diff --git a/content/posts/2019-02-04-fosdem.md b/content/posts/2019-02-04-fosdem.md index e157b2a..04a2fa1 100644 --- a/content/posts/2019-02-04-fosdem.md +++ b/content/posts/2019-02-04-fosdem.md @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ --- -title: FOSDEM +title: First impressions of FOSDEM date: 2019-02-04 author: James McDonald type: post @@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ massive FOSS is, and how many people care about it. # Venue I've never been to Brussels before. If there's one regret about my FOSDEM trip, -it's that I didn't have more time to spend in this beautiful city full of fun, -friendly people. I would definitely recommend visiting with some time to spare; -I certainly will be again. +it's that I didn't have more time to spend in this beautiful city which appears +to be full of fun, friendly people. I would definitely recommend visiting with +some time to spare; I certainly will be again. Also, the beer. Oh my, the beer. @@ -82,29 +82,46 @@ interesting examples of compiler output bytecode demonstrating these issues and proving that when you're reverse engineering, sometimes you just have to make a guess. -## What's New in PostgreSQL 11 - Magnus Hagander +## [What's new in PostgreSQL 11](https://fosdem.org/2019/schedule/event/whats_new_in_postgresql_11/) --- Magnus Hagander My colleague Magnus presented what's new and magical in PostgreSQL 11. -## Netflix +## [Netflix and FreeBSD](https://fosdem.org/2019/schedule/event/netflix_freebsd/) --- Jonathan Looney -This was a slightly disappointing talk. IT focussed a lot on the advantages of working -closely with upstream FreeBSD and of publishing their improvements. That's very -true, but it's an odd pitch to a room full of people at an open source conference. +This was a slightly disappointing talk. I was hoping for some information about +the advantages of FreeBSD for this sort of work, but the talk focussed a lot on +the advantages of working closely with upstream FreeBSD and of publishing +Netflix's improvements. That's very true, but it's an odd pitch to a room full +of people at an open source conference. There were some interesting details about the hardware Netflix use in their CDN caches and the areas they have to focus on for performance. ## Matrix France +## [Introduction to the BASIC Engine](https://fosdem.org/2019/schedule/event/basic_engine/) --- Ulrich Hecht + +Given that a Retrocomputing track existed, it would be rude not to attend. This +talk about building a sub-€10 computer to run BASIC sounded like fun. And +indeed it was! Ulrich Hecht talked about his motivations for building such a +computer, the hardware he selected and what's involved in building the machine. +He was specifically focussed on a machine that had good graphics and sound +capabilities, which he demonstrated. It reminded me a lot of programming for +the C64 or Amiga (the BASIC Engine has a blitter). + ## [2019 - Fifty years of Unix and Linux advances](https://fosdem.org/2019/schedule/event/keynote_fifty_years_unix/) --- Jon 'maddog' Hall -It was great to have an opportunity to see maddog talk. He was engaging and -enthusiastic as he talked about his experiences living through the entire -history of Unix and Linux. He ran out of time in the end, but luckily a riot -was prevented when he was allowed to finish. +It was fantastic to have an opportunity to see Jon 'maddog' Hall talk in +person. He was engaging and enthusiastic as he talked about his experiences +living through the entire history of Unix and Linux. He ran out of time in the +end, but luckily a riot was prevented when he was allowed to finish. -## BASIC Engine +There were various events and people marked with asterisks in the presentation +to denote that given time in the pub, more stories would be available. I would +dearly have enjoyed to hear those stories! + +I really can't capture his particular charm and humour here, so I strongly +suggest you check out the talk yourself. # PGDay