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Mount Carmel Register
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