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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Linux and UNIX?
UNIX is a portable, multi-user operating system that has been
around since 1970. Linux is an operating system modeled after
UNIX that came about when Linus Torvalds joined up with Richard
Stallman's GNU project. Linus Torvalds headed a world-wide team
of engineers who developed the kernel of the operating system, while
GNU was developing utilities and applications for the operating system.
They were able to come together because they were both modeling their
work after the organization and structure defined by UNIX.
Where can I get a copy of Linux?
Many Linux books come with a free CD of Linux, so when you buy the textbook,
you buy the Operating System as well. Most major distribution
vendors, like RedHat, do offer free image files of their distributions
on an FTP site. For example, the following link will take you to Red Hat's
download site for
Fedora.
What certification should I pursue?
The various certifying bodies all have there particular point of view:
- Red Hat and Novell are vendor certifications, that is, these companies are certifying
individuals on their distribution of Linux. They typically do their own training at a premium
price. RedHat's certifications (RHCT,RHCE) include a 3-6 hour lab component that they claim
makes them the most sought after Linux certification in the industry.
- Linux Professional Institute (LPI), and the Linux Professional Group (LPG) are non-
vendor specific certification organizations. LPI is more popular with the Open Source community,
but the Sair Linux and GNU certification offered by LPG is better structured in terms of its objectives.
- CompTIA's Linux+ certification is a single exam that builds on its A+ certification
and is geared for individuals heading toward computer helpdesk and support specialties.
It stresses a breadth of topics rather than depth.
Further information can be found
here as well as from each of the above organizations' website.
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