Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = Penguicon3.0

AciDive writes "Everyone's favorite Michigan based Linux and Scifi convention is back for another year. Penguicon is pleased to announce that this years guests will include: Cory Doctorow, Kevin Siembieda, Nat Torkington, Joan D. Vinge, Dr. Peter Salus, Eugene "ROD" Roddenberry Jr, Kathe Koja, Joey deVilla, Cathy Raymond, Alice Taylor, Eric Raymond, Jeff "Hemos" Bates, Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda, Howard Tayler and Luke Ski. Pre-Registration for Penguicon will be open until Friday April 8, 2005, and yes if you miss the pre-reg date you can register at the door. Penguicon has a full schedule of Linux and Sci-fi related panels slated for this year so don't miss it (we have panels for everyone from the beginner to the l33t h4x0r). Penguicon will be held on April 22-24, 2005 @ the Novi Sheraton in Novi Michigan." I don't usually plug local stuff, but this show is a truly unique blend of Linux & Scifi and one of my favorites. This will be my third year speaking, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll post more in my journal as I figure out scheduling. At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session.

Comments

ARRRRGGHHHHH!!!

[suitepotato]

Why does this have to be so far away when I am stacked with so many bills?!

Please, those of you who do go, blog away. I want to hear how this went. Many people will be very appreciative since we're stuck as desks half a nation or more away.

Re:ARRRRGGHHHHH!!!

[QuijiboIsAWord]

since we're stuck as desks half a nation or more away

And I thought MY job was bad...

Re:ARRRRGGHHHHH!!!

[BlastedBill]

Hey, that's not an excuse. We had 2 guys from the eastern Europe last year!

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0

penguicon.org

Re:ARRRRGGHHHHH!!!

[rbanffy]

STA $C030

Graphics mode or speaker?

So...

[jwthompson2]

I can go to a linux con dressed as darth maul? Wow, that sounds like a great blend...

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

Or, you could go to a Sci-Fi convention dressed as Tux.

Re:So...

[BlastedBill]

Tux makes a always makes an appearance at Penguicon...

http://www.wayne47.com/Penguicon2004/2004-04-16-12 4.html

We would love a Darth Maul to show up.

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con

[kevin_conaway]

Bah, this has got nothing on Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con.

Be there AND Be square.

Not very many panels, I guess.

[bigtallmofo]

we have panels for everyone from the beginner to the l33t h4x0r

Based on my experience, those considering themselves "l33t h4x0rs" are beginners.

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[4Lancer.net]

And regardless, there should be 2 x's, not 1. "h4xx0rs." And even then, that doesn't sound much right, I know it's different.

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[Anonymous Coward]

"Based on my experience, those considering themselves "l33t h4x0rs" are beginners."

As your sphere of knowledge grows your horizon of ignorance also grows.

Basicaly, the more you learn the more you realize how much you don't know. This is what keeps intellegent people modest. The pursuit of knowledge is a never ending journey; not a destination.

The wise man understands this. The young, inexpereinced and l33t do not.

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[deadcasuals]

Kids go around saying they're 31337 because they don't know enough to be 0x7A69.

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[nametaken]

we have panels for everyone from the beginner to the l33t h4x0r

Based on my experience, those considering themselves "l33t h4x0rs" are beginners.

That is, of course, true. However, I think it was meant to be a light hearted reference for people who remember when goofballs talked like that and meant it. I'm reasonably sure these guys know the difference between "h4xx0r" and hacker. :)

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[Anonymous Coward]

wannabees go around saying their 0x7A69

myself, I'm 111101001101001

Re:Not very many panels, I guess.

[Anonymous Coward]

Considering That word on the web is that Linus has tried to clear his schedule for this in the past, but has not been able to make it due to work. This speaks volumnes for quality of speakers and attendees that are coming to Penguicon. Besides the really great discussions do not take place at the panels, they take off from the panels and continue at the bar, the pool and throughout the hotel. How would you like a private discussion with Doc Salus, Joey Devilla or Cathy Raymond, ok so it is you and 2 other people for 30 minutes. How much would that cost you as a consultation fee outside of con? You get the point. - Brad Handley

...and Luke Ski

[Fallingcow]

[...]and Luke Ski

walker.

Come on, I know I'm not the only one who added that when I read his name.

Re:...and Luke Ski

[BlastedBill]

I've done that many times myself even though I'm a big fan and have seen him in concert many times.

lukeski.com

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Re:...and Luke Ski

[Anonymous Coward]

He does a lot of Star Wars-themed music and is known to dress as a Jedi on stage for "Y.O.D.A" (parody of YMCA) and "Because I'm Jedi" (Parody of "because I got high"). So, no - it's not lost on him at all :)

By way of review - of all the wierd-*ss music in my collection, Luke's stuff is the only stuff I play for IT co-workers and they end up sending me back to sci fi conventions to to buy them their own copies.

*shudder*

[timtwobuck]

I cringe at the thought of how many gallons of Mountain Dew and pounds of Doritos are consumed while this is going on...

Re:*shudder*

[Matt_Arnold]

This year there will be a Mountain Dew Drinking Contest. We will also be brewing up open-source cola called OpenCola (google it) in the consuite. -Matt Arnold Communications for Penguicon 3.0

Re:*shudder*

[BlastedBill]

We bought a PALLET of Dew last year. Loaded it on the truck with a fork lift



-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Re:*shudder*

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow. You two have sequential user IDs. Did you register just for this story?

Re:*shudder*

[landley]

> Wow. You two have sequential user IDs. Did you
> register just for this story?

They might have, but I didn't. And I'm co-founder of the event.

Rob

RE: Wanted to go to this, but have another *boring

[fshalor]

* conference the same weekend. Arg...

Next year...!!!

Wil W. wont be there anyways...

Re:Beer + /. = ?

[trick-knee]

> I dunno if I would want to sit around drinking beer with some of the weirdos around here...

but think of the trolling opportunities!

NOVI?????

[manganese4]

Well at least it wasn't South Lyon, but surely there must have been a more exciting location in southeast michigan for a conference to attract people from across the nation than Novi. On the extended drive from the airport, visitors will get a good view of the concrete/asphalt jungle that is the suburban sprawl of Detroit and Oakland County

Re:NOVI?????

[mmkkbb]

Oh, and the trek from the airport bypasses the photogenic (to my twisted eyes) Detroit downtown area. Why bother?

