minor updates about license and support options

livialima · livialima · commit f327c0daa144 · 2026-01-08T18:49:58.000-03:00
diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-Copyright (c) 2012-2021 @snori74 (Steve Brorens)
-Open Source since 2021 under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0)
+Copyright (c) 2012-2019 @snori74 (Steve Brorens)
+Open Source since 2020 under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0)
 
 Attribution 4.0 International
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@
   <img alt="GitHub Repo stars" src="https://img.shields.io/github/stars/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge?style=for-the-badge">
   <img alt="GitHub watchers" src="https://img.shields.io/github/watchers/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge?style=for-the-badge">
   <img alt="GitHub forks" src="https://img.shields.io/github/forks/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge?style=for-the-badge">
-  <a href="https://github.com/sponsors/livialima"><img alt="GitHub Sponsors" src="https://img.shields.io/github/sponsors/livialima?style=for-the-badge&logo=githubsponsors"></a></br>
-  <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/livialima" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.buymeacoffee.com/buttons/v2/arial-yellow.png" alt="Buy Me A Coffee" style="height: 45px !important;width: 164px !important;" ></a>
+  <a href="https://github.com/sponsors/livialima"><img alt="GitHub Sponsors" src="https://img.shields.io/github/sponsors/livialima?style=for-the-badge&logo=githubsponsors"></a>
 </div>
 
-This includes all the source material for the 20 lessons of what was previously a commercial online Linux server admin course - now free for you to learn with!
+**The Linux Upskill Challenge is free and open source — and it always will be.**
+
+All core learning materials are accessible year-round. No subscriptions, no registration required - so costs you nothing but your time!
 
 *If you spot any typos or "dead links" simply [raise an issue](https://github.com/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge/issues/new/choose).*
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ This includes all the source material for the 20 lessons of what was previously
 * [Day 20](docs/20.md) - **Scripting**: Understanding how scripting work in Linux, the shebang, permissions and $PATH. A couple of simple sample scripts based on the filtering of logs we've been doing. Resources to explore further.
 * [Day 21](docs/21.md) - **What's next?**: Closing the course with some suggestions.
 
-*You are free to use this under the terms of the license, but feel free to donate or contribute to keep the challenge running:*
+*If this helped you and you’re able to support its maintenance and development, you can do so here:*
 <p>
   <a href="https://github.com/sponsors/livialima"><img alt="GitHub Sponsors" src="https://img.shields.io/github/sponsors/livialima?style=for-the-badge&logo=githubsponsors&label=Be%20a%20Sponsor!"></a>
   <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/livialima" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.buymeacoffee.com/buttons/v2/arial-yellow.png" alt="Buy Me A Coffee" style="height: 32px !important;width: 114px !important;" ></a>
diff --git a/docs/21.md b/docs/21.md
@@ -54,16 +54,23 @@ Even if you don’t want/need certs, the outline of the topics in these referenc
 
 But since [his passing](https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxupskillchallenge/comments/mki3uw/rest_in_peace_snori74/) there's nowhere to send postcards anymore. You can show your appreciation for the course by letting everyone else know how awesome it was! Recommend the course to other people, invite your friends to do the challenge together, have fun! Show the world you finished the challenge by posting about it on social media.
 
-## Contribute
+## Support and Contribute
 
-[Livia Lima](https://bio.link/livialima) is the one currently maintaining the material. But she's only one person and appreciates any help to keep this challenge running consistently every month, and available to everyone.
+The Linux Upskill Challenge is free and open source — and it always will be.
 
