[plug] linux.conf.au 2015 opens call for presentations

[papers-chair at linux.org.au]

=== linux.conf.au Call For Proposals ===

The call for proposals for linux.conf.au 2015 is now open!

The conference is a meeting place for the free and open source software communities. It will be held in Auckland at the University of Auckland Business School from Monday 12 to Friday 16 January, 2015, and provides a unique opportunity for open source developers, students, users and hackers to come together, share new ideas and collaborate.

=== Important Dates ===

* Call for Proposals opens 9 June 2014
* Call for Proposals closes 13 July 2014
* Email acceptances start September 2014
* Early bird registrations open 23 September 2014

* Conference dates: Monday 12 January to Friday 16 January, 2015

=== Information on Proposals ===

The linux.conf.au 2015 papers committee is looking for a broad range of proposals, and will consider submissions on anything from programming and software, to desktop, mobile, gaming, userspace, community, government, space, and education. There is only one rule:

*Your proposal must be related to open source*

This year, the papers committee is going to be focused on open source in education as well as our usual focus on deep technical content.

The conference is to a large extent what the speakers make it: if we receive heaps of excellent submissions on a topic, then it’s sure to be represented at the conference. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

* Clouds, data centers and scalability.
* Community challenges; legal threats; education and outreach.
* Documentation for open source projects.
* HTML5; multimedia codecs.
* Kernel developments; new architectures.
* Open hardware; embedded systems; wearable computing.
* Security; privacy; anonymity.
* Networking; Software defined networking; bufferbloat; network
function virtualization.
* Software development; programming languages.
* Sysadmin and automation.

linux.conf.au is known for presentations and tutorials that are strongly technical in nature, but proposals for presentations on other aspects of free software and open culture, such as educational and cultural applications of open source, are welcome.

=== Code of Conduct ===

linux.conf.au welcomes first-time and seasoned speakers from all free and open communities: people of all ages, genders, nationalities, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, abilities, and walks of life. We respect and encourage diversity at our conference.

By agreeing to present at or attend the conference, you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions (http://lca2015.linux.org.au/cor/terms_and_conditions). We also expect all speakers and delegates to have read and understood our Code of Conduct (http://lca2015.linux.org.au/cor/code_of_conduct).

=== Format ===

There are three different ways that you can present your content:
* Presentations
* Tutorials
* Mini conferences

_Presentations_

Presentations are 45 minute slots that are generally presented in lecture format. These form the bulk of the available conference slots.

_Tutorials_

Tutorials are 100 minutes long, and are generally presented in a classroom format. They should be interactive or hands-on in nature. Tutorials are expected to have a specific learning outcome for attendees.

_Mini conferences_

Miniconfs are one or two day long sessions on a specific topic.  A separate CFP form will be used to propose and select miniconfs, and is available at http://lca2015.linux.org.au/miniconf-cfp

=== Speaker Information ===

In recognition of the value that speakers bring to our conference, once a proposal is accepted a speaker is entitled to:

* Free registration, which holds all of the benefits of a Professional Delegate Ticket
* Exclusive tickets to the Speakers' Dinner for the speaker and their immediate family
* One free family ticket to the Partners' Programme

If your proposal includes more than one speaker, these additional speakers are not entitled to free registration or to any extra benefits.

linux.conf.au does not and will not pay speakers to present at the conference.

linux.conf.au is able to provide limited financial assistance for some speakers, for instance, where the cost of flights or accommodation might prohibit a speaker from attending. Please note, however, that there is a limited budget for travel assistance and that asking for assistance could affect your chances of acceptance.

=== Recording and Licensing ===

To increase the number of people that can view your presentation, linux.conf.au might record your talk and make it publicly available after the event. When submitting your proposal you will be asked to release materials relating to your presentation under a Creative Commons ShareAlike License. Additionally, if you are discussing software in your presentation, you must ensure the software has an appropriate open licence.

All presentation material should be suitable for people aged 12 and above. All  presentations are subject to Linux Australia’s code of conduct, including that they must not contain:
sexual or violent imagery
exclusionary language
language which is not appropriate for an all-ages audience

For more information, see:  http://lca2015.linux.org.au/cfp

=== About Linux Australia ===

Linux Australia is the peak body for open source communities around Australia, and as such represents approximately 3500 Free and Open Source users and developers. Linux Australia supports the organisation of this international Free Software conference in a different Australasian city each year.

For more information about Linux Australia see: http://www.linux.org.au/

=== Papers Enquiries ===

For enquiries related to this CFP, or to presentations at linux.conf.au generally, contact the linux.conf.au 2015 Papers Committee by email: papers-chair at linux.org.au