I didn't really anticipate finishing my evening by hearing Linus Torvalds promise to shave off another man's beard.

Traditionally, the Linux.Conf.Au dinner features an auction to support a worthy charity. This year, we listened to a presentation from Hamish McCallum, chief scientist of the Devil Facial Tumor Program, on the plight of the Tasmanian Devil. The population is under threat from a fatal disease that causes cancerous tumours of the face and mouth, and without intervention are projected to become extinct in as little as 25 years.

My flight from Wellington to Sydney can be easily chalked up as one of the most painful experiences of my life - alongside military service, breaking a bone, and supporting Windows 98. Things improved markedly when, after approximately three hours standing in line, my colleague and I boarded our flight from Sydney to Hobart.

January is here and it's that time of year for penguin-lovers everywhere to make their annual migration south to Australia to flock together. Linux.conf.au is one of the world's most popular technical Linux conferences, and for it's 10th anniversary is being held at the University of Tasmania in Hobart.