[TheUbuCon] IRC Meeting Notes

[Kevin Wang]

Linux on laptops?  that's tricky given that laptops have all sorts of
strange problems.

but for those who use laptops, let me know if this sounds interesting:

http://rightsock.com/~kjw/Tech/linux-laptops.html

(specifically, the script).

that page's text needs updating.  I'll do that this weekend.

   - Kevin

On 1/26/07, John Mark Walker <johnmark at johnmark.org> wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> Below are the meeting notes from our IRC chat. The things I need most
> at the moment are...
>
> 1. help with outreach to NY-area LUG's, particularly college and
> university LUG's
> 2. brainstorming session topics. I have some ideas here, but I'd like
> to hear from everyone else - what sessions do you want to see?
>
> Otherwise, enjoy the chat transcript ;)
>
>
> -------BEGIN--------
>
> (02:47:24 PM) The topic for #ubucon is: The UbuCon New York - February
> 16 - http://wiki.ubuntu.com/TheUbucon RSVP at
> http://wiki.ubuntu.com/TheUbuconRSVP
> (02:54:12 PM) GNu_Joe: humm up to 14 people, 386 seats open, so far
> it's going to be nice and cozy
> (02:54:25 PM) porkrind: ha...
> (02:54:49 PM) porkrind: if last time was an indicator, most of those
> won't fill up until the last week
> (02:55:10 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: how cold is it?
> (02:55:16 PM) GNu_Joe: I would have thought the NYCLug would fill that up
> (02:55:28 PM) porkrind: they will. some of them have confirmed to me
> but not filled it up
> (02:55:41 PM) porkrind: er... not RSVP'd on the list
> (02:55:56 PM) porkrind: I think we'll get somewhere around 100
> (02:56:00 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, let's see in Poughkeepsie it's now 13deg
> (02:56:06 PM) porkrind: oy
> (02:56:32 PM) porkrind: yeah, it's freezing here too... must be down to 50
> (02:56:35 PM) porkrind: heh
> (02:57:12 PM) porkrind: so how many of you guys are active in college
> or university LUG's?
> (02:58:17 PM) n8k99: I go to school at uni of phoenix no meat space interactions
> (02:58:20 PM) GNu_Joe: I'm representing mhvlug.org
> (02:58:35 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: hey you
> (02:58:38 PM) porkrind: n8k99: ah... wow
> (02:58:44 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: yes, officially wearing ubuntu hat, not google hat
> (02:58:45 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: :)
> (02:58:47 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: hey, wth are you??? ;)
> (02:58:49 PM) porkrind: haha
> (02:59:08 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: cool... how many from that LUG do you
> think can make it?
> (02:59:10 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: :)
> (02:59:10 PM) GNu_Joe: lh_ubuntuhat, where do you get a Ubuntu hat? ;-)
> (02:59:24 PM) ***lh_ubuntuhat checks the ubuntu store
> (02:59:29 PM) porkrind: from the ubuntu store in a mall near you... duh
> (02:59:35 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, at this point 3-4 but I expect about 7+
> (02:59:39 PM) porkrind: ok, cool
> (03:00:09 PM) porkrind: so as I mentioned before, if you know how to
> get ahold of college LUG's, I'd really like to do some outreach there
> this next week
> (03:00:10 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: we can probably get some google
> folks to help with the installfest
> (03:00:28 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: cool. yeah, I'd also like to
> figure out how many googlers will be there
> (03:00:28 PM) ***n8k99 ubunhats come preinstalled on system76heads
> (03:00:50 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: i'll send out an invitation and
> ask folks to register
> (03:00:55 PM) porkrind: sweet. thanks
> (03:01:07 PM) porkrind: anybody have friends at NYU?
> (03:01:17 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, We have Marist, Vassar, and SUNY New
> Palz covered
> (03:01:18 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: GNu_Joe: they do indeed have hats at the
> ubuntu store!
> (03:01:30 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: awesome.
