You won't get certification for free.

LPI it is then. Absolutely. $100 per exam. Flat rate. Another $35(?) for the oreilly book. That's cheap for certification. That's actually a bargain.

Bert

Wasn't looking for free certification, it's painfully obvious that all certs cost something. Was just looking for good, free materials to prepare for the exam. In the event that I'd bomb the test, I'd hate to think that I'd wasted money on preparation as well as the exam itself.
Yes, I'm penny-pinching, and I bet you would too, were you faced with the same employment prospect (although I hope you never are) and the mystery of whether this particular cert would even be helpful in the long run.
BTW, the O'Reilly book can be had for free in electronic format, if you know where to look.

I would beg to differ on that! I've looked in all the usual places and not found it Many many orelliy books but not that one.

Maybe it's time to try that edonkey program. Hmmm.

'News' might be a better bet