Linux Beer Hike Goes to Ireland

Jim Gleason sent us a notice of the upcoming Linux Beer Hike 2002: ""Linuxbierwanderung," a.k.a. The Linux Beer Hike or LBW for short, is an annual summer event in which Linux users from around the world meet in a region with a high density of brew pubs. The objectives are valorous - hike to the pub, drink beer and exchange ideas until closing time, then hack Linux through until it's morning again. Upwards of 100 people plan to rendez-vous on the west coast of Ireland to enjoy the fast bandwidth and attend one of the ad hoc technical seminars. Pints of local ale and traditional Irish music should only help foster a nourishing environment for a week's worth of serious Linux use. Funded by a small voluntary donation from each attendee, it is unclear if one can obtain a receipt. This sounds like a tax-deductible business trip to me."

The Linux Beer Hike Hits Ireland

Doolin, Ireland -- 23 July 2002 -- "Linuxbierwanderung," (also known as The Linux Beer Hike - LBW for short) will take place this year in the village of Doolin, August 24-31, 2002, on the west coast of Ireland. Now in its fourth year, LBW has travelled to Bavaria in Germany, the Lake District in England and the Ardennes in Belgium.

Upwards of 100 people have attended LBWs in the past, and even with above average rainfall in Ireland this year, no one is disheartened. The Russell Community Centre located near the Cliffs of Moher, has been confirmed as the base of operations for the event and where the weather is lacking, the fast connectivity and interplay of technological ideas (not to mention the "special recipe" brew being cooked up to commemorate the occasion) should more than compensate.

Funded by a small voluntary donation from each hiker, The Linux Beer Hike is a week-long, international summer event in which Linux users from around the world get together, exchange ideas, hack Linux, drink beer, take in a little local scenery and have a lot of fun. It is a great way for Linux users who correspond all year long via e-mail, to meet one another face-to-face. It is also a chance to work on Linux far into the night, compute with abandon, and conceive of the utterly cool. "It's the ultimate Linux users holiday" says Willem Konynenberg, a former organiser.

Planned events:
* technical seminars
* caving, golf, touring local castles and other sights
* having a pint in the local pub and listening to traditional Irish music

There is an active mailing list and information on how to join The Linux Beer Hike can be found on the main web page: http://www.lbw2002.draiocht.net.

Comments

But....

[Captain Pedantic]

Will the beer be free?

Re:L eg B efore W icket?

[umm qasr]

For those not from Commonwealth countries, this is a cricketing term... Yes, that game Cricket, that Americans have heard of, but cannot fathom--it is not baseball.

LBW is a way you can get out. Basically its when you put your leg in the way of the stumps (aka wicket) to protect from a ball you could not hit. Debates have spanned years on whether this is an appropriate rule, and if it can ever be accurately ruled upon.

Funny thing is, I am Australian, been to an LBW (Linux Beer Hike), but never noticed the correlation to the cricketing LBW...weird.

Selling it to the Boss

[MosesJones]

You: I have to go to a conference on dynamic fluid-driven next generation systems. Its called the "LBW" which means "Leading Business through Webvolution".

Boss: What benefits will we see ?

You: Our servers will run quicker (note to self: disable SMP on the servers before I go), we'll be better prepared for Webservices (note to self: install the Apache Webservices stuff, ask someone in the pub which one to use). And of course we will be seen as leaders within this technical and business community

Boss: If its business why are you going ?

You: Remember at my last appraisal where you said I didn't understand the business drivers, I've learnt from your behaviour (Note: Vendor paid for Golf days) and think this would help me develop as you wanted me to.

Boss: How much is it

You: I've got a complimentary ticket, I just need the expenses signed off (Note: Can I pay for the admin in beer?)

Boss: How come its compilmentary ?

You: Because of the articles I've been writing on Webvolution (Note: Slashdot log counts doesn't it?)

Boss: Oh, wow, I'll set a limit of (Note to self from Boss: Umm I'd blow 2k in a week, so..) £500.

You: (Note to self: Ryanair, car hire, hotels, beer.. thats too little) Sure and I'll book the hotel via the department (Note: Therefore it will be on the massive budget sheet with all of your jollies)

But remember to buy some naff toys and claim they are vendor gifts.

LBW pictures (Re: Cool idea!)

[umm qasr]

Pictures from all previous (and the next, when it is completed) are here.

Linux has not improved my quality of life

[Mattygfunk]

hike to the pub, drink beer and exchange ideas until closing time, then hack Linux through until it's morning again.

There once was a time in my life that after going to the pub I wouldn't be coding, but going to the strippers with the rest of the boys.

You lot have corrupted me.

Fast bandwidth?

[anticypher]

the west coast of Ireland to enjoy the fast bandwidth

Huh? The community centre has a single basic rate ISDN line, so max they'll have a 128kbps connection to the outside world. DSL? Not anytime soon. The LBW isn't about bandwidth, its about the beer, the exercise, and Linux.

But assuming they install some 10/100 hubs in the centre, then locally they'll have a nice little LAN party.

the AC

Ireland - the Internet dirt track of Europe

[DrXym]

It's sad to say, but Ireland has absolutely the worst internet service you're likely to find anywhere in Europe. ADSL is practically non-existent, wireless is non-existent and most "power-users" are still stuck using ISDN or 56k modems still. Some third world countries offer a better service!

Anyone coming the beer hike better realise this. The only saving grace as far as visitors are concerned is there are several "free" ISPs, i.e. no subscription, you just pay for the phone call.

Re:ta bearla agat?

[Draoi]

That should be deich pionta ... Here's a list of more numbers;

Aon - one
Dó - two
Trí - three
Ceathar - four
Cúig - five
Sé - six
Seacht - seven
Naoí - nine
Deich - ten

If you're ordering more than ten - yee-harr! :-) Note that you use a different terms for counting people in Irish.

BTW - there's Linux in the Gaeltacht. I know of the Gaeilge GNU/Linux localisation project. Also, there's this company, which I helped set up. They produce Linux-based network devices for small business. Some of the source-code comments are in Irish ... 8-)