Unlike a lot of the events that I discuss in my Blog, the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit is a "by invitation only" event with a twist. Normally for "invitation only events", the potential attendee sits by the phone with their prom clothes on, waiting for the call that may or may not come. In this case the Linux Foundation wishes to engage "leaders of the development, ISV, distro, end user, non-profit and vendor communities". In other words, a representative form of governance, rather than a full democracy. Therefore leaders of various communities are encouraged to apply, with no guarantee of admission.

I can understand that philosophy. If the Linux Foundation opened up the doors to all (estimated) 60,000,000 Linux users, they would need a city much larger than Austin, Texas (and Texas is the United State's second largest state) to hold the meeting.

Nonetheless, the Linux Foundation is sponsoring its second summit in Austin, Texas April 8th, 9th and 10th to bring together a widely diverse (and bound to be opinionated) set of leaders to discuss the present and future directions of Free and Open Source Software, and the Linux Foundation does offer free (as in beer) registration to those whose constituency would help propel Free and Open Source Software in general, and Linux in particular, forward.

The first day has keynotes and panels discussing issues in the areas of kernel, end user, desktop, legal and vendor communities. The next two days and workgroups and Linux Foundation Advisory Board meetings to discuss the issues raised in the first day's meetings and to work together to address them.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights will be open for quiet talks and networking with other attendees. Austin has a vibrant nightlife, and I am sure that some of the delegates will take advantage of that.

For more information on the event, and to register for attendance, please go to https://www.linux-foundation.org/events/collaboration