---
title: 'Linus Torvalds slated to speak at inaugural LinuxCon'
date: '2009-05-20T15:23:55-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 374
char_count: 2316
tokens: 487
categories:
  - '#featured'
  - Events
  - LinusTorvalds
  - Linux
  - LinuxCon
  - OpenSource
  - Oregon
  - Portland
tags:
  - linus
  - 'linus torvalds'
  - Linux
  - LinuxCon
  - 'open source'
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - torvalds
---

# Linus Torvalds slated to speak at inaugural LinuxCon

When people start conversations about Portland, Oregon, being a hub of open source, the conversation inevitably turns to one particular topic “Well, you know, [Linus Torvalds](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds "Linus Torvalds") lives in Portland.”

It’s played like a trump card. And while this is factually correct, it’s a little misleading. You see, Linus doesn’t often make local appearances. He’s here, but he’s not *here*. If you catch my drift.

And that’s why the news that [Linus is going to speak at the inaugural LinuxCon in Portland](http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2009/05/linus_turns_up_for_linuxcon.html "Linus Torvalds to speak at inaugural LinuxCon") is such big news: because we’re actually going to get to see that person who we often use as a defense for our open source cred.

As [Mike Rogoway](http://twitter.com/rogoway "Mike Rogoway") at *The Oregonian* posted on the [Silicon Forest blog](http://blog.oregonlive.com/siliconforest/2009/05/linus_turns_up_for_linuxcon.html "Silicon Forest on Linus Torvalds at LinuxCon"):

> In fact, to my knowledge, this is the first time Torvalds will speak at a public event in Oregon since he moved to the state. (He accepted an award from Reed College several years ago, I know, but don’t believe he spoke there.)

In any case, it will be great to catch a glimpse of Torvalds in his adopted home town. Here’s hoping that becomes a more regular occurrence.

[LinuxCon](http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/linuxcon "LinuxCon") is a new annual technical conference, held in Portland, Oregon, that will provide an unmatched collaboration and education space for all matters Linux. LinuxCon will bring together the best and brightest that the Linux community has to offer, including core developers, administrators, end users, community managers and industry experts. In being the conference for “all matters Linux”, LinuxCon will be informative and educational for a wide range of attendees. We will not only bring together all of the best technical talent but the decision makers and industry experts who are involved in the Linux community.

*([Image courtesy Christopher Neugebauer](http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisjrn/3220268996/). Used under Creative Commons.)*

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