Hundreds of open source software aficionados will congregate in Wellington this January for the Linux.conf.au conference (LCA2010).

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is a leading sponsor of LCA2010, which brings together Australasian and international open source practitioners who contribute to the Linux operating system and other open source projects.

Keynote speeches will be delivered by several high-profile open source exponents including technology writer Glyn Moody, New York-based media professor Gabriella Coleman, MIT researcher Benjamin "Mako" Hill and New Zealand technologist Nathan Torkington.

Other speakers include Australian computer programmer Andrew Tridgell, free software advocate Rusty Russell, HP Linux CTO Bdale Garbee and Debian developer Keith Packard.

Nearly 500 people have registered for the conference, being held from 18 - 23 January at the Wellington Convention Centre.

"Open source technology continues to play a key role in the operations of the Internet," says InternetNZ Policy Director Jordan Carter.

"I strongly encourage all New Zealanders with an interest in open source to attend to further their technical skills and understanding of how open source works."

Registrations close 24 December.