For information about ScienceFiction not directly involving how it relates to PenguiCon, see <a target=“new” href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction”>Wikipedia's article.</a>
A word to those of you who come from the fandom side of the convention.
PenguiCon is a “both/and” “either/or” kind of convention. Some people don't realize *you don't have to be into both computers and ScienceFiction* to have fun at PenguiCon. You don't even have to be into either of them. It's your one-stop geek shop. If you geek out about *something* you'll probably find it here. ScienceFiction can mean movies and television to you and we invite WilWheaton and EugeneRoddenberryJr. Or ScienceFiction can mean literature to you, and we invite CoryDoctorow and JoanVinge. You can even enjoy PenguiCon if you are not into any ScienceFiction at all. There has been much for fans of Fantasy and Comedy to enjoy, as well as comics, anime, board games, even swordfighting.
That having been said.
What does it mean to SF fans if ScienceFiction comes together with OpenSource software? Even if you have no idea what OpenSource is, being present when they have a chemical reaction is like witnessing the future as depicted by <a target=“new” href=“http://www.wired.com”>WIRED Magazine</a> come to life before your very eyes. As BruceSterling once said of CoryDoctorow, “He sparkles! He fizzes! He does backflips and breaks the furniture!” That's PenguiCon. That's what happens when ScienceFiction is informed by the cutting edge of real-life world-changing that we see in computers.
What will the future bring to the ScienceFiction industry itself? Computer special effects are changing SF media, computer distribution is reshaping SF publishing, and computerized social mediation is reshaping audience expectations. Where is there a more perfect place to talk about these topics than PenguiCon?
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