2011 Speaker List

My main focus is research and analysis on various high impact topics in the fields of Open Source, Cloud Computing and the interface between them. I also evangelize Open Source and Cloud Computing in various media outlets, blogs and other public forums. I offer strategic advise to both Cloud Computing and Open Source providers and, also, help other companies take advantage of Open Source and Cloud Computing. In my opinion, Open Source commoditized software and Cloud Computing commoditized computing resources. A combination of these two developments offers a strong competitive advantage to companies of all sizes and shapes. Due to various factors, including fear, the adoption of both Open Source and Cloud Computing are relatively slow in the business sector. So, I take it upon myself to clear any confusion in this regard and educate, enrich and advise users/customers to take advantage of the benefits offered by these technologies. I am also a managing partner in two consulting companies based in India and was a Lead Analyst at Diversity Limited, New Zealand Till August 2010. I blog about Open Source topics at Open@Krishworld and Cloud Computing related topics at Cloud Ave.

I have joined with a group of researchers to try and understand the big picture emerging through the convergence of open source, cloud computing, social computing and semantic web. We call this Computing Convergence. We expect this convergence to fundamentally shift the human lives to a higher plane. While evolutionary biology takes care of adjusting the human nature to this paradigm shift, we will soon be offering our knowledge and services to businesses to foresee the shift and elevate themselves to stay competent in the new age marketplace. As a member of this research incubator, I use my expertise on open source and cloud computing with the knowledge gained through the expertise of my fellow researchers to understand the big picture and share it with others in an open way.

I also have academic interests on various aspects of technology, science and society. On the technology side, I am interested in open source, cloud computing, social and semantic web technologies. My interests in science range from condensed matter and statistical physics to self organized systems to neuroscience to evolution. Having a career away from science keeps me only at the periphery of these fields. My other academic interests include Social Empowerment, Indian and American politics, Perils of religious fundamentalism, Atheism and the Impact of Science on the Society.