LinuxWorld Moving to Boston

DMCBOSTON writes " LinuxWorld will be at the Hynes Auditorium in Boston, moving from NY in 2005." I'll be doing a Slashdot BOF at what I guess will now be the last New York LinuxWorld at the end of January 2004. I'll be sad to see this show move, as I always enjoy NY immensely, and seek any excuse to go there. Boston is a whole different story ;)

Comments

how about it moving every year ?

[Lumpy]

You know Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and La would be places that would really benifit from having it rotate through? or how about simply Las Vegas?

the rest of the country would like to have it closer once in a while...

Re:how about it moving every year ?

[Lumpy]

the thing is that Vegas makes it easy for anyone to go.

airfare to vegas is cheaper than taking a bus. ($49.00 round trip right now from Chicago)
the hotels ther eare dirt cheap, and there is gobs of entertainment.

that's why Comdex is set up there.. it's dirt fricking cheap for people to get and stay there. This is the opposite case for Boston.

Re:how about it moving every year ?

[wowbagger]

Saint Louis - a bit easier for the middle of the country, a more even split for the coasts, decent airport, some good things to do locally.

Dallas/Ft. Worth - same reasons.

Re:how about it moving every year ?

[catherder_finleyd]

I advocate having Linuxworld in Washington, DC. It would be a good way to increase the visibility and support of Linux by the US Federal government.

Re:how about it moving every year ?

[mark_lybarger]

It's an armpit of a city with nothing to offer beside gambling, strippers, and show biz acts

i take it you see this as a bad thing? interesting indeed.

Re:how about it moving every year ?

[NineNine]

While that's true, I don't think that Vegas would want it. Comdex is the worst couple of weeks in Vegas for business there, since all of the geeks take up space, but spend nothing. As a Vegas regular, I can tell you that NONE of the people working there like Comdex. All of the attendees seem to be cheap bastards who don't know how to have fun. Now, could you imagine COMDEX with only open source people? Jesus Christ. That'd be terrible. It's cheap to get and stay there with the expectation that normal people (such as myself) blow their wad on food, shopping, shows, gambling, etc.

higher concentration of geeks?

[Alien54]

given MIT, Havard, BU, etc, you may get a very high attendance.

On the other hand, would it be a good idea to rotate the show among a number of cities in the US and elsewhere?

Re:higher concentration of geeks?

[Dr.Enormous]

The concentration of geeks is sufficient to support a sci-fi/fantasy-only bookstore in Cambridge, so I'd say it's a pretty good choice. Add in the tons of biotech and IT startups scattered around 128, and you've pretty much got geek central.

Rrr.

[Geekwad]

There's nothing wrong with Boston.
And there's 30% less city-juice per square mile.

Why not have it in Seattle?

[Captain Tenille]

There's never any Linux or *BSD conventions in the Northwest. :-(

Sure, Microsoft's based in Washington, but there are other operating systems found here.

Re:Why not have it in Seattle?

[dollar70]

There's never any Linux or *BSD conventions in the Northwest. :-(

You should thank God you don't live in Ohio. People in these parts buy computers because it was on sale at Sears. They don't see anything wrong with the phrase, "I like Juno." Even the geeks speak with "twang". The traveling computer shows stopped coming here because they got tired of explaining why you couldn't connect a USB keyboard to a 386. In Ohio, old men masquerading as consultants buy PC's with twice the computing power of anyone they know, install 3 different anti-virus programs, brag about how great their computer works, then turn around three weeks later asking people if they know anything about computers because theirs stopped working for some reason.

I'd love to see something like LinuxWorld in Ohio.

One of the best reasons to use Linux in Ohio:
"Hey, you know something about computers, don't you?"
"Sorry, can't help. I only work on Linux based PC's."

Re:Why not have it in Seattle?

[M. Silver]

really, there's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to bring this type of "tourism" to the state of ohio.

Two words: Cedar Point.

its time two go too school two spell to.

[Talrias]

And I was to busy grinning ear to ear to notice any serious bloopers.

from the thats-really-to-bad dept.

CmdrTaco is really having problems with using "too" rather than "to" today!

