Microsoft Mix Open Source Fest

At MIX 2011 this year, Microsoft threw a party for the Open Source Community. Over the last few years Microsoft has really gotten involved with the open source community, and it’s really great to see the direction that Microsoft is taking.

Open Source Fest featured a competition to find the best Open Source project as voted by the community, as well as a Microsoft panel of judges. It was an awesome event and did a phenomenal job at bringing together the “who’s who” in the open source community.  From Brian Peek and his WiimoteLib, to Miguel De Icaza and Mono & Monomac the event had some amazing projects.

Attendees were given a few poker chips, and walk around the venue to witness demonstrations done live by the various presenters.  If you liked a presenter and a project, you would place your chips in their bucket.  It was very well done, and provided an awesome opportunity to mingle and network with many new personalities.

We wanted to show you some pictures but felt a video would do a better job of explaining exactly how much Microsoft values the Open Source Community in 2011.  Awesome event, well done Microsoft!  Even Marilyn Munroe made an appearance!