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SAIR

On Thursday, February 1, 2001, during an interview with Open Source Radio, Linugruven CEO Matt Porter explained the nature of Linuxgruven's business to include professional services, staff augmentation for linux and open source projects and corporate training. He stated, "...our only requirement for technical positions is that you demonstrate a proficiency for linux." He went on to say that this demonstration may be done through the Sair examination or by a test they have developed internally.

In regards to training fees, Mr. Porter went explained that one received 80 hours of training in one month, unlimited lab use during that month, continued access to the lab for another 6 months as well as 6 months of technical support. Porter went on to emphasize that their training program is not a requirement of employment.

When asked about a potential lawsuit from Sair, Mr. Porter responded, "From what we know, there is no lawsuit between Sair and Linuxgruven." He went on to say that he has been in contact with the president of Sair's parent company and that they hope to meet in the near future to discuss "...the whole subject." Porter also said that if it is discovered that Linuxgruven has done something wrong they will admit it and state "...here's how we are going to fix it."

Mr. Porter dismissed rumors of hostilities between the companies, saying, "We are not trying to be completely hostile companies and just go after each other and dig our nails into each other."

The interview in it's entirety can be heard during the rebroadcast of the Open Source Radio Show at www.opensourceradio.com. This rebroadcast will continue to be played through the afternoon of Feb. 8. Check the schedule for details.

Yeah, great idea. Except... there are already two efforts underway to deliver exactly what you propose: certification. First, there is SAIR Linux and GNU, some guy named Tobin Maginnis (sp?) who provides quite good training material and a certification to go with. (IIRC They were recently acquired by Wave Technologies, one of the largest (world-wide!) training companies around). (ok, ok, I'm affiliated with them somehow).

But wait, there's more. Doing it "the Linux way"(tm) is, what the guys over at LPI (Linux Professional Institute) are doing: an open process to create and review certification questions based on a community process in identifying objects and areas of interest. They are also the ones who are backed by the big boys (SuSE, IBM, Caldera)

But... the market is still young. If you can throw $2-5M at developing and marketing (that's most important, imho) a certification, you have a great chance for your upcoming IPO.

go figure.

There is an actual organization that does Linux Certification called Sair Linux and GNU certification that handles Linux Certification in more of a broad sense. Although I believe that RedHat has their own certification and I believe that it is actually called RedHat Linux Certified instead of just being Linux Certified (read the Sair FAQ #1).

The purpose for having these certifications to allow for people to be "Labeled" as certified, so that companies may feel more comfortable about hiring someone. If you screw up and are certified, at least the one that employed you had an excuse to hire you, and my be able to save their @$$. Now this may not hold true if you are certified by "Joe Schmoe Linux Certification". You need to be certified by a recognizable source.


Steven Rostedt

There is an actual organization that does Linux Certification called Sair Linux and GNU certification that handles Linux Certification in more of a broad sense. Although I believe that RedHat has their own certification and I believe that it is actually called RedHat Linux Certified instead of just being Linux Certified (read the Sair FAQ #1).

The purpose for having these certifications to allow for people to be "Labeled" as certified, so that companies may feel more comfortable about hiring someone. If you screw up and are certified, at least the one that employed you had an excuse to hire you, and my be able to save their @$$. Now this may not hold true if you are certified by "Joe Schmoe Linux Certification". You need to be certified by a recognizable source.


Steven Rostedt

Certification
I believe the above is better (at least I can get to their website) and the material is GPL'ed so you can distribute it ;)

If nothing else the two should combined efforts, it is a Community thing after all.

Jeff Waddell (who can't remember his /. password :( )

I don't know who this lot are, or where they've com from, but I thought that the Real(tm) Linux Certification exam was hosted by the University of Mississippi.

If LI are going to get into the certification game they would serve us better supporting a non-commercial effort!

Macka