COMMON POWERUp 2026

Linux, AIX, UNIX - we hear about them everywhere these days. But what does it all mean? Linux skills are important to everyone working in the technology field. The days of running everything on just one platform are behind us, so it's important to be familiar with Linux. But you probably don't have a spare Linux server sitting around, just waiting for you tinker with, right? Well, you don't need one! Can you replace Windows with Linux? Even if you can, should you? What are the advantages and disadvantages? How do you get, install, and use Linux? Is it really all free? What can you do with a Linux command line, and is it really as powerful as you've heard? Attend this session to learn the answers to these questions and much more. See step by step instructions for safely installing Linux on your PC while still running Windows or Mac OS! We'll cover a number of powerful commands that can be executed from a Linux environment on your PC, within Windows, your x86 servers, or even on your IBM i!

Learning Objectives:

`- Identify the best way to get started with a Linux environment - Install and set up Linux on their personal PC in a safe way - Use a Linux desktop for productivity and learning - Apply skills learned to a production server environment - Take full advantage of the power of the Linux command line in multiple environments, even on your IBM i!