Re:NOVI?????

[Adult film producer]

I don't understand this one either. Novi is dismal, depressing and ugly. Why not in Ann Arbor ? Or how about Windsor :)

Re:NOVI?????

[samba05]

they should have had it downtown - that way we could go to the bouzouki...

Re:NOVI?????

[Commander Doofus]

True about Novi, but people rarely go to cons to sight-see, they usually stay in the hotel the whole time. The cons I've attended have all been tucked away in suburburbs with reasonably-priced hotels -- not the five star luxury places in the heart of downtown. (I was at the first Penguicon, it was in a hotel across from a dilapidated golf dome and bowling alley in Warren. Later that year the hotel was converted into a senior citizen home).

Re:NOVI?????

[Jay Maynard]

Later that year the hotel was converted into a senior citizen home

Appropriate...the hotel itself was elderly, and showed it.

Re:NOVI?????

[loginx]

Windsor wouldn't work out... If 90% of the attendees of the con had to cross the border, I think people would get pretty pissed quite quickly.

I'll be coming from Windsor myself and I don't mind it too much but it can be a real hassle for some people.

Also there is no infrastructure in Windsor capable of hosting penguicon. Let alone find parking!

Re:NOVI?????

[MacBrave]

I believe there is a Best Buy right next door to the Novi Sheraton, so maybe that will brighten some geek's day. If they decide to leave the hotel that is.........

Re:NOVI?????

[Adult film producer]

Well.. how many people usually show up for Penguicon ? There is the Casino in Windsor that has convention space, and the Cleary Center just a few blocks west of that..

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

What freaking planet are you from? Haven't been to Novi lately? The night life in Novi is more expressive than downtown Detroit's now! Second City will be here. The Post Bar is hopping with drunks. Geeks as far as the eye can see...

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

Best Buy???

Best Buy is truly detestable... Overpriced garbage...

Re:NOVI?????

[sneezinglion]

Just don't eat at the Bouzouki.....don't want to find any short and curlies in your food even if she was hot!

Re:NOVI?????

[Lumpy]

novi is a HUGE convention town now. if it was not for the conventions there almost every stinking day the town would dry up or turn into a subdivision for detroitites looking for a $500,000+ home right on the highway. (Note to non michigan people. we have LOTS of the "stupid rich" here. paying huge sums to build their GIANT homes right on the highway so they can hear and smell those disel trucks...)

Besides, Novi makes it easier for the chicago people and others not wanting to drive into the traffic mess that is Detroit.

Re:NOVI?????

[BlastedBill]

Novi is where the second biggest hotel in Michigan is. The next hotel up is REALY huge.

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Re:NOVI?????

[loginx]

I think there were about 300/400 ppl last year.
And the casino hotel is pretty expensive and they don't like conventions too much as they tend to take over the entire hotel.

Parking is also an issue... on a weekend, the casino's parking garages can get pretty busy without the hundreds of cars from the convention...

Re:NOVI?????

[BlastedBill]

No. We had 500 the 1st year. Last year was 832.

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Re:NOVI?????

[mmdog]

I live in Novi, and our downtown area kicks ass. It's the west side version of Royal Oak. Plenty of great bars and restaurants for visiting geeks.

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

The facilities in downtown Detroit are way too big and way too expensive. DTD is geared toward really hugely big events like the North American International Auto Show.

Re:NOVI?????

[sTalking_Goat]

I like how in Detriot 500k+ is a huge home, while here in SF 500+ is a 1 bedroom condo with windows on one side...

Yeah I'd move but what are my options? Some depressing dead city, one one of the many Hicksvilles...

Re:NOVI?????

[jcdick1]

They could have chosen something like Dearborn. That wouldn't have been too bad. The Ritz or Hyatt at Fairlane across from Ford World Headquarters would have been nice. Then I could just go straight across from work...

Re:NOVI?????

[TopShelf]

Don't they get to drive by the big tire, though? Can't remember if that's on the way from the airport to Novi, but it's something...

Re:NOVI?????

[rhkaloge]

Having grown up in SE Michigan, let me tell you - Novi is attractive because it ISN'T an exciting location when compared to the other options.

Besides, they have a big-ass convention center. In fact, I thought all of Novi was JUST a convention center when I was growing up.

Skippy

Re:NOVI?????

[johnkoer]

Well I would bet that a lot of the rich in Detroit got rich on the backs of those deisel trucks. So to them the smell of deisel may be the smell of money.

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

One nice thing about Windsor for you Americans is the 19 yr old drinking age.

Re:NOVI?????

[mmkkbb]

Besides, Novi makes it easier for the chicago people and others not wanting to drive into the traffic mess that is Detroit.

Every time I've been to Detroit the streets are deserted.

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

i dont know if i would call royal oak "kickass" when i can walk around the entire downtown area in about 15 or 20 minutes.

its MAYBE a square half mile. im just in it for the main art theater

Re:NOVI?????

[SulliedTech]

NO, this would be a bad idea. Could you imagine all of the extra traffic? It's bad enough that nobody in this town (Dearborn) believes in non-automobile commuting. Besides do you really want all those geeks trying to break Ford's "excellent" network security.

Re:NOVI?????

[Jay Maynard]

Yeah, and I could just aim my rocket launcher across the street. I'll never buy another Ford product again after the way they screwed me the last time.

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

Detroit would of been a lot better choice. Detroit's downtown has gotten a lot better over the last 10 years. It has had a lot more charm then 'Novi' which is about 30mins west of detroit in an upscale area.

Re:NOVI?????

[landley]

There aren't any conference facilities in Ann Arbor (or Ypsilanti) big enough to hold more than about 500 people. Trust me, Tracy Worcester and I (the co-founders of Penguicon) looked a _lot_ back in 2002.

Downtown Detroit may be deeply frightening (I'm from Austin Texas, all I hear about Detroit is people making fun of it), but the suburbs aren't so bad. This year's hotel is on the northwest corner of the beltway around Detroit. You can avoid the actual city entirely.

Rob

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

REALY!

really, i think you're foolin'!

Re:NOVI?????

[Eggplant62]

Nah, the big Uniroyal tire is along I-94 on the other side of the airport, east of the Southfield Freeway. Unless you're headed into Detroit from the airport, you'll miss it.

Re:NOVI?????

