Sessions at Open Source Bridge 2009 about Women and Community with notes

Wednesday 17th June 2009

• My Grand Experiment: A Portland Women-focused Tech Group.

  by it's my klingon name

  The idea for Code-n-Splode grew out of the Women in Open Source BOF at OSCON 2007. Leading a women-friendly tech group continues to be an exciting ride, and I'm going to share it with you! The talk will be a "case study"-type format, featuring the following:
  - why I felt a woman-focused group was necessary
  - how the name came about, if it's not completely obvious
  - what belonging to the group has done (or in some cases, not done) for its members
  - touchy subjects, such as issues we encountered with having men in the group
  - how my reasons for continuing the group have changed over time

  There will be a BOF-type get-together to go with this talk for an even less-formal discussion period/recruiting session. (Free toaster!*)

  *joke

  • Community
  • Women

  At 11:20am to 12:05pm, Wednesday 17th June

  Coverage note

Thursday 18th June 2009

• Faking It Til I Make It: A Woman On The Fringe Of Open Source

  by Maria Webster

  This is a three-part presentation, beginning with an introduction of my personal experiences with open source:

  • early exploration of open source software
  • technical journey, from sales to support, administration and finally, engineering
  • the danger of "laying low"
  • challenges and successes
  • how failure led to the need for inspiration
  • how inspiration led to community

  The second section will explore the community I've discovered:

  • local groups for women in tech
  • vast resources on the web
  • support and recognition within the sub-community of women in tech
  • what's next?

  The last section invites the attendees to participate:

  • Q & A
  • Invitation to share women-in-tech events
  • Invitation to share additional experiences
  • Comments and suggestions

  The entire presentation gives voice to my own experience but more precisely how I believe it parallels that of many women in technology: we think ourselves on the fringe, but in fact, we are active participants in an ever-growing community.

  • Community
  • Development
  • Linux
  • resources
  • Women

  At 3:50pm to 4:35pm, Thursday 18th June

  Coverage note