This article tracks which certifications are likely to be hot in 2006 and the RHCE certification topped the list. Interesting comment at the end of this article on the demand for Linux professionals outstripping the demand for general Microsoft administration skills. Venky http://www.certcities.com/editorial/features/story.asp?EditorialsID=95 #1: Red Hat Certified Engineer Vendor: Red Hat Reader Interest Score (out of 20): 17 Buzz Score (out of 10): 8 Total: 25 If you're looking for yet another sign that Linux is becoming a real player, then you've got it. While Linux certifications have regularly made our Hot Cert list over the past few years -- in fact, the RCHE has appeared on this list since we started it for 2002 -- this is the first time one has ever taken the top spot. Quite a feat, especially when you consider that the vast majority of CertCities.com's readers are Windows professionals. So how did this Linux title break through to No. 1? Having a stellar reputation never hurts, and Red Hat is well known for the quality of its RHCE lab exam, which tests candidates' hands-on skills with Red Hat Enterprise. "It's a truly challenging certification," commented Dulaney. "It carries a lot more respect than others in the market." But the title wouldn't go anywhere unless its skills were seen as marketable. And according to Morris, high-level Linux skills may be more marketable than some might think. "These days…it seems that demand for a great Linux person outstrips the demand for general Microsoft administration skills," commented Morris. "Not that Microsoft is going anyplace, but serious Linux networking is more [rare]. While [this is] not my personal area of interest, I highly recommend that others look at it with keen interest." http://www.certcities.com/editorial/features/story.asp?EditorialsID=95