Prizes offered for open source excellence

Europe's contribution to the open source movement is being recognised with some $65,000 in prize money being put up for grabs in an awards night during LinuxExpo 2001 in Paris in the new year.

Called the European Open Source Awards, cash sums ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to independent software vendors and members of the Linux community in four categories for 'outstanding commitment in the field of open source software'.

The awards will be judged by a six-man panel chaired by Dr Larry Augustin, chief executive at award sponsors VA Linux Systems, and including Linux creator Linus Torvalds and ubergeeks Jon 'maddog' Hall, Dirk Hohndel, Wichert Akkerman and Philippe Derivet.

Categories include Enterprise Award, for the most successful implementation in a company/business environment; Independent Software Vendor Award; Exceptional Contribution, for an exceptionally successful open source project from the European Linux Community; and a Community Award.

Dr Augustin is also the scheduled keynote speaker at the show, which runs from 31 January to 2 February 2001. LinuxExpo in Paris 2000 attracted more than 8600 visitors.

"Europe has a strong open source tradition, with many talented developers and vendors who are actively contributing to its growth," said Augustin.

"Together with other Linux companies and software developers, we'd like to recognise the achievements and contributions of some of the most brilliant minds of the IT world through the European Open Source Awards."