Catch up on stories from the past week (and beyond) at the Slashdot story archive

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Announcements Software Linux

Linux.conf.au Coming Soon 150

Posted by Hemos from the best-show-ever dept.
One of my most favorite Linux-centric shows of all time, Linux.conf.au is gearing up in their latest location - Canberra. The registration is still open; I highly, highly recommend attending the show.
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Linux.conf.au Coming Soon More

Linux.conf.au Coming Soon

Comments Filter:

  • OOo Regicon Australia (Score:4, Informative)

    by oldosadmin ( 759103 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @09:29PM (#11808875) Homepage
    I believe this will also include the first ever OpenOffice.org RegiCon Australia.
  • But, since the topics include :

    # Debian Miniconf
    # OpenOffice.org Miniconf
    # Gnome.conf.au Miniconf

    Shoudln't the conference be called GNU.conf.au or GNU/Linux.conf.au?

    Names are important, that's why we use them in the first place. Calling it Unix.conf.au would be misleading. Calling it Linux.conf.au is misleading too ...
    • huh?
      Debian != GNU
      OpenOffice != GNU

      how is GNU or GNU/Linux any better?

    • Indeed (Score:3, Funny)

      by Chuck Chunder ( 21021 )
      Names are important, that's why we use them in the first place
      And I think the name I'm looking for is "dumbass".

    • Names are important, that's why we use them in the first place. Calling it Unix.conf.au would be misleading. Calling it Linux.conf.au is misleading too ...

      Indeed. And since MOST people know the GNU/Linux distributions, collectively, as "Linux", referring to them that way will be the least confusing method. Holy wars over naming do NOT attract new users to Linux, or GNU/Linux, or Not Windows, or whatever it is that you call it. Speak the way your audience is familiar with. Don't say "security", say "does

      • That depends on your goals, i don't want more people joining the GNU userbase, i want more poeple understanding what Free Software is, and then, using GNU. If you just want many users, then having more users is a success. If you want more people understanding why Free Software exists, agreeing with it, helping with it, and using it, calling it Linux won't help, because you are killing the whole meaning of Free Software, and replacing it with marketing.

        • I see your point, but must respectfully disagree. I think that once more people use and are satisfied with F/OSS solutions, they will be more interested in learning about them, but you've got to get the foot in the door first. And that means not confusing the hell out of them, because the biggest barrier to entry to GNU/Linux currently is the fact that people DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. They know Windows "Just Works(TM)", and they like the automagic, easy way that it does. If you can convince them that Linux is NO

          • I would like to agree with you, but experience tell me that what you tell me just won't work (sadly).
            Take /. into account. 99% of /. readers know GNU/Linux and most of them have tried it at least once. Also, a big % uses GNU/Linux (It would be interesting to see the apache's access logs ...).

            But, regardless of that, most of them still call it "Linux", and most of them don't care about Freedom, and most of them still uses propietary software.

            Just makes you think ...
      • You mean you don't refer to your system as GNU/BSD/Mozilla/PublicDomain/OpenGroup/Apache/ Artistic/Linux? Goodness me, credit where credit is due, boy!

        (-:
    • ...because next year it'd have to be gnu.linux.conf.nz, and kiwiland doesn't have a "conf" 2LD.

      It was originally called CALU [svana.org], Conference of Australian Linux Users.

      I want to call it Colloquy of Linux in Australia and New Zealand (CLANZ) but nobody's listening. (-:

      We're (the royal we're) also idly toying with the idea of separate per-state user Colloquia.

      Either way, LCA is top stuff. I hope we get Linus again this year. He likes to come along because of the low-profile, relaxed and informative ambience (y

  • distance (Score:1, Redundant)

    by nbert ( 785663 )
    I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood of another 24 hours spend in a plane. (I don't even know if there are direct flights from some city in Europe - Canberra)
    • Highly unlikely. Europe -> Sydney -> Canberra would be the quickest way (from Europe)
      • There usually is a stop in Singapore or Indonesia involved, so it will be London (most common) -> Kuala Lumpur (for example) -> Sydney | Adelaide | Melbourne | ... -> Canberra. Might add up to 30 hours. I'm not ranting, since I've been to Australia several times and I always enjoyed my stay (especially Melbourne and the Whitsunday Islands and the region above Cairns and...). However, the tickets are not cheap and the flight is a royal pain in the ass regardless of the class you are flying.
        • You are correct. You can also do the London - >LAX/SFO -> SYD -> CAN route... but I wouldnt recommend it. Im a Canberraian that lives in London and I have, err hum, a great deal of experience with this trip. It isnt a terribly pleasent one BTW.... 30 hours is a good ballpark.

