[ Editor's Note: O'Reilly has partnered with Useractive to offer online training in HTML, Perl for CGI programming, SQL for database programming, VBScript, Java, and much more. Through the O'Reilly Learning Lab, you'll get the tools, course materials, and coaching needed to ensure a productive online learning experience. This letter is from an O'Reilly reader who is currently enrolled in the Learning Lab. ]

I thought I'd tell you about why I am taking one of Useractive's Learning Lab classes.

I am presently employed in the telecom industry and have been for over 18 years. Here in Dallas, telecom has been taking a real beating. I have been living with layoff concerns for over a year. I have learned Perl, Linux, and Unix as tools to enhance my telecom network analysis for the past seven years. I am completely self taught by using probably 25 O'Reilly books. I can safely say my Learning Perl has kept me employed.

The Learning Lab class is a way for me to retrain into something that will enable me to get out of telecom if needed and enhance my career at the same time, and to be able to put a certificate behind my knowledge. I grew up in Illinois, and know very well the reputation of the U of I's Engineering program.

At this time, I am about halfway through the second Linux System Administration class. While the first class was very basic, the second one is already dealing with things I have not been able to do before. I am enjoying it very much, and really like the concept of doing it when my schedule allows. I have been very impressed with your lab set up, and the availability of the site. I have DSL in my home, and I have never had connectivity or speed issues. The mentor I have (Kerry B.) has always graded my work and answered my questions by the next day.

There is one thing I would like to suggest. That would be the ability to have a hard copy of the course work. It would be nice to have and to put notes right in it to refer back to.

I hope this helps you. The fact that the Learning Labs are advertised on the O'Reilly Web sites meant a lot to me, as I am a big O'Reilly fan.

Regards,
Mike Jacobs

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