linux.conf.au 2021 Open Hardware Miniconf · Australia · 2021

LCA2021 SwagBadge

Online linux.conf.au ESP32-era SwagBadge and DagBadge hardware programme

linux.conf.au 2021's Open Hardware Miniconf is represented by a source-backed SwagBadge and DagBadge programme: badges were built and mailed to delegates, then covered by official software, hardware, SAO, test-jig, firmware, and show-and-tell sessions.

linux.conf.au Open Hardware Miniconf Australia SwagBadge DagBadge ESP32 MicroPython Aiko SAO Oceania

Eventlinux.conf.au 2021 Open Hardware Miniconf

Serieslinux.conf.au Open Hardware Miniconf

LocationOnline, worldwide

CountryAustralia

People

Authors & Credits

SwagBadge team and Open Hardware co-organizer

Jon Oxer

Named by the official LCA2021 news post as part of the SwagBadge team and by the miniconf page as an Open Hardware organizer.

Source

SwagBadge team and hardware presenter

John Spencer

Named by the official LCA2021 news post as part of the SwagBadge team and on the hardware/SAO talk page as presenter.

Source

SwagBadge team and software presenter

Andy Gelme

Named on official LCA2021 sources as part of the SwagBadge team, Open Hardware organizer, and Aiko/MicroPython software-session presenter.

Source

SwagBadge team and software presenter

Nicola Nye

Named by the official LCA2021 news post as part of the SwagBadge team and on the SwagBadge software talk page as a presenter.

Source

SwagBadge team member

Andrew Nielsen

Named by the official LCA2021 news post as part of the SwagBadge team.

Source

event and badge-programme publisher

linux.conf.au 2021 / Linux Australia

Official publisher of the LCA2021 pages used for the SwagBadge shipping, Open Hardware Miniconf, schedule, and event context.

Source

Why It Mattered

It adds an Australasian open-hardware conference-badge lineage to the Oceania pass and documents how an online event kept hands-on badge culture alive through mailed hardware, MicroPython/Aiko software, Simple Add-On education, and a make-your-own DagBadge path.

Hardware

Official linux.conf.au sources prove shipped SwagBadges, a make-your-own DagBadge option, hardware design sessions, Simple Add-On extension coverage, and testing of hundreds of completed badges. Secondary Python-on-microcontrollers reporting identifies the LCA2021 SwagBadge as an ESP32 electronic badge with dual OLED displays, but this record keeps schematic, board-file, and BOM claims open until a stable public hardware archive is recovered.

Software & Apps

The official software session documents a MicroPython-based badge experience using the Aiko framework, badge startup workflow, and post-packet customization. The miniconf page also names firmware sessions and C/MicroPython introduction material, while the test-jig wrap-up documents completed-badge software testing and quirks.

Lore

The 2021 edition moved online, so the Open Hardware Miniconf replaced its usual soldering workshop with shipped badges, hardware/firmware talks, SAO guidance, DagBadge build notes, and a final attendee show-and-tell.

Lifecycle

Add-ons & Upgrades

SAO expansion source-backed

Simple Add-On education track

The LCA2021 hardware session and miniconf page covered the Simple Add-On standard, SAO protoboards, Tux SAO, and extension options for badge life.

Compatibility: LCA2021 SwagBadge

Source

badge variant source-backed

DagBadge build path

The LCA2021 Open Hardware Miniconf page said attendees who missed out on a SwagBadge could order components and make a DagBadge from scratch.

Compatibility: LCA2021 SwagBadge

Source

firmware framework source-backed

Aiko MicroPython software stack

The LCA2021 software session documented the Aiko framework on top of MicroPython as a badge customization and service layer.

Compatibility: LCA2021 SwagBadge

Source

Operational history

Issues & Camp Impact

hardware archive gap note

Official LCA2021 pages document SwagBadge/DagBadge hardware, firmware, SAOs, MicroPython/Aiko software, and tested shipped badges, but this pass did not recover a stable schematic, BOM, Gerber, PCB, firmware-source, or license archive.

The entry describes the public conference-badge programme and keeps component-level claims limited to sourced high-level evidence.

Confidence: source-backed but incomplete
Status: needs stable public hardware archive
Timeframe: 2021 badge archive pass
Source note: LCA2021 Open Hardware Miniconf, SwagBadge talks, and Adafruit Daily secondary note.

missing rights-cleared image note

No LCA2021 SwagBadge image is published because no reusable original badge photo or official upstream raster render with complete source URL, license, attribution, and processing notes has been recovered.

The record remains image-free rather than copying conference images, speaker photos, newsletter imagery, or generated art.

Confidence: local project policy
Status: needs licensed original replacement
Timeframe: current catalogue build
Source note: badge.gallery image policy and LCA2021 source trail.

Resources

LCA2021 Open Hardware Miniconf miniconf page · Official miniconf page documenting SwagBadge ticket inclusion, DagBadge build path, hardware/firmware/app sessions, SAO explanation, and attendee show-and-tell. LCA2021 SwagBadge shipping news event news · Official linux.conf.au news post documenting the Open Hardware team, built SwagBadges, delegate shipping, named badge team, Australia-ticket availability, and event dates. LCA2021 schedule schedule · Official schedule page listing the SwagBadge software, hardware/SAO, and test-jig/wrap-up sessions in the Open Hardware Miniconf. Python on Microcontrollers LCA2021 SwagBadge note secondary hardware note · Contemporary secondary note identifying the LCA2021 SwagBadge as an ESP32 electronic badge with dual OLED displays and MicroPython readiness. Swagbadge 101: Hardware and SAOs hardware talk · Official talk page documenting badge hardware goals, onboard microcontroller work, Simple Add-On extension paths, protoboards, Tux SAO, and SAO extensions. Swagbadge 101: Software and the Aiko framework software talk · Official talk page documenting the MicroPython and Aiko framework session for customizing the SwagBadge after opening the packet. Swagbadge test jig and software test and wrap-up talk · Official talk page documenting component testing, completed badge testing, failure recovery, quirks, and future SwagBadge/DagBadge plans.

Sources

Adafruit Daily / Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: The LCA2021 #swagbadge Project Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Secondary contemporary source for ESP32, dual OLED display, MicroPython readiness, limited electronic-badge production, and distribution to conference attendees. linux.conf.au 2021: Keynote Announcement - Cory Doctorow Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Official source for SwagBadge build/shipping to delegates, remaining Australia-ticket SwagBadge availability, named SwagBadge team, and LCA2021 event date context. linux.conf.au 2021: Open Hardware Miniconf Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Primary source for SwagBadge/DagBadge framing, badge hardware/firmware/application sessions, SAO education, DagBadge build path, and show-and-tell context. linux.conf.au 2021: Swagbadge 101: Software and the Aiko framework Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Official source for MicroPython, Aiko framework, badge startup/customization workflow, and software session presenters. linux.conf.au 2021: Swagbadge 101: Hardware and SAOs Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Official source for onboard-microcontroller, Simple Add-On, protoboard, Tux SAO, and hardware-extension evidence. linux.conf.au 2021: Swagbadge test jig and software Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Official source for testing hundreds of badges, completed-badge software testing, recovery, quirks, and SwagBadge/DagBadge future context.