Linux.conf.au 2013: ‘Nerdvana’ in Canberra

itgrrl — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:26:36 +0000

During the last week of January, approximately 700 IT professionals and enthusiastic hobbyists descended on Canberra to jointly create an intensive learning experience. Each year the call goes out across the intertubes to gather together open source geeks for Linux Conference Australia. Linux.conf.au, or simply LCA, is one of the largest open source conferences in the southern hemisphere, and one of the most highly-regarded conferences of its kind in the world. I was excited to attend LCA2013, as it was my first LinuxConf, despite being involved to a modest degree in the Linux and open source community for at least the last 15 years.

Most days, the programme commenced with a keynote address by an IT industry luminary who had made a significant contribution to computer technology and open source. At every keynote address, the lower level of ANU’s Llewellyn Hall was packed with delegates, each toting a selection of wifi- or 3G-enabled devices. While I saw a healthy 55Mbps idle capacity on the Internet link provided by conference organisers (ably assisted by the network engineers at AARNET), once the assembled cohort of digital natives hit the link, all of that that capacity was rapidly utilised.

The conference was opened on the Monday by Bdale Garbee, recently-retired Open Source & Linux Chief Technologiest at Hewlett-Packard, and a long-time contributor to the Debian Linux distribution. (Read Kelly Burnes’ article about Bdale at LCA2013, where you can also watch our video interview.)

On the Tuesday, Radia Perlman enchanted the audience with her talk on the folklore of networking. Radia has been instrumental in developing several key networking protocols that underpin the interconnectedness of computers that we now take for granted. She gave a highly-technical yet accessible talk laced with humour and even nerdy poetry. (You can read my thoughts on Radia at LCA2013, and watch our video interview.)

Andrew “bunnie

Cite this article:
Smith J (2013-02-11 00:26:36). Linux.conf.au 2013: 'Nerdvana' in Canberra. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 05, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/internet-2/linux-conf-au-2013-canberra/

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The post Linux.conf.au 2013: ‘Nerdvana’ in Canberra appeared first on Australian Science.

“Do what it takes to solve the problem, and no more”: a small talk with ‘Bunnie’ Huang

rayna.s — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:44:37 +0000

As a Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) geek, I was really looking very much forward to anything coming out from the linux.conf.au, better known as LCA. And for a huge bouquet of surprises, this year’s edition was one.

Andrew “bunnie” Huang (@bunniestudios) at LCA2013: “Do what it takes to solve the problem, and no more”. Photo by @kinshasha on Twitter

Along with Radia Perlman and Bdale Garbee, there was Andrew ‘bunnie’ Huang. He is a very interesting person, and his activities go beyond just-basic-nerdiness. Huang happens to be the person responsible for the jailbreaking of Microsoft’s Xbox360, something he wrote a book about in 2003. Moreover, he holds a PhD in engineering from the MIT. What I really like Bunnie for is all his great coverage of Chinese manufacturing, while sourcing suppliers for Chumby. Chumby is a gem: a totally open and hackable device designed from the ground up complete with open source hardware. This embedded computer provides internet access through a WiFi connection, and is able to run a wide range of software widgets once connected. The hardware being open, everyone willing to use Chumby is encouraged to get into the device and make it his/her own.

You may be blinking a bit thinking “OMG, how come I don’t know this guy!

Cite this article:
Stamboliyska R (2013-02-10 08:44:37). "Do what it takes to solve the problem, and no more": a small talk with 'Bunnie' Huang. Australian Science. Retrieved: May 05, 2024, from http://australianscience.com.au/interviews/do-what-it-takes-to-solve-the-problem-and-no-more-a-small-talk-with-bunnie-huang/

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The post “Do what it takes to solve the problem, and no more”: a small talk with ‘Bunnie’ Huang appeared first on Australian Science.

Andrew “bunnie” Huang – Australian Science

Linux.conf.au 2013: ‘Nerdvana’ in Canberra

“Do what it takes to solve the problem, and no more”: a small talk with ‘Bunnie’ Huang