LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in Boston Offers Educational Program Focused on the Business Value of Linux and Open Source Applications

Business Wire, Jan 5, 2005

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- World-class conference showcases companies who have achieved higher profits and increased productivity by utilizing Linux

IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows, conferences and events for IT markets, today announced that the conference program for LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R) in Boston has been re-engineered to focus on the business value, strategy, design, deployment and maintenance of Linux and Open Source applications. New England's inaugural LinuxWorld Conference & Expo takes place in Boston on February 14-17, 2005 at the Hynes Convention Center.

LinuxWorld's conference program will illustrate how companies across the globe have achieved higher profits and increased their productivity by utilizing Linux-the fastest-growing operating system in the world. Global research firm IDC issued a report on December 14, 2004 estimating that the overall Linux ecosystem will grow 25.9 percent annually to reach $35.7 billion in 2008. Of that, IDC estimates $14 billion will be packaged software, $10 billion PCs and $11 billion servers.

"Linux has made steady gains in the marketplace and is poised to gain more ground," said Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's VP of system software research. "Although Linux has followed a nontraditional path in its evolution, growing from a small grassroots following in the early 1990s, to a broader community-supported product during the late 1990s, to a fully supported operating system distribution today, it is having a large impact. IDC forecasts the Linux market on servers, PCs, and related packaged software to reach $35.7 billion by 2008, which represents a 26% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2003."

Among the many conference sessions offered at LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in Boston will be:

--The Business of Open Source Databases, presented by Marten Mickos, CEO, MySQL; Jon Prial, vice president, IBM; Tony Gaughan, SVP of development, Computer Associates; Christof Wittig, CEO, db4objects; Mike Olson, CEO, Sleepycat Software

--Deploying Linux in the Enterprise - Cases and Examples, presented by Oracle's Bill Boese, Sr.

--Alternatives to MS Exchange on Linux, presented by Richi Jennings of Richi Jennings Associates; Julie Farris of Scalix Corporation; James Gudeli of Kerio Technologies; and Ted Haeger of Novell

--Exploring the Use of Linux in High Performance Computing Environments, presented by IBM's Ron Gordon

--Securing Linux in the Enterprise, presented by PostgreSQL's Chris Wright

--Real Business problems presented with Real Solutions on Linux, presented by IBM's Scott Handy

--Windows to Linux Desktop Migration - A Technical Overview, presented by Versora's Jon Walker and Novell's Paul Rice

"In this year's conference program, industry leaders dedicated to understanding and shaping the Linux and Open Source marketplace will share valuable market research, hands-on experience and personal knowledge to help attendees capitalize on the business value of the world's fastest-growing operating system," said Warwick Davies, group vice president, IDG World Expo. "Key themes are Linux security, the challenge of mixed operating environments and the promise of Linux on the desktop."

Conference tracks include:

--The Business Case for Linux and Open Source: Learn how early-adopters made the case for their enterprises to move to Open Source architectures and get advice on how to deal with the challenges and reap the rewards from real world examples.

--System and Application Management: Gain a more in-depth understanding of how to better design, deploy and manage systems and applications.

--Security Issues: Learn how Linux and Open Source tools can help run applications and communications safely and securely.

--Integration and Mixed Environments: Learn how to deal with networking, application and protocol issues to maximize investments.

--Kernel and Cluster Issues: Hear from the experts on the state of the kernel and learn where the latest applications are heading to make Linux a complete solution from the data center to the desktop.

--Emerging Technologies: Learn about up-and-coming technologies and how they will benefit business in the future.

--Client Side Linux: Explore the state of Linux on clients today and where they're going in the future.

--Data Center: See the latest technologies and techniques for designing, deploying and maintaining data center applications and services.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.linuxworldexpo.com.

About LinuxWorld Conference & Expo

LinuxWorld Conference & Expo is the premier event exclusively focused on Linux and Open Source solutions. As the world's most comprehensive marketplace for open source products and services, LinuxWorld provides business decision-makers with information and resources to implement Linux and Open Source solutions into business infrastructure and enterprise networks. For more information or to register for the event, visit the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo Web site at www.linuxworldexpo.com, or call (800) 657-1474. For exhibiting opportunities, please contact John Yurewicz at (508) 424-4852 or John_Yurewicz@idg.com or Frank Netherwood at (508) 424-4860 or Frank_Netherwood@idg.com.