Linuxfest Northwest 2004 Wrap-up
prostoalex writes "Linuxfest Northwest 2004 took place in Bellingham, WA this past Saturday, as announced on Slashdot before. Check out the ever-expanding photo album and what people are saying in their blogs. I also have an extensive and highly subjective write-up on my site, but I can only vouch for the events I've been to myself. Compare that to Linuxfest 2000 coverage to see how things have changed."
I had a great time at the Fest, as usual.
I do have some nitpicks about the original Slashdot poster's article. The original poster doesn't seem to have noticed (about Jakob Perry's talk in particular) that there was a newbie track of talks. Perry's talk was in that track. I do agree that tracks should be better marked, although the talk is clearly listed under 'newbie track' on the presentation schedule handout.
I presented two talks (one impromptu when the first one had standing room only) in the newbie track. Last year I presented a hands on tutorial on Glade. My talks this year and last year were very well attended. The new classrooms at BTC worked marvelously for the presentations I saw. I found the projector system to be really well integrated, and it worked with my 5 year old laptop (running Linux), without a problem.
As a presenter, I am working on getting my slides up on the 'net. However, I don't like to just put the slides up, I like to create a bit more content, as the slides for me are just aids for my presentation. I assume other presenters feel the same, and are working on getting their lectures online. So give us some time, if you will.
Getting presenters to post a lecture before it happens will be difficult as well, especially if they are creating new content for the event. As we are not professional speakers, it is a bit unrealistic to expect us to have something ready for publication before we give the lecture.
I think BLUG does a great job putting this event on year after year, and I'm proud to help support it. I've always had a blast when I've attended, and am already planning on attending next year. This is a real grassroots event, without corporate sponsorship and suits, without even an entry fee.
Kudos to BLUG, TACLUG, GSLUG, KPLUG, and all the other Lugs and linux afficionados that make this event so educational, entertaining and fun.