[istewart]

Where I live (60 miles east of SF, essentially a hicksville with suburbia tacked on), 500k+ is a reasonably-sized house with no yardspace whatsoever. Some days, I hate California.

Re:NOVI?????

[zaffir]

You mean there's more to Novi than a mall, a convention center, and Hooters?

News to me.

Re:NOVI?????

[AndrossUT]

They could always use the new convention center in Grand Rapids... sure it's on the other side of the state, but damn it's shiny.

Re:NOVI?????

[Anonymous Coward]

So paying three or four times more for something than you should makes it all worthwhile, eh?

Re:NOVI?????

[metalligoth]

Bull. I'd rather shoot myself than enjoy Novi's "nightlife". I club in Downtown Detroit, and nowhere else (unless I'm in another major city). Novi is for yuppie asshats that blow $120,000+ on Hummers just to look "cool".

Re:NOVI?????

[metalligoth]

if it was not for the conventions there almost every stinking day the town would dry up or turn into a subdivision for detroitites looking for a $500,000+ home right on the highway. (Note to non michigan people. we have LOTS of the "stupid rich" here. paying huge sums to build their GIANT homes right on the highway so they can hear and smell those disel trucks...)

The Detroit post-riot White Flight (TM) continues... Now Brighton is the next Novi. Novi is too big and overdeveloped, so all the rich Republicans are in Brighton now.

The thing is, Brighton is almost halfway between Detroit and Lansing. The next town over is Howell, which has a Lansing area code, gets the Lansing TV stations, and receives the Lansing State Journal newspaper. The local college? It's Lansing Community College.

So my question is, once Brighton is as overdeveloped as Novi because of these rich fuckwits, where are they all going to go?

Re:NOVI?????

[Pathwalker]

The Van Dyke Park wasn't across from the golf dome. It was across from the White Castle.
It was actually closer to the GM Tech Center than the golf domes.

Personally, I thought it was a good hotel for cons. The furniture could be quickly disassembled, and reassembled with simple tools, by getting a suite; you had a private room plus place for friends to crash, and when you got hungry at 3:00 am, Telly's was right down the street.

The new location is pretty good.
I know that area well, because the local HP training center used to be right behind the hotel.
There are decent places to get food; Although last year I remember we drove all the way to Noble Fish to get some sushi rather than eat much locally.

Re:NOVI?????

[x736e65616b]

"the [anything] version of royal oak" is not praise.

-j

I'd love to come...

[Stalyn]

and watch the KDE vs GNOME flamewars come to fisticuffs after a couple beers. Nothing like a bunch of nerds slapping each other. Oh well someone tape it for me.

Re:I'd love to come...

[deutschemonte]

All I can think of is two Kips (from Napoleon Dynamite, see sig) slapping each other and then yelling "Geez!".

i'd go but...

[pl1ght]

Yeah, detroit, hrm, id like to live out my days alive... =D

Re:i'd go but...

[Anonymous Coward]

chu dissin' the motor city man?

now i hafta fin you and cut you up.

NOBODY disses my homie city man....

Re:i'd go but...

[Anonymous Coward]

Eh troll? I'd say insightful. In Detroit they shoot geeks dead. Of course, they shoot at everyone, so go figure.

Re:i'd go but...

[spike42]

In Detroit, the geeks shoot back! You are on the way to destruction. You have no chance to survive make your time.

Is it just me?

[mao che minh]

I only recognized two or three of those names, and of those two or three, only one can actually contribute anything to a speech.

Re:Is it just me?

[Wandering Idiot]

I don't recognize some of them, but Howard Tayler is the author of Schlock Mercenary, a webcomic that's far better than it has any right to be based on the artwork alone...

Re:Is it just me?

[Anonymous Coward]

...the ones I recognized have been prolific writers and speakers. It's the fact that they write and speak mostly about themselves that I find rather lacking. One of the names, which shall remain nameless, I recognize from ten years ago, when [s]he was considered cute and edgy and every year I keep wondering, what the hell has this [gal|guy] actually done that justifies me knowing his name?

Honestly. I throw around names of people who HAVE actually contributed more than just wind and people respond, "who?" But, man, drop the name of a self-professed grand-poobah of nothing and not only do they know the name, they line up to buy tickets. ...at least these things end in "CON" so you know what you're in for...

Re:Is it just me?

[Anonymous Coward]

One of the names, which shall remain nameless, I recognize from ten years ago, when [s]he was considered cute and edgy and every year I keep wondering, what the hell has this [gal|guy] actually done that justifies me knowing his name?

Don't you mean [her|his] name?

Re:Is it just me?

[Wolfger]

You only recognize two or three names?
Well, let's see... Two of the names are the guys who brought you Slashdot! If those are the only two you recognize, you'd better get out more. :-)

Rodenberry... Rodenberry... I know that name sounds familiar....

As far as cons go, this one has more names I recognize than any other con I see advertised (well, except maybe GenCon). But I guess that's why I'm going and you're not. :-)

Quality beer time eh?

[Anonymous Coward]

At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session.

Maybe then will you listen to our complaints of all the dupes, Picquepaille posts, ...?

Re:Quality beer time eh?

[loginx]

They did last year...
There was actually a slashdot panel where these issues were brought up...

Re:Quality beer time eh?

[AndroidCat]

Watch the hotel bar get slashdotted! (Is this a British-style con? Someone should throw a room party.)

Deeply jealous

[Anonymous Coward]

We just don't get ace stuff like that in the UK. I really want to meet CmdrTaco.

truly unique

[smittyoneeach]

Is a "truly unique" object better than a false non-singleton?
</pedantic>

There is much humor to be found in the written word...

Local?

[Anonymous Coward]

Isn't Slashdot still based in Holland? I wouldn't consider Holland to Detroit local. Hell I'm in Lansing and I wouldn't consider Detroit local. Detroit is in many ways a world a part from anyware else in Michigan.

Re:Local?

[Doug Dante]

Last I heard, CmdrTaco lived in Saline, west of Ann Arbor, and about 40 minutes by freeway from the conference location.

Of course, I wouldn't know for sure, because SOME Linux dudes are just too good to show up at the Wasthenaw Linux Users Group. ;)

Re:Local?

[n9uxu8]

There's a washtenaw linux users group?!?! Damn...I've been living in A2 for for years, and have never heard of it...advertise my good man!

