Dear Debian community,

this is bits from DPL for March (sorry for the delay, I was waiting for some additional input).

Conferences

In March, I attended two conferences, each with a distinct motivation.

I joined FOSSASIA to address the imbalance in geographical developer representation. Encouraging more developers from Asia to contribute to Free Software is an important goal for me, and FOSSASIA provided a valuable opportunity to work towards this.

I also attended Chemnitzer Linux-Tage, a conference I have been part of for over 20 years. To me, it remains a key gathering for the German Free Software community –a place where contributors meet, collaborate, and exchange ideas.

I have a remark about submitting an event proposal to both FOSDEM and FOSSASIA:

    Cross distribution experience exchange

As Debian Project Leader, I have often reflected on how other Free Software distributions address challenges we all face. I am interested in discussing how we can learn from each other to improve our work and better serve our users. Recognizing my limited understanding of other distributions, I aim to bridge this gap through open knowledge exchange. My hope is to foster a constructive dialogue that benefits the broader Free Software ecosystem. Representatives of other distributions are encouraged to participate in this BoF –whether as contributors or official co-speakers. My intention is not to drive the discussion from a Debian-centric perspective but to ensure that all distributions have an equal voice in the conversation.

This event proposal was part of my commitment from my 2024 DPL platform, specifically under the section "Reaching Out to Learn". Had it been accepted, I would have also attended FOSDEM. However, both FOSDEM and FOSSASIA rejected the proposal.

In hindsight, reaching out to other distribution contributors beforehand might have improved its chances. I may take this approach in the future if a similar opportunity arises. That said, rejecting an interdistribution discussion without any feedback is, in my view, a missed opportunity for collaboration.

FOSSASIA Summit

The 14th FOSSASIA Summit took place in Bangkok. As a leading open-source technology conference in Asia, it brings together developers, startups, and tech enthusiasts to collaborate on projects in AI, cloud computing, IoT, and more.

With a strong focus on open innovation, the event features hands-on workshops, keynote speeches, and community-driven discussions, emphasizing open-source software, hardware, and digital freedom. It fosters a diverse, inclusive environment and highlights Asia's growing role in the global FOSS ecosystem.

I presented a talk on Debian as a Global Project and led a packaging workshop. Additionally, to further support attendees interested in packaging, I hosted an extra self-organized workshop at a hacker café, initiated by participants eager to deepen their skills.

There was another Debian related talk given by Ananthu titled "The Herculean Task of OS Maintenance - The Debian Way!"

To further my goal of increasing diversity within Debian –particularly by encouraging more non-male contributors– I actively engaged with attendees, seeking opportunities to involve new people in the project. Whether through discussions, mentoring, or hands-on sessions, I aimed to make Debian more approachable for those who might not yet see themselves as contributors. I was fortunate to have the support of Debian enthusiasts from India and China, who ran the Debian booth and helped create a welcoming environment for these conversations. Strengthening diversity in Free Software is a collective effort, and I hope these interactions will inspire more people to get involved.

Chemnitzer Linuxtage

The Chemnitzer Linux-Tage (CLT) is one of Germany's largest and longest-running community-driven Linux and open-source conferences, held annually in Chemnitz since 2000. It has been my favorite conference in Germany, and I have tried to attend every year.

Focusing on Free Software, Linux, and digital sovereignty, CLT offers a mix of expert talks, workshops, and exhibitions, attracting hobbyists, professionals, and businesses alike. With a strong grassroots ethos, it emphasizes hands-on learning, privacy, and open-source advocacy while fostering a welcoming environment for both newcomers and experienced Linux users.

Despite my appreciation for the diverse and high-quality talks at CLT, my main focus was on connecting with people who share the goal of attracting more newcomers to Debian. Engaging with both longtime contributors and potential new participants remains one of the most valuable aspects of the event for me.

I was fortunate to be joined by Debian enthusiasts staffing the Debian booth, where I found myself among both experienced booth volunteers –who have attended many previous CLT events– and young newcomers. This was particularly reassuring, as I certainly can't answer every detailed question at the booth. I greatly appreciate the knowledgeable people who represent Debian at this event and help make it more accessible to visitors.

As a small point of comparison –while FOSSASIA and CLT are fundamentally different events– the gender ratio stood out. FOSSASIA had a noticeably higher proportion of women compared to Chemnitz. This contrast highlighted the ongoing need to foster more diversity within Free Software communities in Europe.

At CLT, I gave a talk titled "Tausend Freiwillige, ein Ziel" (Thousand Volunteers, One Goal), which was video recorded. It took place in the grand auditorium and attracted a mix of long-term contributors and newcomers, making for an engaging and rewarding experience.

Kind regards Andreas.