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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.
I found Ablabla.org' write-up to be more informative, and less full of the typos inherent in any Slashdot article.
I attended this conference and I generally had a good time but there is one point I must address, and this is not exclusive to just this linux conference.
Many companies attend these conferences to learn about the latest in linux technology and possibly invest in some of it. It is important at any conference to be professional and polite, but also to be well put together. I noticed many of the linux 'tech' guys were extremely ill dressed, including unwashed flannel sweaters and dirty hiking boots (worn indoors!). Aside from other journalists and a few company representatives, I did not see any dress shoes or ties in site. I mean, this isn't the same thing as lounging around one's apartment eating cheetoes and coding, this is supposed to be a professional conference! I dearly hope that linux guys will take note of this and possible dress more respectfully at the next event. Take a word of advice from a professional journalist: dress to impress.
Stanley Feinbaum, professional journalist and master debater! God bless the USA!
Hello,
I was unfortunate enough to get an invitation for this conferance. Maybe I should give a little background on myself without giving my identity (I'm a german citizen with a Austrian and Egyptian parent) thus I have ended up with a Muslim last name. I'm not fantical or anything, I'm just an opensource developer and I work for a major project.
We were not officially funded by the organizers as Alan was, so we had to come up with sponsors. Lucky for us we had few in the wings (certain companies that would never die). There were 3 of us in our group.
My trip to Australia was uneventful. The real shit started happening the momentment I was asked my name at the immigration desk.
The clerk in question (from the badge it said Andrew M*), pointed out my last name and asked me what my relation was to Islam. Even though I am not very religious, I do not go around saying what I am not, thus I told them that I'm a muslim and been so since birth. At this point Andrew M* told me to wait, then he disappeared into the Quantas counter and came out with a tall fellow named Ben C*. Ben C* waved my other companians away and told me to follow him.
I followed him to the office inside where he told me to sit down and tell him about my visit to Australia. I told him everthing about Linux and KDE and what I am here for. I even took out my laptop and showed him Linux (he had never seen Linux and was quite interested).. anyway Ben C* was pretty pleasent. A few mins later there was a knock on the door and an uniformed officer appeared.
The office told me to follow him (I did not have time to ask or look at his name). I followed him to offices upstairs. In this office there were two other men waiting for us, they were not wearing any uniforms, but they informed me that they were Australia police. I was asked to sit down at a table and tell them who I was. I did this once again, and explained about Linux and KDE, they were not interested (also being German my spoken English is not as good as my written English).
The two officers who did not introduce themselves (Officer X and Y), then asked me a series of questions regarding various global stuff. I answered negativly to all of them, and at this point I pointed out to them that I am a german citizen and if I was under arrest or not, if so if I could contact any of my travelling party or my embassy here.
When I prostested again why I was being held, Office X grabbed hold of my shirt ripped two of buttons from the top. He then pointed his other hand at my eyes and told me that I have no right to talk that I only answer their questions and if I say anything more I would not like the end effect.
Being non-aggrassive, I nodded in aggrement, he got his hold of me and moved to the end of the room and Officer Y came towards me and asked me questions similar to the first list he asked, I once again denied anything. He said I was not German that my passport was manifactured in India and so on.
I have Asthma and at this point I started to feel a mild attack, I told Office Y about it and he started going through my bag looking for my medicial box, at this point I had difficulty breathing but he was going through it slowly. Officer Y took the box out and my respirator and gave it to Officer X. I looked at him and pushed the respirator at my face, I started to inhale on it then he pulled out immeditaly. He asked me to answer their questions or else they would not give me the medicine. I pleaded with him and told him I had no idea what he was saying that I was just a software engineer.
After a while he gave me the device and I used it to help myself. He dragged me up again by my shirt and this time he hit me. When I woke up I was no longer with them and my companions were with me also a Deutsch representitive was with them. My face hurt and I had blood on my shirt. They put me in a car and took me to the hospital where I had a broken nose and fractured rib, I did not know what they had done while I was passed away.
Our representitve got a police highup to come and take my complaint, but the police said they had no say that it was not their branch that I could lodge a complaint but if I didn't know the names of my aslaints I did not have any chance of success. I asked Ben C* about the officers, but he said they were not the usual ones that they just came when they heard about my name.
I left Australia as soon as I could I would never return to that place again.