06-07, 10:00–10:50 (Europe/Brussels), Kleine Spoel
As a community we love open source and open standards. Also, we are not afraid to tell others about it! With ongoing geopolitical changes, this very moment might actually be perfect for our community to grow and prosper. Except, there is one big problem we need to discuss: we talk about it, but tend to forget the challenges others encounter. Remarks as "just use Matrix" or "replace the cloud with Nextcloud" might even be counter-productive for our cause. So let's take a step back first, then speed up.
In this presentation we take a good look together at some ways of promoting open source, open standards, alternatives to Big Tech, and more. From developer to end-user, we all can do a few small, but powerful things, that really help a lot. Spoiler: Less talk, do more!*
Randomized keywords that will be discussed: blog, first impression, social media, community building, website, presenting, ease of use, repair café, local library, documentation, simplicity;
*Presenter is given a one-time exception for this presentation
Michael Boelen worked previously as a consultant for several Fortune 500 companies like Philips and ASML. In 2013, he started his own company CISOfy, focusing on Linux and UNIX security. Michael is interested in technical auditing, system hardening, and compliance. He developed several open-source security tools, including Rootkit Hunter (rkhunter) and auditing tool Lynis.
As part of his efforts to share knowledge, he enjoys blogging and maintains a Linux security blog named Linux Audit. In 2025, the Dutch blog Linux voor een beginner was created to help those new to Linux and make more accessible. His latest endeavor is a website to create an one-stop shop for open source, improve privacy, and lower our dependence on Big Tech. More information about Michael can be found at michaelboelen.com.