AGENDA

10:00   Welcome and Introduction

10:10    What Is Linux?                   
Cliff Brereton, Regional Manager, Linux Impact Team, IBM

The opening session will set the scene for the follow on session and remind everyone of where Linux has come from, what is promises, where it is going in the marketplace, who is using it, and what for?

Cliff Brereton has been in the computer services industry for 15 years, and has worked in various roles during that time, typically in sales or delivery to outsourcing customers. Cliff joined IBM in 1994 from EDS and ran IBM's Web Hosting business for 3 years. He joined the Linux Team in 2002, and now leads that team in the UK . Cliff has worked with many customers helping them to form their Linux strategy, and often speaks at Linux user group meetings around the country.

11:15      Can Linux Replace Microsoft?                      

Steve Gains, Novell Technical Director

Is it Linux just another standard of UNIX? Is it really free and if so, what's the catch? Why does Bill Gates get frustrated when Linux is discussed? Is Microsoft doing something as an alternative? Will it lose market share? Isn't an operating system with open source a hacker's dream? 
Steve Gains has over 18-years experience in the computing industry, having graduated in Computer Science in 1985. He has held a number of technical management roles with ICL, Stratus and Sun Microsystems specialising in EDI, Integration and Web Services. Steve joined Novell as part of the SilverStream acquisition and is the Technical Director for the  UK. He has recently been spearheading the Novell UK effort with respect to Linux adoption in the Enterprise. His ultimate ambition is to go into Space.

12:45    What Can Linux Do For Me?
Richard Shearwood, Systems Specialist, MITL

Around 31 Percent of Web Servers run Linux, but what else can it do except be a Firewall? Is it really ready for business critical applications at the Enterprise level? What types of vendor have made their packages available on Linux. What are the pros and cons of Linux when applications are available on multiple platforms?

13:30    What Do I Need To Start?
Mark Baker, UK Partner Manager, Redhat  UK

Where should you start with Linux? What and who do you need? What are the limitations? How do you assess whether Linux is of benefit to your organisation? This session will focus on how to identify and justify your first Linux implementation, and assist with ideas on ensuring access to the right skills and knowledge so that the project is a success. 

Since graduating from University in 1993 Mark has worked in the computer industry for the last 11 years in a variety of roles ranging from Systems Administration, Product Manager to Sales Account Management. Prior to joining Red Hat in 1999 he was a Technology Solutions Specialist at Oracle where he gained invaluable experience into the enterprise software sales market. Presently at Red Hat Mark is responsible for Partners Sales and Business Development in Northern Europe and works from Red Hat's offices in Guildford , UK .
14:30     Why Linux on the iSeries?
Glenn Robinson, Life IT
The ability of the iSeries, and now i5, to support Linux has changed much over recent months. The last session, dedicated to this platform, will bring everyone up to date on Linux support, including the major announcements of May 2004 and beyond. It will also look at why the iSeries is one of the best platforms on which Linux can be implemented.

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