Re:its time two go too school two spell to.

[Alien54]

Actually, 'to bad' is a new verb in the making

You see this in words like 'doh!'

'Doh!' = I or we did something incredibly stupid

'duh' = you or they did something incredibly stupid

Don't count your chickens yet!

[qualico]

"But Apple Computer immediately threatened to boycott the event showcasing its products, putting the move in jeopardy. After hinting it might keep the show in New York after all, "

Sounds like they are just testing waters.

I have not been to a Linux show yet, however, if I had to choose, NY would be the place I'd like to go to one.

I'll throw this serious question out there...
What benefits does one get from these shows besides a good excuse to travel and meet others in the industry?

The Internet seems to have everything I need about Linux.

Obligatory SNL quote

[trickycamel]

Seeing that it is NY vs Boston again, here goes...

Nomah is bettah!

First Macworld

[scifience]

First MacWorld, now LinuxWorld? Is NY really that bad of a place?

Pardon?

[IWantMoreSpamPlease]

>>I'll be doing a Slashdot BOF at what I guess ...

BOF?? Bastard Operator From.....Boston??

$10

[ljavelin]

And remember, the so-called "Chinatown bus lines" run between Boston and NYC for $10 a seat (one way). Pretty good if you live in NYC and want to go to Boston for LinuxWorld, but you don't have big $. It's a 4 to 5 hour trip depending on traffic.

How about Switching East and West Coast

[mr_lithic]

If it was moved every year, how about alternating between the East and West Coasts?

It would allow those who may not be able to travel the width of the US the opportunity to get to a LinuxWorld.

And hopefully it would get some more dialogue happening between people who would not normally meet other than in a Linux Newsgroup or Forum.

Rotation is good...

[WoodstockJeff]

Being in the midwest, I'd appreciate it if LinuxWorld moved around a bit. If, for example, it were in Chicago, I'd definitely attend. With it in New York, I won't (not can't - won't). Boston is a "probably not". It's more a prejudice on my part against those towns than anything else.

Other towns mentioned by posters, like Atlanta, or places like St. Louis, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, etc., are much more "pleasant" to my mind, if further from stuff like Broadway shows and such.

hey cmdrtaco...come meet me

[GillBates0]

you can find me hanging around, chilling out in my cozy cardboard box under the cambridge bridge. i shall wear my tinfoil hat so you can recognize me.

how about we hangout a bit, reading and editing slashdot together...i'll buy you a beer if you let me.

Don't go there guys !!!

[jdifool]

Coz Boston's dying... wait ... ... ... am I a newbie ?

jdif

Since it says LinuxWorld and not Linux USA

[Anonymous Coward]

Any reason not to have it in Canada. Accomodation is way cheaper than most US cities and Toronto is way cooler than most places (literally :))

Re:Since it says LinuxWorld and not Linux USA

[doktor-hladnjak]

Any reason not to have it in Canada. Accomodation is way cheaper than most US cities and Toronto is way cooler than most places (literally :))

I had a conversation once with a Canadian professor about SIGGRAPH locations one time. A few years ago, the conference was getting such large attendance that the list of North American cities that could sustain the attendance (facilities, transportation, hotels, etc.) was quite short. Toronto was capable of being on the list, but apparently many companies were strongly against it for logistical reasons.

The big reason given was that they didn't want to have to deal with getting all of the exhibition stuff (i.e. fancy booths, hardware for demonstration, mercandise to give away, etc.) through customs. For events in the US, they just load everything (of which often there's only one set which is used at all conferences) on a truck and off it goes.

Why moving every year is a BAD idea.

[doublem]

My girlfriend is involved in event planning, and it's hard enough to plan an event that takes place in the same venue every year. Just changing the facility and keeping the same city is a headache.

Between the venue's contracts, union woes and all the other issues, you really need people local to the area to avoid being gouged on price at every turn.

Moving to a new city every year is a cute idea, the the expense and the pain is not worth it. For large events, you'd want to be lining up the staff a t least a year and a half in advance.

