All hype aside, by early 2000 it was
very clear that Linux is going to be a major operating
system. Linux is no longer of interest only to hackers
and the open-source community. Today there are more
web servers running on Linux than on any other operating
system. Major organizations are deploying Linux in their
data centers. According to a study done recently, more
than 75% of the fortune 500 companies have already deployed
Linux or are considering to do so in near future.
With this booming Linux deployment
comes increased demand for professionals who are conversant
with Linux. This includes users, administrators, programmers,
as well as buyers of Linux systems. A recognized Linux
Certification provides a tangible way to show prowess
in the operating system. Many job postings already favor
applicants with "Linux Certified" in their resumes.
While certification by itself does
not make you a recognized Linux Guru, it provides a
great start towards that goal. Many IT professionals
feel confident to use a particular technology, but they
need some practical experience to be deemed experts.
Unfortunately, this practical experience may not be
readily available, as employers look for prior experience
with that technology. Professionals can break this Catch-22
situation with certification and erase any doubts in
their ability to work with Linux.
Last but not least, certification is
a great tool for self motivation to learn Linux in good
depth. Certification test provides a clear-cut goal
to brush up on broad aspects of this popular operating
system.
