February 11th, 2008 will see the Florida Linux Show (www.floridalinuxshow.com), a one-day event aimed at business people and systems administrators who are trying to learn about the latest in Free and Open Source trends. The event will be held at the University of North Florida, University Center at Jacksonville, and the admission charge is ten dollars.

Starting at 0800 (that is 8 A.M. for Windows users) and ending at 1700 (5 P.M.) the event is quite packed with things to do. Even with the event's three simultaneous tracks, it is impossible to talk about all of FOSS in one day, but the organizers have a broad scope of current major topics such as virtualization, IPv6, Linux Phones, Embedded Linux and (of course) security. The closest thing to an introductory talk is Don Corbett's "Installing Linux for New Users", and I have the feeling that even old-timers might pick up a few tips from Don.

There are also talks that are definitely oriented towards the business person, such as a talk on US Commercial Services, put on by a representative of the International Trade Administration, and a talk about GSA schedules (long-term government contracts) and how to set them up....not for the faint of heart!

On a somewhat lighter, but still serious, topic I will be speaking on "Thin Clients and PHAT Results" and there will be a keynote by Robin "Roblimo" Miller, Editor-in-Chief of SourceForge.net entitled "From Rags to Moderate Prosperity" that is bound to be tongue-in-cheek hilarious.

There will be a total of 15 talks, ending with a 45 minute networking break that will allow the attendees to talk with the various exhibitors and speakers.

Finally, those systems administrators that either want to take their LPI exam or want to take the 8-hour review course offered in February 12th and the exam, are reminded that they have to register for both. This can be done off links on the home page at www.floridalinuxshow.com
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