Rich Blum has worked in the IT industry for over 30 years as both a systems and network administrator. During this time he has administered UNIX, Linux, Novell, and Microsoft servers, as well as help design and maintain a large user network utilizing Cisco switches and routers. He has used Linux desktops and servers both professionally and personally for functions from editing videos to performing automated network monitoring.

Rich has a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and a Masters of Science degree in Management, specializing in Management Information Systems, both from Purdue University. He is the author of numerous Linux books, a Network Monitoring book, and even a few programming books (check out the biliography for the complete list).

Besides authoring, Rich is also an online instructor for several online Web courses on Linux and Web programming that are used by colleges and universities across the US and other countries.

When he's not being a computer nerd, Rich enjoys playing worship songs on piano, electric guitar, and electric bass guitar, and volunteering with the Friendship Bible Study. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Barbara, and two daughters Katie Jane and Jessica.

Useful Web sites:



Linux


DistroWatch
Here's where I keep up to date on the latest Linux distribution news.

Ubuntu
The most popular desktop Linux distribution.

openSUSE
A popular full-featured Linux distribution, great for both desktops and servers.

CentOS
A popular Linux server distribution.


Web Programming


PHP online manual
The ultimate resource in all PHP programming topics

MySQL online manual
The MySQL database online manual.

W3Schools
A great online tutorial and reference for many Web programming languages.


Bass Guitar


Fender basses
One of my favorites, I love the Fender Jazz bass. It's such a versatile instrument you can take it to just about any gig!

Lakland basses
The Lakland Skyline 55-01 bass is yet another of my favorite basses!


Bible Study


Reformed Theological Seminary
When I'm not reading computer books, I'm doing bible studies. The Reformed Theological Seminary has some great online courses for free that cover the basics of reformed theology.

BiblicalTraining.org
A smorgasbord of more reformed and evangelical seminary course recordings, all for free!