User:Award3535

Andrew & Julie Ward

• Location  : Southeast Georgia
• O/S  : Fedora (stable release)
• E-mail  : award3535 AT fedoraproject DOT org
• E-mail  : jward78 AT fedoraproject DOT org
• E-mail  : award3535 AT tds DOT net
• E-mail  : award3535 AT gmail DOT com

About Andrew

My name is Andrew, I am a retired Navy Enlisted Electronics Technician that holds a CCNA, and COMPTIA Security Plus Certification with many years of experience with networks and various operating systems. I also carry an A+ certification along with a few other projects in the works. I was exposed to Fedora by another retired service member and have loved it ever since. In those earlier days I started with Fedora Core 6 on an old laptop along side with Red Hat. I now perfer to use Fedora 23 over the windows products. I find that the more I use Fedora the more I enjoy the features and ease of configuration of various platforms. I now have 8 of the 15 machines I personally own running Fedora 23.

Although I am somewhat of an entry level user here with the project, I am very excited to help out in any way I can. Linux systems are not unfamiliar to me while in the military, I was responsible for maintaining HP UX (unix based systems and Servers) servers and nodes. I find Fedora to be the most stable platform available over any other versions of Linux (i.e ubuntu, knoppix etc...)

I would recommend Fedora to anyone who is tired of the same ole grind of windows to a new and refreshing way of computing. I have already convinced many of my friends to switch over to a virtually virus free environment and the benefit of a stable operating system.

Recently I took on the responsibility of becoming one of the FEDORA Ambassadors Mentor, promoting the best product and service available. This is a major step in achieving personal and professional goals. Recent events that I participated in was at the Southeast Linux Fest (SELF) in Charlotte NC for the past Three years (2012,2013,and 2014,2016), Ohio Linux Fest Columbus Oh (2014 & 2015), Free and Open Source Electronics convention Fossetcon Orlando Fl (2014 & 2015). What a Blast. We by far had the most representatives present than any other Table. I believe that our success stems from the Ambassadors Group within FEDORA and the product we represent.

I also just ran the booth at the Texas Linux Festival in San Antonio. http://www.texaslinuxfest.org Recent Events Indiana Linux Festival Indianapolis In http://www.indianalinux.org/. This was the second time Fedora was represented in Indiana. By far Fedora was the leader of the festival. I was proud to represent the best product available. I also got to attend one of the most eventful conventions to date LINUXCON New Orleans. Many good things were learned at that event, check out the links http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/linuxcon-north-america https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Linuxcon.

The upcoming 2017 season will be exciting and challenging. I plan on attending a minimum of 3 events , two being a mainstay with me that include and Southeast Linux Fest (SELF) Charrolett NC , Orlando (http://wwwofossetcon.org), and Columbus Ohio (http://www.ohiolinux.org/).

Cheers......

About Julie

I got involved in the project about 3 years after my husband became an Ambassador. I noticed that the community was a tightly knitted group of professionals and volunteers that inspired me to get involved. Although I am an entry level user and have helped with various small things during events, I thought it was time I to become as involved with the project in anyway that I can help. I look forward to meeting new people and doing much more with the project. Recent event attended was Ohio Linux fest 2014 where we rocked the booth.

Andrew's Skill Set

I am a government employee that works on a large network as the Information Assurance Manager and carry a COMPTIA Security Plus certification and A CISCO CCNA. Currently working on my CISSP

My Relation to the Fedora Project

I am currently a Fedora Regional Ambassador (East) and Mentor, I also am quite involved as an active member of the free media distribution, distributing over 800 Cd/Dvd's around the United States, Australia, and Canada. I look forward to talking with other members of the project and future Fedora users.

Current Projects and Other interests

• Currently a FEDORA Ambassador (Verification)
• Active Mentor
• Events Attended over the past Four years; Southeast Linux Festival 2012, 2013, & 2014 Charlotte NC, Texas Linux Festival 2012 San Antonio TX, Indiana Linux Festival 2013, Linuxcon New Orleans Louisiana 2013, Free Open Source Software and Technology Convention (FOSSETCON) Orlando Florida 2014/2015 and the Ohio Linux fest in Columbus Ohio 2014/2015.
• My inspiration is to Mentor new Ambassadors in the Four Foundations of Fedora!

Plans & Goals

We hope to continue contributing with more aspects within Fedora. We also plan to take on more roles and complete as many Festivals and Conferences as possible.

Andrew Ward Electronics Technician Senior Chief Submarines Ret.USN

Julie Ward Honorary Lady Submariner

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