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Microsoft Won't Vouch For Linux
theodp writes "Gov. Christine Gregoire applauded Microsoft's job training partnership with WA state and county government agencies, which calls for the distribution of 30,625 training vouchers statewide during the next 90 days. 'This program [Elevate America] is all about equipping people with the new skills they'll need to get a job in the changing economy,' said Microsoft Counsel Brad Smith, who also made it very clear that getting 'workforce ready' won't involve acquiring any Linux skills. At least this offer appears to be no-cost, unlike the $35 Microsoft requested in an e-mail come-on for 'The Stimulus Package for Your Career' (so much for Smith's and Gregoire's war on spam)."
Really, what would Linux skills be? The only things that are really uniform between different Linux distributions are the same elements that are already present in Windows anyway.
Any Linux training would be for a specific distro such as the training provided by Red Hat or Canonical which could encompass a whole wide variety of topics. Here's a list of the courses from Red Hat's training course site: https://www.redhat.com/courses/
The basic concept of a bash shell.
The structure of a typical distribution.
Why exactly a distribution doesn't have to be typical, what makes things appear to be uniform.
The server/client model.
Elements of security.
Logic.
Doing shit yourself.
"Most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?"
Well actually there is a new start up type company called "Stuph Labs" that offers Linux training to the unwashed masses. they tend to focus on teaching secretaries and the like, but its for anyone really. Check them out if your interested. http://www.stuphlabs.net/services/crash/
-Chris
But as far as I can tell, this Microsoft program is focused on the basic use of standard GUI office applicaitons, not server administration, installation, command line use, tweaking, etc.
The Elevate America program isn't about churning out techies who can troubleshoot network problems, it's about teaching people to use Word.
Just look at the iPhone - Apple came out of nowhere to dominate the smartphone market in a 2 year timeframe.
Actually, no they don't. Nokia dominates the smartphone market with almost 39% marketshare. Apple was 2nd last time any sales figures were released at around 17% followed by RIM with around 15%.
Actually, the latest figures have it Nokia #1, followed by RIM at about 20% followed by WM at 12 and Apple at 11: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone#Operating_systems