06-07, 13:00–13:50 (EST5EDT), Rocky Linux (BallroomB)
A look back and a (small) celebration of the first Rocky Linux version and final 8.10 point release from the perspective of the project's lead release engineer.
Rocky Linux, founded as a community enterprise distribution, is one of many popular Enterprise Linux derivatives out there used by professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts alike. From the very beginning, the building of the project and the distribution had a hectic yet overall remarkable journey from then to the final point release of the first Rocky Linux version: 8.10.
Here's the thing though: Every open source project starts and continues with people. What began as just strangers turned into something a lot more: A worldwide community of users and collaborators, a hope for a great Enterprise Linux future, and most importantly, lifelong friendships.
Like any project, there are lessons to take away from any and every experience. Whether you're an individual user of a cool app or you're like us being a maintainer of a distribution, important lessons can be learned about the people around you and yourself. Learning what it takes to be the better version of yourself is absolutely key to keep a project and its community going. This means, learning to not take yourself too seriously, be willing to be vulnerable, be open to feedback, and ultimately be able to laugh and enjoy what you do.
Join us as we walk down memory lane of Rocky Linux's first major version, how it and the project started, how the team formed, where we are today, and where we might be heading, all from the eyes of a lead release engineer of Rocky Linux.
