GGF eNewsletter - December 15, 2005 1. GGF16 Program to Focus on Production Grid Interoperability 2. Usage Record Draft Specification enters public comment 3. Special GGF16 Registration and Hotel rates ================ 1. GGF16 Program emphasizes Production Grid Interoperability Keynote presentations by Ian Foster and David Snelling lead the program offering at the upcoming GGF16 in Athens, Greece, February 13-16. The event theme is Production Grids: The Path to Global Interoperability. With production grids a reality in nearly every part of the world, GGF16 will take on the next challenge working proactively with the community to enable these Grids to interoperate. Key decision-makers from multiple large-scale grid projects will leverage current experiences to define a simple set of services for routine interoperation between grid projects with the expectation of full interoperability in 4 to 6 target areas by the end of 2006. In a year where GGFs standards activities will be emphasizing interoperability, the GGF16 theme dovetails perfectly with the over 65 group sessions planned in Athens. While the majority of these sessions will involve heads-down specification and best practice work, the program will feature a workshop on the recently published Job Submission Description Language (JSDL) specification. The program will also give insight into how enterprises are moving towards interoperable grids within firms and shared grids between intermediate suppliers and final producers (as in autos or aerospace). A tutorial on "Grid Primer for Managers" will introduce the essential elements of grids, the business value of grids for organizations, and how to take the next step toward leveraging grids for business advantage. GGF16 will also include keynotes and grid program updates organized by event hosts GRNet (Greek Research and Technology Network). GRNets contribution to the program will provide updates on EGEE, Open Science Grid, HELLASGRID, APGrid, Teragrid, DEISA, Nordugrid, and other regional grid activities. A full listing of the GGF16 program may be found at: http://www.ggf.org/GGF16/ggf_events_schedule_ggf16.htm Advanced registration ends this week (December 17) so register today at the GGF web site, http://www.ggf.org/GGF16/ggf_events_regstrtn_ggf16.htm. 2. Five draft specifications in public comment pipeline The public comment "pipeline" just received a new addition bringing the total to five draft recommendations! The Usage Record Format draft joins the WSRF Profile, WS-Agreement, CDDLM API, and SAML for Authorization drafts that are currently available for download and comment. The Usage Record Format document describes a common format for exchanging basic accounting and usage data over the grid. The public comment period is a critical part of GGF's document process and allows the broader grid community to read and comment on draft documents. Visit the public comment portion of GGF's website (http://www.ggf.org/ggf_docs_public.htm) to download and comment on these important drafts. 3. GGF16 Registration Incentives *GGF16 Registration In addition to substantial savings, those individuals who register during the early registration period which expires on December 17, 2005 will be entered into a drawing to take place during the opening session. Mark Linesch will randomly select 5 winners to receive special GGF16 VIP prize packages. Register now at http://www.ggf.org/GGF16/ggf_events_regstrtn_ggf16.htm to become eligible for the drawing! *GGF16 Special Hotel Rates Book your hotel reservation now at the GGF16 conference hotel, the Divani Caravel in Athens. The special rate of 120Euro/night won't last long! http://www.ggf.org/GGF16/ggf_events_lodging_ggf16.htm To opt out of this message, please send an email to postmater@ggf.org requesting removal. Steve Crumb Executive Director, Global Grid Forum scrumb@ggf.org