How does Open Source affect the future of the software industry? Is the future of software primarily open source? Has Open Source "won"? Do we need to promote Open Source more? Instead of focusing on the technical details about open source should we concentrate on the bigger broader picture of society and DRM and the debate about re-mixing, and future of music, video and art on the internet?

These and other topics were the focus of the Future of Free and Open Software panel which was held as a free event open to the public as part of the Vancouver PHP 2007 conference. I really enjoyed the discussion. We're lucky to have FOSS experts in Vancouver like David Ascher and Zak Greant and Bruce Byfield who have a worldwide reputation, know everybody in the community and can get them out to the Vancouver PHP conference which has attracted experts from around the world as well as our great local talent.

Check out the Google Video for the first 42 minutes of the panel.

I'm here in Seattle for a one-day free and open source technology conference called Penguin Day that is taking place as an adjunct to the Non-Profit Technology Conference. From the website...

Penguin Day Seattle will:

• build new and enhanced relationships between key constituencies in the open source and nonprofit communities in Seattle;
• empower non-profit users and support providers to better communicate their needs and serve as active partners in the development and maturation of open source technology for nonprofits;
• challenge developers to provide flexible and appropriate open source solutions for nonprofit mission-critical applications;
• serve as a venue for learning and information sharing about development processes and nonprofit software needs;
• and result in increased energy and passion to fuel ongoing collaboration.

Today is a loose open-space format for learning about FOSS tools and technologies that are useful to non-profits and other mission-based organizations and businesses. Bryght (and Drupal) have some of the best tools on the internets for these types of projects and applications, and we are committed to helping these types of organizations take advantage of the power of the free and open source tools available to them.

I'm here in Seattle for a one-day free and open source technology conference called Penguin Day that is taking place as an adjunct to the Non-Profit Technology Conference. From the website...

Penguin Day Seattle will:

• build new and enhanced relationships between key constituencies in the open source and nonprofit communities in Seattle;
• empower non-profit users and support providers to better communicate their needs and serve as active partners in the development and maturation of open source technology for nonprofits;
• challenge developers to provide flexible and appropriate open source solutions for nonprofit mission-critical applications;
• serve as a venue for learning and information sharing about development processes and nonprofit software needs;
• and result in increased energy and passion to fuel ongoing collaboration.

Today is a loose open-space format for learning about FOSS tools and technologies that are useful to non-profits and other mission-based organizations and businesses. Bryght (and Drupal) have some of the best tools on the internets for these types of projects and applications, and we are committed to helping these types of organizations take advantage of the power of the free and open source tools available to them.