New Products, Services and Software to Be Featured at Desktop Linux and Open Source Conference

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Desktop Summit today announced a preview of new products, services and software to be featured at the event, February 9-11 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego. Several new products and services will debut at the Summit, which will also feature exhibitors from some of the most innovative open source and desktop Linux companies. A special pre-release version of Linspire's 5.0 operating system will be distributed to attendees, and Novell will be handing out copies of latest Linux desktop. Michael Robertson, former CEO of MP3.com, will also announce a new music company he's starting called MP3tunes. For more information or to register for the event, visit http://www.desktopsummit.com.

The 2.5-day event features panels on International Linux, Enterprise Migration, and Emerging Markets. Other highlights are a special session on Linux in Motion Pictures and a conference-end roast of 2004 Linux and open source headlines by radio host Chris Pirillo. Activities during the Summit include a gaming tournament sponsored by GarageGames, an Internet cafe sponsored by Sub300.com, $25 Linux professional certifications by LPI, and many more giveaways and prizes. Keynote speeches include an address on Open Source Democracy by Open Source Applications Foundation chair Mitch Kapor, as well as a speech on the current and future state of digital media by Real Founder and CEO Rob Glaser.

"The Linux Desktop is an exciting platform that is creating new growth opportunities for developers of software applications and services. We are eager to see a fully featured player installed on every Linux Desktop so that everyone has access to the rapidly growing world of free and premium digital audio and video on the Internet," Glaser said.

Another highlight of the event comes from Novell, the latest key sponsor to join the Desktop Summit. Novell will distribute copies of its Novell Linux Desktop 9 to attendees and Ted Haeger, Novell's Director of Marketing for Desktop and Collaboration, will be speaking about how Novell is enabling enterprises to make the shift to Linux.

Michael Robertson, former CEO of MP3.com, will give a keynote address where he will announce his newest venture, a music company called MP3tunes. The company will focus on music products and services with an emphasis on the MP3 format to maximize interoperability and consumer choice. Over the coming months, MP3tunes will make several new products available online including a hardware device, software products and an online music store. Unlike other popular music stores, MP3tunes will offer all tracks without digital rights management (DRM). This ensures that paying customers can use the music they purchase on any player or computer, as well as make unlimited copies of their songs and burn their music onto CDs.

The Desktop Summit exhibit hall will feature exhibits from innovative open source and Linux companies including AMD (http://www.amd.com), RealNetworks (http://www.real.com), Novell (http://www.novell.com), Linspire (http://www.linspire.com), Sub300 (http://www.sub300.com), Via Technologies (http://www.viatech.com), Win4Lin (http://www.win4lin.com), GarageGames (http://www.garagegames.com), SoftMaker (http://www.softmaker.com), SIPphone (http://www.sipphone.com), deviantArt (http://www.deviantart.com), and more. For a full list of sponsors, please visit http://www.desktopsummit.com.

The Desktop Summit conference program runs Wednesday through Friday, February 9-11, 2005 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego. The conference will be from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on February 9 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 10 and 11, 2005. There is still room left for attendees to register at http://www.desktopsummit.com. The registration price of $99 includes meals all days and a free T-shirt plus access to all exhibits and events. For more information, please contact: Heather MacKenzie

Desktop Summit Event Manager

858-587-6700, ext. 263

858-587-8095 Fax

info@desktopsummit.com About the Desktop Summit

The Desktop Summit (http://www.desktopsummit.com) is the premier event for companies that sell, market, or promote open source or desktop Linux-based products, services, applications, and technologies. The event, in its third year, is the only venue to focus exclusively on this emerging technology sector. Focused on the issues of Linux on the desktop, the program brings together the top industry leaders in one location.