Merge pull request CNA-Tech#84 from afewell/master

added foundational skills course and updated getting started page

Courses/FoundationalSkills-FS8954/readme.md

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+# PKS Ninja Community Foundational and Prerequisite Skills
+
+- [Introduction]()
+- [Recommended Learning Resources]()
+  - [VMware Cloud Native Channel on Youtube]()
+  - [VMware Hands On Labs]()
+  - [Linux Foundation Training]()
+
+## Introduction
+
+The PKS Ninja Community aspires to host courses and educational assets for all level of learners from beginner to expert
+
+At the time of writing, the learning assets available do require some general knowlege of information technology, systems administration, Linux, and some familiarity with devops concepts. Participants should also be familiar with VMware vSphere. Significant expertise or deep knowledge in any specific subject is not required
+
+Participants can confirm needed background knowledge prior to beginning courses or lab exercises on this site by completing VMware Hands On Lab [HOL-1931-01-CNA - VMware Pivotal Container Service and Kubernetes - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/874)
+
+If you get started with HOL-1931 and struggle or would like to get more detailed explanation of foundational concepts, thorough entry level tutorial videos are available on the [VMware Cloud Native Channel on Youtube]() 
+
+Also, the [VMware Hands on Labs]() provides numerous additional guided online lab exercises that cover a wide range of complimentary topics including introductory vSphere, Linux, Containers and many more
+
+If you can understand and complete HOL-1931, you should have sufficient skills to proceed using educational materials on this site. While you will benefit from additional depth in many subjects, most of the lab guides on the site provide very detailed instructions to help new learners get through the exercises successfully and gain exposure and familiarity with new technologies as you proceed through the materials
+
+## Recommended Learning Resources
+
+VMware Cloud Native products use many leading open source technologies and standard open languages, tools and practices
+
+There are volumes of educational materials available from educational institutions and freely on the internet for related technologies like Linux, Containers, Microservices, DevOps, Kubernetes and many other related technologies. Participants may learn these skills anywhere and apply their knowledge and experience directly to VMware Cloud Native platforms 
+
+For example, VMware PKS and Cloud PKS implement standard upstream open source Kubernetes with a standard API and standard Kubectl client. Kubernetes clusters provisioned by PKS are built on Ubuntu Linux and utilize the Docker container engine. Accordingly, students who learn about these technologies from any source can apply their knowledge to VMware products, and likewise students who learn about these technologies from a VMware affiliated course can utilize their skills on any implementation of the technology
+
+While there are far too many excellent learning resources to list them all here, a few key learning resources are provided below for your reference:
+
+### VMware Cloud Native Channel on Youtube
+
+The [VMware Cloud Native Channel on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkGV51Nu0unDNT58bHt9bg) features a large number of free, high-quality educational videos from top VMware experts that break down and explain new and advanced cloud native concepts visually
+
+Popular playlists and videos include: 
+
+- [Cloud Native Fundamentals Series](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bmigfV0EqQBOvECgGv1ZVavPxDJYKCL)
+- [Intro to Containers Series](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bmigfV0EqQt5_pBPQ8tsZjI1w68-e0H)
+- [Intro to Kubernetes Series](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bmigfV0EqQw4WnD0wF-SRBYttCFeBbF)
+- [Intro to VMware PKS Series](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bmigfV0EqQErnfLXSI2yEUGRN6FOK_o)
+- [Cloud Native Apps Demos and Webcasts](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bmigfV0EqQzsvOcT8KYfulg-lpNsooC)
+
+### VMware Hands On Labs
+
+[VMware Hands On Labs](https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/resources/how) provide a large number of freely accessible educational lab guides, including free access to a lab environment to complete the exercises. In addition to HOL-1931 guide referenced above, there are a number of additional lab guides that can help participants gain deeper skills in a wide variety of subjects
+
+While there are far too many excellent hands on lab guides to list, here are a few popular labs that can help provide additional depth in areas that compliment PKS-Ninja content:
+
+- [HOL-1931-01-CNA - VMware Pivotal Container Service and Kubernetes - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/874)
+- [HOL-1930-01-CNA - Project Photon OS and Container Basics - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/874)
+- [HOL-1926-01-NET - VMware NSX-T Data Center - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/877)
+- [HOL-1926-02-NET - Integrating Kubernetes with VMware NSX-T Data Center](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/877)
+- [HOL-1935-01-NET - VMware Pivotal Container Service on VMware NSX-T - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/877)
+- [HOL-1926-03-NET - VMware NSX-T Data Center Operations, Troubleshooting and API Consumption](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/877)
+- [HOL-1911-02-SDC - VMware vSphere with Operations Management - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/123)
+- [HOL-1911-03-SDC - VMware vSphere with Operations Management - Advanced Topics](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/123)
+- [HOL-1911-04-SDC - VMware vSphere Security - Getting Started](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/123)
+- [HOL-1911-06-SDC -VMware vSphere Automation and Development - API and SDK](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/123)
+- [Explore the complete HOL catalog here](https://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/catalogs/catalog/all)
+
+### Linux Foundation Training
+
+[The Linux Foundation Training](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/plan-your-training/) provides a tremendous catalog of excellent learning resources across a wide range of cloud native technologies
+
+In addition to training, the Linux Foundation offers several [certfication programs](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/) for Linux and Kubernetes
+
+For those new to Linux, the Linux Foundation offers an excellent, free [Introduction to Linux Course](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/introduction-to-linux/)
+
+VMware Employees (Login Required): Please see the [Linux Foundation Training Resources page](https://confluence.eng.vmware.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=286729005) to learn about employee access for Linux Foundation training and Certification programs

Courses/GettingStarted-GS3861/readme.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 Complete the following quickstart steps to get started with the PKS-Ninja Community
 