          Oh and looking at the recommendation for the Canberra backpackers... I would give that two thumbs up... at least two years ago... friends of mine have stayted there... its own by a fairly swank Hotel across the road... they

    • Re:distance (Score:5, Funny)

      by InvisibleCola ( 780691 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @10:19PM (#11809160)
      Firstly, I live in Canberra so I am 24 hours from everywhere else.........you insensitve clod:) International flights are available from London, Rome, Athens etc. to both Sydney and Melbourne. International flights to/from Europe do not stop over in Indonesia but some do stop for a couple of hours in either Sinagapore or Bangkok. Sydney is a 40 minute flight from Canberra and Melbourne is about 1 hour 15 minutes. You can drive from Sydney to Canberra in under 3 hours, if you drive on the left. Add another three hours for weaving through oncoming traffic if you drive on the right.
      • You can drive from Sydney to Canberra in under 3 hours, if you drive on the left. Add another three hours for weaving through oncoming traffic if you drive on the right.
        Those drive left signs are pretty hard to ignore :) (And yes, I've been driving in Australia and it wasn't so hard for someone using the right side under "normal" cicumstances)
      • "Firstly, I live in Canberra"

        And here I thought I was the only one on here! :(

        I dont feel special any more
        • There's lots of us in Canberra.. Muahah :)
        • My house is your house and your house is mine

          Excellent, cause mine's a wreck... when can I move in? Add me to the Canberran slashdotter love-in :-)
          • Are you an 18 - 28 yo female? If so, then tomorrow if you have nothing better to do? If not, umm....Ill get back to you....sometime....maybe :)
            • Are you an 18 - 28 yo female?

              On slashdot? +5 funny.

              Tell you what, I'll come over for some of that excellent dope you must have been smoking. :-)
            • Ask and ye shall receive! I'm an 18-28 female in Canberra. Tomorrow I'm going to a maths lecture just metres from where the Linux conf will be. Hmm... guess that and washing my hair will keep me busy for the next 10 years.... sorry Bob.
              • ...you've got plenty to keep you busy without having to face random slobs who will probably be utterly shocked to be called out on their impression of bravado. (-:

                Hi from Perth. Shall I keep an eye out for the "Johannes Kepler made the Earth move for me" tee shirt while I'm over at the Conf? (-:
                • Oddly, I don't have that one. I'll go to the belconnen mall today, get a pink boob tube from Supre and some pearlescent white paint from the art shop and make one.

                  I've never met a 4-digit slashdotter before.

                  If you have trouble telling me from all the other girls in Kepler boob tubes (as it's sure to become an instant trend), I'll be the girl drinking espresso in Calypso cafe.

                  • Oddly, I don't have that one. I'll go to the belconnen mall today, get a pink boob tube from Supre and some pearlescent white paint from the art shop and make one.

                    OK, since you're going to so much trouble, what would you like on my shirt? Heisenberg was probably right? Schrodinger rules the waves?

                    I've never met a 4-digit slashdotter before.

                    'Tis actually the third account I registered. The emails for the first two no longer work, and I have no idea what the passwords might be. The main value in it for me

              • "Ask and ye shall receive! I'm an 18-28 female in Canberra. Tomorrow I'm going to a maths lecture..."

                *drool*

                "...just metres from where the Linux conf will be"

                Now only if you had said Apple Store! Oh well, I guess the search continues :)

                "Hmm... guess that and washing my hair will keep me busy for the next 10 years.... sorry Bob.
                "

                OK, Im a bit slow - that went WAY over my head :S
        • >>"Firstly, I live in Canberra"
          >And here I thought I was the only one on here! :(

          Same here!! :)
      • You can drive from Sydney to Canberra in under 3 hours

        Did that drive recently.. took about 2 and a half hours on a weekday. Just don't expect to stop off in Canberra for a bit and continue on to Melbourne!
    • I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood of another 24 hours spend in a plane.

      You could say the same about any destination in Australia), so why even bother posting in a Linux.conf.au discussion?
      • Yes, I was a little insensitive here. It just bugged me that the poster "highly recommend[s] attending the show". After all going to Canberra is terribly expensive/inconvenient for anybody not living in Australia or the region of Asia. (You might also take into account that we Europeans are not used to such distances. Some of us are astonished if they are still on the same globe after 8 hours of flight ;) )

        • Re:distance (Score:2, Insightful)

          by ibentmywookie ( 819547 )
          Well there are plenty of mentions of Linuxworlds in New York and San Francisco, etc.. that's pretty damn inconvenient to attend for us. 20+ hours on a flight. Not to mention KDE Konferences in Germany, GNOME conferences in the US, etc etc.

          And yes I've flown to Europe from Australia, and it was the longest day of my life. 8 hours to singapore, 13 hours to france, 45 minutes to london (+ airport wait times of about 5-9 hours, can't remember now)...

