Source: Linux-Watch Ubuntu, one of the most popular community Linux distributions, is continuing its march toward becoming a more business-friendly distribution. In its latest move, Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu's sponsor, and the LPI (Linux Professional Institute), the backers of the popular LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 Linux certifications, jointly announced the development of a certification for the Ubuntu distribution: the Ubuntu Certified Professional. This certification exam will enable qualified candidates to demonstrate specific expertise in the professional use of Ubuntu The first Ubuntu certification exam will be launched at Johannesburg, South Africa, May 16 - 19, 2006. "We have long considered LPIC-1 to be the entry-level professional certification for all Linux distributions," said Jim Lacey, the LPI's president and CEO . "This collaborative initiative with Ubuntu clearly demonstrates how Linux software developers can leverage our existing distribution-neutral program to create professional certification programs for their own software packages," said Lacey. This is the first time that the LPI has released a certification that has been tied to a specific distribution. Other Linux distributors, such as Red Hat and Novell, recognize the LPI certifications, but have their own certifications. Lacey added that the LPI was open to offering similar certifications for other Linux distributions. Jane Silber, a spokesperson for Canonical said in a statement that the certification was in response to extensive demand from both individuals and enterprises. "Ubuntu use in the enterprise is increasing, leading to an increasing demand from engineers and managers for a certification which proves an individual's Ubuntu skills." One business executive at LinuxWorld, who is overseeing a Solaris to Linux migration, said, "Had Ubuntu a professional certification before we made our move, we certainly would have considered it at my company." The Ubuntu certification will consist of a single exam on top of LPI's existing 101 and 102 exams. The exam is being developed by LPI's product development team and Ubuntu community members. The exam is expected to be completed in early May, with the first paper exams being available in mid-May to qualified LPIC-1 candidates who are attending LinuxWorld Johannesburg. The computer-based testing version will be made available later in June, through Thomson Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers around the world. Initial exam price has been set at $100 US.
