Jam Jam… Ubuntu Global Jam… Philly Jam

This weekend in the home of the cheese steak they will be spreading the jam. Earlier this week I interviewed jedijf of the Pennsylvania Loco Team. I hope that learning about how a loco team organizes their event will help others to organize events in the future.

Q: How many global jam events have you planned and executed?

<jedijf> This is my first Global Jam Event.
<cprofitt> awesome!! good to see you giving it a go.

 Q: What is your background?

<jedijf> my bio is at : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Jedijf
<jedijf> That was easy. The community that Ubuntu created inspired many of us in the early days, circa 2007.
<jedijf> The newness of the distro created much interest. Many friends were made, and many connections as well.
<jedijf> But, I think largely to its’ success, the interest is/has waning/waned. It works too well, too easily now.
<jedijf> The bug jam is a way to get people who have been taking; to give back. Make them realize that they are a part, and a vital part, to a larger whole.

Q: Will you be adding less technical jam tasks (like art, documentation, etc) to this cycles jam?

<jedijf> Yes. Not knowing the user base that will attend, and to lower the entry level, I keep promoting that *no* experience is necessary. Just a desire to learn about the process(es).
<jedijf> AskUbuntu…joining launchpad
<jedijf> the bar is very low. Sometimes we take for granted too much, and many who have been around aren’t even launchpad members.
* cprofitt nods
<jedijf> The recent promotion of the Bug Jam has spurred new launchpad users.

Q: What about testing now that testing can be done from a CD or memory stick?

<jedijf> I plan on a lot of handouts, like the 5-a-day pdf, and a triaging guide that we’ve used at our prior Bug Jam.
<jedijf> One of the comments on the Hive76 blog post about the event was specifically about that, and there will be cd’s and sticks available if anyone would like to do the upgrade report.
<cprofitt> beyond the upgrade report they can also send in their ‘friendly’ results
<jedijf> correct

Q: What is the most difficult hurdle to hosting a global jam?

<jedijf> The only difficulty i foresee is that people don’t attend because they don’t think that they’re qualified. I hope this week to present it as non-technical as possible.
<cprofitt> I think one key to that is focusing on the Global Jam part of this vs. Bug Jam
<cprofitt> When I ran bug jams I had only a few very technical people show up
<cprofitt> I am hoping that the broader name helps
<jedijf> I’m hoping that getting started in irc will allow them to see how easy it can be.
<jedijf> That’s why I think I’ll push AskUbuntu to start.

Q: What suggestions do you have for someone trying to get a global jam started in his/her area?

<jedijf> Well honestly, the same rule applies to all events. Just do it, and they will come. Somebody just has to step up and do it. It’s really not that hard. And it always turns out to be a good time.
<jedijf> It’s like the Ubuntu Field of Dreams.
<cprofitt> I agree — just get a place and advertise it

A first time organizer hits the nail on the head; just go do it and people will come!

Jam Jam… Ubuntu Global Jam… Jam Avatar

The New York Loco team, thanks to the contribution of etneg, has produced some Global Jam art. The second piece released is another forum avatar below. Anyone partaking in the global jam is authorized to use it. Enjoy!!

Jam Jam… Ubuntu Global Jam… Waterloo

No! Not the Battle of Waterloo. Not the Abba song. We are talking Jammin’ at Waterloo, Canada. Home of the University of Waterloo. Today I interviewed dscassel of the Canadian Loco Team about holding an Ubuntu Global Jam in the hopes of inspiring others to ‘Jorge Castro It!’

<cprofitt> Q: How many global jam events have you planned and executed?
<dscassel> Lessee…  I think the first one was for 10.04…  I’ve done every one since then, except one.  So that’s… 3
<dscassel> And now 12.04.

---

<cprofitt> Q: What is your background?
<dscassel> Professionally or culturally?
<dscassel> I’m a software developer…
<cprofitt> both
<dscassel> And Canadian, from Ontario. English-speaking.
<cprofitt> I think English speaking Canadians from Ontario rock!!
<dscassel> Yes!!
<cprofitt> though I happen to be biased.
<dscassel> heh.
<dscassel> Which isn’t saying anything against the excellent Ubuntu Quebec folks, for example.
<cprofitt> Yes, all Canadian rock!!
<dscassel> So yeah, I’m living in Waterloo and working for an evil, proprietary software company. But hey, it pays the bills.
<dscassel> (and actually they’re very nice for an evil, proprietary software company)
<dscassel> Also, in my spare time, I help run the local hackerspace, Kwartzlab.
<cprofitt> that is a pretty full background!

