At that time, I declared that I would always refer to them as the Pardus Dudes, proof here.  So imagine my surprise when I turned around this morning during a break in the talks and two Pardus Dudes magically just arrived and were sitting behind me.  If the Europeans looked tired upon arrival, you can imagine walking off a Turkey->Cali flight and straight into a conference.  ”Pardus Dude who never got his luggage” was here, but “Pardus Dude that jumped off a cliff” has been replaced by someone who does not yet have a nickname.  We’ll call him “Pardus Dude who does not yet have a nickname.”  Pardus Paradox?

They have a stack of install discs right now on the table, which is perfect timing for me, as I finally built a home desktop right before leaving for Camp KDE and my plan was literally to put images of openSUSE, PC-BSD and Pardus on it.  All three groups are here.  Coincidence?  Pardus 2011 will definitely be on my machine within the next week.

I continue to have the suspicion that Pardus falls into the category of a project that may not be visible to many, but has a lot of activity, momentum and backing.  I will try to get a video interview with both Dudes.

Noisebridge is about creativity, learning and re-use.  As Frank and I discussed on the way over, there’s a different sense of satisfaction that you get from building a bookshelf than from getting a program to compile; this seems to satisfy a very basic and fundamental need.

Photos?  You bet.  The first is one of Rex and a flag that many may not recognize.  But Frank promised me some would – are you one of them?

Next up we have a panorama shot of the some NBers at work on various projects.  Click on the image for a larger version:

Finally, an example of the lightning talks given by some of the Camp KDE attendees.  Here we have Leo discussing a new project Tomahawk.  He goes over the incredibly typical use case of a new music search for a combination of Led Zepplin and Michael Jackson while Jeff looks on in disbelief.  It’s safe to say we’ve all asked that at some time in our lives:

Thanks to Noisebridge for hosting us and allowing us to bring beer.  After a slow start, the two groups started mingling and talking; in particular Leo and I spoke to a guy that was surprisingly knowledgeable on KDE, gnome, Meego, licensing, project plans, etc.  Really impressive.

Now to bed and back at it tomorrow morning.

Speaking of, we had a sub-community meeting of all North American contributors named Celeste.  Here’s the group photo:

She was looking for the other members in vain.

I won’t go into details on the presentations here, as Justin has diligently been recording them, uploading them, and taking notes for a Dot article on the first day.   Keep an eye out for article recaps and a proper group photo of everyone, regardless of whether they’re named Celeste (quite inclusive).  Teaser: One speaker readily confessed that they were on a combination of “narcotics, painkillers and laxatives” at the time of the speech.  I suspect at least 2 out of 3 were correct.  And I’m not joking.

Tonight, we head to Noisebridge, which based on Google maps Street View, does not look like it’s near a noisy bridge.  That leaves being a metaphorical bridge to noise or false advertising.  TBD.  And for tomorrow, I’ll be doing some brief video interviews and uploading them to the KDEPromo Youtube account – links to follow.  So attendees, if you’re reading this, no hiding.  Be brave and give an interview.  Knut has been asking for a professional make-up and touch-up crew; I guess internet and TV fame will do that to you.

You want proof?  Such skeptics.  Here’s some photos throughout the day, and it’s up to you faithful readers to trust that I just didn’t pull them from a Google image search.

While other Camp KDE’ers were still safely nestled in their beds,  this intrepid reporter was already snapping clichéd photos for consumption.  First up is an early morning shot of the Transmerica tower from the southside of the embarcadero.  The total population of this pier at this time consisted of: 1) Tourists like Wade Olson and 2) Some homeless people.  I did not poll them on their interests in free software.

Later in the day we have our fearless KDE manager (and that much more) Claudia with the golden gate bridge behind her.  What you don’t see is that behind me, there was a naked swimmer.  Not someone skippy-dipping.  Just swimming and being naked.  Yes, I have 1080p of this – for educational purposes only.  No, I am not hosting it here.  Jeff Mitchell prudently recommended a Members Only ™ section of the KDE site as a revenue model.

