ConFigures

Exhibiting Linux and XOs at FOSE

This Thursday, I helped out at the Tux.org booth at FOSE.  Tux is the name of the Linux mascot penguin.  TUX is a network of Linux User Groups (like the Northern Virginia group to whom I presented the OLPC XO user interface, journal system, etc. in February).  FOSE is the Federal Office Systems Exposition which happens every year in DC.  FOSE let us have booth space for free, to hand out Ubuntu CDs, Linux Journals, TUX flyers, and answer questions about Linux and open source applications.  On Thursday, we also had three OLPC XO laptops, which drew a lot of attention.  We had a busy day — a couple of visitors to the booth at almost all times, with occasional surges of 6-10 folks.  According to TUX volunteers from previous days, it was even busier on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We were so busy, I hardly got any time to look around at other booths.  Maybe next year!  As it was, I had fun talking with people about open source and showing them the XOs (which run on a version of Linux based on Fedora).

My badge:

Paul Frield’s write-up from Thursday and Friday (with pictures)

Other pictures, from nicdanger:

•  Tux working the booth
• Green Table (XOs and the April “Greening the Data Center” issue of LJ)
• Testimonials (booth poster on left, with quotes from federales about Linux and open source)
• We the People (booth poster on right, patriotic Tux with signatures from booth workers and visitors)