Dave

Re:Local?

[deutschemonte]

What?!

I live in Jackson for crying out loud and I heard of it.

Jackson! Come on!

Re:Beer + /. = ?

[biophysics]

Penguicon is pleased to announce that this years guests will include: Cory Doctorow, Kevin Siembieda, Nat Torkington, Joan D. Vinge, Dr. Peter Salus, Eugene "ROD" Roddenberry Jr, Kathe Koja, Joey deVilla, Cathy Raymond, Alice Taylor, Eric Raymond, Jeff "Hemos" Bates, Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda, Howard Tayler and Luke Ski.
Beer No!
What about Paris Hilton? http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/01/ 141218&tid=163&tid=106

Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please

[El_Smack]

Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = Flying Car?

Re:Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please

[Ceriel Nosforit]

Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = Flying Car?

Well, it's been 50 years... But I still think they'll come up with a chromed and aerodynamic flying toaster before they come up with a flying car.

Other forms of synergy

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux + Beer + Hike

For a few years, at least between 1999 and 2002, there was a Linux Beer Hike. I never managed to make it because it was in Europe but the idea appealed to me. Does anyone know if it's still going? I like the idea of Linux + Beer + optional-other-activity. Science fiction; sure why not.

Novi is NOT Detroit

[fain0v]

Please don't fear for your lives.

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[b3x]

At first my tin foil hat began picking up conspiracy signals: Microsoft had someone on the inside, who scheduled the event in a location where it was highly probable that everyone attending might be killed. Baghdad was probably too obvious ...

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[Anonymous Coward]

Novi got its name when it was the number 6 train station on the way out of Detroit. It was called No. VI. Number 6 is appropriate for a sci-fi convention. :)

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[govtcheez]

Well, I'm afraid. I work less than a mile from the Novi Sheraton. To make matters worse, there's a Best Buy right next door to the hotel. I'm not going to be able to go to lunch without seeing an "I 3 Linux" sticker, am I?

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[kalel666]

Oh come on, Detroit is really not that bad. It's come a long way since the seventies. Although, I do recall in the mid to late 80's a calendar being available called "Shot in Detroit" featuring scenic pictues of Detroit that all had chalk outlines in the foreground. I always wanted one.

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[Wolfger]

6 of 9?

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[Matt_Arnold]

What I heard was that the first words in the journal of the explorers who founded Novi, when they got to the site, were "Nov. 1" short for November first.
-Matt Arnold
Communications
Penguicon 3.0

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[chuckfirment]

Actually, Novi was the sixth train stop, No. VI.

It's possible I'm wrong, but that's what I've heard from many people over the years and growing up in the area.

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, I've heard that Novi was where RMS first demonstrated GNU Emacs 1.0...

Re:Novi is NOT Detroit

[DS_User]

As someone who lives in Detroit I have to say that I wish people would take time to research information about an area before posting. I know there are a bunch of problems within the city, especially with the crime rate. However there are areas downtown and in other parts of the city which are improvements and acheivements. Some examples would include the DAP/CEP program to get children intersted in science and math. There is also Compuware who have hosted annual high school computer programming contests. So to say that Detroit is all bad is false and it p!$$3$ me off.

I can't go

[PaxTech]

I've already committed to Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con in Springfield that week.

"Be there AND be square!"

And a guy in a funny costume.

[Jay Maynard]

All of the Slashdot kiddies that had such fun at my expense a year ago will get another chance, in person: I'll be there, with costume. I'll even be doing a panel (tentatively scheduled for Sunday at 1 PM) on what the last year has been like for me.

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[loginx]

Oh yeah... you were the Tron guy right?

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Jay Maynard]

That's me.

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Anonymous Coward]

Pathetic. Seek help.

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Anonymous Coward]

Cool! It will be great to see the Tron Guy there again!

Although this time, I will require a detailed schedule of your movements throughout the hotel while in costume so that I can be sure to stay on the opposite floor/wing.

See you (sometimes) at the con!

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Anonymous Coward]

Please ignore the man in the funny costume. Spend that time learning something useful, like why a crazy man (me) would be writing web applications in C and C++. Bound to be fun, and free source code to boot.

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Anonymous Coward]

If your the Tron guy...please please please wear underware this time.

Re:And a guy in a funny costume.

[Jay Maynard]

I have been ever since about two weeks after the con...See my LiveJournal entry on the subject for why I didn't at first, and why I do now.

Oh goddammit.

[govtcheez]

As if this city didn't smell bad enough already!

Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[Anita Coney]

As Detroit is about 40 miles away from Novi.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[johnkoer]

You can go from Novi to Detroit in about 15 miles, straight down Grand River.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[Anita Coney]

I'm just imagining three guys, dressed as Jedi, driving down to "Detroit" in a mini-van borrowed from one of their parents. They'd get lost somewhere in the "hood." Hilarity would ensue. Blood would spill. Fun would be had by some.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[jasonmantey]

**As Detroit is about 40 miles away from Novi.**

Not quite... more like 25 miles. I live in detroit and I agree.... why novi? They could have done Troy or even downtown...

Try http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=48202&daddr=novi +mi&hl=enGoogle Maps too see for yourself

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[Anita Coney]

Two words: Greek Town!

First, go to the convention. Second, catch a cool show at St. Andrews. (Although there will never be one as cool as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Voivod from the early 90s. Unless you consider Jane's Addiction warming up for Iggy Pop around the same time! Oh, and Melt Banana warming up for Mr. Bungle. That was TOTALLY fucking awesome!)

Lastly, get something to eat at Fishbone's.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[landley]

> I live in detroit and I agree.... why novi?
> They could have done Troy or even downtown...

Because although I'd had the idea of doing this for years, Tracy Worcester had experience (con chair of ConFusion in 2000) and had con staff she could call on in the area. She lived in Ypsilanti.

Our first year, we were in Warren.

Oddly enough, Tracy's thinking about being con chair again next year, which should seriously rock...

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[Eggplant62]

Or I-96 straight out of downtown. One thing that's been done fairly well is the freeways in this town. I say fairly well as I'd love to beat the designer of the Mixing Bowl area (convergence of I-696, Telegraph Rd and Lodge Freeway [M10]) senseless.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[johnkoer]

Yeah, that area is a dead stop for traffic in every direction during rush hour. (I should know, I drive it every day)

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[Eggplant62]

My last job was working as a field service technician for a small VAR. Service calls had me going to anywhere within a circle defined by Saginaw to the north, Lansing to the west, Jackson/Ann Arbor to the southwest, and Monroe to the extreme south. Ask me where anything is in Detroit, I know how to get there.

