I read that list as prefixed with "learn to...". And getting a basic grasp on autotools is certainly useful, as it enjoys a pretty large market share. Everythin

I read that list as prefixed with "learn to...". And getting a basic grasp on autotools is certainly useful, as it enjoys a pretty large market share. Everything else would be rather opinionated. Just like Java's maven, you have to at least wade through it before picking something else, if you're able to do that at all in a given project.