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Linux Conference Australia Write-Up
I was actually invited to come to present the hacker survey that OSDN had done in conjunction with the Boston Consulting Group. However, upon looking at the conference plans, it was quickly apparent that that would be one of the few non-technical presentations, which was a pleasant change from my normal conference regime, in which the technical stuff seems crammed into one half day. I've heard that OLS is quite similar, but have not had a chance to attend. Nonethless, obviously my work withstanding *grin* the presentations were excellent - read the program to see for yourself.
I was able to attend Tridge's keynote, having only arrived Wednesday morning, a ARQuake presentation done by Wayne Pierkarski (we've mentioned it before). The afternoon was spent at Conrad's presentation on sweep, which is a hella cool audio app. Finally, the Q&A was Rusty, BDale, Tridge and Linus. Some of the typcial questions were asked, but there were some other questions 'round about DRM, IPv6 and some of the more social questions that were interesting. I think the DRM issues is one of the areas that some people are greatly concerned about, while other people have adopted a more Pollyana approach to it.
Unfortunately, on Friday, while I was presenting, there were two other presentations that I wanted to attend, but alas, had to speak myself. Rasmus, as usual, did a number of talks, and I was able to catch part of PHP printing with PDF, which was informative. Alex Reeder, part of VA Linux Japan also did a presentation on his work with bioauthentication, and my final piece of the show was Horms' presentation on Perdition, a mail retrieval proxy he's been working on.
But presentations aside, which were as a rule exceptional, I think one of the best parts was the relaxed feel, and the amount of interchange between just about everybody here. Almost every one that you talked to was fluent in Linux, programming or what not, which made for easy conversation with everyone there. The Perthites who really managed to put this together also did an exceptional job. To be frank, this is the only show I'd ever consider travelling 13,500 miles for.
I'd encourage anyone who attended or was part of it to post below -- and here's to looking forward to next year. One of the most amusing pictures though has to be the Linus in the penguin suit. The hats are off to the organizing team for their hard work -- and the speakers who traveled afar to be part of this. And from the wonderful uses of pizza box - yet more zaniness.
You can also check out some of photo round ups from Leon, Noel, and, of course, Marc Merlin's done a great round-up, as well as group round-up and one final one.
Overall, I highly highly recommend this show -- probably one of the best on the planet -- and for those in know, 23 will fall.
Take the World Cup... and *have* a Linux Conference.
Ah well, I suppose I can take that while sipping a pint taking in the Americas cup.
=)
You know yout can *gasp* buy and number of linux distos
Finally, of course, imagine Beowulf Cluster of those! Scary shit, I tell you!
Seriously though, Debian Bennet or Debian Duncan have much more chance of being announced.
Someone will eventually fix it with brackets.
Stanley Feinbaum, professional journalist and master( de)bater!
I even hear that rather odd fellow should up in a, get this, penguin costume! What a total embarrassment!
Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!
I was one of the "ill-dressed" speakers - usual shirt and jeans. I suspect that if I had turned up in a suit, then (a) I would have not been taken seriously, and (b) I would have been bitch-slapped by my peers. It was a technical conference - I was there to present my work to my peers, not to drum up capital.
There's your problem, buddy! What's this brown hiking boots nonsense! You have to color co-ordinate! Next conference, those boots better be black too.
-- INTX Grouch. http://www.midnightblue.net