Re:Linux + Sci-fi + Detroit = being lost

[x736e65616b]

Living on Jefferson within walking distance of both of the places you just mentioned - and also having assisted in the production of another unnamed defunct detroit nerd conference - I can personally attest that having a convention downtown is kind of ill-conceived.

Loft parties, however, are an entirely different story.

-j

I can see it now...

[goof21]

At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session.

I can see it now...

Miller Lite
Color: +2
Taste: +1
This beer modded Hot Waitress! +10

Re:I can see it now...

[BlastedBill]

Why go to the bar and pay for beer? Go to our consuite where we have FREE and GOOD beer(for members of Penguicon)



-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

A Linux *and* Sci-Fi Convention Combined?!

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow! Think of all the incredible possibilities to pick up hot chicks!

(Hustling into my extra-extra-extra-large "Tux the Penguin T-shirt, and strapping on my lightsaber...)

-- A Geek

Re:Love to go.

[Jay Maynard]

Keep your eye out for Linucon, which will be in October (date not quite firmed up yet) in Austin. It's the same kind of con, launched by the same guy.

Bring the LAN equpment

[Dan724]

Everyone bring your LAN and computer gaming equpment. Ill be hosting the computer gaming and we have PLENTY of hosting power but everyone needs to bring their own gaming station and LAN cable. If you have a hub or switch you could bring I would love you forever and it would be returned at the end of the con.

This is a lot of fun, show up, bring a gaming station.

Re:Bring the LAN equpment

[AndroidCat]

WiFi wouldn't work for gaming or just not common enough yet?

Re:Bring the LAN equpment

[Dan724]

We wont be offering WiFi because we dont have equipment for it and some security issues.

Remember this is a con of geeks

Re:Bring the LAN equpment

[landley]

Do you really want the lan gamers sucking up everybody's shared bandwidth on the wireless?

Similar Convention: Linucon in Austin

[Cr0w T. Trollbot]

A similar convention is Linucon in Austin. Last year's guests included Steve Jackson, Eric Raymond, John Ringo and Tamara Gorski. This year's convention is scheduled for October 14-16.

Crow T. Trollbot

Re:Similar Convention: Linucon in Austin

[BlastedBill]

Rob Landly who ran Linicon last year is one of the co founders of Penguicon. So Linicon is our sister convention.

-Bill Putt
Conchair Penguicon 3.0
penguicon.org

Re:Similar Convention: Linucon in Austin

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd actually consider attending if someone could promise me that ESR wouldn't show up...

Re:Similar Convention: Linucon in Austin

[Jay Maynard]

Not a chance.

Turn it into a feature: Go and tell him what a dirty rotten no-goodnik he is. ...that is, if you're secure in your convictions...

Re:Similar Convention: Linucon in Austin

[SquadBoy]

Can sombody shoot John Ringo in the head for me?

Such wasted potential pisses me off.

The first 4 Legend of the Aldenata books kicked serious ass even if he did mess up the physics of the grav guns and if he had a couple of ambushes wrong. And I'm willing to accept his excuse for why it was 4 instead of 3. And they had a Sluggy corssover! But then he, a still new author, lets others play in his signature universe with HIS CORE CHARACTERS!!

That fucking sell out needs to be shot.

While you are there, Cmdr Taco

[AtariAmarok]

While you are there Taco, get them to change the name of the town "No. VI" from a Roman Numeral reference to something in binary. Or maybe hex.

Wish you would have hyped this one more than just a few days before it started!

Re:While you are there, Cmdr Taco

[S-D-Guy]

No vi ? Emacs perhaps?

Re:While you are there, Cmdr Taco

[AtariAmarok]

"Novi? No "V" and no No VI! But maybe Emacs, and a few eMACS and iMACS and UMAX. No MiniMacs. Yes MiniMe: Verne Troyer is guest of honor! We are serving him Mac and cheese. "

There, does that clear it up for you? And since it is a SciFi AND Linux convention, Nichelle Nichols will be dressed as Ubuntu instead of Uhura.

Re:Love to go.

[Anonymous Coward]

u mean the same gay...

Re:Love to go.

[Jay Maynard]

Rob Landley's girlfriend/fiancee will be surprised to hear that.

CmdrTaco's Panel

[Anonymous Coward]

Hopefully it won't be a dupe from last year. I kid, I kid.

The other Michigan show in April

[Man_Holmes]

If you're into Flash and/or ColdFusion programming there's another Michigan show in April.

It's called Powered by Detroit and it's this Friday and Saturday at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.

Details at PoweredbyDetroit.org - see you there.

Man Holmes

Do it Rubi-Con Style and ...

[Assassin_for_Atari]

Go to the Ramada in Detroit :)

Oddly enough AT&T is right next door!

But In all seriousness, this is the 2nd time I have missed out on this con. I would think it to be good times as long as the schedule stays the way it is supposed to. Rubi-Con wasn't that great with keeping to their schedule and it seemed that all the lectures I was interested in got cancelled.

Hopefull next year I can go to PC.4 and let everyone know if it was worth the time.

and big willy better be there lol

Re:Do it Rubi-Con Style and ...

[metalligoth]

Go to the Ramada in Detroit :)

You mean where MacHack/ADHOC is held? Good choice!

Re:Beer + /. = ?

[WormholeFiend]

but think of the trolling opportunities!

If they let the trolls in without moderation, count me out.

Detroit

[Danathar]

Ewww....Detroit is like a bombed out Mad Max style City. Think Robocop and that is EXACTLY what it's like. The roads suck, and it's COLD in the winter.

About the only good thing Detroit has for it is decent radio.

Re:Detroit

[Anonymous Coward]

pussy.

you babied detroit people wouldnt know what COLD is.

go north to the rest of that state or better yet hit the lake michigan shoreline in Jan-Feb up from Holland to Ludington.

you want cold and 3 feet of snow? people there think that minnesota people are scaredity pussies. I happily drive in 2 feet of snow and it's dropping 3 inches an hour, and I'm not one of those pussies that thinks they need 4 wheel drive.

although detroit looking bombed out.... yes. I agree.