> (03:01:44 PM) Seven-iron: Will the Installfest be dedicated to Ubuntu?
> I have about 125 CDs from other distros I can bring and leave there
> (older versions).
> (03:01:59 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: I think it makes sense to have as
> much there as possible
> (03:02:09 PM) porkrind: but I'm getting a stack from Canonical, so
> we're covered either way
> (03:02:47 PM) GNu_Joe: what version?
> (03:02:50 PM) porkrind: the last time I had an Ubucon, a lot of people
> had installed it and just wanted to troubleshoot
> (03:02:54 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: 6.10
> (03:03:11 PM) porkrind: so I figured it makes sense to have one room
> dedicated to troubleshooting and installation
> (03:03:22 PM) GNu_Joe: yup
> (03:03:27 PM) n8k99: I have a stack of 6.06
> (03:03:47 PM) porkrind: Looks like a few NYLUG'ers will help out with
> that - so if we have people from Google and other LUG's doing the
> installfest, I think we're covered there
> (03:03:58 PM) Seven-iron: Lesseeee ... I know I had Debian Sarge CDs
> and FC5 on CD also. I figure bringing DSL won't hurt either, but I
> think it's 2.4
> (03:04:07 PM) porkrind: ok
> (03:04:22 PM) GNu_Joe: So.... any cool talks lined up?
> (03:04:30 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I'm glad you asked :)
> (03:04:36 PM) porkrind: I
> (03:04:38 PM) GNu_Joe: ;-)
> (03:04:56 PM) GNu_Joe: Is Mark going to show up?
> (03:05:07 PM) porkrind: I've been speaking with some guys at Eben
> Moglen's group at softwarefreedom.org, and I hope Eben can make it,
> but I don't know
> (03:05:25 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I don't think Mark can make it. He 's
> supposedly skiing or something
> (03:05:49 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: but there will be a couple of
> Canonical people there, and I'll devote at least one session in the
> main auditorium to them
> (03:05:56 PM) GNu_Joe: how about Jono?
> (03:06:05 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I'm talking to him on Monday. I hope so
> (03:06:23 PM) porkrind: according to his schedule, he's speaking
> somewhere else that day, so we'll see
> (03:07:20 PM) porkrind: so between opening and closing, a Canonical
> session, and a possible Eben Moglen session, there's not actually that
> much open in the main auditorium
> (03:07:34 PM) GNu_Joe: just tell him it's a heavy metal install
> fest... he'll make it
> (03:07:38 PM) porkrind: haha!
> (03:07:42 PM) porkrind: I'll do that
> (03:08:08 PM) porkrind: my main concern is making sure there's enough
> going on in the other 2 rings of the 3-ring circus
> (03:08:28 PM) porkrind: and by the way - this isn't a conference
> that's about the speakers, it's about the participants and attendees
> as much as anything
> (03:09:06 PM) GNu_Joe: ok, right that's why I'm here, what do you need?
> (03:09:06 PM) porkrind: so before I go any further... what is
> everyone's background here? developer? sysadmin? interested
> enthusiast?
> 03:09:29 PM) ***GNu_Joe all of the above
> (03:09:32 PM) porkrind: the last time, we had some interesting
> impromptu sessions from people that just happened to show up
> (03:09:46 PM) porkrind: and I dont' want a rigid schedule that
> prevents them from speaking
> (03:10:10 PM) Seven-iron: I'm an interested enthusiast!
> (03:10:15 PM) porkrind: so here's what we need - a couple of
> interactive sessions about developing on ubuntu
> (03:10:18 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: hear hear!
> (03:10:29 PM) GNu_Joe: so.. like mostly BOF sessions?
> (03:10:34 PM) porkrind: a couple on just simple, end-user stuff
> "here's how I got my laptop working"
> (03:10:36 PM) n8k99: artist in school to become a developer
> (03:10:36 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: yes
> (03:10:44 PM) porkrind: n8k99: oh, you're gold
> (03:11:05 PM) porkrind: n8k99: do you have any tricks with linux
> graphics packages to show?
