Thanking the openSUSE Conference Sponsors!

In about a month, the openSUSE conference will kick off in Thessaloniki, Greece. We expect that about 300 visitors will join us for 4 days featuring over 60 talks, workshops and meetings covering everything from low-level Linux hackery to debating the state of Free Software marketing. Entree to the openSUSE conference is free, as always. Of course, organizing an event like oSC is not exactly without costs, both in terms of hard work and hard cash. For the work we can’t thank our volunteer crew enough, and they deserve some attention. So do the sponsors, who help make this event possible, either by providing equipment and services or money. We’d like to introduce the core team and our sponsors to you!

The people

An event like oSC is not possible without a dedicated local team. This year, Kostas Koudaras and Stella Rouzi took up the task to lead the efforts for this event. It was them who proposed to do this event almost two years ago; and it was them who gathered and herded a crew of volunteers, created and kept the planning, and were overall awesome each and every day.

The team

[caption id=”attachment_14847” align=”alignnone” width=”700”] The Awesome Greeko’s at oSC12[/caption]

Under the inspiring leadership of Kostas and Stella you can find the openSUSE conference volunteers who have been working on the preparation. This include creating artwork like the logo, flyers, video’s and more (Anditosan, Pavlos Ratis and Carlos Ribeiro), communication and building and managing websites, writing news articles, social media and spreading the word at events (Henne Volgelsang, Matt Barringer, Theo Chatzimichos, George Bratsos, Pavlos Ratis, Stathis Iosifidis, Stathis Agrapidis, Dimitris Papapoulios and Jos Poortvliet) and managing sponsors, money and travel (Izabel Valverde, Agustin Benito Bethencourt). And Jürgen Weigert, who will be in charge of video recording, and Lars Vogdt who will take care of networking, have also been preparing, working with the local team. Of course, we should thank our Paper Committee members: Robert Schweikert, Alberto Planas, Matt Barringer, Michal Hrusecky and Henne. All in random order…

Of course, this is merely a selection of the most active team members - and at the event itself, we’ll have even more people join to take care of video taping, networking, hosting rooms, registration and much more. A lot of work goes into an event like this, so if you join, remember to give our volunteers a hug and thank them!

The sponsors

Without sponsors, oSC wouldn’t be possible either. Some support us with equipment, tools or a network connection, others help us manage funds or support our travel support program financially. Let’s present our sponsors!

Platinum

SUSE is the original provider of the enterprise Linux distribution and the most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing. It’s the only Linux recommended by VMware, Microsoft and SAP. And it’s supported on more hardware and software than any other enterprise Linux distribution

Silver

ARM designs the technology that is at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM has established a broad partner community, including software and services companies who can complement existing open source offerings and support partners in developing products.

Bronze

Hans de Raad (DevHdR) is an independent ICT specialist whose expertise mainly focusses on the many dynamic and diverse aspects of human-machine interaction processes. He offers consultancy and support for several open-source projects like, Drupal, Piwik, Kolab, ownCloud and of course openSUSE! He also helps companies with archiving, social media and onlien communication, Integration between front / back office systems and Security matters.

Oracle. With more than 380,000 customers - including 100 of the Fortune 100 - and with deployments across a wide variety of industries in more than 145 countries around the globe, Oracle offers an optimized and fully integrated stack of business hardware and software systems. Oracle is committed to offering choice, flexibility, and lower cost of computing for end users. By investing significant resources in developing, testing, optimizing, and supporting open source technologies such as MySQL, GlassFish, Linux, PHP, Apache, Eclipse, Berkeley DB, NetBeans, VirtualBox, and Xen, Oracle clearly embraces and offers leading open source solutions for development and deployment. Visit www.oracle.com today.

Supporters

The AUTH IT Center is responsible for the provision, maintenance, smooth operation, continuous improvement and adjustment of network and computer infrastructure and electronic services of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and supporting members of the university in using the IT services.

The Greek Research and Technology Network (GRNET) provides Internet connectivity, high-quality e-Infrastructure and advanced networking services (eg cloud computing) to the Greek Educational, Academic and Research community. GRNET connects its customers with speeds up to 10Gbps through its high-speed, high-capacity network of long-term leased fibre that spans across the entire country. Part of its mission is also the dissemination of ICT to the general public.

[](//www.thessaloniki2014.gr/) The ‘European Youth Capital’ (EYC) is a title awarded to a European city for one year, during which it is given the chance to showcase, through a multi-faceted programme, its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic activities and development. The title is given to the city that presents a yearly comprehensive program of actions, ideas, suggestions and cooperation for young people on a local and European level. The Thessaloniki EYC 2014 program will comprise a wide range of actions, carried out on the basis of four pillars: creation, participation, special social groups and new youth movements.

Part of a company group that excels in security and cross platform solutions, Kolab Systems is the custodian of the Kolab Groupware Solution. Its wide range of services include development, maintenance and support, which it provides as a fully committed Open Source vendor and part of the Free Software community. For more information, please visit kolabsys.com. Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to thenetwork.cisco.com.

Media Partners

The deltaHacker is a magazine covering the topics of ethical hacking, networks, programming and security. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen, not only a traditional magazine - it has a rich inner world and each issue aspires to keep you awake for many nights.

Available in print and digital editions, Linux Magazin brings practical, hands-on solutions for real users who push the limits of Linux as a server, desktop, and development platform. Our unique combination of advanced coverage with a practical emphasis makes Linux Magazin a great benefit for readers who make decisions and recommendations.

Swapnil Bhartiya founded Muktware in 2010 to cover Linux and Open Source. He had been covering Linux & Open Source since 2005 and himself became a Linux user when a Windows virus wiped 2GB of his images (2GB was a lot back in 2005). He became a staunch supporter of FLOSS when he attented the LinuxAsia event as part of the Linux For You magazine. That’s when he decided to devote his writing career to Linux and Free Software.

And many more

We’re also very happy with everybody who shared our articles over their blogs, translating them (Victorhck!) and spreading the word. We’d also like to thank those who bought a supporter ticket: these really make a difference. As reminder, going to oSC13 is free, there are no entry fees whatsoever. We only ask you register yourself so we can plan for the right amount of people. However, if you can and want to support our event and Travel Support Program you can purchase a supporter ticket for $50 (Americas/Asia or Europe, Middle East and Africa) or a professional ticket for $250 (Americas/Asia or Europe, Middle East and Africa). We’ll get you a nice thank-you gift during check-in.

See you in Greece!