Linucon or bust…
So, the crew and I are heading back to Linucon in a couple of weeks. It’ll be nice to get out of town, even if it is only for three days. Unfortunately it seems that the people in charge are mis-managing this years event. It has taken forever for the Linucon website to be updated with information on the convention. There is no panel schedule, and it seems the same guests from last year were invited back this year. Frustrations abound about the lack of information; this post from the Linucon mailling-list sums it all up:
Subject: Re: [Linucon] Linucon2 is only 2 weeks away!
From: “Timothy R. Chavez”
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 11:02:56 -0500
To: linucon@driftpeas…orgSo…. I’m not sure I understand why the virtually the same people are coming back to Linucon 2… Linux has a huge community and a surplus of celebrities to draw from and yet this convention really isn’t representative of that. The closest thing you have to Linux is Eric Raymond, who was here last year… I like the guy, but… I’m not sure I understand why new people (relevant to the Linux movement) weren’t brought out? You want someone who’s passionate about Open Source, why not Maddog? Switch it up a bit, you know? It doesn’t really seem like you’re trying to attract the Linux crowd at all. In fact, most the emphasis seems to be on all the non-Linux parts (gaming and food). I’m not even seeing a list of panels… it’s like a grab bag… give us your money and in return we’ll give you a suprise. I have to say, this was much better organized with Rob — I’m not trying to be rude, but maybe you can see my frustration?
-tim
Doesn’t really matter to me. I’m going to the convention to get away from the overload at the office, to have some fun, and geek bonding with friends.
I’ll post here my response from the list, though I only sent it to its author.
Yes, it was better organized the first year. Mainly because Rob planned
it for 18 months. We didn’t decide we could do a Linucon 2 till
March, and then it fell to me to organize the thing. Given the timeframe, we didn’t have a whole lot to work
with. I realize the guest list is a bit on the repetitive side, but we
pulled this together in less than 6 months. Give us some credit, eh?
As for the non-Linux parts, yes, we did emphasize that a bit more this
year. Linucon was never intened to be JUST a Linux/Open Source
convention. Its aim is to provide entertainment for its attendees, and
given that there’s a large cross over between Linux/OSS geeks, scifi
fandom, and, more recently, anime, and, sadly, since the con lost money
last year, we’ve had to branch out a bit and aim at a larger attendee base
in order to attempt to fund what we really want to do.
And, for the record, we asked Maddog, and we asked Perens (no, we didn’t
ask Stallman), and we couldn’t get them. We really wanted Maddog because
the original plan was to aim for Linus in year 3, but that’s probably been
pushed back to year 4, unfortunately. Such is life.
I really wish we could’ve gotten more new guests, I really do. Trust me,
I’m a bit worried about this as well. But it’s not because we’re
coasting, it’s because we didn’t have time. Rob was burned out, and
imported me from Ushicon, the local anime con, to help run things.
Between that and the time it took Linucon to decide on a year 2, and I
think we’re doing okay.
I do understand your concerns, and I’m sorry we didn’t live up to
expectations. I do hope that you attend, if only so we can make Linucon 3
even better.
–Chase
Also, if you’re concerned about mismanagement, volunteer. Help us make it better. Trust me, we can always use more help.
Perhaps mismanagement was the wrong thing to say; now having more information on the tribulations of making this years’ con a reality. Sorry if my post offended you and your con team.
With that out of the way, myself, all those subscribed to the mailling list, and those that read this now have all the information needed to know that Linucon this year is in good hands.
As for volunteering, perhaps next year.
Chase,
Glad you replied. Personally my only interest in the con is the Linux tracks. I’m probably not your target audience but for me it’s a chance to make a Linux conference thats within driving distance and affordable. As a geek I can understand the sci-fi interest, even if it’s not my cup of tea.
I was hoping you might have invited Novell’s Larry Ewing, GNOME hacker and current maintainer of f-spot. I believe he is an Austin resident.