Up next we have a great representation of pasty NoCal residents getting some sun by the bay at Fort Mason.  Our feet got some short, but well deserved rest at this point.  All of these sun bathers, although they didn’t technically say this, were clearly trying to represent the way that we all bask in the glowing warmth of KDE and free software.  It’s basically performance art.  A flash mob for our benefit most likely; I can’t think of any other reasonable explanation for all of these people drinking in a park on a sunny day.

And finally to wrap up the day, back in Japantown.  Doesn’t really roll of the tongue like Chinatown (also visited), but here we have a small open square next to the Hotel Kabuki.  Jeff Mitchell and I finished up the night by going to Benihana to watch some culinary acrobatics, joking with the other patrons at the table and gossiping like school girls.

Jeff Mitchell just texted me that he’s arrived this moment – he just missed out lively discussion in which we did not fully solve all of KDE’s issues and Middle East peace, but Justin is confident that we can get answers to both with a  couple lightning talks and some more beer.  Stay tuned.

Time to get some sleep.  Tomorrow I promise pictures and updates on the day’s activities, including the room preparation.  Good night everyone!

Celeste has just posted an article on the Dot with all of the details: Camp KDE is going to be held April 4th and 5th in San Fransisco.  The Linux Foundation is hosting its Collaboration Summit on April 6th through the 8th.  In the same city.  At the same hotel.  What a coincidence.

Camp KDE starts in two months: So get planning and get packing.  The Camp KDE website will refer you to this registration site.

Interested in giving a presentation?  The CFP (Call for Papers) is open immediately: Head to the Camp KDE website for more details.  Proposals are due February 25 – what are you waiting for?  You’ve got a lot of typing to do.

Downtown SF, the Linux Foundation and KDE.  This is going to be great, but you know that already, don’t you?

Well, between then and now, I received the confirmation of my subscription/membership/joinification.  A few photos later with my Sony a55 that I’m still figuring out, and here we are.  Full disclosure: I bumped the contrast and brightness a bit.  Not to photos look more realistic, but to make it look like my hardwood floors have been cleaned properly in the last year.  Moving on:

Now, if you’ll refocus your attention from trying to reverse engineer my address from the photo when you could just look it up.  Or from wondering why I would take photos on my floor when I should be using a professionally lighted studio.  Or calculating the shipping costs, raw materials, labor involved to determine the overall KDE net proceeds.  Or if sending money to KDE is the only way to get Cornelius to acknowledge you any more (in my case: yes).  Or if that really is a subtle reflection on the floor of the number 86 from the back of the pawn piece you’ve found using CSI: Alabama’s photo enhancing lab (enhance! Oh, and yes there is – how very clever of you).

We need to discuss what may have so far not been the center of your attention: That I’m #86.  This is not bragging.  Being in the first 100 does not entitle me to much besides getting to use future versions of the software (currently using KDE SC 4.11 and it’s awesome).  My point is that, and I’m dangerously assuming a simple sequential membership – I would much prefer to be member 86,000.  Have you signed up?

We should be setting some aggressive goals for member acquisition.  If you’ve read any of the KDE quarterly reports (thanks Claudia and contributors), you’ll know how prudent/fiscally responsible the board (and in turn the eV) is with KDE’s funds.  Even Wikileaks has come up empty (Celeste your Porsche secret is safe with me).  Help fund developer sprints, trade show attendance and equipment, and conferences.  Find others who will do the same.

Tra-diddly-da!

You can find my KDE holiday wallpapers here.  About a year ago, I received an email from a distro asking to package these in their release.  Flattering to be sure, but of course my emails problems got in the way of responding.  If you’re that person and you’re reading that now: apologies.

Stop and take the time to remember what the holidays are all about! (answer: family, complaining about your family, snowball fights and murdering pine trees)

I went to the site and signed up immediately.  The signature from Cornelius is probably worth 50 euro alone.  Or so I assume based off the money I made on ebay from his “SCO is forever” cocktail napkin sketch at the Dublin akademy.

