Thanks to SRT Solutions for hosting us!

Greg Grossmeier has announced the time and place for the Michigan Team’s Global Jam session. Hey, if a State fan can go to Ann Arbor in October then anyone can participate! Looking for a place to Jam? Check out the list, and if your LoCo isn’t on there, then plan one! More information here.

Go Green, Go White! errr, I mean … go Ubuntu.

Reminder: Tonight at midnight UTC (aka. 7pm EST) I will be giving a tutorial how to run a Bug Jam on freenode IRC, #ubuntu-classroom. I encourage LoCo people to attend to get a better idea on how to run a more efficient Global Bug Jam.

And here comes the train! I am happy to announce the second Ubuntu Global Bug Jam which will take place from 20 to 22 February 2009.

So, what is the Ubuntu Global Bug Jam? Jono explains it as “a world-wide online and face-to-face event to get people together to fix Ubuntu bugs – we want to get as many people online fixing bugs, having a great time doing so, and putting their brick in the wall for free software.” The short answer is … a super hug day taken to the next level. This is not only a great opportunity to really help Ubuntu, but to also get together with other Ubuntu fans to make a difference together, either via your LoCo team, your LUG, other free software group, or just getting people together wherever to fix bugs and have a great time.

If you are in a LoCo Team, the Ubuntu Global Bug Jam it a great opportunity for LoCo Teams to get together and have a physical bug-jam, which in turn becomes a great opportunity to socialize, meet exciting new people, and share the love for Ubuntu. To get started there is a Running a Bug Jam guide, which offers some helpful advice for getting your jam organised. If you are in a Linux User Group why not try and organise a bug jam for your LUG too?

If you are planning on organising a jam for your group, just follow these steps:

1. Decide on a venue and dates, and start letting people know about where and when the jam is. You might want to post to other local groups to let them know so they can attend. Take a read of the Running a Bug Jam page to help you get started.
2. Update the Ubuntu Global Bug Jam and add your jam to it. Be sure to add any specific applications your local participants are interested in in the Interests box – we will then try to get upstream specialists to the Jam who can help with debugging on IRC.
3. Blog about it, post to mailing lists, put flyers up in computer shops and other places and otherwise spread the word.
4. Involved in the global jam last year? Now is your chance to get that excellent feedback and feed it into your LoCo this year so that we continue improving.

Not involved in Ubuntu but in another upstream project? We encourage you to “pile on” and take advantage of this opportunity. At the bottom of the Bug Jam page you’ll see a section for upstream projects for the jam. Maybe you need someone to help you triage bugs, maybe you need someone to help you test new features or maybe you’re just looking for contributors. Either way this is an opportunity to find users passionate about your software.

We’ll see everyone there!