claudine_c

Things I've learned from attending linux.conf.au 2009:

(1) My work -- using FOSS tools to aid historical research -- is interesting to people outside the 'digital humanities'. People came to my miniconference talks. It's counterproductive to wonder whether people came specifically to hear me, or just because they had nothing better to do. The point is, they turned up; some asked questions and made useful comments following the talks, and some later in the week. I even exchanged calling cards.

I've learned that there are geeks who are interested in hearing about [the use of computers in] history. It would be interesting to try delivering similar presentations (or writing articles) in a different direction -- talking to historians about how they can use computers at a more advanced level than desktop applications.

(2) The Linux/FOSS community is a close and compassionate one. Yes, there are notable exceptions to this, but this annual large gathering of geeks somehow brings out the best in a lot of the attendees. It's a community that provides support to people affected by the economic crisis, and that has donated $40,000 and Bdale Garbee's beard to Tasmanian devil research. [another report] I'm guessing that the proportion of women attending these events and being accepted as fellow geeks, not token women, is also increasing.

The FOSS community is not my primary one, but I admire its values and its community spirit.

----

The public website for my main project, Founders and Survivors, has not officially launched yet, but it was promoted in my talks and in the Fairfax press, and quite a few people have already made contact with us about getting involved. I feel my work is starting to bear fruit.

The first two days of linux.conf.au have ended. These two days are dedicated to miniconferences, and I was somehow convinced to give related presentations on both days -- at the LinuxChix and Free as in freedom miniconfs. My slides are available on Slideshare and may also be made available via linux.conf.au in the next few days.

I expect many of the LCA delegates are socialising in Sandy Bay, where most delegates are staying, or in central Hobart. I'm sitting in a private house on the other side of Hobart, (uncharacteristically) watching the tennis on TV. LCA is an intense week of often highly technical sessions and exposure to a large number of geeks. I haven't reacted as strongly as I did in 2007, but I still find LCA too intense for me. I can see why some people would revel in this intensity; for many geeks, LCA could be the highlight of the year. I see myself responding in a similar way to other high-pressure activities that other people find mystifying (such as spending most of my time in church during Holy Week or the week before Christmas). I think I'm getting more out of LCA this time than in 2007, but I still need time alone and away from the centre of activity.

The complete miniconference schedules for linux.conf.au 2009 have been released. I will be speaking on 'Digitising the paper panopticon' at the Linuxchix miniconf on Monday 19 Jan, and on 'Public history in the digital age' at the Free as in Freedom miniconf on Tuesday 20 Jan.

The schedule for the linux.conf.au Free as in freedom miniconference (on 20 January) has been released. I will be presenting on Public history in the digital age.