Re: DebConf twice a year was: DebConf-7 ;)
On Wed, Jun 08, 2005 at 06:29:19AM +1000, Anand Kumria wrote:
> It is probably time to promote the Debian mini-conf up to being a 'full
> debconf', why not rename Debian mini-conf to Debian Sud.
[...]
> Objections?
> Anand
I don't have any objections, as long as you don't call it "DebConf"
anymore then.
Why?
DebConf is a unique event, in that it brings Debian people from all over
the world together in one place, so that they can discuss what they're
doing over a glass of beer rather than an MUA. This event is very
important, both for understanding between different people in the
community and for the development of the system itself; I don't think we
should jeopardize that in any way. The fact that, amongst others, we
have people from the US as well as from Japan in Finland this year,
shows that this indeed is true.
I'm afraid that promoting the Australian mini-conf to a full 'DebConf'
(and calling it that way) might reduce the "original" DebConf's
importance, in several ways:
* First, if there's more than one DebConf a year, many people simply
will not have the ability to get enough time off at work or school to
attend both conferences. Thus, they'll pick one and ignore the other;
most likely, they'll pick the one that is closest (and, thus,
cheapest) to the other. This will result in the "original" DebConf
getting less attention, and falling short of its goal to bring people
together from all over the world.
* Second, if there're two DebConf conferences a year, we might lose some
goodwill with our sponsors. The importance of this should not be
underestimated -- DebConf wouldn't be possible without them.
* Third, if there's one DebConf that travels around the world, never
taking place in the same continent two years in a row while another
one always takes place in the same country, I don't think that's
healthy. This would mean that some people will have the ability to go
to a DebConf every year, while some won't.
* Last, but not least, there's no saying where this will end. I've been
organizing the Debian presence at the last two FOSDEM meetings in
Brussels, Belgium (and participated in manning the booth the year
before). Since FOSDEM is winning in popularity with FLOSS community
members and, thus, also Debian Developers every year, we've been able
to fill a full two-day schedule this time. I thought it appropriate to
start calling this meeting something like "Debian Europe mini-conf" or
something, although I haven't discussed that with anyone yet. Now if
this takes off, and we decide to make it five days rather than two
some time from now (just as you are considering at this point in
time), should we suddenly make it a third DebConf?
Now, don't get me wrong; if you feel that the Australian mini-conf is
successfull enough to have a five-day schedule rather than a two-day
one, then by all means make it five days. I just don't think it's a good
idea to call it "DebConf" as well, and would prefer if you found it a
different name, which would emphasize the more local character that this
conference has.
Now if you're not planning on calling it DebConf anymore (and it's not
really clear from your mail whether you are or not), then I'd say go for
it. But please do take my concerns into account.
--
The amount of time between slipping on the peel and landing on the
pavement is precisely one bananosecond
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