ApacheCon US 2008 Keynotes to Focus on Central Issues of Open Source Standards, Microsoft, and Technology’s Role in Rebuilding Communities

- Open Source notables from Microsoft and the Open Web Foundation highlight ApacheCon US 2008 conference in New Orleans –

ApacheCon, the official user conference of The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), has announced the keynote speakers that will open this year’s conference, to be held in New Orleans from November 3-7, 2008.

A number of Open Source thought leaders will be fronting this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 400 visitors.

2008 keynote speakers include Sam Ramji, Senior Director of Platform Strategy Microsoft’s Open Source division, David Recordon, Open Platforms Tech Lead for Six Apart and with the Open Web Foundation, and Dr. Shahani Weerawarana, well known internationally for her work and commitment to bringing Open Source technology to people and countries dealing with disasters, both natural and man made.

Microsoft’s Open Source guru Sam Ramji highlights the keynotes with an overview and discussion titled “struct.new(”future”, :open, :Microsoft” which will explore the future of openness at Microsoft.

As the innovation, relevance, and reliability of Open Source applications has spread across private and public organizations, there is demand for need for solid globally-agreed open standards. David Recordon is Open Platforms Tech Lead for Six Apart, the largest independent blogging company in the world and active in the creation of the Open Web Foundation, which in addition to Six Apart is supported by Google, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo! and Plaxo among others. Recordon will kick off the event with a keynote addressing the need for a body to build a sustainable and open community around open standards for the web, what can be learned from the open source movement, an update on the Open Web Foundation’s progress to date, its vision and how the Open Source community can get involved.

As ApacheCon 2008 is taking place in New Orleans, there is also the opportunity for attendees to be involved in helping the local community. As well as Voluntourism Day – a day where attendees can perform community service for the city of New Orleans – attendees will be able to learn about how Open Source can help in areas of natural disasters. Dr. Shahani Weerawarana, an expert on the subject will be presenting a keynote titled “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” which will delve into real-life stories and first hand accounts relating to the commitment of the global Open Source community in working together to benefit the world.

Registration is currently open for ApacheCon and OFBiz Symposium. To register, please visit the following link: http://tinyurl.com/3qoebb

To interact with other ApacheCon US ’08 members and attendees, please visit its site on CrowdVine: http://apacheconus2008.crowdvine.com/

Sponsors of ApacheCon and OFBiz Symposium include BMC Software, Cloudera, Day Software, Google, HALO Worldwide, Hewlett-Packard, Hippo, HotWax Media, Microsoft, Progress Software, Microsoft, SpringSource, ThinkGeek, WSO2 and Yahoo! Media and community partners include Ant WebSystems, Bug Labs, Feather Cast, Linux Journal, Linux Pro Magazine, Methods & Tools, SXSW, The JCP and WSO2 Oxygen Tank. These sponsors play an integral role in supporting Open Source technology and contributing to emerging trends in the industry. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For details contact Delia Frees at delia {at} apachecon(.)com.

About ApacheCon US 2008

The most influential platform dialogue amongst the Apache community at large, ApacheCon is the must-attend user and developer forum showcasing key Apache and Open Source technologies. Attendees meet, mingle, and exchange ideas with like-minded participants on groundbreaking technologies and emerging industry trends, through informal networking, peer discussions, Birds-of-a-Feather sessions, and entertaining social events.

Drawing internationally-renowned thought-leaders, contributors, influencers, and organizations in the Open Source community, ApacheCon offers insight into the culture and community that develops and shepherds industry-leading Open Source projects, including Apache HTTP Server—the world’s most popular Web server software for ten years running.

To find more information about ApacheCon US 2008 please visit http://www.us.apachecon.com

Contacts

Prompt Communications on behalf of ApacheCon
James Gerber / Hazel Butters
617-576-5763 / +1 617-291-9899
apachecon {at} prompt-communications(.)com