BOF Sessions at UniForum '96

In-Depth Information and Forums for Debate

Special Birds-of-a-Feather sessions will be offered on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Attendees will be able to gather insights and information from experts working at the leading edge of Unix and open systems technology. The sessions will also provide an opportunity for panelists to debate the primary issues that face the open systems industry today.

The following sessions are scheduled. (Note: the Next-Generation Distributed Computing BOF is from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. All others are from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.)

The Evolution of the Single Unix Specification

An examination of the X/Open Single Unix Specification, including the applicability of the specification across platforms and the future of the specification.

Chair: Mike Lambert, chief technology officer and VP of technical strategy, X/Open Ltd.

Middleware of Practical Business Objects

An opportunity to hear middleware demystified and also explore a variety of middleware technologies that are now available.

Chair: Derek Kaufman, middleware manager, Levi Strauss & Co.

Speaker: Don Fukushima, director of data management and middleware services, Levi Strauss

Unix--Where Is It Going?

What impact will the evolution of Unix standards or the sale of UnixWare from Novell to SCO have on users and developers? Both analysts and users are encouraged to attend.

Chair: Michael Dortch, VP of marketing, UnixWare Technology Group

Speakers: Andrew Binstock, editor-in-chief, Unix Review

Norton Greenfeld, president of Implements, Inc.

Michael Shelton, director of product marketing, The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.

The Web

A far-ranging discussion of one of the hottest areas in open systems technology today. Current developments as well as future directions will be examined.

Chair: Michael Harrington, senior programmer/analyst, Beth Israel Hospital

What Is Linux?

What is Linux, how was it developed and where is it headed? Discussion will also cover typical uses of Linux as a platform for vertical market applications, DOS workstation multitasking, server replacements and Internet applications.

Speaker: Mark Bolzern, president of WorkGroup Solutions

Next-Generation Distributed Computing

A discussion of the future of distributed computing and the technologies that will help make it possible, such as messaging, middleware, objects, remote call procedures and database gateways.

Chair: Bob Scher, president of Message Oriented Middleware Association

Speakers: Sally Cusack, market analyst, The Standish Group International

Randy Smerik, product development manager, AT&T GIS

Peter Tait, VP of marketing, PeerLogic, Inc.

Web to Database Connectivity: Creating Database-Oriented Web Applications

A review of World Wide Web application development issues that concern programs linking HTML elements to database and application objects.

Speakers: Bob Marciniak, Web alliance manager, Bluestone, Inc.

Chuck Patrick, development and support manager, Bluestone