In context, he was underpaid tech support who was taken advantage of and got no grad school education while he paid for grad school. A bunch of scientists who know you as "that guy who fixes my email and doesn't publish or know anything" is not a great network.

More like two options:

1. "A staggeringly comprehensive knowledge of UNIX", three years of domain-specific education, and a network of people who trust you to--no, who depend on you to be able to get things done with that knowledge

2. A piece of paper just like everyone else in the department, three years of domain-specific education, and a network of people who trust you to--no, who depend on you to be able to get things done with that knowledge (and probably a girlfriend)

> three years of domain-specific education, and a network of people who trust you to--no, who depend on you to be able to get things done with that knowledge

This might be the case, but he's now like the janitor who unplugs the toilet. His work may be appreciated, and it might be necessary, but it's not respected or well remunerated. I guess he gets a little bit of respect for unplugging more theoretical pipes, but a little respect isn't a PhD.

No, he left without a degree.

A good point, but the text suggests there are ways to get this knowledge.

  >> except six hundred dollars in his bank account

  >> are ways to get this knowledge.

Edit: are ways 'better' to get this knowledge.