 - Step 1: Basic Linux Skills and awareness of computer operating systems and common system administration concepts typically taught in a standard introductory Linux course are needed for all students
-  - Please see the [Community Foundational and Prerequisite Skills]() page for more details and links to relevant resources that can help students learn any needed foundational or prerequisite skills
+  - Please see the [Community Foundational and Prerequisite Skills](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses/FoundationalSkills-FS8954) page for more details and links to relevant resources that can help students learn any needed foundational or prerequisite skills
 
 - Step 2: Review the [Community Welcome Message](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses/GettingStarted-GS3861#welcome-to-the-community) and the [Community Homepage](https://github.com/cna-tech/pks-ninja) to learn more about the community
 
@@ -15,24 +15,26 @@ Complete the following quickstart steps to get started with the PKS-Ninja Commun
   - This LabGuide can be completed from any computer with github access
   - If you would like to complete this exercise from a ninja lab environment, please see the [Getting Access To a PKS Ninja Lab Environment](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses/GetLabAccess-LA8528) page for further instructions
 
-- Step 5: Review the [Building your Devops Workstation](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides/DevopsWorkstation-DW5008) lab guide to learn practical tips and tricks for optimizing your workstation/jumpbox environments, using IDE's and other common tools that will make your life easier and more productive when working with devops and cloud native platforms
+- Step 5: Build or get access to a compatible lab environment so you can go through lab exercises. All courses in the community follow a learn by doing mantra, so it is essential that you have access to a lab environment. Please see the [Getting Access To a Lab Environment](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses/GetLabAccess-LA8528) page for further instructions
 
-- Step 6: Review the [Setting up your Contributor Workspace](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides/ContributorWorkspace-CW4267) lab guide. 
-  - A central tenant of the PKS-Ninja community is to learn by doing. Contributing to git projects and github communities is a critical skill, and all community participants are strongly encouraged to contribute back to the site as a key part of the learning experience. Contributing back to the site can be as simple as opening a git issue ticket to report a problem, or updating a simple typo, or many other simple steps that even beginner students can easily complete can help support the community while teaching valuable skills and enhancing the participants public github profile and portfolio. Also,many courses and lab guides will have exercises that require contribution so all students should follow this step and to be prepared to contribute whenever they see any typo or error or other recommended update or addition
-
-- Step 7: Build or get access to a compatible lab environment so you can go through lab exercises. All courses in the community follow a learn by doing mantra, so it is essential that you have access to a lab environment. Please see the [Getting Access To a Lab Environment]() page for further instructions
+- Step 6: Start taking courses and doing lab!
+  - Check out the [Courses Homepage](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses) to see a list of available courses. Follow the links to any of the courses and follow the instructions to access learning materials and lab exercises
+  - There are many individual lab guides that focus on a specific skill that you may want to learn without needing to take an entire course. You can view the [Lab Guides Homepage](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides)
 
-- Step 8: Check out the [Courses Homepage](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/Courses) to see a list of available courses. Follow the links to any of the courses and follow the instructions to access learning materials and lab exercises
+- Step 7: Review the [Setting up your Contributor Workspace](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides/ContributorWorkspace-CW4267) lab guide. 
+  - A central tenant of the PKS-Ninja community is to learn by doing. Contributing to git projects and github communities is a critical skill, and all community participants are strongly encouraged to contribute back to the site as a key part of the learning experience. Contributing back to the site can be as simple as opening a git issue ticket to report a problem, or updating a simple typo, or many other simple steps that even beginner students can easily complete can help support the community while teaching valuable skills and enhancing the participants public github profile and portfolio. Also,many courses and lab guides will have exercises that require contribution so all students should follow this step and to be prepared to contribute whenever they see any typo or error or other recommended update or addition
 
-- Step 9: While Courses such as the PKS-Ninja course include several lab guides that cover a range of skills, there are many individual lab guides that focus on a specific skill that you may want to learn without needing to take an entire course. You can view the [Lab Guides Homepage](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides)
+- Step 8: Stay in the loop! Cloud native technologies constantly evolve, and people who work with these technologies need effective ways to keep their skills up to date and to continue to build additional skills and depth. New courses and lab guides for all levels from beginner to expert are added regularly, so keep an eye out for email updates to the community mailing list and visit the site regularly to enhance and grow your knowledge and skills with devops and cloud native technologies
 
-- Step 10: Stay in the loop! Cloud native technologies constantly evolve, and people who work with these technologies need effective ways to keep their skills up to date and to continue to build additional skills and depth. New courses and lab guides for all levels from beginner to expert are added regularly, so keep an eye out for email updates to the community mailing list and visit the site regularly to enhance and grow your knowledge and skills with devops and cloud native technologies
+<!-- 
+- Step : Review the [Building your Devops Workstation](https://github.com/CNA-Tech/PKS-Ninja/tree/master/LabGuides/DevopsWorkstation-DW5008) lab guide to learn practical tips and tricks for optimizing your workstation/jumpbox environments, using IDE's and other common tools that will make your life easier and more productive when working with devops and cloud native platforms 
+-->
 
 ## Welcome to the Community
 
 The PKS Ninja Community is an active learning environment for people who work with or have interest Cloud Native Technologies
 
-The entire github site and all educational materials are implemented as a living code base, and students interact with this environment as they complete courses and exercises. This methodology offers a unique and powerful knowledge transfer benefits for new students and experiences practitioners alike.  
+The entire github site and all educational materials are implemented as a living code base, and students interact with this environment as they complete courses and exercises. This methodology offers unique and powerful knowledge transfer benefits for new students and experiences practitioners alike  
 
 All materials on the site are free to use, anyone is welcome to read through the materials or setup their own lab environment and actively work through lab exercises