---

<cprofitt> Q: What made you interested in planning and hosting Ubuntu events?
<dscassel> Well, I like Ubuntu!
<dscassel> I got into it because there was a guy who was hosting a Windows 7 release party at Kwartzlab in 2009.
<dscassel> So, of course, I needed to host an Ubuntu release party.  Which was much cooler, naturally.
<cprofitt> ah, yes I remember that ad campaign…
<dscassel> I met Ralph Janke (txwikinger) because he was running an Ubuntu booth at the 2009 Ontario GNU/Linux Fest and was looking for volunteers.  I went to drop hand out flyers for my release parties.
* cprofitt nods
<dscassel> We decided Kwartzlab would be an excellent place to start running Global Jams.  And since he’s a bug triage expert, it worked out really well.

---

<cprofitt> Q: Will you be adding less technical jam tasks (like art, documentation, etc) to this cycles jam?
<dscassel> I haven’t been able to convince my artist friends to come out yet.
<dscassel> But one of the main things we do every cycle is install and hardware testing.  And pretty much everybody can do that.
* cprofitt nods
<dscassel> If they don’t have a computer of their own, we have a bunch at Kwartzlab they can try.

---

<cprofitt> Q: What about testing now that testing can be done from a CD or memory stick?
<dscassel> Yeah, absolutely.  That alleviates fears that running a beta will break their systems.  And it means their hardware gets tested, which will hopefully help them avoid problems after the release.
<cprofitt> and they can help send their results to the friendly database now
<cprofitt> https://friendly.ubuntu.com/
<dscassel> Yup.  Posting bugs can be a bit of a hurdle for people, although we have plenty of people to help out there if need be.

---

<cprofitt> Q: What is the most difficult hurdle to hosting a global jam?
<dscassel> For us, since we have the venue already, it’s finding an activity that everyone can participate in so nobody gets bored and comes away with a bad experience.  Over the last few cycles we’ve fallen back on hardware testing…
<dscassel> We’ve tried to get a bit more ambitious, attempting a development hackathon, for example.
<dscassel> The result of that was only two or three people working on programming while most of the people weren’t all that interested, or didn’t feel they could contribute.
<dscassel> But they can always load up the iso, or triage some bugs.
<dscassel> It just feels like less of a group activity then, if people are doing different things.
* cprofitt nods
<cprofitt> I agree with that… in my events I try to have three threads
<cprofitt> development, technical (testing and the like) and more social – art, documentation, etc
<dscassel> Not a bad idea.
<cprofitt> thanks

---

<cprofitt> Q: What suggestions do you have for someone trying to get a global jam started in his/her area?
<dscassel> Just get started.
<dscassel> Really, it’s not that hard.
<dscassel> You just need a venue and something for people to do.
<dscassel> Burn some CDs or bring some USB sticks, and you’ve got that.
<dscassel> For a venue, a coffee shop will do, most of the time.  Although if you have a hackerspace, college, or a community centre (with wifi) in your area, that will probably work better.
<dscassel> If you’re just trying to build a community, I’d recommend an Ubuntu Hour or release party first, but I’ve talked to plenty of people who are more interested and see more value in joining the Jam.
<cprofitt> dscassel I truly appreciate your time and your sage advice. I hope your global jam goes well and the answers you have given inspire people to ‘just do it’ in their area.
<dscassel> Thanks, Charles. Any time.
<cprofitt> have a great weekend

It appears amazingly easy and immensely rewarding to hold an Ubuntu Global Jam.

1. Get a venue
2. Let people know about the event (loco.ubuntu.com, fliers, mailing list, etc)
3. Have things for people of all backgrounds to do (don’t forget art!!)

resources:

• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuGlobalJam
• http://loco.ubuntu.com/

Disapointment in Rochester

Despite a fantastic location and several email list announcements Global Jam Rochester ended up being a one man show. I had hoped to show several people how to get involved with QA testing of ISO releases, how to make good bug reports and how to triage bugs. While the turnout was disappointing I am not deterred and will simply work harder to make the event a success next cycle.

Initial Setup for Natty Global Jam Rochester

Report: Ubuntu Global Jam – New York State

The New York State Ubuntu Local Community held an Ubuntu jam in conjunction with the global community on Saturday March 27th. The event was held at the UCF on Wescott street in Syracuse NY. Our final tally on bugs was 67 bugs handled by the group.

The venue was fantastic and the team is planning on holding the 10.10 launch party at the UCF.