Hell, I remember my girlfriends telling me about the pain from the last time Arisia tried to change the hotel they use!

Not pretty. Not pretty at all.

Newsflash - Debian does Dallas!

[heironymouscoward]

Just in, news that LinuxWorld is forking. Following the Debian development model, LinuxWorld will henceforth be produced in three parallel versions.

LinuxWorld Stable ("Boston") will provide only the most tried and tested packages. We can recommend LinuxWorld Stable aka Boston to all those who need reliability and conformity above all.

Linux World Unstable ("Las Vagas") will provide early access to new packages. We can recommend LinuxWorld LV to those seeking the thrill of the unknown.

Finally, LinuxWorld Experimental ("Silicon Valley") hosts primarily vapourware packages that are best tried before the coke kick wears off. We recommend LinuxWorld SV to all regular users.

End of news flash.

Doesn't matter to me

[sfjoe]

When you're in San Francisco, the whole country is "the east bay".

NYC conventions are a rip-off for all involved

[lysium]

Organized crime runs the Javtis Convention Center, mainly through the unions. Sponsors, vendors, and visitors alike are gouged. Floor space is outrageously expensive (the .Org pavillion barely afforded the 2003 space it was alloted), unionized employees are required for all functional duties (Teamsters for loading/unloading, another union for food prep, a third union for security personnel, etc.) and come with onerous restrictions. And as any Javits visitor can attest, an awful, low-quality lunch will cost you $10.

I do not blame them for moving to Boston, even though it means that I will miss LinuxWorld next year. Let NYC rot in its own greed, I say....

==========

way to go

[SuperBanana]

Boston is a whole different story

Ahhh, NYC snobbism. Way to go, I'll be sure to stop by and visit you now that you've insulted the city I love. You know what? NYC isn't nearly what it's cracked up to be. I've been. I hated it.

What does NYC have that Boston(and, for that matter, any other city) doesn't? This "NYC, the greatest city in the world" crap is just that- a bunch of crap.

Boston vs NYC:

• Parking is easier(believe it or not)
• Boston drivers may be insane, but they're reasonably polite. NYC drivers are suicidal- and downright mean.
• It's safer- crime's a fraction of NYC
• By the time Linuxworld gets here, the Big Dig will be totally done and traffic smooth- and you'll be able to get to Boston downtown from the airport in a matter of maybe 5-10 minutes, and out of the city in 15. Try that in NYC.
• Boston/eastern MA is the birthplace of the revolution. 30 minutes out from Boston is Concord, MA- the first major battle in the revolution.
• Boston actually has charm. NYC has nothing but rudeness, dirt, crime, overpopulation...
• Where else can you take a tour that's half on land, half on water, SAME vehicle? Hmm?
• Museum of Science. Museum of Fine Arts. New England Aquarium. Quincy Market. Fanuel Hall. Old Meetinghouse church.
• MIT. Harvard. Tufts. BC. BU. Northeastern. In fact, MA as a whole has more colleges than any other state- something like 220 total.
• Our subway costs HALF yours. The system may be dirty+unpredictable, but did I mention it costs half?
• Our mayor doesn't suck. In fact, he gets re-elected. Imagine that. He also doesn't support a police department that beats up minorities and officers that get routinely arrested for drunk driving.

Re:way to go

[ImNotThatSmart]

ive never seen someone whine so much about a city. I think you forgot how good the ppl's hearts are in NY especially since 9-11. Remember the blackout a few months ago. Zero riots. Zero looting. Crime is down. I dont know what your talking about w/ the dirt, crime, rudeness. Guiliani finished his term and it was time for a new mayor. I think every police dept beats up minorities and drives drunk.
If Boston is the birthplace of the revolution, that means they all rioted. Doesnt it mean its the birthplace of crime then.
NYs got the Met, Guggenheim, MoMa, Bx Zoo, so its got culture too. Not to mention broadway, times square, and rockefeller.
Our subway is huge. It can bring u anywhere in the city.
NYC certainly doesnt have the best schools but Columbia and NYU arent exactly trash.
If youve ever been to the javitts center, where linux world is held, you'd know that its remote from the busy streets and your illusions of dirt and crime. You dont have to worry!
I dont even know why im arguing with you, I went to linuxworld 2002 and i thought it was BORING.