Re:Detroit

[Anonymous Coward]

It must be Whitey's fault that the city is all bombed out. I mean, hoardes of white people must have converged on that poor black city and drew gang graffiti and burned down all those houses. If it weren't for Whitey, Detroit would be a model city with the best school taxpayers can buy."

Re:Detroit

[gr8_phk]

You're talking about (what's left of) downtown. The burbs are far better all around. The roads are getting lots of improvements just in time for the super bowl. I went to lunch today without my coat - it's almost 70 here already. Besides, Michigan will be the technology hot-spot for the robot building generation - just look at the results of the regional FIRST competitions. If you want electro-mechanical stuff, Detroit (or the surrounding area) is the place to design and build it.

"About the only good thing Detroit has for it is decent radio."

And don't forget about the Windsor ballet...

Re:Detroit

[milesObrien]

As a life long Detroiter, I am motivated to respond to the spate of anti_detroit sentiment in this thread. First off- SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN IS NOT DETROIT! Detroit ends at Detroit's borders. Novi is not Detroit. Dearborn is not Detroit. Ann Arbor is not Detroit. Get it? Driving from DTW to Novi has NOTHING to do with Detroit (except for the name and county of the airport)! A lot of Linux/ IT/ open source types tend to be drawn to artsy-fartsy/academic cities like Ann Arbor/ Royal Oak (Michigan) or places like San Fransico or Seattle. But some of us live comfortable lives in nice homes on large lots in all the cities surrounding Detroit, even cities directly bordering Detroit. We have real, regular jobs paying well in either IT or automotive related companies. Someone has to do the work, rather than sit around making petty judgments on city reputations. If you were born in a northern climate, you actually LIKE short periods of snow and cold, taking advantage of long dark days to do indoor projects, or snowmobile or ice fish, etc. Someone else in this thread mentions the ludicrous prices paid for paltry living spaces on the West Coast. Well, anyone is free to pay social/cultural status premiums all they like, however unreasonable. Funny thing is, "Detroit" (i.e. Southeast Michigan) has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods and homes in the nation, closer to "Detroit" proper than Novi, in the Bloomfields or Grosse Pointes. While I won't disagree that Detroit decayed from its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, the developments of the past 10-15 years in the downtown area proper have made significant strides. The Fox, Comerica Park, Ford Field, new Science Center, African American Museum (excellent), the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts), the casinos (though I don't gamble), and more developments have improved the downtown a LOT. There is a LOT more to do, but things are better than they've ever been in my lifetime (30 something). And singling out Detoits worst grafitti and decay ridden areas as an example of SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN is like taking the WORST areas of New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago to characterize those cities. Yes, the proportion of bad areas to good is higher in Detroit, but that's not the only point. ...And when all of you are dying of thirst and withering away, YOU CAN'T HAVE OUR FRESH WATER (no comments on GRrat Lakes pollution, please...)

Re:Detroit

[SulliedTech]

You beat me to the punch! I have to totally agree with every one of your points. S.E. Michigan != Detroit

Re:Detroit

[milesObrien]

Detroit (SE Michigan) bashing seems to be the cool, fashionable thing to do from time to time, SulliedTech. Oh well, we can enjoy our 2000-3500ft^2 homes on 1/2 acre lots, plus second homes on a secluded lake in Northern Michigan you can drink from, while the holier-than-thou "cultured" West Coast types shoe horn themselves into their shoe boxes for a night's sleep, with no disposable income leftover ;).

Re:Detroit

[Eggplant62]

Decent radio??? Years ago, maybe. I've been listening to too much internet radio these days.

Lessee... I'll go through the dial:

88.7 fm: Based outta Windsor, plays mostly death metal and extreme alternative stuff. Grates on my nerves after a while.

92.3 fm: Someone decided to resurrect the old WDRQ call letters and the station sounds like competition for WJLB on 97, which is fine if you like R&B/Soul/Rap.

93.5 fm: Lite rock from Windsor with a definitely Canadian bent, but too sugary-sweet for my own personal tastes. 8 years ago it was all I listened to as they had a great alternative rock format. Fell in love with Sarah McLachlan all thanks to 93.5.

94.7 fm: 60's & 70's album-oriented rock. All the deejays from all the other formerly great stations in the 70's and 80's have found jobs here. Definitely dinosaur music.

95.5 fm: More Top 40/Rap buffoon music. Perfect if you're a 14-y/o wigger.

96.3 fm: Used to be the best damned alternative station in the city up until about 2000, now it's somewhat tolerable 80's/90's/2k's Top 40. If only I could get them to stop playing The Artist formerly known as Prince at precisely 1:30 pm *every single day*.

97.1 fm: Talk radio. Howard Stern in the mornings is its only saving grace in my own view. The rest of the shows are either monotonous gabfests on everything from underwear stains to bellybutton lint, or two guys yukkin' it up over the latest sports news.

97.9 fm: WJLB, the soul/r&b/rap capital of the Detroit airwaves. I'm not into the music but I have to admire them for sitting on top of the charts in terms of popularity.

98.7 fm: Formerly WLLZ, used to be *THE* radio station in the '80s for album-oriented and top of the charts stuff. Got bought up in the late 80's and turned into a jazz station. Boring.

99.5 fm: Formerly WABX in the 60's and 70's, was *THE* pioneering album-oriented rock and roll station in Detroit. Changed hands several times over the last 20 years, and now they play nothing but New Country. Gag me with a spork.

100.3 fm: WNIC. Lite rock, fogey style. *PUKE*!!

101.1 fm: Last of a dying breed, still an album-oriented rock station trying to preserve the sound of the 70's. Home to Drew & Mike, Arthur Penhallow (one of the oldest DJs still on Detroit radio after 30+ years), and Doug Podell. Only listen occasionally as they try too hard to be hard rockin'.

101.9 fm: WDET, the NPR outlet outta Wayne State U. Great for international news but I find most of the shows boring. I occasionally stop in for the Thistle & Heather show (going from memory, ICBW), which features Gaelic/Scottish/Irish music.

102.7 fm: Used to be nothing but classical, bought out in the last 10 years and changed hands several times over, gone through several format changes, including another great alternative station for a little while in the 90's. Currently doing an inner-city soul/R&B format.

