ITWire

The local celebrations are being organised by Linux Users of Victoria and Free Software Melbourne. LUV is the bigger of two Linux user groups based in Melbourne; FSM is a group which meets monthly to discuss free software and related issues and is headed by Ben Sturmfels.

The celebrations will be held at the Melbourne Unitarian Church hall on Grey Street in East Melbourne from 10am onwards.

LUV president Lev Lafayette said in a notice posted to the user group's mailing list that one of the main activities on the day would be a conference dedicated to the theme of free software in a free society.

Speakers will include Jon Lawrence of Electronic Frontiers Australia, Chris Samuel of the Victorian Life Sciences Initiative, Alec Clews of Melbourne Raspberry Jam (a group built around the Raspberry Pi), Andy Gleme of Connected Community Hackerspace, Daniel Jitnah of GreenwareIT, and Lafayette himself.

Topics to be covered include the recent internet surveillance laws, the importance of free software in scientific computing, new embedded technologies and micro-computers, free software and 3D printers, free software in education, and the business of free software.

The celebrations will be inaugurated by Dr Alison Parkes, senior lecturer in business information systems at the University of Melbourne and Greens candidate for the post of mayor of Melbourne.

A free lunch will be provided and there will be a games area. There will be plenty of free software giveaways.