I'm Linux, you're Linux, we're all Linux!


I’ve been a full-time Linux user since 1999. I’ve been an advocate for Linux and Free Software for most of that time. My advocacy efforts usually stay within my social group, or at FreeGeek Columbus, though occasionally I’ll use my posts here to support the penguin. Linux, as an open source project developed by an ad-hoc group of people, often with competing agendas, has succeeded without much mainstream advertising. Microsoft had their laptop shopper commercials, and Apple has had their wildly successful “I’m a Mac” commercials, but there have been few Linux commercials. In the open source style of Linux development, now’s your chance to change that state of affairs!

The Linux Foundation is running a contest asking you, the Linux community, to “share with the public what a 30-60 second Linux-focused spot for the Super Bowl might look. … The submissions should aim to inspire people to use Linux, create conversations among the public, and convey the power and ideals of Linux.” The contest runs through April 4, 2010, and the winner will be selected by a combination of community vote and a panel of judges, including Andrew Morton, Linux kernel maintainer extraordinaire!

The winner of this year’s We Are Linux contest will get airfare and hotel for LinuxCon in Boston, plus a laptop pre-loaded with Linux.

Here’s last year’s winning video:

You can see other submissions from last year’s contest to get some ideas, or go crazy and make your own thing!