Matthew Revell

Today is the fourth anniversary of LugRadio‘s first episode!

Listening back to that first show, it’s interesting that one of the first things we talk about is GPL v3. Four years on, that particular discussion continues

When we recorded that first show, we had no idea what LugRadio would become. Actually, listening to that first show, it was clearly touch and go

So, congratulations to the current LugRadio team, howdy to my fellow former LugRadio presenters and thanks to everyone who listens to the show and comes to the events. See you at LugRadio Live UK later this year.

The world’s foremost Linux and free software podcast is one notch higher in the quality stakes this week. In a neatly circular reversal of roles, I stood in for Adam Sweet on this week’s LugRadio.

It was good to be back in the studio with the blokes and was my first show with new boy Chris Proctor.

Here it is again, the greatest free software event that has ever graced the face of WORLD Earth (as Ted Jesus Christ God likes to refer to our planet).

LugRadio Live is happening this weekend at the Light House Media Centre, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton; but you didn’t need me to tell you that.

This weekend will be a little strange for me. Having left LugRadio as a full time presenter, I was only involved in the early stages of planning for this LRL. Also, not being on stage during the intro or LugRadio Live and Unleashed will be very odd.
If you’re going to LRL, come find me and say hello. This year, I won’t be insanely busy

Last night we recorded my last LugRadio as a full-time member of the team.

The past three years have been amazing. What started as a silly idea at a Wolves LUG meeting has brought me many new friends, taken me to strange and exotic places – well, Limerick – and helped shape my career.

I love LugRadio and love spending time with the other gents. However, a couple of months ago it became obvious that I don’t have time for everything I want to do. I also realised that so as long as I’m doing LugRadio, I don’t have as much motivation to try new things because I’m already doing something pretty cool.

Last night was very sad and, because it hadn’t sunk in that it was my last show, I couldn’t quite express how I felt. LugRadio has been about friendship, learning and a having a lot of fun. It’s changed me for the better. I will miss being so closely involved but, in the light of morning, I think it’s right to have stepped down.

So, thanks to Ade, Aq and Jono for being good mates and for making LugRadio such an enjoyable experience. Thanks to all the listeners for your emails, your crazy community action and for being one of the nicest and funniest bunch of people around.

There was only one serious contender for my replacement. He has long been an unofficial member of the team, he’s a great bloke and he lives round the corner from Bacon: Adam Sweet. Adam’s going to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the show, which I think will help it get even better.

Of course, I’m not leaving LugRadio entirely. If one of the guys can’t make it, I’ll stand in and I’ll also be at LugRadio Live! These blokes are some of my best mates, so it’ll be difficult to keep me away entirely

Wow, it’s sort of over.

See Jono’s photos.

This year’s LugRadio Live is going to be the best yet. Everyone knows that

As usual, we have an exhibition space. This year we want the exhibition to be about doing things. So, hardware hacking, video production, ancient games consoles ready to play, crocheting penguins.

We already have some cool ideas lined up. My favourite so far is a green screen vox-pop stand, where people can record their thoughts about the event, complete with comedy background.

So, if you’ve got something cool you want to do in the LRL exhibition space, email show@lugradio.org. If you wanna run a standard exhibition stand, send us the details too!

The LugRadio Live 2007 venue is booked and we’re now organising everything to make it’s the best yet!

The details:

• Dates: 7 and 8 July 2007.
• Venue: Light House Media Centre, Chubb Building, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT.
• Purpose: social gathering of the open source community, with talks, exhibition, BoFs and beer.

We’re organising speakers, exhibitors and all that right now. If you want to speak or exhibit at LugRadio Live, email show AT lugradio DOT org. Tell us:

• Your name and email address.
• Talk title or exhibition stand purpose.
• Short abstract of your talk or description of how LRL visitors will benefit from your stand.
• Type of talk – main stage or lightning – or type of stand – commercial or community (we want to maintain a balance).

We’re looking for talks and exhibitors that people will still remember in a year’s time. That doesn’t mean you have to demo eye candy whilst doing back-flips – although we’d love to have you back Mirco.

The venue this year is by far and away the best yet. Housed in the original home of Chubb lockmakers, The Light House Media Centre features two cinemas, a cafe, a bar and a massive glass-roofed atrium. There’s also a public art gallery, which you’ll be able to enjoy between talks. Importantly, it is right next to the train station.

So, clear that weekend in your diary. We’ll announce the official hotels very soon!

Fantastic news from last night’s Linux User and Developer Awards.

LugRadio Live 2006 won the Best Open Source Marketing Campaign award. We beat off some stiff competition from Ubuntu’s ShipIt scheme, which I’d assumed would definitely win!
Our marketing for LRL 2006 went well thanks largely to the help of three groups of people:

• OpenAdvantage whose design work gave our promotion a consistent, contemporary presentation
• Bytemark for their sponsorship of our programme, banners, etc
• and the awesome LugRadio community for their word of mouth!

I am slightly frustrated, though, that despite being nominated for and winning an award, not all of us could attend the ceremony. At over ?120 a ticket, the award ceremony was priced some way above our budgets and, I imagine, of most ordinary Linux users.

Now we LugRadio boys have to argue over who gets to have the award on their mantlepiece!

On the Ubuntu front, we won the Best Distribution award! Congrats to everyone in the community!
* By the way, my use of “FTW” is purely ironic

LugRadio is back for its fourth series!

After our shortest summer break yet, we’re back with more of the same and some new stuff too.

Our first show is dedicated to Banger, a great little dog, who sadly died a couple of days after we made the recording. You can hear him in the background.

It’s coming.

The LugRadio community is amazing. I know each of us says that quite a bit, but it’s true.

One of the main aspects of the community is the ever friendly, often bizarre, #lugradio channel – that’s pronounced “hash lugradio”, not “pound” or any of that business. A pound looks like this “?” or this “lb”.

Now, the most dedicated #lugradio regulars – including our previous Community Hero, current and current deputy – have created the hashlugradio podcast. I love the idea of a podcast that gives an alternative view on some of the things we discuss on LugRadio. I hope that’s not because I’m being an egomaniac; I actually do think it’s good to get a second opinion on the stuff we ramble on about.

Nice work Xalior, Neuro, Aquarion, Dotwaffler and Mr … oh no, you couldn’t make it MrBen. That’s okay, we’ll be brothers in absence.