GHM — GNU Hackers' Meetings

GNU Hackers Meeting 2017

Unlike previous years in 2017 the GNU Hackers Meeting was held away from the metropolis. Also in contrast to previous meetings, eating, sleeping, speaking and hacking all took place under one roof, in the Knüllwald—a rural region in the centre of Germany.

We had some very interesting presentations from some very knowledgeable hackers, as well as plenty of time for sitting around chatting.

Please see the presentations page for video recordings and slides.

By all accounts, it was a very positive experience. Here is some of the feedback from participants:

• GHM was so cool ! Such an aggregation of focused geeks if have seldom seen. The talks were very different in content, absolutely interesting. Since we had all under one roof (sleeping, talking, eating, ...), the atmosphere was very dense, people talking/discussing with each other the whole day until late in the night. Much more than the normal 'informal' meetings. It was my first but definitely not my last GHM!

  Tim Rühsen

• I was not completely sold on the countryside idea at the beginning, but for me the experiment succeeded in an awesome way.

  It was a very enjoyable event, with ample opportunities for both serious technical discussion and hanging out with friends, old and new. Who wasn't there did really miss something.

  I think the hotel deserves a shootout as well. If you ever want to organize a meeting in the quaint German countryside, consider the Tagungshaus Mühlrain.

  Luca Saiu

• That was a warm and friendly retreat at the countryside, with a lot to learn from other hackers and projects. Thumbs up to John Darrington and Alex Sassmannshausen for the organization, and to all the attendees for making it a pleasant and fruitful event!

  Ludo

• I greatly enjoyed this year's meeting. The event had a good atmosphere; the talks varied greatly, stretching from community outreach for Peers to virtual machine optimizing; the food & accomodation was great (veggie, vegan & gluten free options!); the people very friendly.

  As tech meetings go, this one stands out because of its laid back nature and its sense of community.

  Alex Sassmannshausen

• Meeting in person is extremely important. Not all can be done on line. So the ghm was an importan accasion for getting acquainted at least a little bit with other GNU folks. If anything I would have included some hacking together sessions with pair programming sessions or demonstration on the screen. Maybe the issues to hack on could have been decided previously, on line. More experienced folks could have volunteered to help others.

  Anyway I was surprised by some packages that will apply to become GNU projects and to experience live the GNU inner workings. These occasions are only too few in a year. Overall, I am happy I attended.

  Adriano

• I'll took 3 days of my actual work and it was definitely worth it. The meeting was very well organized and the talks were really inspiring even when the topic was by then not on my radar. The venue selection helped a lot to encourage discussions between the talks and in the evening gatherings.

  It is always amazing to meet so much talented people who cares about freedom in a broader sense. Many thanks to all of the people made this event an outstanding success.

  C'ya at GHM2018

  Marcel