Calgary to host open source technology conference

Calgary, AB – Over 200 information technology professionals and open source enthusiasts are set to descend on the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary.

The Calgary Open Source Systems Festival (COSSFEST) is a two-day trade show featuring multiple speaking tracks and workshops demonstrating the use of open source software solutions.

This year’s event is the culmination of two years of planning. Similar events were held in 2006 and 2007, but this year’s show promises to be bigger and will be spread out over two days. The first day will focus on helping businesses leverage open source solutions to help them compete in a tough economic environment, while the second day will be oriented toward hobbyists.

Open source is a method of developing computer software, whereby an application’s source code is made freely available and software is developed collaboratively by programmers from around the world. Popular applications developed using this method include the Firefox web browser and the Linux operating system.

“COSSFEST is an event where people can learn more about open source software and the community around it. It is also an event where the public can meet others with similar interests regarding computers or software,” said event organizer Shawn Grover.

While the planning committee is set to release the full schedule soon, a number of big name speakers have already been announced, including:

• Aaron Seigo, one of the developers of KDE, a graphical desktop environment for Unix systems;
• Brad "RenderMan" Haines, a well known wireless security specialist;
• Journalist and writer Bruce Byfield; and
• Ifny Lachance, coordinator of computer recycler Free Geek Vancouver.

This trade show provides a unique opportunity for the Canadian open source community to meet in-person. “We're all oriented to the United States or maybe Europe. The event seems a good place to actually meet some of my peers,” said Byfield.

As open source software is free of the licensing costs associated with proprietary software, many businesses are taking a look at open source as a way to reduce costs in the face of an economic downturn. Even the Canadian government recently put out a call for more information on open source software.

“Given the state of the world economy, how can you not seriously consider capable software that's available at no cost?” said Evan Leibovitch—a spokesman for the Canadian Association for Open Source—in a recent interview with the CBC.

COSSFEST will be held April 17-18, 2009, at the Coast Plaza Hotel in North East Calgary. Interested parties can get more information and register for the event by visiting the website at http://www.cossfest.ca.

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