LinuxPR: 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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