-If you'd like to contribute, here a few things you can do:
+Maintaining and improving the project takes ongoing time, care, and energy: updating content, moderating communities, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting learners around the world.
+
+[Livia Lima](https://bio.link/livialima) is the one currently maintaining the material. But she's only one person and she's currently in a life transition, and community support allows her to dedicate time to keeping this project healthy, accessible, and evolving.
+
+**If Linux Upskill Challenge helped you learn, grow, or feel more confident with Linux, and you’re able to contribute financially, your support makes a real difference. [Donate](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/livialima) or [sponsor](https://github.com/livialima).**
+
+Support is voluntary. But access to learning is not conditional.
+
+If you'd like to contribute beyond money, here a few things you can do:
 
 * **Answer other students' questions** in our channels. Help a friend through the challenge.
 * **Correct typos, dead links, etc** by submitting a [correction request](https://github.com/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&projects=&template=correction_request.md&title=Day+X+-+correction+request) to the source material.
 * **Suggest improvements** by submitting a [feature request](https://github.com/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge/issues/new?assignees=&labels=&projects=&template=correction_request.md&title=Day+X+-+correction+request) to the source material.
 * **Help moderate** [Lemmy](https://programming.dev/c/linuxupskillchallenge), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxupskillchallenge/) or [Discord](https://discord.gg/linux-upskill-challenge-682046666928685068). Are you a whiz in one (or more) of those platforms? Help admin them.
-* **Support the infrastructure** by [donating](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/livialima) or [sponsoring](https://github.com/livialima). The challenge is free but the website servers and the domains costs money, so we appreciate if you can spare a buck.
 
-**Thanks for everything and happy Linuxing!**
+**Thank you for being part of this community and happy Linuxing!**
diff --git a/docs/how-this-works.md b/docs/how-this-works.md
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ If you are inclined to contribute to the material and had the means to do it (i.
 
 ## CREDITS
 
-The magnificent [Steve Brorens](https://snori74.blogspot.com/2020/06/succession-planning-for.html) is the creator and mastermind behind the Linux Upskill Challenge. Unfortunately, [he passed away](https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxupskillchallenge/comments/mki3uw/rest_in_peace_snori74/) but not before ensuring the course would continue to run in his absence.
+The magnificent [Steve Brorens](https://snori74.blogspot.com/2020/06/succession-planning-for.html) is the creator and mastermind behind the Linux Upskill Challenge. This was a paid course in the past, but since 2020 it's free and fully open source thanks to his generosity. Unfortunately, [he passed away](https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxupskillchallenge/comments/mki3uw/rest_in_peace_snori74/) but not before ensuring the course would continue to run in his absence.
 We miss you, snori.
 
 [Livia Lima](https://bio.link/livialima) is the one currently maintaining the material. Give her a shout out on [Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@livialima) or [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/livialima/).
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 # Linux Upskill Challenge
 ## Learn the skills required to sysadmin a remote Linux server from the command line.
 
-
 A month-long course aimed at those who aspire to get Linux-related jobs in the industry - junior Linux sysadmin, DevOps-related work, and similar. Server focused and command line, but assumes essentially no prior knowledge, and starts off very gently - designed to be well-suited to a Windows or Apple person as well as those that already using Linux in some form.
 
-This was a paid course in the past, but is now free and fully open source - so costs you nothing but your time!
+**The Linux Upskill Challenge is free and open source — and it always will be.**
+
+All core learning materials are accessible year-round. No subscriptions, no registration required - so costs you nothing but your time!
 
 ### What's it about?
 
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ The course restarts on the first Monday of each month so don't worry if you can'
 
 ## Table of Contents
 
+* [How this works and FAQ](how-this-works.md) - PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!
 * [Day 0](00.md) - **Creating Your Own Server**: how to setup your lab in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Digital Ocean, Linode, Vultr and on a local server too!
 * [Day 1](01.md) - **Get to know your server**: Starting with `ssh`-ing in and some simple commands like: `ls`, `uptime`, `free`, `df -h`, `uname -a`. Extensions on doing passwordless login with public keys and and an `ssh` config file.
 * [Day 2](02.md) - **Basic navigation**: Basic navigation, the "man" pages, file hierarchy
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ repo_url: https://github.com/livialima/linuxupskillchallenge
 edit_uri: blob/master/docs
 
 # Copyright
-copyright: Copyright &copy; 2012-2020 @snori74 (Steve Brorens) - Open Source since 2020 under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0).
+copyright: Copyright &copy; 2012-2019 Steve Brorens (@snori74) <br> Open Source since 2020 under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
 
 # Extensions
 markdown_extensions:
