LinuxWorld Conference & Expo Names Finalists for Product Excellence Awards

Novell, IBM, Versora, Computer Associates, Sun Microsystems and KDE finalists in multiple categories; Award winners to be announced next week in Boston

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – February 7, 2005 – IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows, conferences and events for technology markets around the globe, today announced finalists for the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards, to be presented at LinuxWorld Conference & Expo® next week. Presented in conjunction with LinuxWorld Magazine, the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards recognize product and service innovations by LinuxWorld exhibitors. Winners will be announced in a ceremony held on the main stage of the LinuxWorld exhibit hall on Tuesday, February 15 at 4:30 p.m.

LinuxWorld Conference & Expo runs February 14-17, 2005 at the Hynes Convention Center. The LinuxWorld exhibit hall floor opens on Tuesday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. Exhibit hall passes are free on or before February 13, 2005 – passes cost $35.00 after February 13, 2005. Register for free exhibit hall passes at http://www.linuxworldexpo.com.

The LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards are divided into 14 product categories, representing major areas of innovation in the Linux and Open Source community. The judges will also select one product or service that represents a major step forward for Linux in the marketplace as “Best of Show.”

Finalists include:

Best Data Backup or Storage Solution:
Computer Associates: BrightStor ARCserve Backup r11.1 for Linux
Radiant Data Corporation: PeerFS
BakBone Software, Inc:  NetVault
Storix: Storix System Backup Administrator

Best Open Source Solution:
KDE: KDE 3.3
Mambo: Mambo 4.5.1a
Novell:  Linux Desktop 9
Red Hat: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4

Best Integration Solution:
Versora: Progression Desktop
Novell: Novell exteNd Suite 5.2
Alacos: Linux Migration Agent Network Server Edition

Best Database Solution:
Computer Associates: Ingres
Versora: Progression DB
IBM: IBM DB2 Integrated Cluster Environment

Best Security Solution:
IBM: Homeland Security with IBM eServer xSeries running Tarantella Secure
Global Desktop Enterprise Edition
Sophos:  PureMessage
ConfigureSoft:  Enterprise Configuration Manager for Linux
Novell: Novell Nsure

Best Desktop/Productivity/Business Application:
Kirix Corporation: Kirix Strata
Sun Microsystems: StarOffice 8 and Migration Tools

Best Utility/Grid Computing Solution:
Corente: Corente Applications Without Boundaries
Virtual Iron Software: Virtual Iron VFe
Radiant Data Corporation: PeerFS

Best Server:
Rackable Systems: Rackable Systems C4002 4-Way Opteron Solution
Digi International: Digi CM

Best Messaging Solution:
KDE: Kopete Instant Messaging Client
Novell: Novell Integrated Collaboration Solution : Novell GroupWise, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Novell Evolution, and Gaim
Scalix: Scalix 9.2

Most Innovative Hardware Solution:
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): AMD Opteron processors
EmperorLinux, Inc: EmperorLinux Toucan T42 Linux Laptop
Sun Microsystems, Inc: Sun Ray[tm] 170

Best Clustering Solution:
Penguin Computing: Penguin Computing BladeRunner Cluster-in-a-Box
HP:  HP Virtual Server Environment
Lakeview Technology, Inc.:  H.A. Clusters

Best Embedded Solution:
IBM: IBM Rational Rose RealTime (included in IBM Rational Rose Technical Developer)
Tall Maple Systems: Samara

Best Systems Management Tools:
Versora: Progression Desktop
Novell:  ZENworks 6.5 Linux Management
Xandros:  xDMS
Voltaire: VoltaireVision Grid Interconnect Management Software

Best Application Development Platform or Tool:
Zend Technologies: Zend Studio 4 Professional for PHP
ActiveState: Komodo 3.1
IBM: IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software (formerly IBM WebSphere Studio Application Developer)
Novell: Mono

For more information on the awards and LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, visit www.linuxworldexpo.com.

About LinuxWorld Conference & Expo
LinuxWorld Conference & Expo is the premier event exclusively focused on Linux and Open Source solutions. As the world’s most comprehensive marketplace for Open Source products and services, LinuxWorld provides business decision-makers with information and resources to implement Linux and Open Source solutions into business infrastructure and enterprise networks.  For more information or to register for the event, visit the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo Web site at www.linuxworldexpo.com, or call (800) 657-1474.  For exhibiting opportunities, please contact John Yurewicz at (508) 424-4852 or John_Yurewicz@idg.com or Frank Netherwood at (508) 424-4860 or Frank_Netherwood@idg.com.

About IDG World Expo
IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces technology-focused tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping.  As the leading technology event management company, IDG World Expo leverages its experience and knowledge of technology-focused events and conferences, enabling technology companies to capture the attention and loyalty of influential buyers.  IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld Conference & Expo®, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo®, Bio•IT World Conference + Expo™, Wireless Sensing Solutions™, Syndicāte™, RoboBusiness and RoboNexus.  IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About IDG
International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company.  A privately-held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World.  The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world.  IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo®, Macworld Conference & Expo®, DEMO®, and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.