BANGALORE: FOSS.IN/2005, India's largest Free and Open Source Software Event was inaugurated at the Bangalore Palace Grounds today.

The representatives of the open source user groups, across the country inaugurated the event according to a FOSS.IN statement.

The four-day event has participants from across the world. The event will host talks, discussions, workshops, round table meetings and demonstrations by National and International speakers, covering diverse spectrum of FOSS technologies, community and culture.

"Free and Open Source is changing a lot of things for a lot of people in direct and indirect ways. The technology world has recognized this and that is the reason for the huge participation which you see at the FOSS.IN/2005 today," said Atul Chitnis, chairperson, FOSS.IN/2005 in his inaugural address. "It is important to understand that FOSS is not about contribution from companies and large organizations but contribution from individuals. This event makes its primary objective to empower individuals to allow them to get involved with Free and Open Source Software," he further added.

The inauguration was followed by an opening talk on 'Use the Source, Luke' by an open source expert, Alan Cox of Red Hat.