Re:way to go

[no reason to be here]

Parking is easier(believe it or not)
Yes, but in NYC, you don't need a car.
Boston drivers may be insane, but they're reasonably polite. NYC drivers are suicidal- and downright mean.
I've driven in both cities. There's really no difference. And, again, you don't need a car in NYC.
It's safer- crime's a fraction of NYC
Proof? Crime is in fact very low through most of NYC ('cept south Bronx). Last time I was in NYC, I stayed in a hotel in Harlem. Felt perfectly safe, even coming back to my hotel after midnight.
By the time Linuxworld gets here, the Big Dig will be totally done and traffic smooth- and you'll be able to get to Boston downtown from the airport in a matter of maybe 5-10 minutes, and out of the city in 15. Try that in NYC.
I'll give you this one. Then again, I hate Logan Airport. I'd much rather deal with Laguardia or JFK.
Boston/eastern MA is the birthplace of the revolution. 30 minutes out from Boston is Concord, MA- the first major battle in the revolution.
This has to do with... If you really want to push a patriotic angle, well, Statue of Liberty, WTC site. Also where the Federalist Papers were published, and the site of the first presidential innauguration.
Boston actually has charm. NYC has nothing but rudeness, dirt, crime, overpopulation...
Umm, you didn't go anywhere in NYC, did you? There are plenty of charming places: Little Italy, Chinatown, etc.
Where else can you take a tour that's half on land, half on water, SAME vehicle? Hmm?
Museum of Science. Museum of Fine Arts. New England Aquarium. Quincy Market. Fanuel Hall. Old Meetinghouse church.
MOMA, The Met, The Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, Central Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Empire State Building.
MIT. Harvard. Tufts. BC. BU. Northeastern. In fact, MA as a whole has more colleges than any other state- something like 220 total.
True.
Our subway costs HALF yours. The system may be dirty+unpredictable, but did I mention it costs half?
Like you said, it's dirty and unpredictable. You get what you pay for.
Our mayor doesn't suck. In fact, he gets re-elected. Imagine that. He also doesn't support a police department that beats up minorities and officers that get routinely arrested for drunk driving.
Umm, what? Giuliani wasn't voted out of office. He was inelligible to run because of term limits. Bloomberg hasn't been up for reelection, yet. And every police department beats up minorities. It's true in boston, NYC, and where I am currently (Dallas). It's also true of Cinncinnatti, LA, Philadelphia, and any other big city.

Fact of the matter is, I really like boston. My fiance and I will be either living there, NYC, or Austin (depends on where she goes to grad school). However, there is this insane inferiority complex that a lot of bostonians have with regard to new york. But, NYC isn't for everyone. you have to have a certain toughness and attitude. As my fave t-shirt says, "New York: where the weak are killed and eaten."

Oh, yeah: Red Sox suck. Go Yankees!

Re:way to go

[mrisaacs]

Dont want to rain on your parade, but according to the latest FBI stats, NYs crime rate is considerably lower than Bostons. In some cases half.

The raw numbers are much higher, but then there are almost 16X as many more people in NY.

No-one in their right mind wants to drive in Manhattan, but then no-one really has to, the trains busses and cabs do a pretty good job of getting people around. Sadly they don't serve Javits too well.

Re:way to go

[akiaki007]

Well, being from NYC, I have to reply. Yes, I've been to Boston, so I think my answers are justified.

Parking is easier when compared to Mahattan. There is more to NYC than just 1 borough.

I'm sorry, but I think Boston driving is worse than NYC driving, and I've done both. Perhaps this is a matter of opinion, but that is what I think. Also, the last time I drove there, there weren't any lane markers on half the roads...that's just silly! Oh, and to make traffic during rush hour faster they turn all the traffic lights to blinking red/orange lights and I got stuck on the wrong end of that light...

