Pesce keynote fallout: Linux Australia members abused

Sam Varghese
Wednesday, 02 February 2011 12:18

Opinion and Analysis

Some members of Linux Australia have received offensive emails following a discussion on the organisation's email list about the censuring of keynote speaker Mark Pesce over the use of sexual images in his presentation to the recent Linux conference.

In a message titled "Reprehensible behaviour" sent this morning, the Linux Australia council said: "There have been some reports of members of our community being abused via off-list email for the opinions they have posted to the linux-aus list.

"On the off-chance that someone thinks this is funny or acceptable behaviour, the council would like to make it extremely clear that it is not.

"Anyone who receives abuse that they believe originated via a Linux Australia discussion is invited to forward copies to either the council at council at linux.org.au or directly to a council member's private email. Your identity will be kept confidential."

When LA president John Ferlito was contacted for comment, he responded: "I'll refer you to the email that the council sent to Linux Australia list for our thoughts on the matter."

He was referring to the message which has been quoted in full above.

"I don't think it is appropriate for the council to go into more details except to say it has occurred and that it is not acceptable behaviour for members of our community," Ferlito added.

Though the conference ended on January 28, there have been numerous discussion on the conference mailing list about the keynote (text, slides) by Pesce, a well-known author, educator and inventor. One thread ran to 80 messages, a second to 37 messages, a third to 21 and a fourth has just begun.