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We did a quick expo-hall dash at the Linux World Expo - today was the last day, so the expo hall was for the most part dead, the last day after 1pm at any conference that has an expo hall usually is. We were greeted with this puzzling sign, no one under 18 allowed - this of course became the topic of conversation as we hit the floor (others noticed too) - so...here are some photos (just a couple dandy Linux phones), quick notes and a suggestion/idea for the Linux Expo organizers...
Update: IDG responed to our question(s):
Hi Phillip--
Sorry for the delay in responding...I was at an event last week! :-)
Dolomite has it exactly right: LinuxWorld is a free business-to-business trade show, completely subsidized by exhibitors, who invest in those booths to talk with business buyers. The new policy is a direct response to their complaints that we had too many students at the event. We were lenient on the policy in Boston, as we had not made it clear enough on marketing materials, however in San Francisco we did card most registrants. Our exhibitors tell us they have other venues to talk with and reach out to students, but that at LinuxWorld they want to focus on qualified leads. Sorry!
Melinda M. Kendall
Brand Vice President
IDG World Expo
Star of the show for us was the Linux based Qtopia Greenphone - it ships to developers in September, we'll try and get one to bang on. So, if there's a MAKE best of show for Linux world, congrats Qtopia, you got it!
Motorola had these two Linux based phones, the China only the PDA version (according to the Motorola rep has sold over 1 million units and now represents 1% of the smartphone market in China) - no plans / unknown if it will hit the USA.
Motorola also had a Dance Dance Revolution hooked up to their Linux phone(s) - lots of fun.
So here's the sign, actually there were a few of these, all over the place. I tried to call the conference organizers and also sent them an email asking about the no-one-under-18 policy (no response yet, if there is I'll post) ... I don't have a problem with keeping things professional, not sure if age=professionalism always, but - perhaps next year on the last day of Linux World expo the organizers could allow under 18 Linux enthusiasts in the expo hall. A lot of the Linux community is under 18, heck the more I talked to people and the more this came up, the more people cited prolific individuals contributing to Linux who are under 18. Maybe it could be under 18 with parent or guardian, maybe it could be something else - but surely there's a compromise to get our under 18 Linux users pals in. At Maker Faire, the biggest delight was watching families tinker with computers, build things together and meet Makers from around the world - It's too late to change the policy for this year, but Linux World Expo could easily address this now and figure out something... What do you think?
(see update above from IDG).
COMDEX used to have a minimum age of, I think, 16. I never really knew why.
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i heard "insurance" - but i am waiting to hear from the organizers... but, at maker faire we had flames, rockets, robots and well, everything - kids were allowed in for free :)
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I want a Qtopia sooo bad now. I was ogling it the other day, but seeing a picture of the real deal makes me want it even more. This may replace my current WinMob smartphone if it's really good. Thanks for the pics Make:Blog
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I attended LinuxWorld on the last day as a 17-yr-old. While they said they checked for ID, a nice suit and a smile (keys of live social engineering) made me look "professional" enough that they didn't even ask for me id. Gret event, though. :)
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hmm, maybe it was a test this 17 year old got in fine :)
http://blog.phildini.net/?p=27
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Ahaha probably when they saw me at CeBIT. They made this. :)
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Comdex was usually in Vegas -- I assume that's why they had the age restriction. That and the strippers.
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I took 20 of my students to Linux World Boston from Ny last year, we were told that no one under 18 was to be admitted, I said we drove all the way from NY and Now you tell us this? They let us in since at registration they out ages of 16 in and were let register. I called, and had tem all email the orginizers and we never gott a response. Also some of the exibitors were not very nice to the kids and I told them to remind these people in a couple of years they will be begging for you attention.
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The truth is, these companies pay alot of money to come to this expo and display their wares. They are looking for solid leads to sell their products to and increase their revenue. I would guess that most high school kids that come to this wouldn't have much interest in spending any money and just come for the free swag. I have never been to this expo, but maybe in the past they were over run by swarms of underage computer geeks looking for freebies. The rule must have come from somewhere, but I would think any exposure is good exposure.
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One, they don't card people. I saw quite a few youngin's there so you could sneak in a few. Two, they say this on the website when you register. It seems kind of silly to drive from far away without checking this. Plus you have to pre-register to see it for free. Otherwise, you have to pay at the door.
Someone else said it best; the companies pay lots of money to try to sell their products (I'm going to get calls next week I'm sure) so it makes sense that they put a few restrictions on who gets the free t-shirts and squishy balls....
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Dolomite - many of the adults i saw just collected schwag - while the under 18 linux enthusiasts i've now read/emailed with all went to learn and see what services they will suggest to their companies / purchase / use it... sorta ironic.
heck HUMMER is working with mcdonalds promoting their cars - seems like we'd collective want to at least let uner 18 linux users in for at least one day, and/or with parent/guardian.
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of course they can't let anyone in under the national legal age of consent: once inside, it's all
Live!
Nude!
Linux!
seriously, this is ridiculous. they owe all of us an explanation.
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still no response from these folks, sorry gang :(
http://www.linuxworldexpo.com/live/12/contactus
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Could be a legal issue. I seem to remember a story not too long ago where Apple Computer was rejecting work submitted but an underage person working on OpenDarwin. I don't remember the details exactly, but I think the issue was that the minor could not legally be held to follow the EULA or agreements or whatever it is the source was released under.
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