Southern California Linux Expo

The Southern California Linux Expo (SCALE) is an annual Linux, open source and free software conference held in Los Angeles, California, since 2002. Despite having Linux in its name, SCALE covers all open source operating systems and software. It is a volunteer-run event.

The event features an expo floor with both commercial and non-profit exhibitors, as well as 3 days of seminars on the topic of Linux and Open Source software. Sessions and presentations cover a broad spectrum of topics and technical levels.

SCALE grew out of a series of LUGFests put on by the Simi Conejo Linux Users Group in the late 90s. There were four of them, held every 6 months at the Nortel development facility in Simi Valley, California. They ended when Nortel closed that facility in 2001. Subsequently, members from SCLUG, USCLUG and UCLALUG organized to create a more regional event, which they named the Southern California Linux Expo.

Companies, organizations and projects represented at SCALE include Linux-based projects such as Debian, Gentoo Linux, the Fedora Project, KDE and GNOME, other open-source operating systems including NetBSD and FreeBSD, software projects such as Django, open-source database systems such as MySQL and PostgreSQL, other open-source applications such as Drupal, Inkscape, MythTV and the The Document Foundation, activist organizations such as the Software Freedom Law Center and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, major technology companies such as IBM, HP and Sharp, web companies including Google, Facebook and eHarmony, and internet projects including CAcert.org and OpenStreetMap.

Locations and dates

Event Year Date Venue
SCALE 1x 2002 December 2 University of Southern California Davidson Conference Center
SCALE 2x 2003 November 22 Los Angeles Convention Center
SCALE 3x 2005 February 12–13 Los Angeles Convention Center
SCALE 4x 2006 February 10–12 Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 5x 2007 February 9–11 Westin Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 6x 2008 February 8–10 Westin Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 7x 2009 February 20–22 Westin Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 8x 2010 February 19–21 Westin Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 9x 2011 February 25–27 Hilton Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 10x 2012 January 20–22 Hilton Los Angeles Airport
SCALE 11x 2013 February 22–24 Hilton Los Angeles Airport

External links