The thing is we have a year to prepare, so if you want to attend the next lan, start saving money now. Put aside $20 a week or so and by the time for the lan if you have to FLY, etc..you will have the money to do so with. That is what I am going to do at least. If you really want to go then no matter where it is, you will be there.
$20 a week.... you renting a private jet??? I sure hope that air fare isn't $1000 to fly from east coast to the Midwest!!!!
Mexico sounds good... but the water was cleaner in Detroit!
Just a bit better...
THIRD --> Ocomik claims to be a network guru... I know there are little copper thingys that have some colorful coatings and they are pushed into some plastic thingy and that plugs into another plastic thingy.... No really, For Chicago land, I think the network and Power can be handled easily...
Fourth --> I like the voting for dates thing... start now and let the basic month get picked then whittle it down to a specific date after a bit.
Fifth --> I would like to narrow down the areas and folks that are willing to host the LAN... Almost like a bidding process... the who, the where, the know how, the perks and such then vote.... We know Detroit (Prime and crew), Ohio (GHoosdum and Crew), and Chicago (QCH and crew that includes special appearances by ocomik).... who else? I've heard "Down south somewhere" but no one has stepped forth to organize it.....
THIRD --> Ocomik claims to be a network guru... I know there are little copper thingys that have some colorful coatings and they are pushed into some plastic thingy and that plugs into another plastic thingy.... No really, For Chicago land, I think the network and Power can be handled easily...
"Claims" implies that I may be the only one that believes it. I prefer IS instead of "claims to be"
Fifth --> ... and Chicago (QCH and crew that includes special appearances by ocomik)....
You know I got your back, after all who needs an MBA degree anyway... If the powers to be select Chicago, then you know I'll commit time, resources, and funds.
...You know I got your back, after all who needs an MBA degree anyway... If the powers to be select Chicago, then you know I'll commit time, resources, and <b><font size=4>funds</b></font>.
2nd --> Whew.... Glad you got my back.... NO MANTOUCH!!!!!!
...FYI...hotel room rates per person per night in Vancouver, BC. (CAD funds) in a typical hotel typically in August under a special deal....
At today's rates that $179 (CAD) Two Bedroom Condo equals $130 USD
Split four ways it would come to $32.50 a night. Since it's a condo, putting nine people on the floor in sleeping bags (assuming they can sneak by hotel security!) would lower the rate to $10 USD a night each.
I've always wanted to see Vancouver.
0
Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited May 2004
Well, Cincinnati is out. Why? See this thread. There ain't no WAY I'm driving through there.
At today's rates that $179 (CAD) Two Bedroom Condo equals $130 USD
Split four ways it would come to $32.50 a night. Since it's a condo, putting nine people on the floor in sleeping bags (assuming they can sneak by hotel security!) would lower the rate to $10 USD a night each.
I've always wanted to see Vancouver.
Hmmm...Let's toss some numbers into the air.
2 nights per person based on 2 sharing a room...Let's say that's $50 USD per person per night x 2 nights....
"Ballroom" to accommodate 50 players...Let's say that's...just a guesstimate...$2000
50 players ...total cost $140 per player.
That's too much for the convenience of a ballroom BUT...hmmm...I have a friend who has a studio (TV studio warehouse space) nearby the hotel I'm thinking of...which is about a 15 minute walk...2 minute drive.
Hmmm...
I know people at the hotel where I could have a private reception in an area of the bar for minimal cost for check-in...hmmm.
We are also a 10 minute walk from EA SPORTS too.
Qparadox...if you are reading this...I'm thinking of the Radisson on the highway by BCIT.
So I guess I'm NOT organizing the next LAN then? I mean, I don't really mind, but it just seems as if I've been sort of usurped here
Planning the LAN was a big ordeal. I can tell you right off the bat that unless the reg fee is raised significantly, you either have to find a free place like I did, or not have T-shirts and door prizes. The reg fee that everybody paid covered essentially the T-shirts and the shipping fee for the t-shirts. There was no money left for anything else. Luckily we got free rent for the weekend, but the cables, extension cords, duct tape, and all the other little various sundries came out of my pocket. Dogsoldier provided the name tags at his expense, doug provided the majority of the door prizes at his expense (thanks, doug!) and shorty and I paid for the grand prize out of our pockets. So, whoever is organizing this thing better plan on spending some cash, or we need to talk about seriously upping the reg fee.
No way Prime...you are not getting out of it that easy. I just started the ball rolling for dates. You are da man. There's no way this could happen/be organized/actually work without you heading it up.
