<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">-<span>
</span>“Certificate of Achievement” introduces new users and youth to Linux and
Open Source Software - </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">(Doha, Qatar and Hanover, Germany: March 6,
2012) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux
certification organization (<a href="http://www.lpi.org/" target="_blank">http://www.lpi.org</a>), announced “Linux Essentials”
an innovative new program measuring foundation knowledge in Linux and Open
Source Software.<span> </span>Targeted at new
technology users, the “Linux Essentials” program is set to be adopted by
schools, educational authorities, training centers and others commencing June
2012.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style lang="EN-CA">"Linux
is ubiquitous and plays a significant role in the server room, on our phones
and tablets, cash registers and, of course, embedded devices everywhere.
Linux is in the enterprise, in movie studios, government, academia and
throughout industry around the world. We at LPI, with the help of our
partner channel, are going to take it to the last frontier--the classroom.
LPI is at the forefront of creating the first generation of Linux
professionals, and now with our "Linux Essentials" program we're
going to create the first global generation of "users" who are as
comfortable with Linux as they are with any other operating system," said
Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. Mr. Lacey however was quick to add
that this new initiative isn't just for students: "Linux Essentials isn't
just for youth, it’s for anyone that desires a gateway to Open Source
Software. We've had business people, policy makers and government
officials approach us and ask for an exam that demonstrates their knowledge of
the Open Source ecosystem. Come June, we're going to start doing just
that for everyone." </span><span lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The “Linux Essentials” program has been
under development by LPI for approximately two years and includes the
participation of qualification authorities, academic partners, private
trainers, publishers, government organizations, volunteer IT professionals and
Linux and Open Source experts.<span> </span>The
single "Linux Essentials" exam leads to a "Certificate of
Achievement" recognizing knowledge of the following subject matter:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Linux Community and a Career in Open Source </span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Popular Operating Systems and Major Open Source Applications</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Understanding Open Source Software and Licensing</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Linux Command Line Basics, Files and Scripts<span></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Program elements also include:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:35.35pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-CA"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-CA">regional links to employment
and apprenticeship programs available to youth in Linux and Open Source careers</span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:35.35pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-CA"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-CA">support for skills competitions
such as Worldskills International: <a href="http://www.worldskills.org/" target="_blank">http://www.worldskills.org/</a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:35.35pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-CA"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-CA">support for teacher
collaboration and sharing of learning exercises for the “Linux Essentials”
knowledge base </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:35.35pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-CA"><span>·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-CA">commitments from major IT
courseware and content publishers on exam preparatory resources </span></p>
</li><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">a “low-stakes” exam available online either through LPI or
partner internet-based testing</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">a PDF “certificate of achievement” valid for 10 years</span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">will cost the equivalent of 50 euros at test centers of academic
partners and 65 euros at private test centers</span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The “Linux Essentials” exam will be
available in June 2012 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and in other
nations around the world in 2013.<span> </span>A full
description of “Linux Essentials” is available at: <a href="http://www.lpi.org/linuxessentials" target="_blank">http://www.lpi.org/linuxessentials</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Individuals and organizations interested in
participating in the “Linux Essentials” program may email LPI at: <a href="mailto:innovations@lpi.org" target="_blank">innovation@lpi.org</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Mr. Lacey made the announcement via video
link to a press conference hosted by LPI representatives at CeBIT 2012 in
Hanover, Germany.<span> </span>Mr. Lacey participated
in the announcement following his appearance on an expert panel discussion on </span><span lang="EN-US">education, digital literacy,
entrepreneurship, and the creation of an Arab ICT industry </span><span lang="EN-CA">while attending the International Telecommunications Union “Connect
Arab Summit” in Doha, Qatar (<a href="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/arabstates/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/arabstates/index.asp</a>)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The Linux Professional Institute is
globally supported by the IT industry, enterprise customers, community
professionals, government entities and the educational community. LPI's
certification program is supported by an affiliate network spanning five
continents and is distributed worldwide in multiple languages at more than
7,000 testing locations.<span> </span>Since 1999, LPI
has delivered over 300,000 exams and 100,000 LPIC certifications around the
world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">#<span>
</span>#<span> </span>#</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-CA">About the Linux Professional Institute:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The Linux Professional Institute provides a
global framework, industry leadership and other services to enhance, develop
and further lifelong professional careers in Linux and Open Source
technologies. Established as an international non-profit organization in
September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute
continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill
standards for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology.
LPI advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners,
sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities. LPI's
major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux
Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP and IDG.</span></p>