Update FOSDEM post

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