Andrew & Susanne's blog -

The Hillstone

susanne@etc.gen.nz (Susanne Ruthven) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:07:03 +1200

It takes many people to get a project like building a house off the ground. We've been in contact daily with our surveyor, resource consent planner, engineer, designer, draughtslady and more recently mortgage broker and valuer. After having had a frustrating few weeks, we are now, finally, making progress.

We now have a earthworks plan that will create the optimum space on the site. The site will be excavated so that the house will have a North North West outlook, which in Wellington, is the best angle for optimum sunlight. The best part about the earthworks plan is that we can now build using a concrete slab, which is much cheaper than having to build on piles or any other engineered foundations. So we have now finalised our resource consent for the earthworks, which is ready to be lodged with the Council on Monday.

We've heard back from a number of suppliers this week who have firmed up their quotes for us. The best one being from our digger driver, who has been very generous with his pricing. So now that we know how much money we have left in the kitty and the site dimensions, we've been having fun deciding which house plan we'd like to build.

The Hillstone

This week's big milestone: Paying the deposit and proceeding to working drawings.

So exciting, so surreal. After all this time we're actually building our house. Yippee!!!

Two Steps Forward. One Step Back

susanne@etc.gen.nz (Susanne Ruthven) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:49:19 +1200

Since my last blog, we've learnt that building a house quickly turns from fun into frustration.

After getting confirmation from the Design and Build company, 3 times, that the indicative pricing for the house fits our budget, we handed the plans to our valuer to check that, after the house has been build, it would provide us with 75% equity. Luckily for us it came back as providing 74.5% equity. Phew! The bank is happy so we are happy.

Then the Design and Build company we were using (note the use of past tense), gave us 2 prices for the same plan which greatly varied from the original price, despite no changes to the plan. When queried, they told us they made a mistake with the first pricing. Although that doesn't explain the $8,000 variance between the second and third pricing, which they had no explanation for. Despite the house now being $18,000 over our budget, they suggested we pay to get working drawings anyway. But really, what would be the point in that?!?

So after going round and round in circles and banging our heads against a brick wall a few times, we've jumped ship. We're now using Jennian Homes, who have been wonderful and marvelous in every way... so far, and better still hasn't varied their quotes in the slightest.

So now we have some plans we like, we need to sort out the building platform. Some months ago, we lodged a resource consent application to take earth from the bank on our site and use it to fill a hole on a different site nearby. After waiting 6 months for Maori to consult on whether or not that hole should be filled, the Council in their great wisdom decided to reject the resource consent application. They have asked us to instead submit two resource consents: One for our site; one for the other site. Muttermumblegrumble red tape muttermumble sigh.

In the meantime, we received our Engineer's report. Being solid rock, the bank is currently graded at a 15 degree angle. When we bought the site, we spoke to the engineer who originally determined the grading of the rock at 15 degrees. He said that we could take the bank back at the same gradient. Since then our neighbours, in building their house, dumped a fair bit of loose soil over our boundary. We complained, and they removed it... well most of it. Some still remained, but we didn't think that would matter much.

Turns out it does matter. It means that instead of a 15 degree angle, we need to a gradient of 30 degrees. The upshot is, we aren't allowed to remove as much dirt as we were able to, plus we cannot build within 2m of the toe of the bank, making the building platform smaller than expected. Consequence: the chosen house design doesn't fit the site anymore. Argh!

Back to the drawing board. So after chasing our tails some more and shaving a few yaks on the way, the man with a hole to fill has taken charge. Being a developer and a surveyor, he's working with the engineer to devise an earthworks plan which will allow us to have the optimum amount of space on our building platform.

Once we have their topography map of what the site will look like after the earthworks have been completed, we can then choose a house plan to suit the site. We then need to amend the resource consent to have the footprint of this house on the land, which we'd better do quick smart because the amended resource consent application is due back at the Council by the end of this week.

Where does that leave us? Pretty much in exactly the same position we were in a month ago. No resource consent. No plans. No working drawings. We even need to get the valuer to value to new plans. Sigh, two steps forward, one step back.

Beginning The Build Process

susanne@etc.gen.nz (Susanne Ruthven) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:35:06 +1200

So Andrew and I have decided to finally build on the section we've owned since 2004.

