This blog post is the fifth in a series of many that I will be posting about UDS, the Ubuntu Developer Summit.

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Orlando!

I'm at UDS-P, in a few minutes Mark Shuttleworth will be delivering his much anticipated keynote. (Hint: The game is about to be raised.)

While we're waiting for that, there's plenty of mingling going on and lots of introductions. It's amazing how the people we've only ever met online seem so familiar. What's even more amazing to me is the number of friends that are here from all over the world. It's great to see you all again.

Here I am posing with fellow crew-member Charles Profitt (of New York State LoCo fame). If you see us, come and say hi. We don't bite, generally speaking.

This blog post is the fourth in a series of many that I will be posting about UDS, the Ubuntu Developer Summit. It is inspired by "Is This The World We Created" by Queen.

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A short hop from Vancouver to Seattle while the west coast slept, and here I am sitting in the "beautiful" Sea-Tac Airport. In a few minutes I'll be on the jet headed for Orlando.

Seattle (my home for 5 years before moving to Vancouver) brings back a lot of memories for me, many happy, some sad. So it's always a trip down memory lane to be here. And. even though it's just a short layover, I'm reminded of all the times and trips I took from this airport and the people I took them with. (I must say, I miss them all.)

Okay. Enough reminiscing. We have free software to build and to bring to the masses. And, we don't have much time to do it.

"Is this the world we created?" Someday we'll be able to ask that question and smile with the response.

See you in Orlando tonight! If you want to find me, just look for the guy in the Vancouver t-shirt, generating maximum buzz.

This blog post is the third in a series of many that I will be posting about UDS, the Ubuntu Developer Summit. It is inspired by "Is This The World We Created" by Queen.

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Today's theme is rage.

Exhibit A: "Why Ubuntu 11.10 fills me with rage" (or "Mr. Shuttleworth, Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.")

Exhibit B:"Disunited" or "Please stop wrecking Ubuntu."

What is driving the apparent rage that rhymes with "{Some aspect of} Ubuntu sucks and I'm unhappy and I am so outta here. How dare they"?

I think the answer is nearly self-evident:
We (by we, I mean the majority) are immersed in a culture where "software is done TO us by those we don't know" and we are used to that paradigm. There are few counter-examples in the technology industry to draw from. People are struggling as the proprietary technology world clamps more tightly every day.

There is a new paradigm taking root in the world, and many people reading this blog are a part of it. This paradigm is one where "software is done FOR us BY us."

To all the ragers, in Ubuntu there is no THEY. There is only US. Unity is not only software but is also a concept. Ubuntu is not only software but is also an ethos.

Now, let's come together as one and make great software.

UDS is the place to do it. I hope you'll join your community and focus your energy in constructive places like UDS.

This blog post is the second in a series of many that I will be posting about UDS, the Ubuntu Developer Summit. It is inspired by "Is This The World We Created" by Queen.

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Yesterday, I challenged you to participate in the growth of Ubuntu (the project). When we all participate to our fullest capability and with positive intent, Ubuntu (the product, the platform, and the project) gets better.

The Ubuntu Developer Summit begins next Monday Oct 31. Leading up to that, Ubuntu contributors around the world create, review, and refine the blueprints that will drive the development of Ubuntu into the next cycle. Then, beginning Monday, they gather in meeting rooms (both physically and virtually) to discuss and make decisions.

All blueprints are public and are posted here:

https://blueprints.launchpad.net/sprints/uds-p

Here's something important: Blueprints are not only about code. Ubuntu is not just software. Ubuntu is also a thriving, lively, and fun community. So, many of the blueprints you'll see are about community and making it the best in the world.

Community blueprints are public and posted here.

Have you reviewed the blueprints? Have you created any? Do you have a serious gripe with Ubuntu? Do you have the next "killer feature" in your mind that would help take Ubuntu mainstream? We (the Ubuntu community) need you to speak up.

Help change the world, one blueprint at a time.

This blog post is inspired by "Is This The World We Created" by Queen.

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Ubuntu (the project) is collaborative. We all make it what it is. Many of you know that, but I still encounter people on a daily basis both online and off who have not realized this (yet). I often hear gripes about Ubuntu not being this or that, but I don't hear enough constructive discussion and "creation" of the Ubuntu we want.

Let's change that. Ubuntu is what we make it. Do you want to live in a world where you have no say in your technology? (Redmond and Cupertino come to mind. I've been to both, and they're *not* fun.)

So, why post this now? Well, we're coming up to the Ubuntu Developer Summit (Precise Pangolin edition) where the future of Ubuntu will be discussed.

The Ubuntu community (of developers, designers, artists, advocates, community leaders, translators, managers, documenters, hackers, and others) comes together at UDS-P to collaborate. To do this they use Blueprints. The Blueprints are public and are posted here:

https://blueprints.launchpad.net/sprints/uds-p

Please take a look. Read through them. See what the Blueprints say. Add your thoughts. Join the discussion. Help change the world.

Opening salvo: Posts on a mailing list asking for technical help are indicative of a broken local community.

A thought experiment: What if each one of us who post to mailing lists, forums, and other online places to ask for Ubuntu help were to do one extra thing: State your town/city in the post?

An extension: What if each tech-savvy person encountering a plea for help in their (now recognizable) town/city were to offer assistance over a coffee/tea, in person.

The result: Instant formation of a new Ubuntu group in your town. Ubuntu becomes more fun! Parties!

The pleasant side effect: Less chatter and noise about Ubuntu problems, errors, bugs, and Unity-hate on the interwebs.

It only takes two people and 20 minutes to start an Ubuntu group in your town. I hope you'll give it a try. JUST ADD WATER!

...from Vancouver.

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image (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) eraine

This morning I presented "Contributing to Ubuntu at a Local Level: A Roadmap" as part of the ever-popular and inspiring Ubuntu Open Week.

This session was for anyone who wants to make a difference and help move the Ubuntu project forward without writing a single line of computer code (unless you want to.)

The punch line: Find a group. Start a group. Grow a group. Have more fun!

The much-sought-after and often-controversial session logs are here:

http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/2011/10/17/%23ubuntu-classroom.html#t15:00

I hope you enjoy! And if you were there, I hope you enjoyed :P

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Special thanks to everyone who was there, especially the rockin' Ubuntu Classroom Team, and the ever-friendly Open Week organizers Amber Graner and Jorge Castro!

Yesterday, I submitted irrefutable photo evidence to the Planet that hosting an Ubuntu Global Jam event in your city can lead to a ton of fun and lots of smiles.

Actually, I made that up. The reality is that Ubuntu Global Jams are dead serious affairs. At a UGJ event, one shouldn't expect anything but intense labour and stress.

Want proof?

The jam is ready

And more proof?

I'm fearless enough to found a LoCo and I eat jam!

And yet more?

Presenting the jam.

See! There are strict rules about what can and cannot be done in the name of humanity to others. Please always be serious when practicing Ubuntu :)

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No humans were harmed during the application of jam. Please do not attempt this at home. If jam is applied to your face, please remain calm.

We have some proof that hosting an Ubuntu Global Jam in your city can indeed be a lot of fun. Last Friday (Sept. 02), this fine bunch of folks from Ubuntu Vancouver got together to spin Oneiric, to report bugs, to socialize, and to have... JAM!

We learned two important things:
1) Oneiric is looking *really* good! Smooth, fast, and beautiful.
2) Jam makes an Ubuntu event quite interesting...

More to come on that one ;)

Please don't attempt to host an Ubuntu Global Jam without these essential components: