The Linux Foundation (LF), the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced the formal launch of Linux.com. The Foundation took over stewardship of the site in March, at which time it began soliciting input from the community to help define the new Linux.com via its Ideaforge web tool. Today, it unveils the results of that input and a new online home for all things Linux.

The new Linux.com will connect Linux users and developers, and by showcasing their skills through its guru listing, will connect individuals to jobs and collaboration opportunities. Instead of a static information site, the new Linux.com will empower the Linux community to share its knowledge, get questions answered, download the right software and find hardware to solve problems.

Visitors can register today and immediately begin contributing to the community and build their Linux guru standing. Other community functionality includes allowing users to have their own blog hosted by Linux.com, review products in the product directory, and submit "HowTo's" and tutorials to help their fellow Linux users or developers.

Ultimate Linux Guru Wins a Dream Linux Machine Signed by Torvalds

Users can earn points toward becoming a "Linux Guru" by participating in different activities on the site. Each year, the top Linux.com user will be recognized as the "Ultimate Linux Guru" and be given a fully loaded "dream" Linux notebook personally signed by Linus Torvalds as recognition of his or her guru status. The top five contributors to Linux.com annually will receive invitations to the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit and have a seat at the Linux.com planning meeting as community representatives. And, the top 50 annual Linux gurus on Linux.com will be included in a yearly report from the Linux Foundation: those high ranking users will be able to showcase their status and knowledge to potential employers or consulting opportunities. More information, including "Guru" point values, is available at the site.

"Code and online participation is the new resume, and we want Linux.com to provide a framework for Linux experts to help each other and showcase their talent, knowledge and skills and ultimately improve their careers," said Jim Zemlin, executive director, The Linux Foundation. "We've also found that Linux users have a passion for improving the platform. Linux.com is the community's resource, and the more information that is shared on Linux, the more benefit to all who participate. We think that active participation on Linux.com will result in an easier to use, more robust Linux platform."

Linux.com is designed to mirror the Linux community process by hosting a collaborative framework where users and developers can connect and increase the collective Linux knowledge and resources for new and advanced users alike. The site is the central source for informed Linux information, software and documentation covering the server, desktop, mobile, and embedded areas. Linux.com also extends the Foundation's existing content and community programs available at www.linuxfoundation.org.