103.5 fm: From tuning in, they must have changed hands and formats again, as what I hear right now isn't classical or soul, it sounds more like modern alternative. I'll have to stick this one out... oh, wait, they're singin' halleleujahs in the chorus, must be a Xtian station now. Used to be another soul/rap/r&b outlet for years from the mid-80's on, and before that nothing but classical music.

104.3 fm: Long time 50s/60s/70s station. Locked into the idea that old farts only want to listen to the music they heard on the radio during their teen years.

105.1 fm: Couple years back, they had a good alternative format going on, but it got bought out and scrapped, now mostly top 40 with more of a soul flavor.

105.9 fm: Rap/R&B. Not my flavor.

106.7 fm: Formerly WWWW (W4), the first quadraphonic broadcaster over FM back in the early 70's, survived in the AOR market until the mid-80's when it was bought out, and the program changed to modern country. Early 2k's it was again bough

Re:Detroit

[Craig Maloney]

A few corrections:

93.5 is actually 93.9.
105.1 was the classical station. 102.7 had the distintion of being the station that Ted Nugent owned. Even he couldn't make a go of it in the Detroit radio scene.
97.1 Deminski and Doyle are one of the few reasons to listen to this station. Greg and Michelle are about as interesting as watching straws dry in McDonalds.
Also there is 93.1, which used to be the worst hip-hop mix, and music for drag queens. From what I've heard, they've changed the format to something more radical, but I haven't listened to it yet.

Re:Detroit

[EvilSporkMan]

93.1 is now DOUG-FM, a "Jack FM" style station, meant to resemble an iPod on shuffle. This is as of April Fools' Day, to the dismay of many teens in my area. I like it.

Re:Detroit

[metalligoth]

Some commentary:

88.7 fm: Based outta Windsor, plays mostly death metal and extreme alternative stuff. Grates on my nerves after a while.

Eh? Death metal? *laughs out loud* I've never heard *any* metal on that station in my life! Just the opposite! They play "light alternative" which has been getting lighter and more high-pitched with every year. If you want some death metal check out Cannibal Corpse. Not my cup of tea, but some people are into it.

93.5 fm: Lite rock from Windsor with a definitely Canadian bent, but too sugary-sweet for my own personal tastes. 8 years ago it was all I listened to as they had a great alternative rock format. Fell in love with Sarah McLachlan all thanks to 93.5.

Only on the East side. Out West you get a station I used to be the midnight DJ at, WHMI-FM out of Howell. They play Classic Hits, which includes anything you can think of. I played Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd to Elton John to Nirvana there. How odd.

95.5 fm: More Top 40/Rap buffoon music. Perfect if you're a 14-y/o wigger.

Detroit's own NERD comes to mind as a decent group. Don't forget that Rock & Roll originated with black artists. A lot of whites hated Rock & Roll and even said it was evil on the basis of where it came from. I'd hate to be a modern version of one of those prejudiced people.

101.1 fm: Last of a dying breed, still an album-oriented rock station trying to preserve the sound of the 70's. Home to Drew & Mike, Arthur Penhallow (one of the oldest DJs still on Detroit radio after 30+ years), and Doug Podell. Only listen occasionally as they try too hard to be hard rockin'.

Depends on what you mean about "sound of the 70's". They play rock, and the only time for the most part they really play older stuff from the 60's or 70's (or lately, the 80's) is during the afternoon drive. Otherwise it's all new American rock. I'd listen to these guys but I'm more into the less over-produced underground stuff out there, especially from Europe. These stations are a dime a dozen, though. An example of an identical station is WEBN in Cincinatti.

So, yes, overall, I got your point. Radio in Detroit sucks. You know what, though? I think that's true nationwide. If you've ever read R&R (Radio & Records) magazine, the magazine of the radio industry, you'd know there's only a handful of formats that stations pick from. Hell, you've probably figured that one out on your own. Detroit is lucky because of it's proximity to Canada. 89X/88.7 doesn't fit any "official" American formats, so you'll really hear some unique stuff. An Alternative Rock station in any other market sounds quite different, and IMHO a whole lot worse. But, hey, I have an iPod. I haven't listened to the radio in years, save for news.

Another note, all you kids thinking your hero DJ makes a gazillion dollars... Well, they don't. Most DJs make around $10 an hour. As computers provide more and more automation, more are being laid off. Most DJs live in poverty. Hence why I'm not going into radio as a career. It's fun, but not something to support a family on.

Re:Detroit

[Man_Holmes]

Very well put. Detroit simply doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Or Michigan for that matter.

Man Holmes

You might be a geek if....

[catdevnull]

YOU MIGHT BE A GEEK:

-If you pronounce unix commands
-If you get agitated everytime you hear someone use the term "information super highway."
-When you heard the Ricky Martin song, "She Bangs" you thought "#!"
-If you think the GUI was the downfall of computing.
-If you consider reading "the news" is going to "Slashdot."
-If you've ever used the words "grep," "sed," and "awk" in a sentence.
-If you've ever been in a heated debate with someone over "vi" versus "emacs."
-If you just picked one of the above.
-If you know who RMS is.
-If you've ever looked at a household appliance and wondered, "Can I install minix on that?"
-If your sp3llin9 b3ginz to l00k l1k3 th1$.
-If your entire wardrobe is made up of IT vendor T-Shirts.
-If you have ever attended a LAN party but left because they didn't have a gigabit switch.
-If you've ever attended a movie opening in costume.
-If you own a Batleth or know someone who does.
-If you've ever uttered a word in Klingon.
-If you've ever argued with someone regarding Kirk or Picard being the better Captain.
-If you can name more than 3 planets in the Star Wars movies.
-If you're not offended by the term "BitchX"
-If you know what a "Tardis" is.
-If you've ever dressed as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy character at a Rennaissance Festival.
-Actually, if you dressed up as anything at a RenFest.
-If you kept a journal of all the things changed or left out of the Tolkien novels while watching the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
-If you've ever used "geek code" in your e-mail signatures
-If the value of your comic book collection exceeds your annual income.
-If you attend any sort of convention plugged on Slashdot. ....you might be a card-carrying hard core geek. :-)

Re:You might be a geek if....

[dokhebi]

Not only do I know what a TARDIS is, I have one in my garage...

And I've participated at Rennaisance Faires.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Re:You might be a geek if....

[catdevnull]

dude...your geek light is showing ;-)

Re:You might be a geek if....

