[volunteers] SVLUG & The Linux Programming Interface

[Michael Kerrisk]

On Sun, Jan 23, 2011 at 9:48 PM, Mark Weisler
<mark at weisler-saratoga-ca.us> wrote:
> On 12/20/10 5:21 PM, Michael Kerrisk wrote:
>> hello Mark et al,
>>
>> Thanks for your reply.
>>
>> On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 3:28 PM, Mark Weisler
>> <mark at weisler-saratoga-ca.us> wrote:
>>> On 12/19/10 6:20 PM, Michael Kerrisk wrote:
>>>> Hi Andrew at al.,
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Oct 23, 2010 at 8:27 PM, Andrew Fife <andrewbfife at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Micheal:
>> [...]
>>
>>>>> As for the talk content, most talks are aimed a system
>>>>> administrators, although the audience also includes
>>>>> developers, hobbyists and handful of non-technical folks.
>>>>> An intro the the linux programming interface might be a
>>>>> good talk topic that would appeal to all levels.  But really the
>>>>> floor is yours to discuss whatever you find most interesting
>>>>> about the linux programming interface.
>>>>
>>>> Assuming that the above date might work, I can start putting together
>>>> some ideas.
>>>>
>>>>> If Feb 2nd works for you, we'd just need a talk title, a brief
>>>>> abstract (1 paragraph would be fine) and your bio so that we
>>>>> can promote it on our website and to our mailing list.
>>>>
>>>> Got it.
>>>>
>>>>> Moving forward, I am not volunteering as actively as I used to
>>>>> be due to my work schedule, but the others who help out can be
>>>>> reached at:
>>>>>
>>>>> volunteers at lists.svlug.org
>>>>>
>>>>> and I've copied them on this message.  I am certainly happy to help
>>>>> out, I just am not able to react/respond all that quickly at the moment.
>>>>
>>>> Okay -- let's see who picks this up at SVLUG.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> Michael
>>> Hello Michael,
>>> We'd very much look forward to hearing from you on April 6th.
>>> Please send us a summary of your talk so we can put it on our Web site.
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> So, I'm going to just throw out some ideas about possible talks, some
>> still very half-formed, just to see which ones might sound
>> interesting:
>>
>> 1. How (not) to write a (computer) book
>> My experiences and observations about writing a technical book. Not
>> directly about Linux per se, but the example for the talk obviously
>> would be a book about Linux, and I can probably guarantee that it
>> would be informative and entertaining.
>>
>> 2. Why kernelspace sucks
>> (cf. Dave Jones "Why Userspace Sucks";
>> http://www.kernel.org/doc/ols/2006/ols2006v1-pages-441-450.pdf and
>> http://lwn.net/Articles/192214/)
>> This is just the beginnings of an idea for a talk about the mess-ups
>> in APIs that Linux kernel developers foist upon userspace. (So, unlike
>> the previous idea, it really is a talk around the topic of the Linux
>> programming interface.) However, I probably can't manage to be nearly
>> as entertaining Dave Jones--he has so many good examples of stupidity
>> to choose from ;-).
>>
>> 3. Writing safe, portable, futureproof programs
>> Writing programs that use the Linux kernel-userspace API, keeping in
>> mind portability, security, and possible future changes in the
>> interface.
>>
>> And then I have a few other topics in my back pocket:
>>
>> 4. A short history of UNIX, C, GNU, and Linux
>> The title pretty much says it all.
>>
>> 5 UNIX standards
>> A discussion of UNIX (POSIX, SUS) and C standards past and present,
>> showing their interrelationships and describing their contemporary
>> relevance for application (primarily C) developers on UNIX and Linux
>> platforms. (Probably fits less to your audience, since you said they
>> are mainly SAs.)
>>
>> ===
>>
>> What I'm looking for from the above is to know which talks (plural)
>> could be of interest -- not to get you to choose just one. If I get an
>> idea of which ones might be of interest, then I'll think about it a
>> bit more, pick one, and develop it further. If none of the above seem
>> to be a good fit, let me know, and I'll try to develop further ideas.
>>
>> ===
>>
>> Some questions:
>>
>> 1. how long do your talk slots normally last?
>> 2. How big is a typical audience?
>> 3. Where are your meetings usually? It looks like they are usually in
>> Mountain View. That could be a problem: assuming I make it to to SF as
>> planned, I'll be in Japantown that day, without a car, and I'd need
>> some way to get to MV. Do any of your attendees usually come down from
>> downtown SF by car (i.e., could I hitch a lift?)?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Michael
>>
>>
> Hi Michael,
> Thanks for offering an interesting array of topics for your talk.
> First some answers then some opinions...
> Answers...
> 1. Our talks start at 7pm and we must be out of the room by 9pm (typically
> going to a nearby cafe for a snack after the meeting). Speakers have
> flexibility but often the talk is about an hour or so and then 20 to 30
> minutes of Q and A.
>
> 2. The building host does not provide a network connection for security
> reasons. Speakers must plan accordingly. (That reminds me, I'll canvass the
> group to see if anyone can bring a Wifi hotspot in, one like a MiFi.)
>
> 3. The audience varies in size but 30 to 40 seems representative.
>
> 4. Concerning getting down from SF, let's see if any of the volunteers on
> this list have suggestions.
>
> Opinions...
> Just my opinion and it would be good to hear from others but my interests
> would be in the following order, from highest...
>
> 1. (your 3.)   Writing safe, portable, futureproof programs
> 2. (your 5. )  UNIX standards
>
> Thanks again and we are looking forward to your visit.

Mark, sorry that I have been slow to reply. Various unplanned events
occurred, and at this stage it's almost certain I won't make it to SF
next month. Sorry about that. A trip later this year is still likely,
and maybe we can reboot this idea then.

Best regards,

Michael


-- 
Michael Kerrisk
Author of "The Linux Programming Interface"
http://man7.org/tlpi/