Category: Misc

I gave the best talk of my life to a hall of over 500 programmers this summer. I was the dinner speaker for the Linux Symposium, which is described thusly: “With attendees coming from over 30 different countries, the Symposium is probably the single most comprehensive collection of Linux experts in the world.” What the hell could I have to say to them? Well, Linux programmers created a community-built alternative that rivaled the best that a company can produce–not unlike what’s happening in the indie arts community. In do-it-yourself communities all over, really, often spurred on corporate consolidation. So I was able to share my adventures in the creative commons and many people found it interesting and relevant.

It was the inspiration I needed to do something I’ve wanted to for a while–switch to a Linux desktop. I started keeping a diary of my migration, which I’ll be adding to…
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I love the 1″ button. Really, for the tiny amount of space it takes up it’s such a cheap and efficient communicator. It struck home when I was at the post office and I noticed someone with the Matt B button pictured here, and had a little chat about his cartoons and such. It seemed to me a nice thing to wear your heart on your sleeve, or lapel, and allow for these social interactions to happen.

For years I’ve dressed in a non-descript fashion, to a certain extent due to my dislike of marketing. But I’ve let myself be backed into a corner–while I might not be shilling for a brand with my t-shirt, I’m also closing myself off from like-minded people I randomly encounter.

So I started wearing some buttons that people had given me or I’d bought but never worn. I also got a bunch of No Media Kings buttons made, as you may have been able to guess by the site redesign. If you’d like to get one, just let me know your addy–if you’d be OK with me filling the rest of the envelope with promo postcards for you to pass around your area, I’m happy to pop for postage. (UPDATE: Sorry, all out of buttons… sign up for the mailing list if you’d like to hear when I’ve got s’more…)

Last year, a number of people received a mysterious (perhaps even mystifying) email from Susan and I inviting them to take part in Gang-Off 2002. People had to choose from a list of gangs taken from the book version of the ’70s gangsploitation flick The Warriors, and then given instructions on how to survive this test of brutality and cunning.

The Friday evening before Hallowe’en, around 20 people rendezvoused with their unknown gang members, and played out our sick little game on the streets of the city.
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