We don't tend to take decisions lightly. So in coming to this decision, over the years we've spoken to: 2 Architects, 3 Designers, 1 Draughtsman and 4 Design and Build Companies. Not to mention the hours of online research, visits to suppliers, reviewing pamphlets and checking out showhomes etc. I've also had hours upon hours of fun coming up with 30-odd designs using Inkscape - The BEST free and open source vector drawing software available.

Having just spent 18 months project managing a major international 7 day conference, linux.conf.au 2010, we decided we would not project manage the house build. So, we've decided to go with the design and build company, A1 Homes. We took their design VH175 and tweaked it just a tad (using Inkscape) to better suit our section, and came up with this:

Now we have the design, it's time to work out how we're going to pay for it. Thanks to our mortgage broker, we're now pre-approved to value x. A1 Homes have estimated the pricing as x minus $5,000. The only way to get the actual price is to draw up the working drawings, which of course costs money. So here's hoping A1 Homes are accurate in their indicative pricing!

So to help the build fit the budget, we've started looking into supplying some of the materials ourselves and getting in our own tradesmen...I find myself wondering, if something looks like project managing the build and smells like project managing the build, is it not project managing the build? Sigh. We may be in for a long 3 months (apparently, but I will not hold my breath).

A while back, we were lucky enough to be introduced to a man who owns a subdivision down the road from us, who happens to have a hole that he needs to fill. Conveniently, our section is made up of the kind of rock that fills holes in subdivisions. So naturally, we struck a deal and lodged an application for resource consent to complete some earthworks on the site. The Council should be granting the application any day now. So we've had to move fast on the build process so that we'll know what earthworks to do as soon as the application is granted.

So to help us with the build so far, we have:

A design and build company, who has provided the... initial design we based our custom design on, and who will provide... some of the materials and... some of the tradesmen
A Mortgage Broker, who has sorted out the funding;
An Engineer, who is ready to go out on the site to check the stability of the build platform and to advise us of the gradients of the land for the earthworks;
A Valuer, who is valuing the plans.

Next on the list, a surveyor, who will tell us the topography of the land.

Geek Parents

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:40:25 +1200

There have been many things about becoming parents that have surprised us. There are also been things from organising LCA2010 that have surprised us. One of the more surprising things that is that Susanne has become more of a geek.

Not terribly surprising really, that after co-directing one of the ultimate geek conferences that you'd pick up a few things. Not only is Susanne now an expert Inkscape user, she is now at home hacking HTML, writing using LaTeX, posting on Twitter & identi.ca, using request tracking systems and last but not least IRC. IRC was vital to organising LCA, but Susanne and I have continued to use IRC now that LCA is over to chat while I'm at work, and as it turns out around the house. For example:

<MadHatter> 16:10:54> Please pick up your son
<MadHatter> 16:11:05> now please
<MadHatter> 16:11:10> NOW please
<MadHatter> 16:11:12> NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:18> NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:28> I'm on strike
<MadHatter> 16:11:41> Andrew
<MadHatter> 16:11:56> Andrew Graeme Ruthven!
<MadHatter> 16:12:10> Pick. Up. Your. Son
<MadHatter> 16:12:13> Please
<MadHatter> 16:12:19> Please!

The funniest part was that, even though I was using my laptop, my IRC client wasn't running. My IRC proxy was happily logging those requests, so when Susanne was cracking up with laughter (thinking I was ignoring her) I was able to catch up on what was happening...

LCA2010 - Many Meetings

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:46:37 +1300

A typical LCA2010 meeting

One of the things that people may not realise, is the number of meetings that go into putting together a linux.conf.au. Currently we have fortnightly meetings (but only one to go!) so that everyone can be kept up to date on where things are, what (if any) issues there are in the various areas and to generally have a chat.

The photo here's a typical LCA2010 organising meeting. The scones aren't typical - they were made by Andrew & Heather's son Max, who you can see through the door (they were certainly appreciated, thanks Max!). We've been using the training room at Catalyst as a handy location in town that easy for people to get to, and tucked out of the way.

Also not visible in the photo are Susanne and our son Adam, and Heather who's taking the photo.

LCA2010: On LinkedIn

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:08:24 +1300

Attending LCA2010? Use LinkedIn?

How about showing you're attending on the LCA2010 event on LinkedIn!

New Little Person

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:48:46 +1200

The newest addition to the Ruthven family shot into this world with great gusto and enthusasim on Thursday morning. Dad was in great shock at being woken up at 2:20 am, when contractions began, then a mere 2 hours later at 4:32 holding his son - Adam Robert Ruthven. Mum was in even greater shock at arriving at the hospital to be told that she was ready to push!

