"Linux Gazette...making Linux just a little more fun!"

It has been a very busy year for the Linux Professional Institute. At shows and convention halls around the world, people are interested in Linux*, and people want to know more about where Linux is headed and the demands that will be placed upon the administrators of these systems. The spectrum of the interested Linux participant runs the full scale. From the outright beginner who doesn't have a clue what all the buzz is over this new operating system, to the down and dirty hands on faster than a speeding bullet kind of person; everyone wants to be a player in the Linux game.

The audiences for the Linux Professional Institute have been enthusiastic and engaged. It seems everyone has a different opinion of what is truly needed within the Linux community. But one thing that most seem to agree on, that as Linux grows in demand, more professionals will be needed, and a standard for competence is the best approach to ensuring qualified professionals.

Linux appears no longer to be a fringe operating system. The representation at COMDEX/Linux Business Expo in Las Vegas of 47,000 square feet and the participation of the attendees from COMDEX was a sight to behold. Tens of thousands of people toured the Linux related companies and I am sure that the result will be in sales. As sales continue to increase for these companies, a demand will be generated for Linux professionals. For the Linux professional, having the right knowledge, the right tools, and the right qualifications will be everything.

And the Linux Professional Institute(LPI) has helped bridge the wide gap between the many different players within the Linux professional ommunity and the ever growing "newbie". The Linux Professional Institute; (www.lpi.org) has been spreading the word about Linux and certification of Linux professionals for the last two years. Their web site and related information an now be read in French, German, Greek, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, English. Chinese is soon to be added, with more to come. All of this has been done with volunteers from around the world. LPI continues to be organized and run with the help of thousands of people from every part of the globe.

Japan just recently went online with Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) for the Linux Professional Institute's tests for certification of Linux administration. This was a milestone within the Linux community. The Japanese are embracing Linux in a big way, and they believe in the certification process. LPI views the interest in Linux in Japan, as one more piece of evidence that Linux is here to stay. There is currently an LPI- China being started by a group of professionals and educators in China. Sponsors have been contacted and enthusiasm runs high for this group as they ready to embrace their Linux audiences.

Enthusiasm and a sense of community has taken hold for the Linux Professional Institute. A lot of work remains to be done, and anyone interested in participating or volunteering their expertise or time should contact wilma@lpi.org, dan@lpi.org or info@lpi.org. The organization continues to work on the next set of exams to be administered. Level two testing is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2001. Stay tuned to the web site for further details.

The Linux Professional Institute invites all Linux enthusiasts and professionals to participate in their certification exams and become known as an LPI -1, LPI -2 or LPI -3 Professional. This certification is currently being recognized by IBM, SGI, HP, SuSE, and TurboLinux, a partial list. Since the first exam was taken; just a few months ago in June; there have been exams taken in almost every part of the globe. The top five countries (for most tests taken, in descending order) were the U.S, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and Japan. But, there were participants from Taiwan, Switzerland, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Ecuador and many more.

As has been the case for the last two years, 2001 appears to be even busier for LPI. January brings the Linux Professional Institute to Amsterdam, and New York, then to Paris in February. The rest of the year will ontinue on this pace with appearances around the globe. To follow our movements, log on to http://www.lpi.org/i-events.html. To help us at shows and conventions, contact info@lpi.org or wilma@lpi.org.

Come join the Linux Professional Institute and all their sponsors in challenging yourself as a Linux enthusiast. We invite you to participate in our testing procedure which leads to certification. Certification of professional Linux administrators. Be part of a world-wide organization where you an make a difference. Join our many discussions through mailing lists or help staff booths in different parts of the world. The Linux Professional Institute invites anyone interested in helping the organization through its next year of progress, to log on to www.lpi.org and click on "Getting Involved". We're looking forward to another great year, and we hope you will be with us for the ride.

*Linux is a trademark of Linux Torvalds; Linux Professional Institute is a trademark of Linux Professional Institute Inc .

Copyright © 2000, Ray Ferrari.
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Published in Issue 60 of Linux Gazette, December 2000