Well as I said earlier in the thread, if I'm heading it up, it's in Detroit.. There's no way I can successfully plan LAN 05 if it's in a different city.
So I guess I'm NOT organizing the next LAN then? I mean, I don't really mind, but it just seems as if I've been sort of usurped here
I thought about this during my drive home and wondered if there was the appearance that folks were jumping the gun here.
Here's my take:
This if first and foremost the Short-Media LAN and as such I believe the "trifecta" (as I call you three) should be calling the shots. QCH and I are happy to help out but only if we have the support and blessing of the Short-Media principals.
Personally I'm sorry if you felt we over-stepped our bounds as we never intentionally meant to step on any toes.
No no no, it's not that, it's just that I didn't really even realize that there was a whole push to have it elsewhere. I mean, I understand that everybody wants it in their backyard because of financial reasons. Obviously everybody is going to want it in their city and find all the reasons why their city is best. My only point is that if the major portion of the potential attendees want it to be elsewhere, that's fine with me, I'll be there, but I can't possibly plan it if it's not in Detroit. I also want everybody to understand that planning this thing was a costly and stressful venture for me, and anybody else who wants to take it on should be forewarned of that.
As I'm sure everyone knows...cost is a factor. I, above all, know the cost of getting to a place...wherever it is...can be costly. (It was going to set me back $1300).
The reg fees are going to go up but with that will come added bonuses. There are, and these are just blue sky thoughts, considerations for catering (better food selection and easier on your pocketbook when all things are considered), better venue...all those sorts of things.
The city has not been decided but it does make practical sense to hold it in the organizers city....and this is Prime's baby. He knows how to put on a LAN and make all the connections work. The second choice is Vancouver where Prime comes and lives with me for a week prior to the event. Dan is in the UK..the last time I checked the company LADA did not seat 50 and can barely make it through a puddle let alone the Atlantic. Wherever the location is set to be ....it won't make everyone happy but it will be for the best overall for cost and convenience.
For now...we'll get the target date set and work the logistics from there. I know that I want to lend Prime a hand starting to cull prizes and other such stuff from sponsors to make it even better.
I'm really not sure how this whole discussion even came up, but at any rate, I sort of have a commitment to Deebe's as the venue for at least the next one as well. It works for 30, it can work for another 30, and the price is right. The price is that people don't bring in any outside food or drinks. Even though certain attendees didn't honor that rule at all times, it's very important to my personal word to George that the rule gets honored next time around. The network was pretty much spot on as far as the LAN went. The internet bandwidth was pretty low, to be sure (512K DSL).. I'm not sure what can be done about that - probably not much. However, if I am indeed planning the next event, it will very likely be at Deebe's again.
Not specifically Bawls, but we could get a sponsor for the event. I wish I'd thought of it earlier. You can get companies to sponsor almost anything. I have some experience with this, so after we decide what city to put it in, I'll try to find us some sponsors in that area (unless, MM, you want to run with this instead, as it was your idea...). I probably can't get us any financial sponsors, but I could get us some free food or other products.
I get places like SoBee Tea and Snappy Tomato Pizza (both Cincy companies) to donate stuff to events all the time, and some of them are even smaller than our LAN party will be. The only thing they ask in return is that the event be named after them, or some space on our logo, stuff like that.
Unless AMD give us 50 FX-5x to give away...we're not naming the LAN after anyone...unless they have the processors or a bag of cash. BUT...definitely yes to on site bannerage, inclusion in the media releases and incorporation into logo as official sponsors.
We'll pursue sponsors after the LAN is mapped out for events, dates, etc. Good to have your input.
Comments
SECOND --> Just a bit better...
THIRD --> Ocomik claims to be a network guru... I know there are little copper thingys that have some colorful coatings and they are pushed into some plastic thingy and that plugs into another plastic thingy.... No really, For Chicago land, I think the network and Power can be handled easily...
Fourth --> I like the voting for dates thing... start now and let the basic month get picked then whittle it down to a specific date after a bit.
Fifth --> I would like to narrow down the areas and folks that are willing to host the LAN... Almost like a bidding process... the who, the where, the know how, the perks and such then vote.... We know Detroit (Prime and crew), Ohio (GHoosdum and Crew), and Chicago (QCH and crew that includes special appearances by ocomik).... who else? I've heard "Down south somewhere" but no one has stepped forth to organize it.....
-qch
Vote for your dates everyone.
Step two will be to narrow down the best host city that's most convenient.
If QCH and I choose seperate dates and Chicago ends up being the city, do we have to have two seperate LANs?
OK, for you, $20 a week is reasonable... unless you want to hire a private jet... you had better chip in a few hundred a month.