          So yeah, stop complaining. It's about time we had something
          • I've got relatives in Australia, so I've done it a few times. Based on personal experience I really recommend valium for the journey from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Europe (and vice versa). You don't really want to know what happens within. Some might argue that drugs are bad under any circumstances, but I don't really see a better way to survive such trips without getting close to insanity...
        • we Europeans are not used to such distances

          What distances? My office lies right between the Linux.conf.au stomping grounds and the local Apple Center, both all of 50 meters away. *And* I'm a European, you insensitive clod! :-)
        • Hemos lives in the US, and he recommends it. The flight from the US is not bad at all if you come for a week of conference and a week of holiday. See the great barrier reef!
          • Didn't I mention the Whitsunday Islands somewhere?

            I made my divers license in Australia (in Mackay actually). I'm planning to visit Au this or next year, but I already mentioned that tickets aren't exactly cheap.

    • Re:distance (Score:3, Informative)

      by child_of_mercy ( 168861 )
      If you're on a budget you'll get a bus to Canberra from Sydney.

      Yhe trip is shorter than to many cities from "their" airport. (I'm looking at you Narita)

      But Qantas run damn near an air-bridge Sydney Canberra. The flights leave every 30 mins and only take half an hour (including all the fiddling around)

      And the weather at this time of year is glorious.

      • But Qantas run damn near an air-bridge Sydney Canberra. The flights leave every 30 mins and only take half an hour (including all the fiddling around)

        If you do get a choice, go through Melbourne when flying in from overseas. Yes you'll spend half an hour longer on the plane, but immigration and changeover from international to domestic in Melbourne are *so* much more relaxed and easy. In Sydney you can have long lines at immigration, then to get to domestic they make you take a fricking bus that leaves th
      • If you're on a budget you'll get a bus to Canberra from Sydney.

        Not necessiarily even if youre on a budget. Ive said in a previous flight that I do the LHR -> CAN trip quite a bit. Once you get to SYD you have 4 choices. Another flight, the bus, the train or hire a car(Id only hire a car if you really need like... well... a car). Never take the train. It takes longer than a bus and drops you in a backwater bit of Canberra... which youll need to spend 20 buck on a taxi to get to Civic(the middle bit of

  • Oh! That kind of show (Score:3, Funny)

    by kitty tape ( 442039 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @09:33PM (#11808911) Journal
    I'm not sure I would even watch a TV show about Linux.

  • Not Worth it (Score:3, Informative)

    by moofdaddy ( 570503 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @09:36PM (#11808935) Homepage
    I went to the show last year and found it to be a complete waste of my time. The speakers were dull and unprofessional and the whole show in general had the feeling of a low rent high school play.

    • Re:Not Worth it (Score:1, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Did they have beer? I find that creates ample interest in just about anything.
    • I had a mixed bag.

      A session on profiling web apps was poor. Yes, I *would* expect a web-mail app to spend a lot of time in regexs, that's how you look for injected content. Another session was thinly disguised corporate promotion.

      The Postgres dudes were really good, the session on "Authentication Stone Soup" (something like that) was really excellent. The GStreamer demo was an eye-opener. Any talk by Rusty or Tridge is a must see.

      Whilst I could have read about other things (like Perl 6), it was nice to
      • A session on profiling web apps was poor. Yes, I *would* expect a web-mail app to spend a lot of time in regexs, that's how you look for injected content.

        You're right, I did a pretty crappy job of doing that presentation. I was stressed, I had lots of trouble getting my laptop to work with the projector, I got the timing wrong, it all just fell in a heap. Oh well, sometimes that happens. At least I learned from my mistakes and revised the presentation: I've since done an extended version of it at 3 other
        • Please do note that I deliberately didn't mention names as I did feel that I had missed *something*, but yes the signifcance was lost on me. And I certainly didn't think I had left enough detail in my post (for more than one person) to pick the exact session!

          By reading the other posts, it seems that other people did get something out of the session. But personally, the session was not what I was expecting (having tinkered with Perl profiling shortly before that LCA). On the flipside, the only way to get go
      • Certainly is. (-:

        However, don't belittle Conrad Parker [csiro.au] as a performer, living proof that not all Canucks are boring (he doesn't normally look like a con as he does in that photo, just acts like one sometimes :-) and there were many, many presenters who were attention-getting for their information [coker.com.au] rather than for their antics.

      • Belgian Beercafe.. wtf am I travelling all the way to .conf.au for Beer I can get from my own fridge ?

        Now don't tell me I have to bring it myselve also ! :)
      • "A session on profiling web apps was poor. Yes, I *would* expect a web-mail app to spend a lot of time in regexs, that's how you look for injected content."

        Really? I quite liked that session. The web mail app was only an example piece of relatively complex code to demonstrate profiling on.

