Re: [ossig] FOSSCON 2005

[Ditesh <ditesh@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> awareness ? if you get a PHP/Python/Perl guru talking about the 
> intricacies of the language, syntax, objects and structure, how many 
> VB/VC/.NET developers are going to grok that presentation ? it'd be 
> preaching to the converted.
>
No dude, the scope of the conference that I'm suggesting is more OSCON 
instead of USENIX kinda of conference. Relatively high level, and good 
enough for developer of any genre to get involved.

> if it's awareness you're aiming at, then the presentations have to be 
> a bit more higher level than what is usually given at a traditional 
> developer conference.

Yes, it cannot be extremely technical.

>> some awareness is better than zero awareness. Yes, you right that this 
>
>
> i'd rather we hit straight at the pocket book. there're tons of 
> microsoft developers because there are jobs which /pay/ for microsoft 
> developers. we've got to show them that they can make a buck on this 
> side of the fence as well. ideology and religion wont win them over.
>
Look, our good pals at Microsoft organize great developer conferences 
and the conference attracts developers of all backgrounds, not just 
Microsoft developers. And the conference serves to highlight Microsoft 
technologies. All I'm suggesting is that we do the same with FOSSCON 2005.

And no, I'm not advocating ideology or religion, but pure merit - there 
is great stuff happening in the FOSS developer world without having to 
attract developers by virtue of ideology/religion.

Yes, we show them how to make a buck on this side of the fence. Yes, we 
show them about how they can save money in a variety of areas and still 
be more productive at the same time. What you wrote and what I have in 
mind are not at odds, in fact they are very much in line. For example, I 
suggested on the wiki to get zend people involved as I can see them 
appealing to the more business minded in the crowd.

> for starters, i'd be happy if some of the local FOSS proponents who're 
> not in development, start doing some development. FOSS expertise in 
> malaysia is still largely in systems administration, with very few 
> venturing into software development. the problem is because we lack a 
> vibrant FOSS /developer/ community.

Well, if things work out right, we might be kicking off the workshops 
again :-)

> with the exception to miguel de icaza, the java and generic language 
> bits are already handled by the respective vendors pushing those 
> technologies. sun for example does throw an annual java conference for 
> developers. problem with this is, the attendees then go back and work 
> with proprietary technologies writing closed source software.
>
You misunderstand what I have been saying. No, I'm not expecting them to 
release FOSS software after attending this conference. But yes, I would 
expect this conference to open their eyes to FOSS technologies and 
nudging them towards adopting FOSS technologies when building 
applications. But adopting FOSS technologies != releasing FOSS code. 
There is an important difference there.

> i'd agree with you, but it'd only benefit existing FOSS developers. in 
> that vein, it's a Good Thing(tm) indeed. but let's not kid ourselves 
> that it would signal a significant increase in local FOSS developers.
>

No, as I stated before, I don't foresee an increase in local FOSS 
developers either. That's _NOT_ the goal, at least from my perspective. 
If I see a goal in this initial developer conference, it would be 
exposure of FOSS technologies to the non-FOSS community. I see 
Microsoft/<<insert proprietary vendor here>> evangelizing their 
technology all the time. I see this conference as providing exposure of 
FOSS technologies to the non-FOSS crowd, in the same evangelizing vein.

On a separate note (regardless of the theme we decide to go with), there 
has been substantial enthusiasm from the community. On the wiki page, 
there are four urgent items - I'd like to request that the FOSSCON 
mailing list be set as unmoderated to get things going at a faster pace.

Best regards,
Ditesh


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