Anthony Favre used Linux for the first time as a student in 1997 and has since started two companies that specialize in Linux and open source technologies.
In 2002 he founded Linalis, an IT company in Geneva that provided LPI (LInux Professional Institute) certifications. There he wrote one of the first LPI-certified study guides. Then in 2009, he founded the Swiss branch of French IT company Smile, also active in open source, where he is now managing director.
“My job is to promote open source solutions in general and Linux in particular,” Favre said. “My company is a Red Hat advanced partner and we provide solutions based only on open source.”
He recently joined the Linux Foundation as an individual supporter after learning that’s an option for anyone.
“I didn’t know it was possible. Since I saw that, I was pleased to grant a little bit to the foundation,” he said. “Unfortunately, I’m not technically strong enough to develop or help on projects.”
He’s still very active in the community through the events he organizes to promote Linux such as the 2009 conference LinuxDays and this year’s Open Source Now event in Geneva. He’s hoping to take advantage of his membership to attend Linux Foundation events such as LinuxCon Europe in Barcelona Nov. 5-7. Members receive 20 percent off the registration fee for LinuxCon events.
His favorite Linux innovation?
“All of them, but specifically Android,” he said, because it’s an easy-to-use Linux for end users.
Welcome, Anthony!