This weekend has topics such as :

• SELinux Basics
• Firewall Basics
• Intro to Bugzilla
• Creating a Fedora Remix
• Beginners guide to getting involved
• Packaging
• Configuration Management using Puppet.

If any of the above is of interest, I encourage you check out the details, class dates and times located here

If you are interested in a topic not listed above, please take a moment and add it to the growing “Suggest a Class” list at the bottom of the page https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Communicate/IRC/Classroom

If you spot a topic in the “Suggest a Class” list or have another not listed, that you know like the back of your hand, and wish to contribute and share that knowledge with to others, please sign yourself up for a future classroom time slot. There is still one time slot left for this coming weekend.

I want to thank all of the volunteers who already signed up to teach a class this coming weekend without you this initiative would not have gotten off the ground.

Max’s original message to the mailing list:

Please make sure you get your event added asap.

Fedora Event List : here

The Fedora booth was in a prime location (right at the entrance) and received a lot of exposure.

We had a very pleasant surprise during registration. One of the packets handed out at registration contained a USB Flash drive (2gb) provided by a local open source company Anteil. At first sight of the flash drive Jon and I both looked at each other and said we are going to be busy creating Fedora USB sticks. Just about that time Jim Capp, The CEO of Anteil, introduced himself and stated that one of his employees, whom is a big Fedora fan had already configured the usb flash keys he was handing out, with a Fedora 9 live image. This was a huge plus for us!

Major kudos goes to Anteil for helping us promote Fedora!

Throughout the event I had the chance to talk with many people, during one conversation I talked with Jason Hubler the IT Chair person from ITT Technical Institute where the event was being held. He was inquiring about having someone from Fedora come in and speak to his students (whom currently utilize Fedora as part of their course work) which I gladly accepted and have planned in Dec 2008. I anticipate getting quite a few contributors signed up during this speaking opportunity.

I was very impressed with this event, the only suggestion I would make for future events is to not cap the registration, as they were turning people away due to space limitations, other than that the event was very well run and organized (as I expected it would be, based on previous events I have attended run by this group) and I look forward to next years venue!

OLF was well manned by various Fedora Ambassadors (13 to be exact) which made handling a crowd of roughly 1000 people very easy. I met and spoke with people across the board, everyone from families (including their young children) to Linux Var’s.

The booth was in a perfect position and we had a lot of traffic. The OLPC XO’s were quite a hit with everyone. I know the young children attending with their parents loved them and while they were entertained we got a chance to talk to mom and dad!

Overall I think event itself was very good and we should hopefully get a few more contributors to add to Fedora and it was great to finally put faces to everyone that I talk to on irc.

I look forward to attending / helping out with next years event!

FADNA 2008

Minus a few glitches with the SIP Phone this went very well. We covered everything on our agenda and are laying the groundwork for the future.

The topic that really stood out to me was the Mentoring role that Ambassadors play, we spent quite awhile talking about this as it is an important part of our duties, we will be drawing up a draft of this on the wiki over the next few weeks.

I really liked the ability of discussing things face to face, don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of irc but you can really see and feel the passion that each person has when it is done first hand.

At the end of the weekend not only was OLF and FADNA worth the 12+ hour round trip drive time but the experiences I shared with everyone while there makes it even better.

Some other post’s by more attending Ambassadors:

http://vwbusguy.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/ohio-linuxfest/

http://jtadlock.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/fadna-report/

http://jbwillia.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/fadna/

http://jbwillia.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/hello-world/

http://www.nalley.sc/david/?p=112

http://jtadlock.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/ohio-linux-fest-2008-report/

http://sexysexypenguins.com/2008/10/12/fad-na-day-1/

http://sexysexypenguins.com/2008/10/12/olf-day-1-fadna-day-1/

http://sexysexypenguins.com/2008/10/11/ohio-linux-fest-day-0-fadna-day-2/

So I went out and purchased the required Sandisk Extreme III 4 gig SD Card needed for this and the only thing missing was the XO itself.

I just received a call from my wife that the XO has arrived at my home just in time for my scheduled testing block tomorrow evening. I am really stoked about testing and filing bug reports on the XO.

So now I am counting down the seconds left at work so I can get home and finally see this “Green Machine”

Not to mention I am all for it!

Solution to Financial Bail Out - We Deserve It Dividend.

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.  Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a  We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 U.S. citizens 18+.  Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.  So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion; that equals $425,000.00 each.  My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.  So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.  That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.   A husband and wife have $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

- Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.

- Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads

- Put away money for college - it’ll be there

- Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

- Buy a new car - create jobs

- Invest in the market - capital drives growth

- Pay for your parent’s medical insurance - health care improves

- Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back.   And, of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult US Citizen 18+.

As for AIG, liquidate it.  Sell off its parts.  Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.  Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale.  We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.  Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.”  But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?  I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .

And remember, this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

If you are a North American Ambassador I would ask that you take a moment to look at what we have come up with so far and a “tentative” schedule of events located at the FADNA2008 wiki page. If you have anything to add feel free to do so.

This also applies to anyone who wants to, but may not be able to physically attend the event, as we are looking at ways to include and support remote attendees.

Clint Savage (herlo) also created this cool looking badge for FADNA attendees.

What better way to represent Fedora than with a high quality and stylish embroidered polo shirt?

Fedora Ambassadors Polo

Orders are now being accepted, but you need to act quickly as the bulk order is being placed on Thursday Sept 4th 2008.

For more details and to place your order, check out the Fedora Ambassador Polo wiki page

Hurry!! Dont miss the chance to get one or more of these awesome polo’s!

Special Thanks goes out to Pascal Calarco for putting this together and taking the lead on it! Go Irish!!

The cost is $29. This should be a good event as I have attended previous events held by the Lug that is organizing this event and they know what they are doing and are a very organized and good group of individuals.

Planned attendees from the Fedora Project are GregDeKoenigsberg , KarlieRobinson , and myself

If anyone is planning on flying in for this, I may be able to provide transportation either from the airport (Harrisburg International Airport) or hotel if needed. Just let me know.

Space is limited so register today

The event is scheduled October 10, 2008 to October 12, 2008 and is being held at the same location of the Ohio Linux Fest.

The FAD 2008 event is to plan for the 2009 NA Ambassadors activities and to simply meet some of the other NA Ambassadors and have some fun together.

I urge all NA Ambassadors to pencil in these dates on your calendars and be sure to add your name to the wiki link above stating you can make it!

I am hoping I am able to resolve a current scheduling conflict, so I am able to attend this event, as I look forward to meeting and speaking with other NA Ambassadors and getting some ideas for other ways of promoting and representing Fedora!