HIGHLIGHTS
Linux Foundation says it will conduct the 'Introduction to Linux' online course, that usually costs $2,400, for free this summer.
The Linux Foundation has announced that it will be providing access to an “Introduction to Linux” course for free through edX, an e-learning website backed by Harvard and MIT. The course which will go live this summer, usually costs $2,400 (Rs. 1.46 lakhs) but will be made accessible for free to anyone with an Internet connection. The primary objective behind this decision, according to the Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, Jim Zemlin, is to “advance Linux and that includes ensuring we have a talent pool of Linux professionals.”
The course is expected to take about 40 to 60 hours to complete and people who sign up will have complete freedom over how they want to study. You can choose to ‘audit’ the course, which will give you access to all the course materials without any need to give tests or assignments. You can opt to give tests and assignments in order to be awarded a certificate of completion.
The Linux Foundation has revealed that more than 2,500 people signed up for the course within the first 24 hours. There is no limit to the number of people who can sign up for the course and if the course manages to attract a significant number of students, then the Foundation will make more courses on Linux available for free through edX.
According to the
Linux Jobs Report 2014 published by the Linux Foundation, the demand for Linux professionals is great and the salaries being paid out are also growing. If you’re interested in signing up for the course,
do check out the edX page.