Ocomik
2nd --> Whew.... Glad you got my back.... NO MANTOUCH!!!!!!
FYI...hotel room rates per person per night in Vancouver, BC. (CAD funds) in a typical hotel typically in August under a special deal.
Courtyard: 1 queen or 2 double beds - $99
Plaza: 1 queen or 2 double beds - $112
One Bedroom Condo: 1 queen bed - $149
Two Bedroom Condo: 2 queen beds - $179
There's a 200+ person LAN held here every year...www.fragmart.com
Split four ways it would come to $32.50 a night. Since it's a condo, putting nine people on the floor in sleeping bags (assuming they can sneak by hotel security!) would lower the rate to $10 USD a night each.
I've always wanted to see Vancouver.
I was SO THERE, dude!
Hmmm...Let's toss some numbers into the air.
2 nights per person based on 2 sharing a room...Let's say that's $50 USD per person per night x 2 nights....
"Ballroom" to accommodate 50 players...Let's say that's...just a guesstimate...$2000
50 players ...total cost $140 per player.
That's too much for the convenience of a ballroom BUT...hmmm...I have a friend who has a studio (TV studio warehouse space) nearby the hotel I'm thinking of...which is about a 15 minute walk...2 minute drive.
Hmmm...
I know people at the hotel where I could have a private reception in an area of the bar for minimal cost for check-in...hmmm.
We are also a 10 minute walk from EA SPORTS too.
Qparadox...if you are reading this...I'm thinking of the Radisson on the highway by BCIT.
Planning the LAN was a big ordeal. I can tell you right off the bat that unless the reg fee is raised significantly, you either have to find a free place like I did, or not have T-shirts and door prizes. The reg fee that everybody paid covered essentially the T-shirts and the shipping fee for the t-shirts. There was no money left for anything else. Luckily we got free rent for the weekend, but the cables, extension cords, duct tape, and all the other little various sundries came out of my pocket. Dogsoldier provided the name tags at his expense, doug provided the majority of the door prizes at his expense (thanks, doug!) and shorty and I paid for the grand prize out of our pockets. So, whoever is organizing this thing better plan on spending some cash, or we need to talk about seriously upping the reg fee.
Prime is central to the attendees. SM LAN 2004 would not and did not happen without you...it's your baby.
I thought about this during my drive home and wondered if there was the appearance that folks were jumping the gun here.
Here's my take:
This if first and foremost the Short-Media LAN and as such I believe the "trifecta" (as I call you three) should be calling the shots. QCH and I are happy to help out but only if we have the support and blessing of the Short-Media principals.
Personally I'm sorry if you felt we over-stepped our bounds as we never intentionally meant to step on any toes.
Ocomik
OMG...we've been labelled. :0
As I'm sure everyone knows...cost is a factor. I, above all, know the cost of getting to a place...wherever it is...can be costly. (It was going to set me back $1300).
The reg fees are going to go up but with that will come added bonuses. There are, and these are just blue sky thoughts, considerations for catering (better food selection and easier on your pocketbook when all things are considered), better venue...all those sorts of things.
The city has not been decided but it does make practical sense to hold it in the organizers city....and this is Prime's baby. He knows how to put on a LAN and make all the connections work. The second choice is Vancouver where Prime comes and lives with me for a week prior to the event. Dan is in the UK..the last time I checked the company LADA did not seat 50 and can barely make it through a puddle let alone the Atlantic. Wherever the location is set to be ....it won't make everyone happy but it will be for the best overall for cost and convenience.
For now...we'll get the target date set and work the logistics from there. I know that I want to lend Prime a hand starting to cull prizes and other such stuff from sponsors to make it even better.
Not specifically Bawls, but we could get a sponsor for the event. I wish I'd thought of it earlier. You can get companies to sponsor almost anything. I have some experience with this, so after we decide what city to put it in, I'll try to find us some sponsors in that area (unless, MM, you want to run with this instead, as it was your idea...). I probably can't get us any financial sponsors, but I could get us some free food or other products.
I get places like SoBee Tea and Snappy Tomato Pizza (both Cincy companies) to donate stuff to events all the time, and some of them are even smaller than our LAN party will be. The only thing they ask in return is that the event be named after them, or some space on our logo, stuff like that.
Unless AMD give us 50 FX-5x to give away...we're not naming the LAN after anyone...unless they have the processors or a bag of cash. BUT...definitely yes to on site bannerage, inclusion in the media releases and incorporation into logo as official sponsors.
We'll pursue sponsors after the LAN is mapped out for events, dates, etc.
It was either that or the "tri-lateral commission"