Ohio Linux Fest (OLF): September 9-11th, Columbus Ohio

Paw Prints: Writings of the maddog

The Ohio Linux Fest (OLF) is the weekend of September 9th, 10th and 11th in Columbus, Ohio.

Originally a “one day (Saturday) Fest”, it has been expanding to include a set of activities on Friday and Certification Exams for both LPI (LPIC-1and BSDA certifications, as well as a “Diversity in Open Source Workshop” on Sunday. I am also happy to note that the LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 exams will be heavily discounted to $99. each, although the LPIC 301 exam will be $219.

On Friday OLF has a set of training activities entitled “OLF Institute” which requires a “Professional Pass” to attend. However there are also Friday events which are free and open to all, such as the Ubuntu conference called “UbuCon” and a “Cloud Community Day”, as well as a Medical Track and an “Early Penguins' Track”. Finally in the period of 5 PM to 6 PM there will be the “Early Penguins Keynote” about The Twentieth Birthday of the Linux Kernel by yours truly.

On Saturday they have four “General Tracks” (SysAdmin/Security, “Grab Bag”, Media, Business, Tools and Education) as well as the popular “Open Source Solutions Stage”, all of which will end with a keynote called “Free Culture in the Year 2031”, which will show what happens when Culture is unfettered.

While I am giving two keynotes at the conference, I (of course) am not the only speaker, and OLF has a great line-up of speakers this year, including Bradley Kuhn and Cathy Malmrose as keynotes.

Also on Saturday are a set of Birds of a Feather Sessions, where people of a common interest discuss issues and projects.

Adding to all of this is the Expo, which has an active area where people can see what companies are offering in the way of FOSS products and services.

Speaking of registration fees, once again the conference is free for those that register online as an Enthusiast, but there is also an “Supporter” registration for $65. that gets you lunch on Saturday and a T-shirt, as well as providing some support for the costs that happen when you put on an event like this. Finally there is a Professional registration fee of $350 that gets you lunch on both Friday and Saturday, a T-shirt and access to the training classes on Friday, including an LPI “cram class”.

For those of you who just want to attend the free conferences and free events, there are a lot of inexpensive dining alternatives in the area, or you can bring your own lunch.

I have been attending Ohio Linux Fests for a long time now, and I can honestly say that it is one of the finest Fests around. The all-volunteer staff works hard the entire year to put on this family-oriented event. Lets show our appreciation by both registering and attending.

Carpe Diem!