Linucon
Encyclopedia
Linucon was a combination Linux
expo/science fiction
convention in Austin, Texas. Conceived as a "sister convention" to Penguicon
, Linucon was co-founded by Rob Landley and Stu Green.
Two Linucons were held. The first Linucon was held October 8–10, 2004, at the Red Lion Inn located at 6121 North I-35 in Austin. Linucon 2.0 was held September 30 – October 2, 2005, at the Ambassador Hotel located at the intersection of I-35 and Highway 183.
The science fiction side had three main tracks: an anime track, a literary track, and a gaming track. These tracks included cosplay
(and a Masquerade
), filk, a dealer's room, panels, author readings and signings, Birds of a Feather
sessions, and an art show. The convention suite featured caffeinated Jello
and ice cream
made with liquid nitrogen
. There was also a live action role-playing game
. The video room played around the clock and both gaming rooms (computer and paper) were open 24 hours.
The technical side ranged over such subjects as Linux kernel architecture, security
and network administration, web design
, use of Linux on a laptop, computer gaming, digital art
, electronic publishing
, and machinima
. Free wireless internet access was available. There were panels, tutorials, an "installfest" and featured guests who went head to head in a first person shooter elimination tournament (the "celebrity fragfest").
Notable guests included actor Wil Wheaton
, Jay "Tron Guy" Maynard
, game designer Steve Jackson, and Linux activist Eric S. Raymond
.
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
expo/science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
convention in Austin, Texas. Conceived as a "sister convention" to Penguicon
Penguicon
Penguicon is a convention in the United States that deliberately brings together the often-overlapping communities of science fiction fandom and Linux User Groups...
, Linucon was co-founded by Rob Landley and Stu Green.
Two Linucons were held. The first Linucon was held October 8–10, 2004, at the Red Lion Inn located at 6121 North I-35 in Austin. Linucon 2.0 was held September 30 – October 2, 2005, at the Ambassador Hotel located at the intersection of I-35 and Highway 183.
The science fiction side had three main tracks: an anime track, a literary track, and a gaming track. These tracks included cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
(and a Masquerade
Masquerade ball
A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. - History :...
), filk, a dealer's room, panels, author readings and signings, Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather (computing)
In computing, BoF can refer to:* An informal discussion group. Unlike special interest groups or working groups, BoFs are informal and often formed in an ad-hoc manner...
sessions, and an art show. The convention suite featured caffeinated Jello
Jello
Jello may refer to:* Jello Shoecompany, an Austrian shoe retailer* Jell-O, a brand name for gelatin desserts* A genericized brand for gelatin desserts in general* Sphyraena jello the pickhandle barracuda-People:...
and ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
made with liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen in a liquid state at a very low temperature. It is produced industrially by fractional distillation of liquid air. Liquid nitrogen is a colourless clear liquid with density of 0.807 g/mL at its boiling point and a dielectric constant of 1.4...
. There was also a live action role-playing game
Live action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
. The video room played around the clock and both gaming rooms (computer and paper) were open 24 hours.
The technical side ranged over such subjects as Linux kernel architecture, security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
and network administration, web design
Web design
Web design is the process of planning and creating a website. Text, images, digital media and interactive elements are used by web designers to produce the page seen on the web browser...
, use of Linux on a laptop, computer gaming, digital art
Digital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
, electronic publishing
Electronic publishing
Electronic publishing or ePublishing includes the digital publication of e-books and electronic articles, and the development of digital libraries and catalogues. Electronic publishing has become common in scientific publishing where it has been argued that peer-reviewed scientific journals are in...
, and machinima
Machinima
Machinima is the use of real-time 3D computer graphics rendering engines to create a cinematic production. Most often, video games are used to generate the computer animation...
. Free wireless internet access was available. There were panels, tutorials, an "installfest" and featured guests who went head to head in a first person shooter elimination tournament (the "celebrity fragfest").
Notable guests included actor Wil Wheaton
Wil Wheaton
Richard William "Wil" Wheaton III is an American actor and writer. As an actor, he is best known for his portrayals of Wesley Crusher on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gordie Lachance in the film Stand by Me and Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers...
, Jay "Tron Guy" Maynard
Jay Maynard
Jay Maynard is a computer programmer and system administrator and the volunteer project maintainer for Hercules, an emulator of IBM mainframe hardware...
, game designer Steve Jackson, and Linux activist Eric S. Raymond
Eric S. Raymond
Eric Steven Raymond , often referred to as ESR, is an American computer programmer, author and open source software advocate. After the 1997 publication of The Cathedral and the Bazaar, Raymond was for a number of years frequently quoted as an unofficial spokesman for the open source movement...
.