> (03:11:49 PM) Seven-iron: Sorry ... web client severely lags ... how
> do ppl envision the "here's how I got my laptop working" session?
> (03:11:51 PM) porkrind: the last ubucon had a wide array of people -
> from google developers to out-of-work people off thestreet who had
> just installed ubuntu on their old laptop
> (03:12:01 PM) n8k99: unfortunately - no and I will be out of town- I
> committed to attending a friends wedding
> (03:12:16 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: I could see an interactive session
> with about 4 or 5 presenters each covering their different experiences
> (03:12:28 PM) porkrind: n8k99: bah... priorities ;)
> (03:12:50 PM) n8k99: porkrind yeah
> (03:12:58 PM) ***n8k99 doesn't want to grow up
> (03:13:03 PM) porkrind: haha
> (03:13:15 PM) GNu_Joe: session I would love to see "how to report a
> bug, and get it fixed by following through"
> (03:13:26 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: so we'd call it something simple
> like "ubuntu on laptops" and make sure there are at least a couple of
> people there with something to show
> (03:13:30 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: yes
> (03:13:43 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: will we make the channel log of
> this meeting available?
> (03:13:48 PM) porkrind: a couple of the best sessions last time were
> along the lines of "how to participate in Ubuntu"
> (03:13:54 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: yup
> (03:15:00 PM) GNu_Joe: I hope this does not sound cheesy but Ubuntu
> installs cleanly leaving the person going what next?
> (03:15:12 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: yeah, that's it
> (03:15:24 PM) porkrind: at the last ubucon, we had 2 sessions on how
> to participate in ubuntu
> (03:15:37 PM) porkrind: one was a technical session all about
> launchpad and related tools
> (03:15:41 PM) Seven-iron: Can I presume Xubuntu will be just as
> welcome as Ubuntu? I'm trying to recall some of my installation
> misadventures with wacky mouse pointers and sudden shutdowns.
> (03:15:58 PM) porkrind: the other was more of a general, here are the
> various way to interact with Ubuntu communities
> (03:16:03 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: certainly
> (03:16:07 PM) GNu_Joe: I like the idea of "video editing" or "sound
> editing" aka how to accomplish something cool
> (03:16:11 PM) porkrind: and kubuntu... and edubuntu
> (03:16:30 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: yes, absolutely. I want mostly end
> user-focused desktop stuff
> (03:16:41 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: with the right mix of sysadmin and dev stuff
> (03:17:08 PM) porkrind: but I'm actually not really concerned about
> getting speakers - it's mostly get the right people to show up, and
> out of that, you'll get a certain % of speakers
> (03:17:20 PM) porkrind: so here are the top priorities of what I need
> at the moment:
> (03:18:03 PM) porkrind: 1. outreach to LUG's - if you know of any
> LUG's that have not been covered - NYU, columbia, CUNY, etc. - I need
> to know about it so that they're on my radar. or just contact them
> directly
> (03:18:12 PM) Seven-iron: I'm just a big fan of xfce since the
> hardware in which I install's a bit older.
> (03:18:28 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: that's a good point because there
> will be some people there with *ancient* hardware
> (03:18:42 PM) porkrind: so we shouldn't forget about xubuntu
> (03:18:58 PM) n8k99: maybe fluxbuntu either
> (03:18:59 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, do you have a flier?
> (03:19:04 PM) porkrind: and it goes without saying that if any of you
> want to say something, by all means, put your name down
> (03:19:14 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: no, but I need one... which was my next thing
> (03:19:28 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I have the text, but I need someone
> with graphics-foo to put together a cool flyer
> (03:19:41 PM) n8k99: I can handle that porkrind
> (03:19:44 PM) porkrind: so if you can help, or if you know someone that can...
> (03:19:47 PM) porkrind: n8k99: sweetness
> (03:20:08 PM) ***n8k99 yells at the GIMP
> (03:20:10 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: as for logistical stuff, will we
> need any volunteers for any of that day's functions?
