One of my very earliest experiences as an Ubuntu user was an impromptu gathering of a handful of co-workers at my buddy’s place to install Ubuntu on various computing devices and eat pizza.  If I remember correctly, we called it a GeekFest, but in hindsight, I realise that what he had was a Release Party.  Ubuntu users all around the world gather at release parties marking each new release of the Ubuntu distribution.  What follows below is a short photo-essay of sorts about Ubuntu Release Parties.  The images are from Creative Commons licensed Flickr content; each is linked to the corresponding Flickr photo page.  Inspiration credit goes to Boston.com’s Big Picture blog.

Twice a year, every six months, we gather in celebration of the continuing and growing success of the Ubuntu Linux distribution and the continually growing community that makes Ubuntu what it is.  Many of us know each other very well.  Some of us barely know each other; yet we enjoy each others company, we enjoy sharing each others knowledge and enthusiasm.

We gather in backyards.

We gather in restaurants

We gather in empty classrooms.

We gather pretty much anywhere we can find space to gather.

We bring installation discs.

…lots of installation discs.

We put those discs to good use, of course

Sometimes we’ll break things.

But that’s OK. We generally love helping each other fix things.

We also love cake.

and caffeine.

We’re willing to wait in line

for cake.

To the uninitiated, we may seem a little scary,

but we’re generally knowledgable, helpful and pleasant folks!

The next development cycle is already under way, which means we’re less than 6 months from the next round of release parties!  The Januty release parties are still going strong as well.  I’m headed to the Ohio LoCo release party just north of Columbus, OH.  If you’re in the area, you should definitely stop by Panera Bread for good food and good times.

I’d love to shine a bit of a spotlight on the photographers behind these pictures, so if any of these belong to you and you haven’t heard from me yet, leave me an email or comment and let’s chat!