Linux Summit targets IT decision makers

Linux Summit targets IT decision makers

A two-day conference in Finland aims to convince IT managers of the commercial advantages of using GNU/Linux and Open Source, by presenting real-life examples.

On February 27-28, the Dipoli Conference Center in Espoo, Finland will host the Linux Summit 2003, an international gathering of IT executives and Open Source experts. The Summit aims to dispel the "FUD" (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) surrounding Open Source from the minds of Finnish IT leaders.

The conference promises a number of diverse and interesting speakers. Jon "Maddog" Hall of Linux International will outline the current state of GNU/Linux. HP EMEA vice president Rudi Schmickl and Dave Dargo, vice president of Oracle's Linux Program Office, will reveal the reasons why their companies have adopted GNU/Linux as part of their business strategy.

Mikko Välimäki, Master of Laws and president of Electronic Frontier Finland, will be giving a presentation on the disadvantages of software patents, and numerous other Finnish executives will describe their own experiences of adopting GNU/Linux solutions.

Of special interest will be a talk given by Mr. Jari Pasanen, vice president of Nokia Mobile Phones' Research and Technology Access division, who will describe the potentials and challenges of the Open Source trend from Nokia's perspective in mobile telecommunications.

In addition, the viewpoint of the government will be represented, by Mr. Kimmo Sasi, Minister of Transport and Communications.

The Linux Summit 2003 is likely to be the largest single GNU/Linux & Open Source event in Scandinavia this year. The organizers expect the conference to attract up to 600 participants.

"There are far too many myths and stories surrounding GNU/Linux and Open Source software. Our goal is to present the GNU/Linux option in a very concrete way: by telling people about real business cases. We want to give IT decision-makers a reality-based perspective, so that choices need not be based on false beliefs or misinformation", said Mr. Santeri Kannisto, chairman of the Summit's Organizing Board and CEO of SOT.

"Linux is an integral part of the three Operating System strategy of HP", said Mr. Tero Eskolin, Sales Manager, Industry Standard Servers, HP Finland. "We believe that the powerful new 64-bit Itanium technology will expand the possibilities of Linux."

"Oracle is fully committed to supporting Linux. Oracle also participates in development of the Linux kernel, combining its resources with Red Hat and the Open Source community to bring the features needed by large enterprise-size systems to Linux," said Mr. Marko Hotti, Product Manager, Oracle Finland. "Oracle is moving over to Linux in its own internal systems."

In addition to talks and presentations, the Linux Summit 2003 offers a collection of training courses, ranging from Linux & Open Office to Linux security and kernel hacking.

Additional information on the Linux Summit 2003 can be found at http://www.linuxsummit.org

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