[jdub]

Alan Cox had a pre-netbook netbook smaller than a VHS tape at linux.conf.au 2001, and milled about chatting with colleagues and fanboys while his kernel builds scrolled by in the background. Everyone would gawk at the strange little machine.

It was Japanese, naturally.

At linux.conf.au 2007 we chose a smaller conference bag, designed to carry your electrical accessories and nick-knacks... it turned out to be the perfect size for the new EeePC (and later the MacBook Air 11").

[d3Xt3r]

Speaking of which, is there ever going to be another IRL linux.conf.au? I really miss those, and the good old LUG meetups. I'm surrounded by Microsoft people at work day in and day out and I'm desperate to reconnect with my kind.

[jdub]

Perhaps one day...

A few things contributed to its demise: less industry money sloshing around for travel and sponsorships, a growing sense that "Linux" didn't represent the entire community, and a pandemic.

Which left "Everything Open" launching weaker in every sense.

But I don't think Linux or Open Source feel sufficiently radical or inspiring to sustain that kind of community-building (local or global) these days... maybe a "Fuck AI" tech conference. :-D

[paradox460]

HP used to have extremely small laptops in the early 90s, specifically the omnibook 300

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_OmniBook

[zokier]

The HP LX series (95LX, 100LX, 200LX) is one of my favorites. It also fits the description "smaller than VHS casette"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_95LX

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_200LX

[0gs]

don't forget the Jornadas. i guess those were PocketPC-powered but i def bought one circa 2005 for like $90 and i would do it again right now