|
On February 9-11th 2005, in San Diego, CA the most important forces of the open
source desktop business are coming together for the first time, and I
invite you to be part of this monumental event. It will be the third-annual Desktop Linux Summit, but this year's event will be like none
other because in addition to the leading desktop Linux companies converging in San Diego, OpenOffice.org and Mozilla/Firefox will be given their own half-day tracks. As in years past, you'll hear from the
leaders in the desktop Linux business, but this year OpenOffice.org and Mozilla/Firefox will each have a time dedicated to
speakers, demos and panels addressing the needs of
their communities. For attendees, this means that one affordable
registration fee gives them admission to three events in one, where they can hear from the groups whose efforts
are having the biggest impact on the desktop today.
Even though we've expanded the conference from two days to three, we've worked hard
to keep the registration fee affordable so people with any size budget can attend.
A $99 pre-registration gains complete access for exhibits and speakers
to all events (DLS, OpenOffice and Mozilla tracks), plus breakfasts, lunch
on 3 days and the obligatory T-shirt. We're also lining up a stellar
list of speakers, just like we did last year with Clay Christensen and others. This year
we already have Mitch Kapor, the founder
of Lotus, The EFF, and current Chairman of the Mozilla Foundation as
a keynote speaker. (I'm sure we can talk him into demoing Chandler!)
We've packed 3 informative programs into one
affordable price, so we're likely to reach our 1,000 person limit -
you'll want to register early for this event to ensure a slot. (If
you'd like to exhibit, please go here for more info.)
Now some might be wondering why Linspire would pay all the costs and
take on the burden of logistics for an event where a significant
portion of the agenda will be dedicated to OpenOffice.org and Mozilla
technologies (like Firefox), which most people use on Microsoft Windows
computers. First off, we are big believers in OpenOffice.org and Mozilla.
Mozilla has been our default browser and email since the earliest
versions. Our recently released Internet suite is based around
Mozilla and we've released the code and are working with Mozilla to get some of the snazzy features like in-line spell checking, MailMinder and Hot Words into future
versions of Firefox. We've also worked with the StarOffice team that
does virtually all of the engineering on OpenOffice.org, to help provide
usability testing and feedback to improve those products. But there's
something much bigger at work here.
I mean it when I say that the DLS will bring together the most powerful
forces in the open source desktop business. I'm not referring to
companies such as Linspire, Sun or Novell, but rather OOoFf. What is
OOoFf? Openoffice.org + Firefox. There is tremendous momentum building
for those two products. Pick up any magazine or newspaper and you'll likely
see an article lauding these programs. They have clearly reached
quality thresholds to satisfy most users, and the press momentum
behind them is unstoppable. And it is more about the trend they
represent, than the actual products.
The trend is capable, cross-platform, open source applications.
Programs that do a good job at their designated task and look and
operate similarly whether you are on Microsoft Windows or Linux. If a
user gets familiar with OpenOffice.org and Firefox on Microsoft Windows, then it's
just a baby step to desktop Linux, where those same applications work
well and are often standard. These cross-platform tools will help
smooth the way for desktop Linux migration.
The open source nature of these products is critical because it
encourages a communal effort. No one company can compete with Microsoft
now - they are simply too powerful. It will take an industry pooling
their efforts to crack Microsoft's desktop monopoly. And that's what you're
witnessing, with OOoFf leading the way. Here's a list of just a few products that
are helping:
You'll hear and see lots about OOoFf and other cross-platform
technologies at the upcoming DLS. I hope you'll consider attending and registering early to assure your spot at the pre-registration
price of just $99. After January 7th, the price jumps to $175.
-- Michael
The Michael's Minute Meter
View the Michael's Minute Meter Report
|