Mum & Dad are both incredibly proud of Adam, weighing in at 3.6kg (7lb 15oz).

Dad & Brooke brought Mum & Adam home on Friday morning, where we've had to readjust to once again having sleep deprivation.

Brooke is thoroughly enjoying having a baby brother. She is being a perfect big sister, helping us care for Adam, even helping with nappy changes! (We're hopeful this will continue...)

LCA2010 - Schedule Released and Recent Happenings

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:28:12 +1200

Wow, has it really been two months since the last blog post? No wonder, we've been flat out!

Announced our second keynoter - Nat Torkington
Call for papers closed
Announced the successful miniconfs
The Paper Review Committee started the paper review process of our over 300 paper submissions.
Published our accommodation options
The Paper Review Committee had a face-to-face meeting in Sydney
Announced our third and fourth keynotes - Gabriella Coleman and Glyn Moody.
The accepted talks were scheduled
We released a new logo, with a competition and 20 hours later gave away a hobbyist ticket to Mark Piper
Call for Miniconf Papers opened
Three Funding programmes were finalised and then announced
And then on Monday, we released the talk schedule

Busy times, and it is only going to get busier, when I first wrote this article on Monday, Susanne was 39 weeks pregnant, not long to go now on that front... It turns out I was right, she gave birth to Adam Robert Ruthven this morning. More news to follow soon.

LCA2010 - Call for Papers - deadline extended!

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:26:14 +1200

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Friday 24 July 2009 – The LCA2010 Organising Committee have been overwhelmed by the numbers and quality of the papers submitted to linux.conf.au so far!

The success of the papers so far has put us in a generous mood. So we've decided to give all you slackers out there an extension on the Call for Papers by one week!

Call for Papers Now Closing: Friday 31 July 2009 at 17:00 NZST

Remember, to increase your chances of acceptance, check out the Papers Info page on our website before submitting your paper.

LCA2010 - Call for Papers - closing soon!

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:21:42 +1200

Wow, the linux.conf.au 2010 team have had a an awesome response to our Call for Miniconfs with over 32 amazing submissions. But the work isn't over yet!

Our Call for Papers is still open, but closes on Friday. That's right, Friday. If you'd like the opportunity to speak at one of the best FOSS conferences in the world, this is your chance, we want to hear from you!

For more information about submitting a paper, have a look at the Papers Info page on our website.

LCA2010 - First keynote announced!

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:56:26 +1200

The linux.conf.au 2010 organising team is proud to announce the first keynote speaker for LCA2010!

Our first speaker has a distinguished reputation in the free software world, with significant contributions to Debian, Ubuntu and OLPC across a variety of areas including development, policy, advocacy, activism, education and writing. He is an active board member with several non-profit organisations including The Free Software Foundation and Software Freedom International, and he is involved in the global discussion of copyright, software patents and free culture.

We'd like to welcome Benjamin Mako Hill as our first confirmed keynote speaker for LCA2010!

For information see the full announcement

LCA2010 - Call for Miniconfs are now open!

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:21:47 +1200

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Monday 15th June 2009 - Linux.conf.au announced the opening of its Call for Miniconfs for LCA2010. Miniconfs provide the opportunity of hosting 1-day mini-conferences on a variety of topics that run for 2 out of the 5 days during linux.conf.au. The Call for Miniconfs will remain open until 17 July 2009, after which time successful Miniconf Proposals will be notified and the best twelve selected to be included on the programme for LCA2010.

"Miniconfs are an important part of Linux.conf.au each year, and provide a great opportunity to host an entire day of sessions specific to a topic", says Andrew Ruthven, LCA2010 Director. "We're proud of hosting LCA2010 in Wellington, New Zealand and hope to see a variety of Miniconf Proposals to showcase the technical expertise of world's leading experts in free and open source software. When you gather IT experts together like this, the collective energy can help shape the future direction of emerging projects and developing technologies. That's what LCA2010 is all about â people getting together and making a difference".

IT businesses, government and community groups from around the world will also have the opportunity to showcase their work through presentations, displays and demonstrations at the LCA2010 Open Day, which will be held on Saturday 23rd January 2010. The conference will open its doors to the general public and highlight the best of breed Free and Open Source technology.

LCA2010 is easily affordable for professionals and hobbyists alike, thanks to generous sponsorship by leading proponents of free and open source software, and because the conference - much like the software - is largely organised by volunteers. If your business or organisation would like to take this opportunity to support LCA2010, please visit http://www.lca2010.org.nz/sponsors/why_sponsor.

