Linux Foundation Announces Biannual Individual Membership Drive and New $100 Certification Discount for Members

The organization will donate $25 to Free Geek for every member who joins during the holiday season; individual membership pays for itself with new Linux Foundation certification perk

SAN FRANCISCO, December 16, 2014 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux and collaborative development, today announced its biannual Individual Membership Drive in which the organization will donate $25 to Free Geek for each new member who joins today through January 16, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Individual members of The Linux Foundation help advance the Linux operating system and support the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds.

Free Geek is a nonprofit organization focused on reusing and recycling computer equipment that might otherwise end up as hazardous waste. Its refurbished computers are granted to schools, community organizations and sold in the Free Geek thrift store. Free Geek uses Linux and open source software to make refurbished computers more accessible to all, allowing many more people to experience the power of open source software.

The Linux Foundation is offering an opportunity to individuals this holiday season who want to extend their support for Linux to include computer reuse and increased access to computer equipment for everyone. Earlier this year, The Linux Foundation ran its mid-year membership drive and donated $25 for every new member to Code.org.

The Linux Foundation is also announcing today that individual members will now receive $100 off Linux Foundation certification exams, making the membership pay for itself for those who plan to register. Linux Foundation certifications include Linux Foundation Certified SysAdmin (LFCS) and Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE). This benefit complements existing perks such as a Linux.com email address (e.g. john@linux.com); employee purchase pricing from Dell, HP and Lenovo; up to 40 percent off O’Reilly books and e-books; and a variety of other discounts to attend events, take training and subscribe to industry publications.

The Linux Foundation Certification Program was announced earlier this year and offers professionals performance-based exams that are available anytime, anywhere and that are distribution flexible. Combined with increased Linux training offerings and the free ‘Introduction to Linux’ Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which has attracted nearly 300,000 people to learn Linux this year, the certification program is helping to expand the talent pool of Linux professionals worldwide.

“Linux and collaborative development are the foundations for building new technologies. Increasing access to computers allows more people around the world to build the next major innovation with Linux and open source,” said Amanda McPherson, chief marketing officer at The Linux Foundation. “We’re happy to share a portion of this year’s dues with Free Geek.”

Both corporate and individual members support the organization that employs Linus Torvalds as well as important programs that promote and protect Linux. The annual membership fee for individuals is $99. Student membership is $25 and is not eligible for the individual membership drive donation to Free Geek; though, student memberships are eligible for the new certification discounts.  

To sign up for membership, please visit: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/join/individual.

Related Content

• Linux Foundation Certified Engineer on What it’s Like to Pass the Exam: http://www.linux.com/news/featured-blogs/200-libby-clark/789294-linux-foundation-certified-will-sheldon-on-what-its-like-to-pass-the-engineer-exam-
• The Linux Foundation’s Certification Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29qZ71Kicg

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux and collaborative software development. Founded in 2000, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system and collaborative software development by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Collaborative Projects, Linux conferences including LinuxCon, and generating original research and content that advances the understanding of Linux and collaborative software development. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org.

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