Dear Debian community,
this is bits from DPL for March (sorry for the delay, I was waiting
for some additional input).
Conferences
===========
In March, I attended two conferences, each with a distinct motivation.
I joined FOSSASIA to address the imbalance in geographical developer
representation. Encouraging more developers from Asia to contribute to
Free Software is an important goal for me, and FOSSASIA provided a
valuable opportunity to work towards this.
I also attended Chemnitzer Linux-Tage, a conference I have been part of
for over 20 years. To me, it remains a key gathering for the German Free
Software community--a place where contributors meet, collaborate, and
exchange ideas.
I have a remark about submitting an event proposal to both FOSDEM *and*
FOSSASIA:
Cross distribution experience exchange
As Debian Project Leader, I have often reflected on how other Free
Software distributions address challenges we all face. I am interested
in discussing how we can learn from each other to improve our work and
better serve our users. Recognizing my limited understanding of other
distributions, I aim to bridge this gap through open knowledge exchange.
My hope is to foster a constructive dialogue that benefits the
broader Free Software ecosystem. Representatives of other distributions
are encouraged to participate in this BoF--whether as contributors or
official co-speakers. My intention is not to drive the discussion from a
Debian-centric perspective but to ensure that all distributions have an
equal voice in the conversation.
This event proposal was part of my commitment from my 2024 DPL platform,
specifically under the section "Reaching Out to Learn"[co01]. Had it been
accepted, I would have also attended FOSDEM. However, both FOSDEM and
FOSSASIA rejected the proposal.
In hindsight, reaching out to other distribution contributors beforehand
might have improved its chances. I may take this approach in the future
if a similar opportunity arises. That said, rejecting an
interdistribution discussion without any feedback is, in my view, a
missed opportunity for collaboration.
FOSSASIA summit
---------------
The 14th FOSSASIA Summit[co02] took place in Bangkok. As a leading
open-source technology conference in Asia, it brings together
developers, startups, and tech enthusiasts to collaborate on projects in
AI, cloud computing, IoT, and more.
With a strong focus on open innovation, the event features hands-on
workshops, keynote speeches, and community-driven discussions,
emphasizing open-source software, hardware, and digital freedom. It
fosters a diverse, inclusive environment and highlights Asia's growing
role in the global FOSS ecosystem.
I presented a talk on Debian as a Global Project[co03] and led a
packaging workshop[co04]. Additionally, to further support attendees
interested in packaging, I hosted an extra self-organized workshop at a
hacker café, initiated by participants eager to deepen their skills.
There was another Debian related talk given by Ananthu titled "The
Herculean Task of OS Maintenance - The Debian Way!"[co5]
To further my goal of increasing diversity within Debian--particularly
by encouraging more non-male contributors--I actively engaged with
attendees, seeking opportunities to involve new people in the project.
Whether through discussions, mentoring, or hands-on sessions, I aimed to
make Debian more approachable for those who might not yet see themselves
as contributors. I was fortunate to have the support of Debian
enthusiasts from India and China, who ran the Debian booth and helped
create a welcoming environment for these conversations. Strengthening
diversity in Free Software is a collective effort, and I hope these
interactions will inspire more people to get involved.
Chemnitzer Linuxtage
--------------------
The Chemnitzer Linux-Tage (CLT)[co06] is one of Germany's largest and
longest-running community-driven Linux and open-source conferences, held
annually in Chemnitz since 2000. It has been my favorite conference in
Germany, and I have tried to attend every year.
Focusing on Free Software, Linux, and digital sovereignty, CLT offers a
mix of expert talks, workshops, and exhibitions, attracting hobbyists,
professionals, and businesses alike. With a strong grassroots ethos, it
emphasizes hands-on learning, privacy, and open-source advocacy while
fostering a welcoming environment for both newcomers and experienced
Linux users.
Despite my appreciation for the diverse and high-quality talks at CLT,
my main focus was on connecting with people who share the goal of
attracting more newcomers to Debian. Engaging with both longtime
contributors and potential new participants remains one of the most
valuable aspects of the event for me.
I was fortunate to be joined by Debian enthusiasts staffing the Debian
booth, where I found myself among both experienced booth volunteers-who
have attended many previous CLT events--and young newcomers. This was
particularly reassuring, as I certainly can't answer every detailed
question at the booth. I greatly appreciate the knowledgeable people who
represent Debian at this event and help make it more accessible to
visitors.
As a small point of comparison--while FOSSASIA and CLT are fundamentally
different events--the gender ratio stood out. FOSSASIA had a noticeably
higher proportion of women compared to Chemnitz. This contrast
highlighted the ongoing need to foster more diversity within Free
Software communities in Europe.
At CLT, I gave a talk titled "Tausend Freiwillige, ein Ziel" (Thousand
Volunteers, One Goal)[co07], which was video recorded[co08]. It took
place in the grand auditorium and attracted a mix of long-term
contributors and newcomers, making for an engaging and rewarding
experience.
[co01] https://www.debian.org/vote/2024/platforms/tille
[co02] https://www.eventyay.com/e/4c0e0c27/schedule
[co03] https://www.eventyay.com/e/4c0e0c27/session/9658
[co04] https://www.eventyay.com/e/4c0e0c27/session/9668
[co05] https://www.eventyay.com/e/4c0e0c27/session/9636
[co06] https://chemnitzer.linux-tage.de/2025/de/programm
[co07] https://chemnitzer.linux-tage.de/2025/de/programm/beitrag/136
[co08] https://mirror.netcologne.de/CCC//events/clt/2025/h264-hd/clt25-27-deu-Tausend_Freiwillige_ein_Ziel_hd.mp4
Kind regards
Andreas.
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