2010: The Year of WIOS at Events!

ROSE Blog: Rikki's Open Source Exchange
I spent this past weekend at Ontario [Gnu] Linux Fest, which was my first trip to this event. Ontario [Gnu] Linux Fest also marked my fourth time speaking at an event this year.
As you might know, earlier this year I spoke at SCALE 2009 for the first time, and in each of my talks I share my experience with the hope that other women will be inspired to speak at events, too. Most of the events I attended this year would have been great events for first-time attendees or speakers.
Now I have a vision for 2010: Let's make a concentrated effort to increase participation by women at events. How can we do this?
Here are some ideas to get us started:
- Take a friend/colleague to her first event.
- Help a friend/colleague prepare to attend her first event: Offer tips and suggestions, point out sessions that might be a great fit for her, and help her network with speakers and other attendees.
- Encourage a friend/colleague to submit a proposal for an event talk.
- Attend talks by first-time event speakers and congratulate them for giving their first talk!
- Volunteer – or encourage friends/colleagues to volunteer – at an event.
- Share your plans to attend events online (Twitter, for example) and arrange to meet up with other women at the events.
- Help promote events!!
- If you are organizing an event, let people know why your event is a great event for a first-time attendee, first-time speakers, or new members of our open source community.
- Contact event organizers and ask them how you can help them increase talk submissions and attendance by women!
- Share your stories: If you do attend your first event or speak at an event for the first time, tell us about it!
What would you add to this list?
Comments
comments powered by DisqusIssue 262/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Kali Linux 2022.3 Released
From the creators of the most popular penetration testing distributions on the planet, comes a new release with some new tools and a community, real-time chat option.
-
The 14" Pinebook Pro Linux Laptop is Shipping
After a considerable delay, the 14" version of the Pinebook Pro laptop is, once again, available for purchase.
-
OpenMandriva Lx ROME Technical Preview Released
OpenMandriva’s rolling release distribution technical preview has been released for testing purposes and adds some of the latest/greatest software into the mix.
-
Linux Mint 21 is Now Available
The latest iteration of Linux Mint, codenamed Vanessa, has been released with a new upgrade tool and other fantastic features.
-
Firefox Adds Long-Anticipated Feature
Firefox 103 has arrived and it now includes a feature users have long awaited…sort of.
-
System76 Refreshes Their Popular Oryx Pro Laptop with a New CPU
The System76 Oryx Pro laptop has been relaunched with a 12th Gen CPU and more powerful graphics options.
-
Elive Has Released a New Beta
The Elive team is proud to announce the latest beta version (3.8.30) of its Enlightenment-centric Linux distribution.
-
Rocky Linux 9 Has Arrived
The latest iteration of Rocky Linux is now available and includes a host of new features and support for new architecture.
-
Slimbook Executive Linux Ultrabook Upgrading Their CPUs
The Spanish-based company, Slimbook, has made available their next generation Slimbook Executive Linux ultrabooks with a 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake CPU.
-
Fedora Linux is Coming to the Raspberry Pi 4
Thanks to significant work in the upstream, the upcoming release of Fedora 37 will introduce support for the Raspberry Pi 4.
Introduce yourself
I'd say introduce yourself to other women. Whether they are sitting next to you or you see them in the hall or they give a talk.
After my first keynote, I was surprised by the number of women that came up to talk to me afterwards. I hadn't realized there were that many women at the event and I really felt like I had their support. It was an awesome feeling.
FYI, as a speaker, it's always good to hear "that was a great talk" or "I really enjoyed your talk." Maybe you think they they are expert speakers and who are you to judge their talk, but believe me, they'll appreciate the compliments.