DragonLAN 4 Newsletter #4

[fantastapotamus]

DragonLAN 4 Newsletter #4 August 4, 2003
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FIVE DAYS TILL DragonLAN GOODNESS!!!

I’ll apologize for the eternal lateness in regards to getting these newsletters out on time each and every week. However, I fully believe in the old saying “better late than never”... so here it is in all its glory.

Please keep your applause and accolades to a low roar.

Are there seats still left?

According to the information available to me at the time this went to press, we now have 61 confirmed attendees! I guess it really does pay to advertise… <shrugs> who knew?

With 4 days until kickoff for DragonLAN 4, there is little time to waste before signing up to get a seat. So, if you have friends that have been thinking about coming, or know of someone that might want to go, point them in this direction:

http://lan.dragonclans.com/default.cfm?fuseaction=register

12 Tournaments? Saturday BBQ? Prizes galore? For only twenty bucks, whatever you may be doing next weekend would be infinitely lamer than attending. GO GO GO!

Are you still coming?

While we’re overjoyed at the notion that we'll have another sold out DragonLAN this year, there's always the possibility that some of you won't be able to make to show. If that unfortunate event happens, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Outside of cancellations, we plan on taking the following steps for no-shows before a registered spot is made available on the opening day of DragonLAN4:
1. Verify the time the person indicated they would check in, and wait two hours from that time.
2. If no show, the cell phone from the registration database is called.
3. If no answer, we ask the crowd if anyone knows if so-and-so is attending.
4. If all three fail and no answer after fifteen minutes of the cell phone call, the spot is unregistered for anyone still waiting.

A Reminder about Guests at DragonLAN4

A number of attendees have asked about bringing friends to DragonLAN4 to check out the event, chat, and hang out for a bit. While this is perfectly fine to do, please remember the following restrictions in regards to guests at DC Events:

· Each attendee at DragonLAN4 is allowed 1 guest per person.
· A guest must register with photo identification at the door.
· All guests must wear name tags.
· Guests are not allowed to stay overnight.
· Guests are not allowed in the gaming area or the kitchen of the Gold Creek Lodge for extended periods of time. They must remain outside if at all possible.
· Guests who are not cooperative in any regard will be asked to leave. The attendee vouching for said guest will also be asked to leave if their guest does not comply with the parameters above.

Although these rules may seem overly restrictive, consider these factors:
· There will be over 60+ people attending this LAN Party, with 18 volunteer staff to help out. If even half of the attendees brought guests, crowd control would almost certainly be a problem.
· Idle hands are the devils work. We can't keep track of everyone, and your guests will be a liability if they are milling about aimlessly inside the Lodge.
· There will be thousands of dollars in computer and networking equipment at the Gold Creek Lodge, counting attendees, networking equipment, and servers. With over 60+ people attending, the threat of vandalism must be considered.
· Guests are meant to visit attendees, not participate. No fee, no computer, no reservation, no extended stay. No exceptions.

We will try to be as accommodating as possible for our guests and attendees at DragonLAN3, but within reason. There are real legal and financial issues to consider with this event, and we're proactively attempting to protect everyone's interests by keeping guest and crowd control guidelines in place. We hope you'll understand.

Arrival Times For Early Birds

For those of you that arriving early on Friday, please keep in mind that DragonLAN4 doesn't officially open until 6:00 pm PST. Our LAN staff will be working up until that hour to assemble tables, configure the network, and registration stations in anticipation of a large crowd of gamers waiting to get in.

If you do happen to arrive earlier than 6:00 p.m., there's always the chance that DragonLAN4 setup will be completed by the time you arrive, and you can gain early access. However, please be prepared to wait in the event that our original start time of 6:00 pm holds true.

DragonLAN4 Preparations

So you definitely know your coming, fantastic! Just be sure that you go over the following checklist and make sure you have all of these things with you on your journey to the Gold Creek Lodge:

- All attendees will need to sign a waiver form to gain entry.

- If you are under the age of 18, you must also provide your parents or legal guardian's signature, and a phone number where we can reach them in case something happens to you.

- You can find a copy of our current waiver form for DragonLAN4 at the following URL:
http://lan.dragonclans.com/DC_Waiver_and_Release_Form.zip

- We have a checklist of things to bring and not to bring at the following URL: http://lan.dragonclans.com/default.cfm?fuseaction=essentials


Last Minute Sponsors Roll In

A few buzzer beater sponsors have staked a claim to be represented at DL4. Both the Massage Team and PowMax have confirmed their involvement, and Netplay has even upped the stakes with a surprise tournament TBA. That brings the total of sponsors this time around to a whopping number 17. That’s more than we’ve ever had for our previous LAN’s, and more than any national LAN circuit in North America. Ownage!

What does that mean for you? More prizes, more giveaways, and more insight into new products that NVidia, Alienware, Soyo, Thermaltake, and others have to offer you. Even if it doesn’t interest you in the least, there’s always the option of Saturday afternoon massage before a big tournament.

As constant as the tides…

Rentals / Available Equipment
As part of a sponsorship agreement, Netplay has offered their PC’s and monitors for rent if the need arises. While we encourage everyone to bring their own equipment or help other attendees by bringing spare PC setups, we now have an outlet available for computer rental. Please contact Tapeworm@dragonclans.com if you’re interested in obtaining any materials.

Computer / Flight Sponsors
All I can say is you all rule… the costs of flying out have been generously covered by fine people with fat wallets... erm… I mean, fine people with good hearts… and fat wallets :rofl:

Saturday BBQ
The stage is set, the grill is booked, food is almost settled, and I am currently bribing every weatherman in the greater northwest to ensure perfect weather this coming weekend . Any last minute concerns can be addressed on the website, or sent directly to me or tapeworm@dragonclans.com.


Our polls are nearing extinction, can you help save them for only pennies a day?

As Friday draws near, time’s running out for any last minute requests or concerns you may have to bring up to our DragonLAN staff. There are plenty of polls already created that have captured most of our attendees needs or inquiries. If you’d like to see a different poll altogether, feel free to E-Mail me at fantastapotamus@dragonclans.com.

FYI, all our polls are located at: http://www.dragonclans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=38


You may want to go here sooner or later...

http://lan.dragonclans.com – For frequently asked questions, LAN information, and other essentials.)
http://www.dragonclans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=21 – The main Dragon Clan forum page. (Note: You may have to register to post)


For the third straight week, I have been your guide through all that you need to know about DragonLAN4… may you forever be blessed with my presence… or at least until the LAN kicks off and I fall back to a regular sleep pattern.
Up next.. the last minute details to be sent out Thursday… will I make it in time??

stay tuned true believers!

Yours,
fantastapotamus{DC}
Newsletter Writer, Fanta Shokata Guru
_________________
:rocker:
My mama she done told me
There’s heart and then there’s hate
If one of them is inside of you
The other one it ain’t