The Linux Professional Institute and Linux Certification

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) was created by a group of volunteers who perceived the need for an accepted certification process that would recognize and certify the talent and hard work of Linux users everywhere. Since its inception, the effort has taken on a life of its own and has now involved some of the Linux movement's best and brightest in a fully open process aimed at proviing certification for all.
The LPI isn't the only organization offering Linux certification. Others exist. However, LPI is the only one with an open process for developing certification exams. These exams are being developed by the Linux community for the Linux community. Exams are kept to the absolute minimums as far as number and price, but they strive for the highest quality. For more information about the Linux Professional Institute, see their Web page at www.lpi.org

How Does Linux Fit in with Other Network Environments?

Many people within the Linux community want to establish Linux as a viable alternative to other graphical desktop operating systems. This is a good cause to support. Linux has proven itself as a highly stable end-user operating system, and with graphical interfaces such as the one provided by the K Desktop Environment and GNOME, migration from other operating systems is becoming easier and easier. In addition, commercial software companies such as Loki entertainment Software and Oracle have targeted Linux as the plate on which their bread and butter (games and databases respectively) can be served, and so far their porting efforts have gone over quite well with the Linux community in general.

Note:- Loki Entertainment software is particularly interesting for the Linux community because of their focus on a very under-served market: games. Loki began by porting civilization: call to power, and have since then ported at least 10 other commercial games to Linux, including Quake III Arena and SimCity 3000. If you are interested in commercial games for Linux, visit their web site www.lokigames.com.

However, to simply look at Linux as a replacement for other graphical operating systems is like looking at a fire truck and considering using it to pick up your sister at the airport. There are many, many other features of Linux shows its true colors. To ignore these features is to ignore the size and functionality (not to mention the misuse) of the fire truck mentioned earlier.
Networking is where the most power resides within Linux. No other operating system to date has offered the connectivity features that Linux offers at the price tag that Linux holds. Similar functionality might cost you literally a few thousand U.S. dollars with other variants of the UNIX operating system. With Linux, it is all included "in the box."

The Linux Professional Institute and Linux Certification