What good is Wade joining if he doesn’t also crank out a massive amount of  images hosted at his usual location to celebrate his new KDE sponsorship? (Massive = eight)

• Weeks after Camp KDE in Jamaica, Sebas presumably won the laptop longevity contest.  He and I had purchased nearly identical Thinkpads years ago.  In February 2009, a cat who shall remain nameless who belongs to a wife who shall remain nameless – said cat knocked over a glass of water on my laptop sending it to an early grave.  One machine down.
• Then my desktop PSU died and memory along with it.  Other machine down.
• Next, I found out the hard way that Marcus Hanwell’s wife Louise had a contagious pregnancy in Jamaica.  I didn’t contract this condition, but my new wife Molly did.
• In June, I snuck out to NYC for a weekend to see Franz.  Good times.  Pictures to follow.
• Nesting instincts immediately kicked in, and Molly prudently decided that our current neighborhood was no place to welcome a new child.  Heroin dealer?  Yes.  Down-on-his-luck military veteran in hiding before he gets a call from the government to take on a new generation of Yakuza?  Possibly.  New child?  Not really.  We spent all spring and summer completely renovating the house: every single room in the house got new plaster walls, ceiling and refinished hardwood floors, the kitchen was remodeled, the exterior painted, new landscaping and a new roof.   I cannot tell you how time-consuming and bank account consuming this effort was.  Ask me sometime about Wade + machete vs. 3 meth heads in his back yard.
• On July 3, my German Shepherd Falco died unexpectedly due to intestinal twisting that larger dogs can get.  Anyone who knows me well knows how much I freaking loved this dog.  He was only 5 and it really sucks.  Molly and I were really excited to see how he’d be a big brother to the new kid.
• Also this summer, at work I received a sizable promotion.  Because life at the office wasn’t busy enough.  Taking care of a couple Duggar families worth of developers?  Exhausting.  Enough leverage to begin changing the mindset of a Fortune 25 company with like-minded leaders?  Compelling.
• Triathlon life continued: Did several and expanded to Half-Iron distance.  I’m now training for the 2010 Ironman in Nice.  If my body stays healthy.
• In the fall, Molly and I got a new house much more suitable for family life.  Where is it?  Hint: It is the city that the Walsh family was originally from in Beverly Hills 90210. (Protip: Two mortgages at the same time is not as the fRench used to say: supercool)
• On November 15, I got a son.  Blake is awesome.  And healthy.  Sleeping on the hospital bed though, threw my back out in the most painful way (weeks of muscle relaxers).  Molly for some reason was not interested in hearing about the pain I went through during his birth. Women.
• That brings us to the holiday season.  Mayhem.

So here we are.  This was easily my busiest year ever, and the only computer I had was my work PC (which they lock down to the point of worthlessness).  Even my hosted email server wasn’t (and still isn’t) functional for most of the year.  I have to apologize for those that have sent me emails only to get dead silence.  I saw Markey ask about a new Amarok splash screen opinion far too late.  Which one was picked?  I still don’t know.  I saw Anne ask for some updated art work.  Hope I can respond soon.  In total, the only social access I had was via a facebook app for my iPhone.  Crazy.  In the short term, if people need to contact me, use my gmail address.  The others are not yet working again.

Well, the home PC is currently running (for how long we don’t know) and I have internet at the new house, so I figured I had better post in this narrow window of opportunity.  Next next steps are to post the seriously outdated Jamaica Camp KDE photos and those documenting Franz’ NYC journey.  Just because I’ve been silent doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about you all.  Give yourselves a hug for me.  Zack, get to second base with yourself for me.  Hopefully the new year brings some much needed sanity and time for KDE.

Family subtractions and additions (RIP FALCO!):

This year’s goal is to subtract two cats and add one German Shepherd puppy.