Followers of the Linux and open source movements will not want to miss the appearance of the legendary John `Maddog` Hall at the Linux Africa 2001 conference, hosted by AITEC and the Linux Professional`s Association of South Africa, from 24 to 26 April 2001 at the Kyalami Exhibition and Conference Centre, Johannesburg.
Linux Africa will be the first major conference and exhibition event in South Africa to promote the use of Linux and open source. The event is aimed at both the business and technical communities, and will showcase the state of the art in Linux and open source, both in Southern Africa and in Africa as a whole.
Maddog`s appearance will be a highlight of Linux Africa. As Executive Director of Linux InternationalJohn Hall carries with him an impressive reputation as prophet of the overwhelming possibilities of open source software. Hall has a long history in the open source movement prior to his position as Executive Director of Linux International, which he has held for the last five years.
Before taking up his position at VA Linux Systems, John was employed by Compaq Computer Corporation in the Digital UNIX Marketing group and Bell Laboratories, and has been a very vocal advocate of Linux both inside and outside of Digital Equipment Corporation since 1994. In his earlier days Hall was Department Head of Computer Science at Hartford State Technical College, where his students gave him the nickname `Maddog` due to his flamboyant approach to the world and his subject, as well as in recognition of his impressive, and constantly evolving, facial hair.
The open source movement is helping to return control of enterprise infrastructure from the vendor back to the enterprise itself. Paul Kotschy, Chairman of the Linux Professional`s Association of South Africa, believes that the greatest benefit for a commercial enterprise is, +ACI-To use Linux and open source technology to reduce its dependency on proprietary monopolistic software vendors, and in so doing to reduce the enterprise`s risk of failure.+ACI-
+ACI-The LPA is working very closely with AITEC to facilitate what will surely be the premier Linux-related event on the continent,+ACI- Kotschy says. +ACI-I would encourage IT players at all levels to attend, and especially to hear Maddog speak. John Hall is one of the leading International Linux and open source celebrities, and one of the forerunners of the open source movement. I`ve no doubt his appearance will be both informative and entertaining for everyone who experiences it.+ACI-
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