According to recent reports (about 1 week ago) NYC crime rate per population is the lowest of cities larger than 100,000 across the nation. In fact it's dropped over the past 2 years. I'm sorry, but now you're just making things up.

skipping down a few, because I don't feel like listing every historical site in NYC...Boston vs NYC rudeness is a matter of your opinion. I've actually found the people here to be very nice, if you attempt to try to talk to more than one person. Sure people are rude, but that's the case in Middletown USA as well.

Museums, you want me to list em? I guarantee you that there are more in NYC that in Boston.

NYC has the most efficient subway system in the country.

Our mayor doesn't suck either. What else are you supposed to do when you're deal the worst hand in poker? He's given a terrible situation with terrble deficits with businesses wanting to leave, and he's been able to tough it out and generate money for the city. He might not be able to win again, but he was able to do more with his situation, than most politicians would have been able to.

Now, given your first statement "Ahhh, NYC snobbism", your's is worse because it's hypocritic. Pathetic. You should learn to do as your say before you expect others to.

Oh, and just to be a snob...when was the last time Boston won a World Series :)

Exhibitors aren't paying for geeks

[Anonymous Coward]

An exhibitor's ability to make back the $20-100k+ cost of exhibiting at a single trade show and get a return better than alternative uses of that money is likely more dependent on the concentration of serious large scale information technology buyers and potential partner companies.

Manhattan has Wall Street and many more corporate headquarters. The number and level of buyers attending LinuxWorld is likely to be much higher. So, it is much easier to believe that the $20-100k+ of total cost to exhibit at a single trade show would be recovered quickly and at a better return than alternative uses of that money if it is in New York.

I could see an argument for having the eastern LinuxWorld in other cities on alternate years to address pent up demand, but I think that New York is still where demand is likely to be highest.

If IDG keeps trying to move its trade shows from New York to elsewhere, I think will create an opportunity for a competitor.

Re:Hey Taco! Why not team up with the Ars crew...

[leifm]

Yeah, it'd be like Bevis and Butthead teaming up with Bill Moyers!

I'd like to see a LinuxWorld in Linden, Utah

[cheesedog]

Really, I would. It would be a great excuse to take a trip back to Utah, just to see the the jello wrestle fight between Darl McBride and Bruce Parens.

Come on, you can't tell me that wouldn't beat anything you can see in Boston or NY.

And I live in Boston, BTW.

LinuxWorld moving to from NY to Boston?

[WIAKywbfatw]

Yeah, like that's a fair trade for Babe Ruth and almost a century of pain.

Mmm booze...

[radicalskeptic]

I live about a block from the Hynes Conevention Center, and there are about 4 bars right on the other side of the street from the place. But I'm sure that had nothing to do with the decision... nothing at all... ; )

Cheaper for me!

[BookRead]

I went to Linux World a couple of years ago. I like NYC generally but the credit card takes a beating. And at the Javits you're hostage to the ridiculously expensive, horrible food.

Macworld used to be here and had its best attendance here before it went to NYC.

You probably won't need a car. If it's at the Hynes (rather than the new Convention Center in South Boston) the food court at the Prudential is OK and there's tons of other fun, distracting things to do in the neighborhood. If it's in the new Convention Center you'll probably be staying in hotels near the Prudential anyway and the shuttles will bring you back. And Boston is a walking town. (Tho' I did walk back from the Javits up to B'way and 52nd once just for the color on Seventh Ave.)

I'll definitely be there. Of course, I live in Boston. This saves me buckets of dough. :-)

Definition of city-juice

[Medievalist]

That substance, exuded by humans pressed together too tightly (as fruitcake in a juicer) that causes politeness to evaporate, intelligence to rot, and cars to get dented.

See here for more information.

Central US?

[Ann Elk]

How about Kansas? It's inconvenient enough to piss off everyone, and your boss/wife/whatever will absolutely know it's not just a boondoggle...

Cars?

[Hoi Polloi]

"Yes, but in NYC, you don't need a car."

Join the club, and maybe actually visit Boston before commenting on it. I've lived very comfortably in Boston for a while without a car. The T goes to pretty much anywhere in the city you need to go. The only time you need one is to take road trips, something you'd need a car for in NYC also.