        I think you may have missed the point of the regex finding. If you were profiling code, you would presumably be looking to speed it up. A quick look at the profiler output for that app showed that 97.8%* of the pr

  • Shows? Like TV? (Score:1, Funny)

    by caryw ( 131578 )
    void translateHemos (*std::string hemosspeak) {
    if (hemosspeak == "shows") {
    hemossspeak = "conference"; }
    }
    --
    Fairfax Underground [fairfaxunderground.com]: Where Fairfax County comes out to play
    • The fact that the moderator doesn't understand C++ Doesn't make the post offtopic. If you don't understand the post, don't moderate it. It sounds like a basic concept, but many people just don't get it. You are not obligated to moderate down every comment that you think may be just offtopic/flamebait/troll. If you are unsure, you better use your modpoints to mod-up what you do undestand, instead of modding down what you don't.

      • Re:Shows? Like TV? (Score:3, Insightful)

        by Dhalka226 ( 559740 )

        The fact that the moderator doesn't understand C++ Doesn't make the post offtopic

        Or it could be that the moderator doesn't see jabs at using a wrong word to be on the topic of the thread. I don't, although I probably wouldn't care enough to use a modpoint on it.

  • Great dunking (Score:2, Interesting)

    by gstone ( 236734 )
    I hope the Canberra weather isn't too cold for another great dunking [lwn.net]
    • Shouldn't be,April in Canberra is still very early Autumn.

      Mind you if it is we can always put the dunk tank on the top of the parliament house and let all the hot air warm the water.

  • linux.conf.au 2006 (Score:4, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 28, 2005 @09:42PM (#11808973)
    For those of you who are wondering where linux.conf.au 2006 is going to be, it will be held [linux.org.au] in Dunedin, New Zealand [wikipedia.org]

  • Hop over and check out "The Dish" (Score:5, Informative)

    by DumbSwede ( 521261 ) <slashdotbin@hotmail.com> on Monday February 28, 2005 @10:33PM (#11809219) Homepage Journal
    I doubt I will attend, but for those that do you may wish to take a small side trip to the Honeysuckle Creek tracking station. It and Parkes Observatory are what brought the first Apollo 11 moon walk Live to the world, being the only dishes of suitable power in proper position to receive the signal. Here is a link [questacon.edu.au] to some more info. You could also rent the little known, but well made movie "The Dish" [yahoo.com]

    • Just keep in mind that if you do go to Honeysuckle Creek don't expect to find a tracking station anymore. I went there to do astrophotography once as it's outside of the city a bit and was disapointed to find that the tracking station was just a few concrete slabs :p.

      Link [honeysucklecreek.net].
      • Wow, how sad, I know this was largely an American event, but to just demolish this piece of history seems unconscionable, regardless if its scientific use had come to an end. Too bad the movie didn't come out till 2001. Maybe more people would have known and cared. I'm sure the American government would have pitched in dollars if the American public had known what was to be lost.

        With the connectivity of the web these days, hopefully what seems obscure to some will find the wide audience needed to take

  • Hackfest Competition (Score:2, Informative)

    by cy ( 22200 )
    For those who are attending the conference there will also be a programming competition [linux.org.au] run during the conference.

    Lots of fun was had by participants and observers at last year's competition [linux.org.au].

  • For a Minute... (Score:3, Funny)

    by eno2001 ( 527078 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @10:57PM (#11809328) Homepage Journal
    ...I thought that I should go to /etc and look for linux.conf.au and then I realized that this was something completely different. I need to get out more. ;P
    • ...I thought that I should go to /etc and look for linux.conf.au and then I realized that this was something completely different. I need to get out more. ;P

      I thought it was an AUDIO file recorded from someone READING a file named linux.conf, and the article was about some kind of speech recognition software that could translate it to a text file.

  • Webcasts? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by kinema ( 630983 ) on Monday February 28, 2005 @11:21PM (#11809483)
    Will the presentations [linux.conf.au] be webcast?

  • Don't forget the penguins (Score:3, Informative)

    by child_of_mercy ( 168861 ) <johnboy@NOSpam.the-riotact.com> on Monday February 28, 2005 @11:33PM (#11809552) Homepage
    And remember the penguin which bit Linus lives at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra.
  • you missed last year conference?
    Download best 2004 videos from Linux.Conf.Au 2004 Videos Information & Downloads Webpage [linux.org.au]


    ___________________________
    Bridge - Linux Ethernet bridging [sourceforge.net]
  • Dont complain about the options... but what about all of us who don't live in Europe?
  • If 1. I lived in canberra/sydney. 2. I knew someone else going. Then I would go.
  • I went there as a speaker in 2002. Great conference and I had a lot of fun except for the part of going and coming back as I live in Brazil it took me more than 40 hours to come back home :)

Slashdot Top Deals

Get hold of portable property. -- Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations"

Close