Open Source Software Institute becomes LPI affiliate

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE INSTITUTE BECOMES
LINUX PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE AFFILIATE

~ OSSI continues to promote open-source community professionalism and
development
within government, academia and IT  industry ~

OXFORD, MS, May 12, 2003 – The Linux Professional Institute (LPI),
(www.lpi.org), the premier international professional certification program
for the Linux community, has affiliated with Open Source Software Institute
(OSSI) (www.oss-institute.org) to increase exposure and participation of
Linux by corporate, government and academic environments across the United
States.

As LPI’s new US affiliate, OSSI will work directly with existing LPI staff
and supporters to develop and expand a network of approved training centers,
instructors and trainers as well as promote development/adoption of
LPI-certified courseware and training materials.

“OSSI’s mission is to promote the development and implementation of Linux
and other open-source technologies within industry, government and academic
environments,” says OSSI Chairman John Weathersby. “As LPI’s US affiliate,
we look forward to building upon the foundation of educational quality and
professionalism among Linux administrators that LPI has established through
their certification program.”

LPI’s international mandate is to design and deliver a certification program
from within the Linux community, using both volunteer and professional
resources. It has been ranked number one on the list of certifications
expected to rise the ‘fastest in importance’ according to the 2002 CRN
Certification study.  LPI has also been selected as the winner, for the
second consecutive year, of the Linux Journal’s annual Editors' Choice
Awards in the Training and Certification category. LPI has delivered over
27,000 Level One and Level Two certification exams globally since the
program’s inception in just two years.

“Becoming affiliated with an existing US group that is already defining and
achieving goals that are compatible with LPI's, clearly demonstrates our
community involvement and quality we bring to the IT marketplace,” adds LPI’
s president Evan Leibovitch.  “As an organization who is becoming
increasingly recognized as an integral open source certification program, we
welcome OSSI’s professional initiatives and look forward to supporting its
team to ensure Linux’s adoption and success.”

-30-

About Open Source Software Institute
The Open Source Software Institute is a non-profit organization comprised of
industry, government and academic representatives whose mission is to
promote the development and implementation of open source software solutions
within federal, state and municipal government agencies and academic
entities.  Additional information available at OSSI’s website
www.oss-institute.org.

About Linux Professional Institute
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) develops professional certification
for the Linux operating system independent of software vendors or training
providers. Established as an international non-profit organization in 1999
by the Linux community, LPI develops accessible, internationally-recognized
certification programs which have earned the respect of vendors, employers
and administrators. LPI's activities involve hundreds of volunteers and
professionals throughout the world in many different capacities, and the
group encourages active public involvement through mailing lists and its
website at www.lpi.org. LPI's multi-level program of exams is administered
globally through Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. LPI's major
financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors Caldera International
(NASDAQ:CALD), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Linuxcare, Maxspeed, SGI (NYSE:SGI), SuSE
Linux AG and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq:
NOVL), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HWP) and Wave Technologies.

Contact:
Sheldon Rose
Sacke & Associates Inc.
sheldonr@sackepr.com  www.sackepr.com
Tel: 416.218.1102,  Fax: 416.218.1103

John Weathersby
OSSI
jmw@oss-institute.org
662.236.1794

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