Published: Fri, 02 May 2025 11:49:41 -0800
I've been a fan of Jupiter Broadcasting's Linux Unplugged for the greater half of the past decade. Since COVID, JB has been taking a bigger role in organizing LFNW, something they frequently have mentioned across their shows since it happened. When I heard it was the 25th anniversary this year, I knew it was the right time to attend.
Since I joined the Linux community, the idea of going to a convention/conference/meet-up was intriguing, yet nonetheless intimidating. Since I was so young I worried I'd be the one kid that shows up and be the odd one out. It didn't help that, despite being less than a two hours drive from Silicon Valley, it seemed like there was a shortage of Linux events in my area, at least not that weren't primarily for active developers. After now attending one, I realize this worry was nonsensical, people of all ages were happily welcomed there.
I opted to drive. Flying has gotten so expensive these days and the added hassle of the airlines was too much for such a (relatively) short trip. I loaded up my gear in the back of my mom's Prius and set forth up the I-5 corridor. It's about a 13 hour trip between Sacramento and Bellingham, not including gas and bathroom breaks. Fortunately, there's a plethora of long form content out there nowadays and I was thoroughly entertained the whole trip up.
After a refreshing night's rest at a cheap hotel, it was time for the event to begin. I have to say, this was far from a spectacle, to layman passerby it was little more than a group of booths, banners, and every permutation of the stereotypical nerd. However, once the barrier of social awkwardness was broken, the cafeteria that was our home erupted into a cacophony of conversation. I found myself bouncing around each booth talking to their organizers - some old guard veterans from the FSF, some young movers and shakers at the Framework table, college computer club members - all united in their love for free software. I ended up missing a couple of talks due to being sucked into conversations about our favorite distributions. Lunch rolled around and I got the privilege of talking with Chris Fisher, and to a lesser extent Brent and Wes of JB. One of the members of the small huddle which surrounded them asked for a tour of Chris's RV to which the rest of our party attended. It's a nice little rig he has, wired up with all the creature comforts of a modern smart home.
I got to show off the step to the proper audience. There were plenty of interesting little devices that their owners had spent hours configuring to suit their needs perfectly. There's something special about a convention, gathering a group of otherwise strangers, united by a shared passion that breaks down barriers. I had an amazing time and this surely will not be the last event of this kind that I will attend!
I regularly check my email, If I don't respond quickly, send me a poke:
jasco.website@pm.me