Miniconfs: Magic secret of linux.conf.au

I first went to linux.conf.au in 2006 in Dunedin. I was invited to speak at the Education miniconf by Bryant Patten. I met many other amazing human beings that week. I was hooked.

The magic thing about the miniconfs of LCA, is they are an opportunity for new people to discover the depth and breadth of free/libre open source software (FLOSS) and the communities that thrive around the digital wells this software represents.

Free Libre Open Source Software is like a new kind of campfire.

A well, or a campfire? FLOSS is a source of sustenance and a source of warmth. It is also a gathering place. We make tools to make stuff, to share stuff, to learn, to build. But also to watch, to store, to control. Software is made by people, and does all the things that people do. Both good, and bad.

So, the two miniconfs I'm involved with this year, are clsXlca and Free Software Law and Policy.

The fabulous Leslie Hawthorn amplified Jono Bacon's call to distribute the Community Leadership Summit wide and far. Riffing off the TEDx phenomena, Jono invited other people to run satellite events, dubbed CLSx. I thought hey, that might make a good miniconf at LCA. It struck me as the perfect opportunity for oz and kiwi foss geeks to talk about community leadership. I ran it the past 2 years, and now pass the torch to VM Brasseur who will facilitate clsXlca this year in Hobart.

Deb Nicholson asked me to add some local support to her miniconf covering Free Software Law and Policy, and I am happy and excited to do so. Deb's done all the hard work, so give me none of the glory - but we've got a power packed line up. This is stuff that matters.

Check out the schedule for both miniconfs, on Tuesday.