use Perl

FISL (the brazillian equivalent of OSCON) had 5000(!) attendees. Yes, you read that right. 5000. Makes OSCON look puny.

Not only that, but the opening ceremonies included the mayor of the city, the governor of the "state", and a high-level representative of the president's office. Again, makes OSCON look puny by comparison. Brazil has their act together when it comes to open source.

And, they're having a technical conference in November 2005, which I'm now also presenting at. Again, they expect 5000 or so developers to attend the 3-day event. Wow.

The most relevant Perl news is that the Perl folks created the Brazillian equivalent of The Perl Foundation, called the SPB (Sociedade Perl do Brasil—Perl Society of Brazil). SPB will accept tax-deductable donations to fund local Perl development grants. I'm an honorary member of the board, to be transferred to a founding board member when I get my brazillian tax ID (more on that later).

I also heard that the FSFLA was created... the "FSF Latin America". Yes, Brazil is stepping out.