The Linux Foundation has paired up with edX, an online course provider, to offer their normally $2400 4-day
Intro to Linux course for free starting in August 2014.
Introduction to Linux
Develop a good working knowledge of Linux using both the graphical interface and command line, covering the major Linux distribution families.
About this Course
Linux powers 94% of the world’s supercomputers, most of the servers powering the Internet, the majority of financial trades worldwide and a billion Android devices. In short, Linux is everywhere. It appears in many different architectures, from mainframes to server to desktop to mobile and on a staggeringly wide variety of hardware.
This course explores the various tools and techniques commonly used by Linux programmers, system administrators and end users to achieve their day-to-day work in a Linux environment. It is designed for experienced computer users who have limited or no previous exposure to Linux, whether they are working in an individual or Enterprise environment.
Upon completion of this training you should have a good working knowledge of Linux, from both a graphical and command line perspective, allowing you to easily navigate through any of the major Linux distributions. You will be able to continue your progress as either a user, system administrator or developer using the acquired skill set.
This is a serious intro for people with no Linux experience. Or for self-taught Linux users who worry they may not be aware of everything they should know about their chosen OS.
If you've ever taken a Linux Foundation (or
edX or
Coursera or
Udacity) course, you know that these are "real deal" college-level offerings. What's amazing (to me) is how good they are - and how most are offered for free. (Many of these courses also offer an option to obtain a school certificate for a very small fee if you have successfully completed the course and passed the requisite exams.)
I've taken a few of these
MOOC courses and found them to be challenging - but in the good way. I'm firmly convinced that with the out-of-control costs of higher education, the MOOC model may soon become the way most people take courses in the future. Especially now that these courses have progressed beyond simply offering recorded lectures. Many have interactive labs, quizzes and exams, the ability to chat with with or post questions to instructors, course forums where you can discuss things with your instructors and fellow students...
In many respects it's just like being in a "real" school. Or with the amount of online interaction most universities require these days, maybe it's
exactly like a real school. Except without the parties.
This particular offering estimates it will take the average student 40-60 hours to work completely through the course material. And a certificate is available for those who wish to officially document their achievement.
Here's what the chief penguin Linus Torvalds himself has to say:
Course may be taken absolutely free of charge, but registration is required. More info and links can be found
here.
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