David Brin is a scientist, public speaker, author and technology innovator. His 1989 ecological thriller, Earth, foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and the world wide web. A 1998 movie was loosely based on The Postman. His fifteen novels, including New York Times bestsellers and winners of the Hugo Award, have been translated into more than twenty languages.

David's non-fiction book -- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Make Us Choose Between Freedom and Privacy? -- won the Freedom of Speech Award of the American Library Association and established him as a leading commentator on cutting-edge Information Age issues.  He speaks and consults widely on future trends, ranging from nanotechnology  to creativity to national defense

David Brin's technical background includes a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from UCSD, a bachelor's degree from Caltech and experience on the technical staff at both Hughes Aircraft Research Labs and the California Space Institute. 

For more information see http://www.davidbrin.com/

Mark Burgess brings decades of experience with internet services and software design as CEO and founder of sandiego.com, Inc., a leading city site and local portal provider for the San Diego region. He serves as director of the Media Arts Center of San Diego, director on the board for the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce and was one of the first 500 certified Project Management Professionals (PMP). Former association positions include director of Professional Development for the Computer and Electronics Marketing Association (now HTMA) and founder of the Clarion User Group.

His knowledge of the industry also arose from years as a respected commentator, editor and contributor for PC World, e-business Advisor magazine, Databased Advisor magazine, Windows Tech Journal, DBMS Magazine and Security Advisor magazine. Burgess was founder of software development house Knowledge Works, Inc. and served as Publications Administrator for the General Dynamics Electronics Division, San Diego.

Having grown up in Montana, Mark's education background includes a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona.

Book publications include: Using Clarion Professional Developer (Addison Wesley 1991) and Advanced Visual Basic (Addison Wesley 1994), co-author Construction Paperwork (R.S.Means 1989).

John Land has over 25 years' experience general counseling in intellectual property law and in the areas of technology and intellectual property licensing. A graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of Southern California School of Law, he has frequently lectured in the field of computer law, is a co-author of Patent Damages Law & Practice (West Group 1999), and has served as a patent and trade secret expert in a number of trials.

John is a past Chair of the Law and Technology Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a member of the California Bar and the American Bar Association, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.