Wichita State University will host the 3rd Annual Kansas Linux Fest from May 13-14. KLF is a statewide conference for all enthusiasts of the open source software platform.
Linux is the most widely used computer operating system in the world, favored for use in webservers, supercomputers, Android phones and personal computers. Linux enthusiasts advocate for free and open source software collaboration, which allows anyone to use, modify and distribute the underlying source code.
“This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about Linux and the open source movement and will allow enthusiasts to network with others who share this interest,” said organizer Ben Roose, EECS systems administrator and advisor to WuLUG, Wichita State University’s Linux User Group student organization.
Organizers hope the event will attract up to 250 participants. In keeping with the principles of the open source movement, there is no cost to attend but registration is preferred. Online registration and a schedule of speakers, seminars and social events is available at http://kansaslinuxfest.org.
Most sessions will be held in Ahlberg Hall, including a keynote talk on open data in the government given by Aaron Mackey from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Additional featured speakers include Michael W. Lucas, an author of multiple books on Linux and BSD security, and Peter Karman, who works for the federal government open groups 18F and USDS.
Events include a pre-conference showing of the Aaron Swartz documentary film "The Internet's Own Boy" at 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, in 200 Ahlberg Hall. Swartz was an American computer programmer, entrepreneur, writer, political organizer and Internet hacktivist who was prosecuted by the federal government for downloading academic articles from JSTOR in an effort to make them freely available to the public. He committed suicide in 2013 at age 26 while under prosecution.
Talks are scheduled throughout Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14. Topics include: “Why I have a Cloud Server in My Bedroom,” “Can Android be Open Source and functional?,” “Civic Tech: Open Source and Government,” “Building a Business Around Open Source Software” and “Using Linux & FOSS To Empower Those With Disabilities.”
There will also be a KLF hosted social event after the talks on Saturday evening at Headshots Bar & Grill (21st and Woodlawn).
Kansas Linux Fest 2017 is being hosted by the WSU Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) and organized by the student group WuLUG, and community organizations MakeICT and devICT. Sponsors include Wichita State University, Sumner Communications, Linux Professional Institute, The Linux Foundation, S&T Telcom, Fierce Software and Red Hat.