Although the next Linux.conf.au isn't until January, 2010, it's never too early to start planning. Conference organizers have put out a call for papers and miniconfs so if you've got an idea you want to share, now's the time to put together your proposals.

Past conferences have proven to be very popular with the FOSS community and draw speakers from all over the world, including Jon "maddog" Hall and Bdale Garbee. Linus Torvalds has even been known to make an appearance or two. Benjamin Mako Hill, is the first scheduled speaker slated to attend next year's event in Wellington, New Zealand.

The OSCON (Open Source Convention) conference is quickly approaching, to be held July 20th through 24th in San Jose, California. The schedule and roster of speakers is becoming finalized, and looks to be very interesting this year. Keynote speakers include Google Open Source Program Manager Chris DiBona, and Intel's Imad Sousou. In addition to the sructured, scheduled events at this year's OSCON, there will be an unstructured "Unconference." This is an on-the-fly program created by OSCON participants. Here are more details.

How do you manage, grow, and foster active involvement in a community? One way might incorporate planning several events at approximately the same time and venue. This is why you can rest assured that the organizers behind the Community Leadership Summit can help you learn to manage your project's community in the most effective way possible.

Jono Bacon, Ubuntu's community manager, officially announced the unconference (an event so focused on discussion that an open, organic schedule is required) on Sunday. The event itself takes place the 18th and 19th of July in San Jose, California. The summit is mere hours before OSCON 2009 kicks off -- in the very same convention center.