FISL 10: Expectations
I’ve nerver been to FISL, the International Free Software Forum that takes place in Porto Alegre. All my attempts to go were ruined by details, ever since 2002. This time everything is going fine, specially the prices of airplane tickets from Manaus to Porto Alegre, probably because the recent arrival of a new air company, which started it’s operations in Manaus in April – Azul, the airline, claims to be low cost and is selling tickets at half of the price of it’s competitors. INdT (my contractor) also gave a hand releasing me from my daily duties at this time.
I’ve joined an excursion headed by Milton, composed mostly of my coworkers. There are special discounts for people in the group (in the registration fee): of 50% off.
I’m waiting for a well organized conference as this is this is 10th version. Ten years is enough time to learn from errors of previous conferences (I remember people complaining about long lines in the building entrance and slow Internet connection in previous versions).
From what I have heard is FISL is a conference with more philosophical discussion than technical stuff*. I don’t really like such an emphasis, not because it is not important but that it is usually boring. However I have seen very technical skilled people in the conference special guests list, so this has given me hope that there will be some nice technical lectures.
With more than 3600 people registered, the event will be a good opportunity to see old friends and meet colleagues who I know only through e-mail and IRC.
*BTW BossaConference is one the best places to discuss about technical things in Brazil.