Who's Linus? 4 Fake Linus Torvalds' on Twitter

A dedicated website explains the action in detail. A music video shows four masked imposters dancing to rap music. The only clue: “...we’ve invited four well-known industry and community leaders to guest tweet as if they were the real Linus Torvalds...” says the Foundation.

News of the Linus imitators will be spread over Linux Foundation accounts via Twitter and Identi.ca. In the final two weeks before the conference in Portland, Oregon, the community will be asked to vote for their favorite fake Linus. The most popular pretender will receive a cocktail shaker in the shape of a silver penguin as prize. The identity of the four will be revealed and the prize awarded on the first day of the conference.

The conundrum will be solved directly after a high quality discussion with Linus Torvalds and his kernel developer colleagues on the first day of the conference.

The conference can also be followed from the comfort of an office chair: Linux Magazine Online will broadcast live per internet streaming, the Torvalds roundtable discussion gratis at 2:00 pm on Sept. 21. To view three days of the conference will cost $99, while the keynotes will be streamed for free.