Reddit mentions of Open Source Development with LAMP: Using Linux, Apache, MySQL, Perl, and PHP

> Should I avoid the Microsoft world if I am certain on focusing in the direction of linux?

Assuming you are considering systems administration... In short, yes, avoid MS, and get to know Linux (when I say linux, I usually mean all of the Unix-like OSes). Most of the great sysadmins I know have OSX or Linux on their workstation, and work administering Linux systems. I can't think of anyone that knows both MS and Linux and prefers working with MS - although I am sure they exist. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you prefer, but there are a lot of arguments to be made for getting to know linux. #1 is the server market share, and #2, the F/OSS philosophy.

> What is the lowest "entry-level" job that I can get my feet wet while I study?

With linux, hmmm, good question... there are a couple of entry points. I'd start by teaching yourself. Again, it depends on what you are into. One entry level position would be tech support at a hosting company that hosts linux servers for their clients. The guys that you get on the phone/email when you have this service for example. Their tech support is usually tiered, so tier 1 is doing easy stuff and tier 3 is doing the hardcore stuff. I even poked around a found a listing. That's a great way to get your feet wet. That, or a linux-based startup that has a team and needs more hands.

> I know this is pretty far out, but how's the hiring like for linux positions? When the time comes, should I work with a recruiter, or sell myself to a start-up or company directly?

I wouldn't think it is so far out. If you are a "computer-person" smart and you got yourself a book like this and practiced a bit until you were good enough, you could get an entry-level job pretty damned quickly, I think. The market is quite hot in big cities. For proof, pick a big city, go to craigslist and type in linux under jobs. I picked LA In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with recruiters, it's nice having someone whose job is to get you a job. I've used them to hire and to be hired in my past. Just remember, they're salespeople, and they're selling you, so they are often put in a position where they are trying to persuade you.

>What should I get started on reading? What books would you recommend for a beginner? (I'll take "advance" ones too, I'll save them for the future). Also, if you know of any online communities or websites, I appreciate those as well.

As far as resources... That book above is great. It depends on what you want to know. The RHCT/E course material is great for practical sysadmining:
This is old, but I used it. Almost all of this stuff is good.
This is a classic, but it's quite old.

Online, no better place to start than:
http://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/top/

/r/linux

http://code.reddit.com/wiki/help/faqs/sysadmin