12 September 2008
There’s Unlimited Potential in open source software
Wellington ICT professionals network Unlimited Potential is adding a local flavour to international Software Freedom Day
celebrations.
Next Saturday 20 September, the network is hosting Software Freedom Day ’08 in the Wellington Town Hall. More than 150
software enthusiasts from around the country are set to attend the event – including leading programmers, website development teams, and open source advocates.
“Software Freedom Day is about bringing everyone together across Wellington and the rest of the country, who are working
on exciting open source projects,” says Marie-Claire Andrews, Chair of Unlimited Potential, Wellington’s most active ICT
networking hub.
“It’s great to see Software Freedom Day being celebrated in Wellington, because it’s become a real technology hub for
the southern hemisphere. We see all these amazing companies out there and really believe they benefit from being
altogether at an event like this, where they can informally share ideas, views on technology and their success stories.”
Successful Wellington company and member of Unlimited Potential, Silverstripe, has chosen to open source its software.
As a result, the company is getting global recognition, with its content management system being used for the website
supporting the Democratic Convention in the United States.
“While some companies are just now beginning to understand what open source technology is all about, there are already
many companies out there getting into it, and they are reaping the benefits. Government departments getting more
interested in open-source solutions as well,” says Andrews.
“All members of Unlimited Potential want to help make New Zealand, and particularly Wellington, as the technology
epicentre, to be a fantastic place to live and work. As part of that we want the younger companies that aren’t so well
known at the moment to come along to Software Freedom Day and tell us about the exciting projects they are working on.
“Software Freedom Day is an opportunity to hear from the hidden talents we know are out there working in the field of
open source, and it’s a great way for all companies to draw support from each other.”
Software Freedom Day ’08
Saturday 20 September
Wellington Town Hall
12 noon to 6pm
For more information or to register please visit: www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz
About Unlimited Potential
Unlimited Potential is a network that connects information, communication and technology professionals in Wellington,
New Zealand. The organisation has more than 1500 members across Wellington including start-ups, corporates, education,
and government departments. www.UP.org.nz
ENDS