What is "rubi-con"

Rubi-Con was a hacker convention that took place in Detroit, Michigan from 1999 to 2003 inclusive. After folding in its fifth year, Rubi-Con organizers managed to destroy its name through a creative website prank thereby preventing others from using the reputation to build their own events. This tactic was only partially successful, as the organizers of Notacon have historically used Rubi-Con in their own self promotions.

Rubi-Con was known for being a no-holds-barred, anything goes event, where speakers were free to speak their minds, and where fun was the order of the day above all else. Occurrences included indoor pyrotechnics during presentations (2002) and a conference organizer being hospitalized for alcohol poisoning (2001).