Date: Thu, 06 Apr 2000 12:59:58 +0100
From: Eddie Bleasdale <eddie@netproject.com>
To: Liz Coolbaugh <lwn@rdnzl.eklektix.com>
Subject: User Organisations working together to promote Linux & Open Source

User Organisations working together to promote Linux & Open Source

>From Eddie Bleasdale, Netproject, 020 8715 0072, email
eddie@netproject.com

Netproject has got together a consortium of organisations, including the
NCC, CCTA, The Technical Infrastructure Forum, IBM CUA, Compaq CUAs , HP
CUAs, The Scottish Software Federation, CHEST, The UK Unix User Group to
jointly run and promote a series of workshops on Linux, Open Source and
E-Commerce.

Ray Titcombe, Chairman of Council - IBM Computer Users' Association said
'The Open Source model has a lot to offer. It's a way organisations and
individuals are collaborating developing solutions that enable
e-commerce. With Linux being supported by most computer vendors it makes
sense to run these workshops with other user groups.'

Peter Bradley, who heads the HP User Group said that the interest in
Linux is phenomenal. 'We are seeing the installed base of Linux systems
more than doubling every six months. This is because the cost of
installing and supporting Linux systems is a fraction of equivalent
systems using proprietary technology.'

Polly Purvis, General Manager of The Scottish Software Federation said
'We are finding the Linux and Open Source an area where there is an
insatiable demand for information. We are delighted to be running these
workshops together with other user groups. Linux is breaking down the
barriers between the vendors. By collaborating our members can get a
better understanding of what is happening in this exciting area and how
best to respond.'

These workshops will be presented by Eddie Bleasdale who has unrivalled
experience in the area of Unix and Linux. Eddie's views are thought
provoking. The Producer of the BBC 2 Money Programme that featured Linux
said 'Eddie has a very rare ability to explain the complicated areas of
computing in terms which most people understand.' Eddie Bleasdale said
'The economic case for Linux and Open Source is now overwhelming. We are
regularly finding that the cost of deploying and running Linux systems
is one tenth that of proprietary technologies. This is because of the
security and reliability of Open Source and the freedom from vendor lock
in.'

The courses will cover why Open Source software is defining the
standards for e-commerce. Case studies will be given of organisations
that have deployed Linux for mission critical applications and how they
went about achieving these systems. Full details are on the Netproject
web site www.netproject.com

The dates and locations for these workshops are:

                    LONDON 16 MAY  &  15 JUNE 2000
                    BRISTOL 18 MAY
                    BIRMINGHAM  06 JUNE
                    MANCHESTER 08 JUNE
                    GLASGOW 13 JUNE

The cost of the seminars is ��250 + VAT

For further information contact

O20 8715 0072