Framingham, Massachusetts - (The Hosting News) - August 8, 2007 - Finalists for the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards, to be presented at LinuxWorld Conference Expo in San Francisco, have been released. Judged by a group of respected industry experts managed by LinuxWorld Magazine, the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards recognize product and service innovations by LinuxWorld exhibitors.

The LinuxWorld Conference and Expo runs August 8-11, 2005 at Moscone Center West. The LinuxWorld exhibit hall floor opens on Tuesday, August 9 at 10:00 a.m. Exhibit hall passes are free on or before August 7, 2005 - passes cost $35.00 thereafter. Register for free exhibit hall passes at www.linuxworldexpo.com.

The LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards are divided into 13 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 Security Solution
- Astaro: Astaro Security Linux / Astaro Security Gateway
- Kaspersky Lab: Kaspersky Anti-Virus Version 5.5 for Linux, FreeBSD and OpenBSD Mail Server/File Server/Workstation
- Novell: Novell Security Suite
- Red Hat: Red Hat Directory Server
- Sun Wah Linux Limited: Sun Wah Linux RAYS SS

Most Innovative Hardware Solution
- AMD: AMD Dual Core Opteron Processors
- BlackDog: BlackDog
- EmperorLinux, Inc.: Emperor Linux Toucan T43 Linux Laptop
- Levanta: Levanta Intrepid

Best Servers
- Aberdeen LLC: Aberdeen Stonehaven A261
- Rackable Systems: Rackable Systems C2002
- IBM: IBM eServer xSeries 366
- Unisys Corporation: ES7000 Real-Time Capacity Series
- Sun Microsystems: The Dual-core Sun Fire(TM) V40z Server

Best Integration Solution
- LTSP: Linux Terminal Server Project
- Win4Lin, Inc: Win4Lin Pro 1.0
- Versora: Versora Progression Desktop
- Resolvo Systems Pte Ltd: Resolvo MoveOver Enterprise Edition
- Novacoast, Inc: Asterisk RD

Best Data Backup or Storage Solution
- Appro: Appro AR3015 NAS
- BakBone Software: Netvault 7.3
- Coraid, Inc: SATA+RAID EtherDrive Storage Appliance
- Portlock: Portlock Storage Manager
- Storix, Inc: System Backup Administrator for Linux

Best Database Solution
- Enterprise DB Corporation Enterprise DB 2005
- IBM: DB2 8.2.2 Optimized for SAP
- MySQL: MySQL Network
- Oracle: Oracle DB 10g Release 2

Best Open Source Solution
- Mozilla Foundation: Firefox 1.0.5
- Linux Terminal Server Project: Linux Terminal Server Project
- Mambo: Mambo
- IBM: Derby 10.1

Best Utility/Grid
- Rackable Systems: Rackable Systems Parallel File System Solution
- IBM: IBM Grid and Grow offering
- SWsoft: Virtuozzo for Linux
- Virtual Iron: Virtual Iron VFe
- HP: HP NonStop and SimDesk Open Source Solution

Best Desktop/Productivity/Business Application
- ThinkFree: ThinkFree Office 3
- VMware: VMware Workstation 5
- Xandros, Inc: Xandros Desktop OS 3 v3 Business Edition

Best Systems Management Tools
- Userful: DiscoverStation 4.0
- The OpenNMS Project: OpenNMS
- IBM: Tivoli Intelligent Orchestrator
- Novell: Novell ZENworks 7 Linux Management

Best Messaging Solution
- Mozilla Foundation: Thunderbird 1.0.5
- CommuniGate Systems; a division of Stalker Software: Communigate Pro
- Scalix: Scalix Community Edition

Best Clustering Solution
- SteelEye Technology: LifeKeeper for Linux version 5
- Red Hat: Red Hat Global File System
- HP: XC Clusters
- Appro: XtremeBlade Cluster Solutions
- Emic Networks: Emic m/cluster

Best Application Development Platform or Tool
- SlickEdit: SlickEdit v10
- Novell: Mono
- Trolltech, Inc: Qt 4
- Parasoft Corporation: Parasoft Jtest

LinuxWorld Conference and 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 and Expo web site, or call (800) 657-1474. For exhibiting opportunities, please contact Frank Netherwood at (508) 424-4860 or Frank_Netherwood@idg.com.

IDG World Expo 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 and Expo, LinuxWorld Conference and Expo, Bio IT World Conference Expo, Wireless Sensing Solutions, Syndicate, GridWorld, Real Time CRM Solutions, RoboBusiness and RoboNexus. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

International Data Group (IDG) is a 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 and Expo and DEMO and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries.

For more information about IDG, please visit: www.idg.com.

To learn more about the IDG World Expo, please visit: www.idgworldexpo.com.

For more information about the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo, please visit: www.linuxworldexpo.com.