Re: [Linux-aus] Ubuntu Certification (was: lca2005 CD)

[Bret Busby <bret@busby.net>]

On Wed, 5 Apr 2006, Jeff Waugh wrote:

> > Now forgive me if I'm wrong, and please be nice enough to flame me off
> > list if I am, but I was under the impression the LPI's were meant to be
> > Vendor Neutral. By introducing a vendor specific exam into the LPI stream,
> > isn't this just moving the LPI's away from their Benefit ie - A means of
> > measuring the certified person's knowledge of the core linux kernel and
> > subsystem. ?
>
> I tend to think this model better supports the vendor neutral approach that
> LPI has taken. Choose your poison: LPI 101, 102 and Ubuntu 103 on top or an
> entirely separate RHCE or Novell certification?
>
> I reckon it'd be great if more distros supported, assisted and improved the
> LPI effort. :-)
>
> - Jeff

> From what I understand, from the LPI web site, the "vendor neutral" 
thing, relates to having skills and knowledge that do not relate to a 
particular distribution.

> From http://www.lpi.org/en/certification.html ;
"The LPI Certification Program is:
Distribution-neutral, verifying knowledge on any standard Linux system".

Thus, to specialise in a particular distribution, appears to me, to be 
inconsistent with the assertion of being "vendor neutral". Notsomuch a 
criticism, as an observation.

Regarding the support for LPI from distributions, I note that, from the 
LPI home page, the listed "Platinum Sponsors", include Novell (SUSE), 
and TurboLinux, and the "Silver Sponsors" include Mandriva. So, some of 
the commercial distributions, support LPI.

On the web page at http://www.lpi.org/en/obj_101.html , the Objectives 
of exam 101, include distribution-specific material - package management 
for Red Hat and for Debian ; "1.102.5 Use Debian package management", 
and "1.102.6 Use Red Hat Package Manager (RPM)". My understanding is 
that these are not the only two distribution-specific package management 
systems, with, for example, SUSE using YAST (if that is the correct 
name).

So, distribution-specific material already exists in the LPI 101 exam, 
with the material limited to two of the distributions.

> From what I understand, different branches of "the open source 
movement", have differing attitudes to certification, with Perl and 
PostgreSQL people, apparently not wanting certification, and MySQL 
providing (to a certain extent) certification. RH has proprietary 
certification, as does Novell.

Perhaps, LPI could engage in discussions (or attempt to engage in 
discussions) with other distribution bodies, such as Debian, etc, in 
order to institute other distribution-specific certifications, so that, 
for example, an LPI Certified Debian Professional certification, could 
be established, using the LPI Certified Ubuntu Professional 
certification, as a starting point.

I note that other institutions also provide Linux certifications 
(although I know little of the status of the certifications), such as 
the one at http://www.useractive.com/courses/linux.php3 , which I assume 
to be distribution-neutral.

One last thought, regarding the proposed Ubuntu certification - in 
thinking about the MySQL certification, which, like some of the 
Microsoft certifications, is version-specific - would the Ubuntu 
certification, be limited to a particular Ubuntu version, and, be 
required to be redone (at least the exam 103), every six months, as a 
new version of Ubuntu is released every six months, to keep the 
certification current?

--
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
..............

"So once you do know what the question actually is,
 you'll know what the answer means."
- Deep Thought,
  Chapter 28 of
  "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
  A Trilogy In Four Parts",
  written by Douglas Adams,
  published by Pan Books, 1992

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