So it is that time of the year again: the time of year we see people arguing over why they want to host DebConf in their country. Some of you have seen how Debianic processes inside the DebConf organization team can be. First, decisions just get made. Some time later, long discussions take place and only the fittest survive. We try to learn from our mistakes, however, and make our decision-making processes easier to follow and understand -- and to make it harder for people to get bitter about the decisions taken. In the last year, we developed a new procedure to allow us to judge, as objectively as possible, which of the proposed venues is best equipped to host a DebConf. It includes a checklist [1] about the venue infrastructure, the available local team, and the area/country in general. In order to guide you towards what criteria to choose when confronting several possible venues in your area, take a look as well at Debconf's priority list [2]. We will host responses in the DebConf wiki, under the DebConf9 category [3]. We would like bid teams to express their wish to host DebConf9 before DebConf7 starts, and to have a public session at DebConf where they make brief presentations about their bids. To allow that we ask the bid teams to answer the checklist and prepare brief introductions to their bids by 16 June (Debian Day). The responses will then be published so that everyone interested can compare the bids (and look for missing information, so it can be filled in before the presentation). We will hold the presentation session probably on Wednesday 20th. Presentations should be brief, only 5-10 minutes per venue (we currently expect four venues to run); they will be followed by questions to the bid teams from those attending. A final decision on the DebConf9 venue is expected be taken about two months after DebConf7. Now, where should DebConf9 be? We have a tradition that has become a policy: DebConf doesn't take place on the same continent two years in a row, to make it easier for people from all over the world to attend. Sine DebConf8 will be in Argentina, America is almost ruled out for DebConf9 -- it's time for Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania to get creative! Anyway... a quick summary of what I said so far, if you're interested in holding DebConf near you: We hope to get many interesting and valuable ideas for DebConf. Of course, if you are willing to host it at your country, it is very strongly advised for you to start getting involved in the DebConf organization as soon as possible - maybe as a volunteer at this year's Debconf, and as a core organizing member for DebConf 8. Your involvement will surely count for the final decision! - NOW: go to the location checklist [1], and start filling in the information requested. Start work on a short formal document describing the facilities where you plan to host DebConf. - 16 June: deadline for posting proposals to the DebConf9 wiki page. - 20 June: short presentations, then general open discussion with the DebConf7 attendees. - End of August/start of September: official decision. [1] http://wiki.debconf.org/wiki/LocationCheckList [2] http://wiki.debconf.org/wiki/PriorityList [3] http://wiki.debconf.org/wiki/DebConf9 -- Gunnar Wolf - gwolf@gwolf.org - (+52-55)5623-0154 / 1451-2244 PGP key 1024D/8BB527AF 2001-10-23 Fingerprint: 0C79 D2D1 2C4E 9CE4 5973 F800 D80E F35A 8BB5 27AF
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