[chbot] LCA 2019 Call for papers now open

[Andrew Sands]

On behalf of the LCA2019 team we are pleased to announce that the Call
for Proposals for linux.conf.au 2019 is now open! This Call for
Proposals will close on July 30.

linux.conf.au is one of the best-known community driven Free and Open
Source Software conferences in the world. In 2019 we welcome you to
join us in Christchurch, New Zealand on Monday 21 January through to
Friday 25 January.

For full details including those not covered by this announcement
visit https://linux.conf.au/call-for-papers/


== IMPORTANT DATES ==

* Call for Proposals Opens: 2 July 2018
* Call for Proposals Closes: 30 July 2018 (no extensions)
* Notifications from the programme committee: early-September 2018
* Conference Opens: 21st January 2019


== HOW TO SUBMIT ==

Create an account or login at https://linux.conf.au/dashboard/ and
click the link to submit your proposal.


== ABOUT LINUX.CONF.AU ==

linux.conf.au is a conference where people gather to learn about the
entire world of Free and Open Source Software, directly from the
people who contribute.  Many of these contributors give scheduled
presentations, but much interaction occurs in-between and after formal
sessions between all attendees. Our aim is to create a deeply
technical conference where we bring together industry leaders and
experts on a wide range of subjects.

linux.conf.au welcomes submissions from first-time and seasoned
speakers, from all free and open technology communities, and all walks
of life. We respect and encourage diversity at our conference.


== CONFERENCE THEME ==

Our theme for linux.conf.au 2019 is "The Linux of Things". Building on
the role that Linux plays in our everyday lives, we will address
IoT-related opportunities and concerns from the purely technical
through environmental, health, privacy, security and more. Please let
this inspire you, but not restrict you - we will still have many talks
about other interesting things in our community.

For some suggestions to get you started with your proposal ideas
please visit the CFP page on the linux.conf.au website.

== PROPOSAL TYPES ==

We're accepting submissions for three different types of proposal:

* Presentation (45 minutes): These are generally presented in lecture
  format and form the bulk of the available conference slots.
* Tutorial (100 minutes): These are generally presented in a classroom
  format. They should be interactive or hands-on in nature. Tutorials
  are expected to have a specific learning outcome for attendees.
* Miniconf (full-day): Single-track mini-conferences that run for the
  duration of a day on either Monday or Tuesday. We provide the room,
  and you provide the speakers. Together, you can explore a field in
  Free and Open Source software in depth.


== PROPOSER RECOGNITION ==

In recognition of the value that presenters and miniconf organisers
bring to our conference, once a proposal is accepted, one presenter or
organiser per proposal is entitled to:
* Free registration, which holds all of the benefits of a Professional
  Delegate Ticket
* A complimentary ticket to the Speakers' Dinner, with additional
  tickets for significant others and children available for purchase.
* 50% off the advertised price for sponsorship at the White-Flippered
  Blue Penguin tier.

If your proposal includes more than one presenter or organiser, these
additional people will be entitled to:
* Professional or hobbyist registration at the Early Bird rate,
  regardless of whether the Early Bird rate is generally available
* Speakers' dinner tickets available for purchase at cost

Important Note for miniconf organisers: These discounts apply to the
organisers only. All participants in your miniconf must arrange or
purchase tickets for themselves via the regular ticket sales process
or they may not be able to attend!

As a volunteer-run non-profit conference, linux.conf.au does not pay
speakers to present at the conference; but you may be eligible for
financial assistance.


== FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ==

linux.conf.au is able to provide limited financial assistance for some speakers.

Financial assistance may be provided to cover expenses that might
otherwise prohibit a speaker from attending such as:
* Cost of flight
* Accommodation
* Other accessibility related costs

To be considered for assistance you can indicate this when making your
proposal. We will try to accommodate as many requests for assistance
as possible within our limited budget.


== ACCESSIBILITY ==

linux.conf.au aims to be accommodating to everyone who wants to attend
or present at the conference. We recognise that some people face
accessibility challenges. If you have special accessibility
requirements, you can provide that information when submitting your
proposal so that we can plan to properly accommodate you.

We recognise that childcare and meeting dietary requirements also fall
under the general principle of making it possible for everyone to
participate, and will be announcing our offering for these in the near
future; if you have concerns or needs in these areas, or in any area
that would impact your ability to participate, please let us when
submitting your proposal.


== CODE OF CONDUCT ==

By agreeing to present at or attend the conference you are agreeing to
abide by the terms and conditions
(https://linux.conf.au/attend/terms-and-conditions/). We require all
speakers and delegates to have read, understood, and act according to
the standards set forth in our Code of Conduct
(https://linux.conf.au/attend/code-of-conduct/).


== RECORDING ==

To increase the number of people that can view your presentation,
linux.conf.au will record your talk and make it publicly available
after the event. We plan to release recordings of every talk at the
conference under a Creative Commons Share-Alike Licence. When
submitting your proposal you may note that you do not wish to have
your talk released, although we prefer and encourage all presentations
to be recorded.


== LICENSING ==

If the subject of your presentation is software, you must ensure the
software has an Open Source Initiative-approved licence at the time of
the close of our CFP.