It is somewhat difficult for an event to re-invent itself and yet keep the focus on the underlying theme – “Talk is Cheap, Show Me the Code“. It takes introspection, it takes ambition and it takes faith. So, this time around the focus is clear enough – no content that is aimed at newbies (which was there last time around as well) and a strong focus on getting things done. To that extent, I’d hazard a guess that the selection of submissions would go through a fine tooth comb to see if they are actually about approaches to solving a defined problem. It is not going to be a “look at me and my project and ain’t I cool” talk again. And, to augment the need to sit down and “work” there are Project of the Day and FOSS Workouts.

Effective this year, FOSS.IN will focus on developers, and results. It
will highlight credible efforts by people in India contributing to FOSS,
and will bring together developers at peer level, to allow them to
interact, discuss, develop and deliver.

“Delivery” does not mean mere bug fixing. Delivery will be new features to
existing applications, completely new subsystems (e.g. file systems,
device drivers, etc.), (re)design of systems and applications, etc.

But of course this doesn’t rule out why folks come to events – to meet other people, get familiar, discuss a niggling issue and have loads of debugging sessions and debates.

FOSS.IN is supposed to be a meeting ground for existing and potential FOSS
contributors, so that they can put faces to IRC nicks, discuss, interact,
collaborate, plan, debug, etc. all through the event.

We want people to come to FOSS.IN with definite goals in mind, and fulfil
them at the event. Whether it is improving an existing project, launching
a new one, brainstorming with your peers, with international participants,
etc. We want to see high-intensity FOSS contribution happening, or being
seeded, in the 750 seater hall, the corridors, the BOF tents, the lawns,
the lobbies, etc.

It is going to be a different event. It is going to make you think. It is aimed at making you do things. It is thought out to be a new experience.

Don’t say you weren’t forewarned.