Linuxfest Northwest 2004

An Yong Zheng writes "Linuxfest Northwest is back, and it's better than ever! LFNW is a showcase for what Northwest Linux users are doing with Linux and open source software. It's a place for Linux enthusiasts to get together to share their passion for what good software can do. It also happens to be the biggest grass roots Linux event in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. It's sponsored by a consortium of regional linux users groups from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, British Columbia, Canada and hosted by the Bellingham Tech. college."

Comments

Re:What?

[abradsn]

We're bi-operatingsystem-ual out here.

I am slightly bitter

[tomcio.s]

So I wonder what makes this event deserve an announcement on Slashdot, versus OSW (Canadian event) for which my story has been rejected.

I am glad that stuff like this gets posted, but seriously, why can't we have equality around here?

Re:I am slightly bitter

[TyrelHaveman]

I was a bit suprised to see such a thing posted as well. But I won't complain, I'll probably be going.

Where is it, again?

[Rick the Red]

in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia

British Columbia is part of the Pacific Northwest.

This is like saying "Europe and England" or "Asia and Japan."

Re:Where is it, again?

[Anonymous Coward]

Erm, British Columbia is part of the United States. Canada is a state, you know.

Re:Where is it, again?

[nadda]

British Columbia is part of the Pacific Northwest.
Wouldn't AK be closer to the 'pacific northwest', in your line of thought? Wouldn't BC be the west if you ask Canadians?

Pacific Northwest is more descriptive of WA,OR,ID when in the US context.

Re:Where is it, again?

[Rick the Red]

Wouldn't AK be closer to the 'pacific northwest', in your line of thought?

Yes.

Pacific Northwest is more descriptive of WA,OR,ID when in the US context.

A. Who said this has to be a "US context"?
B. What is "Pacific" about Idaho? I didn't list Idaho, you did.
C. In a continental, North American context, you have to include British Columbia in the Pacific Northwest. The line between Canada and the USA is a European line, not a distinction drawn by the original inhabitants.

Re:Where is it, again?

[nadda]

A. No one. I'm trying to figure how BC could be Pacific Northwest.
B. I've seen references to those 3 states being the Pacific NW.
C. The line between CA and US may be a European line, but it is our border now.

Re:Where is it, again?

[Rick the Red]

I'm trying to figure how BC could be Pacific Northwest.

Look at a map of North America.

Re:Where is it, again?

[His name cannot be s]

I'm sure that from someone's perspective that it may be, but speaking as a Canadian, I *Know* that when someone says "Pacific Northwest" that they mean the northwestern states.

From My perspective, BC is "West" not "Northwest"... If you asked what was "northwest" in Canada, you'd find the Yukon. :p

Stupid question, but

[prostoalex]

Do you have to register? I couldn't find any forms, and I am assuming that seating for the events is limited, since they have some seminars overlapping.

Also, what's the fee?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Check your map!

[Anonymous Coward]

British Columbia is part of the Pacific Northwest.

WTF? British Columbia is not part of the Pacific Northwest. What is northwest about BC unless you live in the USA? If you look a map that puts the USA into perspective, you'll see that the only thing "northwest" about Washington, Oregon, etc. is that they're the northwestern most states. They're farther south than nearly anything in Canada, and since BC is in Canada, I have to say that there's nothing Northwest about it.

For example, Vancouver is unarguably part of the "South Coast". If you live in BC, that phrase is used everywhere in news and media. Would you agree then that Bellingham is part of the "South Coast" because it's only a few miles away? See, probably not.

Likewise, would you consider Spokane to be part of the Southern Interior? Because that's what their close neighbours in BC are part of.

The true Pacific Northwest of Canada would be, hmmm, I suppose the northern parts of Vancouver Island.

Taking the Lower-50-centricity out of it, the -real- absolute Pacific Northwest would refer to parts of Alaska.

Re:Check your map!

[Rick the Red]

If you look a map that puts the USA into perspective, you'll see that the only thing "northwest" about Washington, Oregon, etc. is that they're the northwestern most states.

You mean a map like this? Can you honestly look at that map and tell me that British Columbia is not in the Pacific Northwest?

the -real- absolute Pacific Northwest would refer to parts of Alaska

I never said Alaska was not in the Pacific Northwest. By disagreeing with what I did say, you're claiming that British Columbia is not. OK, then where is BC? The Artic Southwest? I stand by my statement.

Re:Check your map!

[Rick the Red]

Upon further reflection, the true Pacific Northwest would be Kamchatka.

Oh, wait, that's Northwest Pacific. Nevermind.

Re:Check your map!

[Anonymous Coward]

You mean a map like this? Can you honestly look at that map and tell me that British Columbia is not in the Pacific Northwest?

I looked at the map. I agree with the previous poster: BC is not part of the Pac NW.

First of all, with the possible exception of part of Alaska, the entire "left" coast of that continent is both Pacific and West. So one of those two are redundant, clearly. Why say both Pacific and West?! Anyways, if I was from the USA, I'd be happy with either North Pacific US or Northwest US. Either would be logical, descriptive, and you wouldn't have to explain it to outsiders.

Now you must agree that labels are generally useful only if they convey some information without confusion or additional explanation required. And people, from Wikipedians to Geographers to schoolchildren to businesspeople, are NOT going to agree that Alaska is part of the Pacific Northwest, so clearly your "look at the map" idea is foolish. The Pacific Northwest refers to the northwestern United States of America. It's a strong economic and cultural force, which is why Vancouverites especially tend to join their bandwagon of activities, media, etc.

If you want to include Canada, which I think is questionable but possible, you MUST include that which is farther north and west including parts of Alaska, and you're just never going to get people to go along with that. Labels need popular consensus to be useful, and including Alaska in the Pacific Northwest label doesn't have it. Neither does Canada.

Show us popular Alaskan acceptance of Pac NW first (the most logical candidate to be included in the label), and we can talk about southwestern Canada next.

Schedule of events looks good...

[tcopeland]

....right here.

Some cool speakers will be there - Dennis Sosnoski (various Java stuff), Rasmus Lerdorf (PHP).

Re:Bellingham?

[Neil Blender]

The three biggest cities in the PNW are Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Seattle is halfway between Portland and Vancouver. Plus there are far bigger cities to the south of Seattle like Tacoma, Olympia and Vancouver, Wa. Also, Linux needs to ditch its 'dirty hippy' culture and Bellingham is dirty hippy central. It might as well be the Linux/Hemp/Howard Dean convention and it might as well be held at a campground.

Re:Bellingham?

[Maxwell309]

I propose the next lfnw be in Redmond. Maybe Microsoft Research will loan us the space.