Lug Radio USA - be there! I will. I just confirmed my flight and try as I might just couldn't fit in a side trip to Vegas. (woe is me) But alas the event is looking to be a great time. Now I really should get my talk straightened up, eh? When I was commuting, I practiced on the way home but the talk always ended up being way too long. So now I need to get it together, gather up the giveaway toys and get serious about putting on a good show for the masses.

It's strange, b/c I'm really a rather shy person but for some reason talking about Open Source and especially Ubuntu have made me really enjoy public speaking. Perhaps one of the big changes is that talking for myself and not having to represent some company or other entity who's paid my way to such conferences. That's freedom.

The topic this time around will be "Finding Your Voice in the Open Source Community." The past few months I've become interested in how new contributors find their way into the various groups. It seems every group is always asking for help and new folks are always looking for mentors but I think the path into being a contributor is more difficult than most think.

Hope you can make it out!

Much too short and way too many folks left un-talked to but alas a great success for the Ubuntu family. A more detailed report when I actually can get internet service that doesn't involve sitting on the floor of the spare bedroom using a very short wired connection - argh.

http://www.ubuntulive.com/pub/w/60/sessions.html or cut straight to my session at http://www.ubuntulive.com/cs/ubuntu/view/e_sess/13460

I've been waffling on even going to Ubuntu Live, given other RL busy-ness, but now I'm excited again. Seems my session is only 30 minutes long, so I can fake, er, talk intelligibly about anything for 22+ minutes then do the Q/A thing. Plus, I honestly think it's an important topic and thing to do, so yeah I'm psyched about pulling it all together and seeing tons of great folks again too. Like Billy Cina, the really awesome Training Programme Manager from Canonical. She is teh funny, smart and a former military person so don't mess with her.

My talk is right after one of Jono's many talks so that should give a good lead in audience and then I'll bribe everyone to stay with chocolate or other swag giveaway. Must admit it is kinda cool having my name as a speaker too - like I'm a grownup or something. Come to this weekend's UW IRC meeting, 1500 UTC, July 1, to hear an update and help me get my talk finished. Thanks!

Woohoo! Ubuntu Live, here I come! Just received notice that this topic was accepted for presentation at the conference. As we discussed in the IRC meetings to help develop these proposals I'll be asking you folks for help as I work on putting together this presentation. Thanks all for your help! more soon.

-- Dinda

Begin Fwd Message:
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Dear Belinda,

Congratulations! You have been accepted as a presenter for
the Ubuntu Live Conference at the
Oregon Convention Center, July 22, 2007 - July 24, 2007.

The following has been accepted as a session for the event:

"Why Do We Need an Ubuntu Women's Project?"