Berlin, 1 April 2009 - Approximately 500 square metres of display space at LinuxTag 2009 have been reserved for presenting independent software projects and their work to the general public, conference participants and companies. LinuxTag is calling upon everyone worldwide developing and assisting open source projects to attend the event from 24 to 27 June 2009 in Berlin.
The organisers are looking for non-commercial development projects closely associated with Linux and open source software which are backed by a lively community, although this is not an exclusive criterion. What counts is projects that are open source and attract attention. The organising team had previously issued a preliminary call for projects to which more than 60 projects responded. Open source projects have until 7 April to apply for the main selection round by submitting a convincing presentation to the virtual Conference Center (vCC) of LinuxTag at https://www.linuxtag.org/vcc/. The details and conditions of the call for projects can be found in the community space on the LinuxTag website at wiki.linuxtag.org/w/fp:Call_for_Projects.
LinuxTag supports the projects by supplying stands, equipment, electricity and internet connections. LinuxTag e.V. is also giving away free admission tickets (e-tickets) to projects exhibiting at the fair. The aim is for as many members of the community as possible to attend LinuxTag and meet with visitors, companies and other developers. Reduced-rate tickets are available for LinuxNacht, the LinuxTag social event. The call for projects only targets non-commercial projects.
LinuxTag traditionally spans a bridge between users, community developers and companies in the open source software field. 85 independent projects exhibited at LinuxTag 2008. Marko Jung, Community Manager at LinuxTag e.V. "Neither projects nor companies should miss this opportunity to visit the 15th edition of LinuxTag, the world’s leading platform for open source software. For example, in the past the Open Graphics Device and Open Bicycle Computer premiered at this event, and we are keen to see what surprises the community has in store for us this year." Wolfgang Drotschmann, who like Jung is also a member of the extended board added: "Since its launch the basic idea of LinuxTag has been for a large part of its revenues and sponsorship monies to flow back into open source projects. That ensures that we recognise all those companies who as exhibitors at LinuxTag are promoting and helping distribution of free software."
About LinuxTag
LinuxTag is the leading free software event in Europe. The four-day fair brings together producers, users, developers and communities. Last year, nearly 12,000 visitors attended this unique event combining a trade fair, conferences and tutorials. In addition to a programme of papers as well as its own Business & Public Authorities Conference, LinuxTag traditionally hosts an exhibition, in which open source companies and projects take part. A principal feature of LinuxTag is its close cooperation with the community and exhibitors. The association LinuxTag e.V. is the non-commercial sponsor of the event and co-organises it with Messe Berlin GmbH. More information is available at www.linuxtag.org
About LinuxTag e.V.
According to Section 1 of its statutes, the purpose of the association is to promote greater awareness of Linux and open source applications among the public and society as a whole. One way of achieving this goal is LinuxTag, the brainchild in 1995 of students at the University of Kaiserslautern. They founded the association in 1999. By continuously developing the format over a period of 13 years the organisers have acquired considerable expertise and a high degree of credibility with visitors, speakers and exhibitors. The association is based in Kaiserslautern and has offices at the Linuxhotel in Essen.