> (03:20:12 PM) porkrind: n8k99: ha
> (03:20:45 PM) porkrind: and if someone can show me how you use
> cinepaint on Linux, you'll be golden
> (03:20:50 PM) porkrind: or blender for that matter
> (03:21:10 PM) n8k99: ooh now you're asking for alot
> (03:21:19 PM) n8k99: ;-)
> (03:21:52 PM) porkrind: haha
> (03:21:56 PM) porkrind: yeah... heh
> (03:21:58 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, we had a Merist prof. give a killer
> Blender demo, also I have the project Orange DVDs
> (03:22:07 PM) porkrind: oh, that would rock
> (03:22:17 PM) porkrind: can you ask him?
> (03:22:27 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, I'll try
> (03:22:36 PM) porkrind: ok... thanks
> (03:23:25 PM) porkrind: so... think about whom to invite... think
> about what you'd like to see re: sessions... and I'd like to have a
> good portion of the schedule filled out by next Friday
> (03:24:00 PM) porkrind: anyway... is this a good time for you guys, or
> would you like to tri a different date and time next week?
> (03:24:13 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: everything ok? are you using some
> gee-whiz irc-web gateway?
> (03:25:38 PM) porkrind: oh... and does anyone have a blog that they
> want added to the ubucon blog?
> (03:25:42 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, I did that Ubuntu overview did you
> get a chance to look at the slides?
> (03:25:58 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: yes - I was actually going to ask you
> about that
> (03:26:09 PM) Seven-iron: fraid so .... I'm trying to keep up with
> this web client
> (03:26:12 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I was going to steal a little of that
> for the opening session
> (03:26:14 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: doh
> (03:26:28 PM) porkrind: either that, or I'll give a quick intro and
> then let you do the "intro to Ubuntu" bit
> (03:26:36 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe:
> (03:26:52 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, by my guest, I stole the original layout ;-)
> (03:27:01 PM) porkrind: haha... well, in that case :@)
> (03:27:22 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, just let me know what you want to do
> (03:27:28 PM) porkrind: ok, cool
> (03:27:51 PM) porkrind: alrighty... so for now, there's not a whole
> lot else to discuss. I'd like to get together like this again next
> week. what time is best for everyone?
> (03:28:37 PM) GNu_Joe: porkrind, question is there any restrictions
> that we should know about? like no cameras?
> (03:28:47 PM) n8k99: porkrindcan you email me text for the flyer?
> (03:29:00 PM) porkrind: n8k99: yes, I will do that this weekend
> (03:29:04 PM) Seven-iron: this time seems to work well enought for me
> ... maybe I'll use a reeeeal client this time
> (03:29:13 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: good question - google is very
> reluctant to allow cameras
> (03:29:15 PM) n8k99: you have to work out photography issues with
> google's in house staff
> (03:29:27 PM) porkrind: with permission, you can take some shots. we
> ran into that last time
> (03:29:40 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: heh... well, however you can participate
> (03:29:44 PM) n8k99: with advance notice they will video the talks for us
> (03:30:02 PM) porkrind: n8k99: yup. I'll Leslie very very nicely if
> she can help get that set up
> (03:30:04 PM) GNu_Joe: more content for google video I guess
> (03:30:07 PM) porkrind: heh
> (03:30:20 PM) porkrind: and now youtube... can't forget youtube ;)
> (03:30:21 PM) GNu_Joe: is there WiFi?
> (03:30:23 PM) Seven-iron: Will there be a camera phone check at
> Google's entrance, too?
> (03:30:41 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: hmm... I had a camera phone and
> nobody checked... but then i didn't try to use it, either
> (03:30:49 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: there's always wifi
> (03:31:06 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: if it's like the mountain view
> office, there will be guest wifi - but I'll need to confirm that
> (03:32:59 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: sorry, add moment
> (03:33:13 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: no worries. I empathize
> (03:33:17 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: i think we'll be okay without logistics
> volunteers - I will be there, along with susan and my new assistant
> tiffany
> (03:33:20 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: so we're golden
> (03:33:25 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: :)
> (03:33:28 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: you'll be there???