Registrations to LCA2010 will open to delegates in September 2009.

About linux.conf.au

Linux.conf.au is one of the world's best conferences for free and open source software! The coming Linux.conf.au, LCA2010, will be held at the Wellington Convention Centre in Wellington, New Zealand from Monday 18th January to Saturday 23rd January 2010. LCA2010 is fun, informal and seriously technical, bringing together Free and Open Source developers, users and community champions from around the world. LCA2010 is the second time linux.conf.au has been held in New Zealand, with the first being Dunedin in 2006.

For more information see: http://www.lca2010.org.nz/

About Linux Australia

Linux Australia (http://www.linux.org.au/) is the peak body for Linux User Groups (LUGs) around Australia, and as such represents approximately 5000 Australian Linux users and developers. Linux Australia facilitates the organisation of this international Free Software conference in a different Australasian city each year.

For more information see: http://www.linux.org.au/

Emperor Penguin Sponsors

LCA2010 is proud to acknowledge the support of our Emperor Penguin Sponsor, InternetNZ.

For more information see: http://www.internetnz.org.nz/

Media Enquiries

LCA2010 Organisers
Email: media@lca2010.org.nz
Phone/Fax: +64 (4) 802 0422

Evolution 2.24 folder sorting

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:21:27 +1200

I run Debian Unstable on my workstations, which can lead to "interesting" experiences with new versions of software. The latest interesting experience was the upgrade to Evolution 2.24. In previous versions the default sort order for folders was the time and date the messages were received on my computer.

Due to some changes under the hood, the folders now appear to be displayed in a random order (at least, on my boxes that is the case). You can either go through every folder and change the order by right clicking on the column headers (like "Subject") and going Sort by -> Received.

Don't use the "Date" header, because if people sending you email have the wrong date on their computers (which is so common) the messages appear in random places in your messages list (and with over a 1,000 messages in my INBOX that is an issue).

The catch with this method is you have to change each folder. I have a lot of folders. A lot.

But it turns out you can save the view setting once you've made it in one folder and then apply it to all of them. Make the change. Then go View -> Current View -> Save Current View. In the dialog window that appears, select the "Replace existing view" option, and then select "Messages" from the list of views. Now, because Messages is the default view applied to folders, everything just works.

Thanks to mrcha in #evolution for pointing in the right direction of custom views.

More Brooke Photos!

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:05:21 +1300

It seems to have been ages since we last uploaded any photos. Oops.

19 - 21 Months (I've add some Christmas photos to this one)
22 - 24 Months (I'll continue to add photos to this one)

Other good news is that Susanne is pregnant again, w00t!

Ghosts of Conference Past

andrew@etc.gen.nz (Andrew Ruthven) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:43:31 +1300

Wow, has it really been two weeks since the Capital Cabal had a bunch of the Ghosts of Conference Past in Wellington? It feels like it was, well, this weekend - and it's only Saturday morning!

One of the traditions of linux.conf.au that works really well is called the Ghosts Weekend. This is when the current organisers invite a selection of previous organisers somewhere for a weekend so they can perform a brain dump about things that went right for them, and in some cases, more importantly, what went wrong. They also go over the organisers plans to make sure that they're on track.

This all leads to a pretty intensive weekend!

The ghosts

We started on Friday with picking everyone up from the airport (my final pickup was 00:30, then we had to find some soda water for Ben & Leah's duty free Gin!). Saturday morning was a walk around all the venues, yes they're all within walking distance of one another. After a fantastic lunch at Coyote's we then hit a meeting room and got down to discussions.

If you're running a discussion like this, and most people in the room have laptops then I highly recommend using Gobby to take your notes. Everyone has a slightly different take on things, so note down slightly different things. Fantastic.

Our discussions continued over dinner on Saturday night which was at Fujiyama Teppanyaki, which is certainly a fun place to have dinner. Stewart did an amazing job at dodging the bit of cooked egg that one of the chefs flung his way!

nom nom nom

Sunday was back in the meeting room for continuing discussions. Followed by a few well earned beers and dinner at Wellington Brewery Bar. nom, nom, nom.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and I'd like thank the Ghosts who attended, give apologies to the Ghosts we couldn't invite and give a huge thank you to Susanne for organising a fantastic weekend that went incredibly smoothly!