Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 13:57:02 +0000
From: Eddie Bleasdale <eddie@netproject.com>
To: Liz Coolbaugh <lwn@rdnzl.eklektix.com>
Subject: Linux, Open Source & E-business - Management Briefing

Workshop:	Linux, Open Source & E-Business - Management Briefing

Venue:		Commonwealth Institute, London

Price:		£460 Plus VAT

Booking:	020 8715 0072

Below are details of why the need for the brieifing and the issues to be
covered.

Despite the massive increase in the power of computers and the constant
fall in hardware costs, organisations are spending more on computing now
than they have in the past. This is because networks of PCs running
Windows and NT are not fit for purpose. Windows is neither sufficiently
reliable nor secure. The threat from viruses is real and becoming more
serious. Microsoft locks users into its proprietary technology and
constantly forces users to upgrade their systems with few, if any,
benefits. Moving to Windows 2000 will not solve these problems.

How to achieve systems that enable e-business? E-business is mission
critical and requires very highly reliable and secure systems that are
virus proof. Ideally these systems should be free from proprietary lock
in and the constant churning imposed by the vendors.

Many of the leading organisations moving into e-business, such as banks,
insurance companies, Internet service providers, etc. are now adopting
Open Source technologies, such as Unix, Linux etc. These technologies
enable systems that rarely fail. Linux is secure and can be configured
so viruses and intruders are not a threat. Linux runs well on low cost
computers. It is free from vendor lock in and the constant pressure to
upgrade.

With the recent announcements from IBM, Oracle, Intel, etc. Linux has
moved into the main stream. Organisations now have a choice to make -
continue along the proprietary path and hope sooner, rather than later,
they will get the technology that enables their move into e-business -
or with Open Source make the move now. 


Linux, Open Source & E-business

Programme

Leading organisations are now addressing how to build systems that can
trade electronically over the Internet. Those that successfully achieve
these systems will benefit at the expense of those that do not. Linux &
Open Source fundamentally change the way systems are engineered and
enable low cost, reliable, secure systems that are free from proprietary
lock-in. Open Source is the technology that enables e-business.

The developments taking place around Linux & Open Source are too
important to be ignored. Business managers, strategists and IT managers
need an informed view of how best to respond. This briefing gives a
clear understanding of what is happening with Linux and Open Source.

E-Business - What has to be achieved?
E-business requires stable, secure and resilient systems that support
business to business transactions over the Internet. The criteria that
these systems must meet will be examined.

Internet Technology
The Internet has evolved over the last thirty years without any
discontinuities. Based entirely on open technology the Internet has
swept aside all proprietary network protocols. Who controls the
Internet? How does it evolve? What is the role of the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF)? What are the lessons to be learnt?

Open Source Software
The GNU Free Software movement - how it came about and the issues of the
freedom of use of software. The GNU software licence - how it prevents
the forking of code. Examination of important Open Source Software:
Linux, SAMBA, Apache Web Server, Email services, PGP, software
development tools etc.

Linux - Unix done properly
The development of Unix was, in part, funded by the US Department of
Defense to be a secure operating system to run the Internet. What went
wrong with Unix? Will Linux, which is simply a clean room implementation
of Unix, go the same way? Where is Linux being used? What is its market
share? Where to get it from? Where to get support?

Viruses, Worms and Trojans - Why you should be afraid
An examination of the threats from viruses, worms and Trojans. The
implications of encryption on virus checking. Why the need to run
applications within secure sandboxes. How Linux minimizes the threat
from viruses.

Desktop Computing
Why Linux on the desktop? An examination of the developments round the
desktop - KDE, GNOME, StarOffice, Corel etc. When will Linux be ready
for use on the desktop? The use of 'thin client' computing to maintain
compatibility with Windows.

Case Studies
An examination of the use of Open Source software in Insurance
Companies, Banks, Internet Service Providers, Defence Contractors, etc.
An analysis of the cost benefits that have been gained will be given.

The Way Forward
How to migrate existing systems so they can support your organisations
move into e-business.

Round Table Discussion