I'm at the Linux conference of Australia (http://www.linux.conf.au) and it's been interesting. I've met a bunch of people I've only known from IRC, and met many new people. The last two nights I've ended up having dinner with a friend, Colin McCormack of Coldstore, and Raph of Advogato, initially because Colin & I, then Raph, wound up at the same restaurant (Coogee bay hotel) looking for other people from the conference, and last night to pick the brain of Raph about Ghostscript for a non-OSS project. Raph's a nice guy - very clueful. I only wish I felt confident enough in my own knowledge to meaningfully add to the technical conversations - at least the non-specialised ones.

It's actually something I've got to put effort into. I listen to many conversations by many people, and add small tidbits now and then - but I either don't value my own opinion too much - or think too much about the issue to either invalidate it myself, or miss the opportunity to present it. I should make it a new birth-year resolution, I suspect - my birthday is on the 24th of January. Shower me with gifts ... a Vaio would be greatly appreciated.

Before the conference, I hadn't seen a Vaio. I knew of them, of course, but hadn't taken the time to investigate. Probably because I knew I wouldn't be able to afford one. Although maybe in a few months...

Yesterday I attended the OpenH323 talk. I'm tempted to spend the $300.au or so to buy a supported hardware telephony device. I'm not sure who I'd speak to yet - but I'm certain I would have fun doing it. 8-)

To summarise... Lessons learned:

• The Coogee Bay Hotel is good for food and conversation.
• At an expensive restaurant with a buffet option, always take the buffet.
• If not available, eat fast food beforehand and order soup.