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Linus’ one-off bleeding edge organic kernel hack

Aka Arjen’s head 😉
So this was at the conference dinner of Linux.conf.au 2009 in Hobart Tasmania. There’s always at least one auction, and for some reason it has become tradition to a) bundle in extras with the original auction item and b) for some of those extras to involve removal of facial hair.

As described earlier, my hair was a package deal with Bdale Garbee’s beard, and it was later bundled with Linus Torvalds turning into a barber for the day. So here’s the fun in action…
I think Linus did a great job, having practiced previously only on his dog (who did not like it). The organic kernel hack appears bug-free, there was no bleeding, and I even have both my ears still.

In this case it was all even fairly appropriate in “shave for a cure” context, since the target of the auction was the appeal for the endangered Tasmanian Devil which really isn’t as fierce as they’re made out to be, but they are severely threatened by an infectious cancer.

We made a fab amount of money (over $40k), MySQL’s original author Monty Widenius added some to that also, and it was all good fun. Most people reckon I look pretty decent with a shaved head… my older brother has been suggesting for years I should shave it all, so I owe him a pic (and a Youtube movie, once everybody gets their stuff uploaded). By the way, you can still donate!

And what is it with the Aussie habit of wanting to rub bald people over the head for good luck!?

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4 thoughts on “Linus’ one-off bleeding edge organic kernel hack

  1. And what is it with the Aussie habit of wanting to rub bald people over the head for good luck!?

    I’m pretty sure it’s just an excuse because bald heads feel good…

  2. Euh, how do you know? 😉

  3. Because for a few years I indeed was a baldy and that was the excuse I was given when people kept rubbing my head!

  4. Another total stranger over here who thinks you wear a bald head well. 🙂

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