Software Freedom Day 2011 Boston/Schedule

This is the detailed schedule for Software Freedom Day 2011 Boston.

Morning

10:00: Venue opens

Please come in and enjoy our free coffee and bagels.

10:30: Opening keynote by Máirín Duffy

Topic: The highly-effective outreach effort called "Fedora Design Ninjas."

11:00: Community Ignite presentations

We want attendees to learn about the different ways they can get involved in free software projects and free software-related communities, right here in the Boston area. So this is a series of 5-minute talks by different community groups about what they're up to.

These speakers have confirmed:

1. Shauna Gordon-Mckeon for the Sunlight Foundation Meetup
2. Jessica McKellar on the Boston Python Meetup
3. Mike Burns for the Android Meetup
4. Ben Alman for the JQuery Boston Meetup
5. Deborah Nicholson for GNU MediaGoblin
6. Asheesh Laroia for OpenHatch
7. Nate Aune on Django Meetup
8. Walter Bender on Sugar Labs
9. Adelaida McIntire on Interning at the FSF
10. Martin Owens, on the Ubuntu LoCo (local community)
11. Benjamin "Mako" Hill, on Debian

Noon: Lunch, on your own

Some suggestions for where to get lunch within a few blocks:

• 950 Mass Ave: Greater Buddhist Cultural Center
• 955 Mass Ave: Dado Tea
• 24 Pearl St: Rangzen Tibetan Place
• 31 Putnam Ave: Petsi Pies
• 1105 Mass Ave: Cafe Sushi

1 PM: Show & tell

The speakers from the Ignite community talks will be available for show & tell conversations in the main hall.

1:30 PM to 4:30 PM: Two tracks

We divided the afternoon into two so that more experienced contributors can discuss nitty-gritty, while newcomers to software freedom can learn the basics.

1:30 - 2:00: Deb Nicholson, on how to message free software

When explaining free software to newcomers to the movement, it's important to speak to their experience. Learn from Deb Nicholson's experience.

2:15 - 2:45: Jesse Vincent, on how to make money with free software

In 2011, making money with free, open source software is commonplace. But Jesse Vincent's story is unusual: he founded Best Practical, one of the first free software businesses, and today also makes money through selling free software in the Android Marketplace.

3:00 - 3:30: Jeff Mitchell, on communities and the Community Working Groups

Years ago, amidst internal strife, KDE created the Community Working Group to resolve community issues. Jeff Mitchell is involved with the CWG as well as other free software activities.

At Software Freedom Day, Jeff will discuss communities, their makeups, and common pitfalls. He'll then discuss the lessons learned from KDE's CWG experience, and how the focus of KDE's CWG has evolved.

3:45 - 4:15: Jessica McKellar, on the Boston Python Workshop

The Boston Python Workshop is a free, project-driven introduction to the Python programming language for women and their friends. With 3 iterations under its belt since March and no sign of slowing down, the Workshop has brought over 100 women into the Python community in Boston. It has also inspired similar outreach events across the globe.

Hear from Jessica McKellar, the lead organizer for the Boston Python Workshop, about lessons learned running this open source diversity and outreach event and what it takes to run your own!

1:30 - 2:45: Installfest and installation help

We will provide CDs and DVDs containing free software: this will include applications for proprietary operating systems (Windows and Mac OS), as well as installation disks for, and common Linux distributions.

A team of helpers will be able to provide advice and assistance with these programs:

• Asheesh Laroia
• Oliver Day

3:00 - 3:30: Danny Piccirillo, on the basics of cross-platform video editing

Today, free software can help you edit and mix video and audio. Learn more as long-time video free culture fan Danny Piccirillo teaches you the basics of one such tool.

A hand-out will be provided so you can practice the skills at home.

3:45 - 4:15: Oliver Day, on the solid basics of online security

Learn from Oliver Day, a member of the Akamai security team, how you can stay safe online. You'll learn about tools like GPG and SSH but more importantly you'll leave with an understanding of the basics of security that will serve you in an ongoing fashion.

A hand-out will be provided so you can review at home.

5:00: It's over! After-party

We intend to have an after-party at a nearby location, probably in Harvard Square.