Free and open source software: in business, in government 2010

Guest of Honour: Karsten Gerloff, President, Free Software Foundation Europe

This seminar is supported by Sirius

The deployment of FOSS (free and open source software) is projected to save the public sector millions of pounds per year, with the recently announced commitment to create a `level playing field` for open source software in Government IT procurement. This seminar will examine prospects for the use of FOSS, both by Government and in business, how UK usage compares internationally and the challenges wider deployment may pose for training and resilience. Discussion will include consideration of the effects of splitting up of major government projects into their component parts to allow smaller firms to compete equally with the major software houses.

Other confirmed speakers include: Juan Crosby, Senior Associate, CMS Cameron McKenna; Dr Chris Francis, Government Programmes, IBM; Paul Holt, Corporate Sales Director, Canonical;Andrew Katz, Partner, Moorcrofts Corporate Law; Alan Lord, Director, Open Learning Centre;Glyn Moody, Technology Writer; Chris Roberts, Finance Director, Trident Garages; Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Sirius; Dr Mark Wright, Executive Member for Efficiency and Value, Bristol City Council and senior representatives from Berwin Leighton Paisner andEricsson. Further senior participants are being approached.