Hi everyone, Just a quick 'wrap' of different bits and pieces you might be interested in. I'd also like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very safe, happy and FOSS-filled holiday season. Kind regards, Kathy --- 1. Form, shape and direction of Geelong Linux User Group There's been very little discussion of what form this group would like to take. Would we like talks? Discussions? A social catchup somewhere? Debate on Archlinux vs Ubuntu? Gnome vs Unity? Are we happy keeping the group to an email list? Don't forget to tell your colleagues and mates about this list :-) http://lists.luv.asn.au/listinfo/luv-geelong --- 2. Linux.conf.au 16th-20th January, Ballarat http://linux.conf.au | @linuxconfau **DISCLAIMER: I'm a linux.conf.au organiser** linux.conf.au comes to Ballarat for the first time! Early bird tickets are sold out, but registrations are still open. The organising team is pleased to announce Jacob Appelbaum, Tor project developer and renowned internet security researcher as the final keynote speaker. The Rusty Wrench awards for service to the open source community are being revived. If you know of a free and open source software luminary, please consider nominating them. http://linux.org.au/vote/rusty-wrench-nomination-form --- 3. Drupal Downunder, 13th-15th January, Jesper Hotel, Melbourne http://drupaldownunder.org | @DDUMelbourne Drupal Founder Dries Buytaert will keynote this three-day event organised by the Melbourne Drupal Community. A big congratulations to Geelong's own Jason Brooks (@mudsurfer) on having a session accepted. Well done! --- 4. Wordpress 3.3 released Following in the tradition of naming releases after jazz musicians, WP 3.3 is codenamed 'Sonny' after musician Sonny Stitt. Tonnes of bugfixes, new help features and a revamped API. --- 5. AdaCamp Melbourne, Saturday 14th January, Melbourne Spearheaded by the Ada Initiative (http://adainitiative.org/), this invite-only camp is seeking nominations from those interested in furthering the participation of women in open technology and culture. Run by luminary Mary Gardiner and colleague Valerie Aurora, this FREE day of talks, networking and workshopping is undoubtedly going to be valuable. http://adainitiative.org/what-we-do/events/adacamp-mel-2012/ --- 6. ICT Geelong initiative given $100,000 to further develop ICT in Geelong Read more here: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/12/12/296981_news.html --- 7. Linux Users' Victoria December Beginners' Session http://luv.asn.au/2011/12/17 This month's forum will feature Alec Clews (@alecthegeek) on Talk: Programming Tips, Tricks and Tools for Novices by Alec Clews --- 8. ThinkUpApp for social media tracking Developed by Gina Trapani of Lifehacker fame, @ThinkUpApp is a free and open source software platform for tracking social media. Check it out at http://thinkupapp.com/ ---