Software Freedom Day 08

Really excited about Software Freedom Day this Saturday. When I enthusiastically put my hand up to organise it at our Unlimited Potential meeting, its a good thing I had no idea of the volume of work involved, but it has just become this wonderful thing! CWA New Media offered to help design and build a website to take registrations, Don and Chris at Catalyst IT came on board and then Brenda, Jethro and Martin Langhoff from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) put their hands up to organise the hackfest. Nat is coming down to host from Auckland, and ICT networks from all around Wellington are pulling in together to help organise and sponsor. Suddenly I find myself having to do new things like apply for custom codes to receive goodies from Google and Sun Microsystems from overseas. I am biased but Wellington is really where its at right now for good ICT vibe!

The event is going to feature an ‘open source barcamp’ allowing participants to discuss their thoughts, ideas and experiences with open source software and a ‘hackfest’/'installfest' which will offer participants the opportunity to participate and the SuperHappyDevHouse hack-a-thon, demonstrate open source software to a captive audience, and have open source software (such as Linux) installed on their computer with help from the WellyLUG team. There will be free wifi, expresso courtesy of havana, an afternoon tea and after a short wrap up session at 6pm, pizza and beer!

All those registered for Software Freedom Day ‘08, and in attendance on the day will also have the chance to win an $895 ‘golden ticket’ to Webstock ’09 and associated swag (thanks to the generosity of the Webstock team). InternetNZ have also donated two books which will also be part of the prize draw.

I had some tinny luck myself at mini-webstock last week, with my name being pulled from the hat for a Golden Ticket to webstock. I was utterly stunned and didn't quite know what to do when my name was called. I'm stoked to be able to attend in Feb next year, its a big event and there are some awesome speakers lined-up.

On Saturday, thanks to many of our sponsors there will be a giveaway table with some free goodies for everyone.

Software Freedom Day ‘08 proudly organised and sponsored by Unlimited Potential, CWA New Media, New Zealand Open Source Society (NZOSS), SuperHappyDevHouse, WellyLUG, Ideegeo, Morphoss, Cafenet, Catalyst IT, Sun Microsystems, 920, Grow Wellington, Gen-i, Silverstripe, Xero, Google, Webstock and InternetNZ.

So come along. It's not to late to register here www.softwarefreedomday.org.nz