Berlin, 12 January 2010 – How much is it possible to save by using free software if a company’s objective is to hold on to people rather than proprietary solutions during the financial crisis? Is cloud computing compatible with open source? What do the latest versions of popular software such as Ubuntu, openSuse and Fedora have to offer? These are just some of the fascinating questions which the 16th LinuxTag will deal with from 9 to 12 June 2010 in Berlin. In its call for papers the Programme Committee of Europe’s leading Conference and Trade Fair on Linux und Open Source invites speakers to take part in an open series of lectures. Entries dealing with any of the 23 proposed topics must be submitted by 29 January to (http://www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/schwerpunkte.html).
The topics include the following:
Open Source and free software in a professional environment
Open source software has finally arrived in the professional corporate environment. Specialist administrators will find out how to scale critical company applications and hardware, including file serves, groupware, middleware and SAP. IT decision-makers will find out which Linux products are reliable for this purpose. Papers presenting best practices and case studies will highlight the issues.
Cloud computing
Is cloud computing merely a hollow marketing ploy or does the idea of tasking external providers with computing and mass storage have its advantages? In which areas in a professional environment does cloud computing make sense, and what does Linux have to offer here? Which virtualisation is reliable, how good are virtual operating systems and how flexible are complete solutions? Is the security of critical company data guaranteed?
Android & Phones
Frequently announced, but until now only available as proof of concept prototypes, phones and other small devices with open platforms are finally becoming a reality. There are also many different approaches. What has become of the extremely far-reaching Openmoko project which was open to any ideas? Are small multi-purpose computers based on a familiar operating system and programmable widget sets such as Maemo the way forward? What chances does the practically oriented Android have on the market? Has Symbian been released in time and to a sufficient extent for the system to still make any impact? How independent are the individual platforms and what options do users have to upgrade their phones?
Security
Do manufacturers learn from their mistakes or are attackers becoming more and more resourceful? This is a question security administrators have long been debating. Regardless of the answer, security remains an important issue. At what point is a full set of authentication required from a user, his computer and operating system image? Is trusted computing dead and buried?
Openstreetmap
In many industrialised countries this mapping project has already become a genuine alternative to the proprietary products of the major search engines, and in some regions and cities they are already far better. The project is growing at an exponential rate and is developing more and more ways in which it can be used, way beyond mere mapping capabilities. How does quality assurance work in a situation like this? How well does routing or do extended GIS functions work? How can OSM be incorporated into other projects?
Monitoring
Nowadays systems which use Linux are reliable, except when hard disks are full, network connections are overloaded or users forget to install new updates. Monitoring helps administrators to stay in control of the systems they supervise. Icinga was recently announced as a Nagios fork, which is a highly popular open source application, and innovative solutions such as Zabbix and other projects are gaining ground. Whom should system administrators entrust with monitoring their computers?
Naturally the Programme Committee will also take other suggestions on the subject of Linux and Open Source into consideration.
Four days with a diversified programme
The open programme of papers comprises several parallel series of lectures which target audiences interested in the technical aspects of open source and how it impacts on society. Speakers should be experts in their field, for example employees, developers or persons from other specialist areas such as the legal profession who are actively engaged in projects or initiatives.
By contrast the lecture series targeting users will present selected applications, and there will also be practical help with day-to-day Linux routines. Those submitting applications in this field should supply proof of their special communication skills.
Papers detailing practices and case studies on the professional implementation of Linux and open source are required for the lecture series on business and public authorities topics which will target interested specialists from industry and public administrations. Speakers will include representatives from service providers, companies and public authorities, and will report on their own experiences.
Interested applicants are requested to e-mail a précis on the suggested topic to the Virtual Conference Center (vCC) at https://vcc.linuxtag.org/. Contributions should be submitted in either German or English. Finished papers need not yet be presented when applying to take part in the lecture series. Additional details are available on the LinuxTag website at www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/. The Programme Committee, made up of representatives from industry and the Linux community, will examine and assess the contributions submitted.
The deadline for entries is approaching
The deadline for contributions expires on 29 January 2010. Notification of a contribution’s acceptance or refusal will be given by 28 February 2010. The Programme Team expects finished papers to be submitted by 21 March 2010.
Contacts
- Virtual Conference Center (vCC): https://vcc.linuxtag.org/
- Information on how to apply and the call for papers can be printed out at www.linuxtag.org/2010/de/program/
- If you have any queries contact the Programme Committee at vp@linuxtag.org
About LinuxTag
LinuxTag is Europe's leading event for Linux and free software. The four-day event has been taking place annually on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds since 2007. It offers the very latest information for professional users, decision-makers, developers, beginners and the community. In addition to the programme of papers and a separate Business & Public Authorities Conference, LinuxTag traditionally includes an exhibition featuring projects and companies associated with the Open Source sector. A total of 10,780 visitors from around the world attended LinuxTag 2009. LinuxTag e.V. is the non-commercial organiser of the event, which is staged jointly with Messe Berlin GmbH. More details are available at www.linuxtag.org.