[drxray]

-If you know what a "Tardis" is.

So the entire population of the UK are geeks? Why can't I find anyone to join my Babylon 5 - Call of Cthulu crossover LARP then?

.
.

(That was a joke. If anyone does offer to join I will be very scared.)

Re:You might be a geek if....

[Anonymous Coward]

You might be a geek
-if you are a 40 year old virgin.
-if you thought the movie, "Never Been Kissed", was about you.
-if you have named your right hand.

Re:You might be a geek if....

[catdevnull]

those aren't funny... ...ok, so maybe "naming your right hand" is funny.

regards,

catdevnull & "Jackhammer"

Re:You might be a geek if....

[Anonymous Coward]

-When you heard the Ricky Martin song, "She Bangs" you thought "#!"

Ha! That's pretty funny. Who's Ricky Martin?

-If the value of your comic book collection exceeds your annual income.

Should I include Mom's income in that?

programming?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm expecting a panel talking about klingon language based linux that used for earth's car navigation, or something like that.

Until i check schedule programming, its like 2 different convention on the same place.

I don't know about you all, shouldn't it focus one thing? its like jack of all trades, master of none.

/. assault

[Anonymous Coward]

i'm wondering how many slashdotters will show up just for the chance to punch CmdrTaco in the face.

Re:/. assault

[VAXcat]

If someone does, they should do it twice, in honor of all the duplicated articles on slashdot.

MORE You might be a geek if....

[catdevnull]

YOU MIGHT BE A GEEK IF:

-If you've ever tried to explain the difference between a "cracker" and a "hacker" to anyone
-If your tan comes exclusively from CRT radiation.
-If you've ever been used by a woman for your "computer hacking skills" rather than your nunchuck or bow hunting skills.
-If you downloaded the leaked copy of the new "Dr. Who" show.

--I'll write more :)

Maybe this guy will show up .......

[punkin]

I plan on attending

/. effect

[Anonymous Coward]

"At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session."

Great now your trying to /. a bar??

Re:/. effect

[Anonymous Coward]

Um... Science Fiction Conventions include beer in the price of admission. Why go to a bar?

MODS ON CRACK

[mirko]

This would be a flamebait if I didn't have this.
May God bless you.

Africatown

[Jodka]

In future years, Penguinconers will tour Detroit's lovely Africatown.

Re:Africatown

[Anonymous Coward]

I thought all of Detroit was Africa town. According to http://www.city-data.com/city/Detroit-Michigan.htm l, Detroit is 82% black. This data is no doubt a few years old, so the percentage might be higher now.

Peguicon

[Anonymous Coward]

Why DETROIT? Uh.

Great List

[serutan]

You have captured the essence.
speaking of essence, no personal hygiene references?

Re:Great List

[catdevnull]

By public demand:

You might be a geek if:

-If your barber needs to use "Gumout" before cutting.
-If that smell from behind your ear reminds you of "Cheetos."
-If your laundry is piled in the categories "wear again," "throw away," or "get mom to wash."
-If you can't read the letters on your keyboard because they're covered with a sebaceous tar.
-If your dandruff shampoo bottle quakes with fear as you reach for it.
-If your complexion reminds you of a field of gopher holes stuffed with mashed potatoes.
-If your clothes contain the stains of every known donut filling, pizza sauce, and Jolt Cola.

I-CON!

[TheUnknownOne]

I-CON is this weekend, at SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island! http://www.iconsf.org/ Its gonnna be awesome!

Re: Wanted to go to this, but have another *boring

[landley]

Yes, but both times Wil cancelled on us it was because somebody was offering him an acting work. At least this time, he actually GOT the work...

I'm under the impression he's trying to set up some kind of videoconference from his living room into our theatre to make up for cancelling again. (Dunno if we can pull it off, but it'd be cool.)

Wil's been really nice to us ever since we got one of last year's guests of honor (Neil Gaiman) in touch with him to do the foreward of Just a Geek, even though Wil cancelled and thus couldn't make the pitch in person.

And yes, Neil mentioned Penguicon in the foreward. Same Penguicon. We're everywhere.

OS X for ever!

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone else notice that Linux stories now get about 1/10th the number of posts that OS X stories get?

really fun

[killerface]

I've gone to the first 2 and man they were fun I'm really looking forward to this year. As many of you may or may not know MI is hardly the "Technology center of the universe" So this is a good place for us geeks to center around when it comes around. Also the beer is always a good addition ;)

Re:Love to go.

[landley]

I wonder if she has anything to say on the matter?

(hands over keyboard) ...eek! An actual audience!

(quickly hands the keyboard back)

Re:really fun - Technology Center?

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, more research dollars are in Southeastern / Mid-Michigan than anywhere else in the world due to:
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
SciFi Labs at Ford
Chrysler Research Center (No, they didn't move this)
GMs various research centers
The many drug companies pouring money into MSU and WSU.

The difference is that the scientists and technologists here have to work with others and not do things in a vacuum. If you look at our programming, you'll see it is a little slanted towards real world research vs. pie in the sky stuff.

(Little known facts: Volkswagon, Toyota, and Honda have their research centers here in Metro Detroit.)

Regards!

A group already does that...

[2zen2]

UHACC throws a wicked room party. Here's a link to their 2.0 pix... http://uhacc.org/events/penguicon/penguicon2.php They will be back this year.

Re:really fun - Technology Center?

[killerface]

wow thanks

A little help with the names please!

[Anonymous Coward]

We would like to know who the other names are, maybe we know their faces. Photos of the femmes would be highly appreciated too

Re:A little help with the names please!

[Matt_Arnold]

Photos of the Guests of Honor are on the Penguicon website and we expect to get photos of most of the Nifty Guests posted soon. http://www.penguicon.org/
-Matt Arnold
Penguicon 3.0 Communications

Re:Sorry

[Anonymous Coward]

Popey and Terri, together in Hell!!

Transformers?

[Anonymous Coward]

Did anyone else read the title and think Penguicon would be a good name for an evil penguin robot?

UHACC

[snakernetb]

Me and some of my fellow geeks are making the trip up there. Hope to see some of you. I think that we are having some kind of "room party." Whatever that is?!?! Maybe some Guiness, maybe some duct tape fun too. I don't know if we'll have time? UHACC UNIX Hobbyists And Coders Club www.uhacc.org