> (03:33:29 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: brb
> (03:33:32 PM) porkrind: dude... I didnt' know that
> (03:33:36 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: porkrind: oh yeah
> (03:33:37 PM) porkrind: awesome
> (03:33:38 PM) porkrind: haha
> (03:33:49 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: <--- professional geek herder
> (03:34:25 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: GNu_Joe: there should be guest wifi, but i
> will confirm
> (03:34:29 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: brb folks
> (03:36:21 PM) porkrind: alrighty... well unless there are any pressing
> questions, I'm going to drift in and out from here on
> (03:36:57 PM) porkrind: n8k99: I'll work on getting you some text tonight
> (03:37:24 PM) porkrind: oh one other thing... are any of you planning
> to man the ubuntu booth at linuxworld?
> (03:37:29 PM) n8k99: ok great - when do I need to have this finished
> (03:37:39 PM) porkrind: n8k99: whenver you can :)
> (03:37:46 PM) porkrind: n8k99: can you have it early next week?
> (03:37:56 PM) ***n8k99 wants a mm/dd not at $string
> (03:38:01 PM) porkrind: haha
> (03:38:17 PM) porkrind: 01/31 - is that cool?
> (03:38:23 PM) n8k99: perfect
> (03:38:31 PM) porkrind: n8k99: sweet. you r0x0r
> (03:38:49 PM) n8k99: we hope that is true, now don't we
> (03:39:01 PM) porkrind: right... I guess I'll have to see the flyer first ;)
> (03:39:08 PM) Seven-iron: since ppl will be bringing in ancient
> hardware, I'm presuming some of 'em may not even have bootable CD-ROM
> drives or even CD-ROMs period. Can we help these ppl get something
> installed?
> (03:39:31 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: I don't think that will be too
> much of a concern, but it probably wouldn't hurt to be prepared
> (03:40:06 PM) lh_ubuntuhat: back
> (03:40:08 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: but that brings up one issue -
> setting up an install server in case we need to do network installs
> after booting from a floppy or something
> (03:40:25 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: I shall bring that up with lh_ubuntuhat
> (03:41:25 PM) Seven-iron: i have an oooooold panasonic toughbook
> (P233) which would qualify. I've seen something nifty ideas for
> installing without a CD-ROM drive.
> (03:41:53 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: I had to do that with an old vaio
> - but that was with suse, and I did network installs
> (03:42:03 PM) porkrind: I assume you can do the same with
> debian/ubuntu, but I haven't tried
> (03:42:17 PM) Seven-iron: kewl!
> (03:42:17 PM) porkrind: lh_ubuntuhat: we were wondering about setting
> up an install server
> (03:42:38 PM) porkrind: in case we come across the odd laptop that
> can't boot from cdrom and has to boot from floppy or some such
> (03:43:10 PM) porkrind: just any old machine we can turn into a ubuntu
> repository
> (03:43:30 PM) Seven-iron: Yes, I've seen and done network installs
> with Debian. I'd love to see the same with (any flavor of) Ubuntu, but
> I can't seem to find such a resource.
> (03:44:13 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: hmm... ok
> (03:44:18 PM) porkrind: then I need to dosome digging
> (03:45:00 PM) porkrind: perhaps I can turn my macbook (running
> ubuntu!) into an install server. that would be sweet
> (03:46:13 PM) GNu_Joe: I though the powerpc version was dropped?
> (03:46:34 PM) porkrind: GNu_Joe: I'm using the intel-based one
> (03:46:59 PM) Seven-iron: I'll go find a reeeeal IRC client in the
> meantime. I can't stand the lag. C ya next week.
> (03:47:05 PM) porkrind: ha... ok..
> (03:47:16 PM) porkrind: Seven-iron: c-ya next week - same bat time,
> same bat channel
>
> -----------END-----------
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