The Local Government Unit of Paniqui, Tarlac in cooperation with PaniqueniansUSA eCenter for Community Development will conduct a free one day workshop/forum on Linux and Free Open Source Software this August 29, 2008 at the Municipal Library.

The event dubbed as "Linux and FOSS to the Academe" will be attended by students taking up IT related courses in technical vocational schools in Paniqui.

Topics to be discussed in the whole day event are "Introduction to FOSS and Linux", "Installing Ubuntu and an Intro to Gnome", and "Joomla - a free open source content management system" all to be rendered by David T. Asuncion Jr., IT officer designated of LGU Paniqui.

"Our aim is to broaden their knowledge on Information Technology so that they will have better employment opportunities once they finish schooling.  Since Linux isn't being taught at the moment in their schools, this workshop and the succeding planned seminars will give them additional knowledge and skill sets which they can use in the future." Asuncion said.

Aside from the discussions, there will be burn fests and install fests where participants can have their blank CDs burned with the Ubuntu Linux installer and their PCs and laptops installed with Linux for free.

The event aims to introduce Free Open Source Software to students so that they could be enticed to explore, use and maybe develop softwares on the FOSS/Linux platform. 

Each participant will be given a certificate of participation and ebooks on Ubuntu Desktop.