The Official "Unofficial" OcUK Forum, Annual LAN Party

I've got a 50port 10/100 switch you're welcome to borrow (on the premise that I come along ;))

Also, I'd be up for any graphics work (flyers, ID cards, website banners and the like).

Unfortunately, I can't really find time to help organise (and it really is a big effort!), but I'd gladly help with advice and whatnot!
 
At risk of making this an even bigger logistical nightmare, what are people's views on doing 2 simultaneously? One around the Stoke area, and one down South? I think one of the guys in the other thread mentioned there was an available hall around the Reading area.

Would make it easier for people to attend either, however would double the already large effort required.
 
Stelly said:
I'm a network engineer, would be interested in helping, I'm currently based in Manchester though

Stelly
Click to expand...

Thank you.

My networking knowledge is OK but in all honesty, this type of thing is out of my depth if I am being honest.

I could probably fudge something together but would like this to be done properly so your help/time would be greatly appreciated.

Would you be prepared travel outside of Manchester?

uv said:
I've got a 50port 10/100 switch you're welcome to borrow (on the premise that I come along ;))

Also, I'd be up for any graphics work (flyers, ID cards, website banners and the like).

Unfortunately, I can't really find time to help organise (and it really is a big effort!), but I'd gladly help with advice and whatnot!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the offer of help for both the graphics work and general advice.

My design skills are amateurish at best so your skills will be required and appreciated :)

randal24 said:
At risk of making this an even bigger logistical nightmare, what are people's views on doing 2 simultaneously? One around the Stoke area, and one down South? I think one of the guys in the other thread mentioned there was an available hall around the Reading area.

Would make it easier for people to attend either, however would double the already large effort required.
Click to expand...

I personally feel that a single, well organised event with travel arranged for those who need it is better than 2 seperate events.

The whole idea of this is to bring the community together and having two seperate events is unlikely to achieve this in my opinion. You will have 2 lots of people playing 2 seperate games. It is best to have 1 group of people playing the same game, well as many as possible playing the same game.

There are MANY venues we could choose, all across the country. As I said before though, when we know where everyone is coming from, I think it is best to pick a location central to all, as difficult as this sounds as this is the farest option.

The ONLY way I personally would consider 2 simultaneous events in the future (IF this one is a success) is if we could bridge the network across both events although for MANY logisitcal reasons, this will be VERY difficult and as you mentioned, it WOULD be a NIGHTMARE to arrange.
 
Last edited:
Gimpymoo said:
Thank you.

My networking knowledge is OK but in all honesty, this type of thing is out of my depth if I am being honest.

I could probably fudge something together but would like this to be done properly so your help/time would be greatly appreciated.

Would you be prepared travel outside of Manchester?
Click to expand...

Yarp, I would, it would depend where as well of course :) I have a netgear 10/100/1000 24 port layer 2 switch in the house doing nothing :)

Stelly
 
One thing I would like to suggest, and I dont know how popular/unpopular this will be is that there is no "game swapping" on the night.

A game list will be released BEFORE the event with plenty of notice and it is upto attendees to ensure they have the games they want to play installed and patched to the latest versions.

This means people can be playing quicker instead of waiting for games to install and there are no version mismatches when trying to play games.
 
Gimpymoo said:
One thing I would like to suggest, and I dont know how popular/unpopular this will be is that there is no "game swapping" on the night.

A game list will be released BEFORE the event with plenty of notice and it is upto attendees to ensure they have the games they want to play installed and patched to the latest versions.

This means people can be playing quicker instead of waiting for games to install and there are no version mismatches when trying to play games.
Click to expand...

Let you deal with that, seems like you know what your doing :) I have CAT5e and switches :)

Stelly
 
Gimpymoo said:
As I said before though, when we know where everyone is coming from, I think it is best to pick a location central to all, as difficult as this sounds as this is the farest option
Click to expand...


after assisting with running a number of lans and similar events and attending more than i can count i feel that this is the wrong approach.

You'll have say 100 people saying "yes i'll come" then you choose a location and 80 decide they dont like the location etc. Choose a time and place first then see how many will come along, go for central really (around conventry or something is good) and take it from there.
 
Surely it best to determine where players will be coming from then chosing a mutually agreed location (As much it can be) and arranging transport for those who need it?

This event is for ALL OF US so it is not for me to choose somewhere which the majority find unsuitable or impractical.
 
Last edited:
Myself and Loki run several lans each year (not together, yet :) ) we both have major stores of lan hardware, boxes of Cat5, industrial power units and i have two massssssssssssive UPS units to keep upto 150 800Watt PCs online in the event of the old power failure.
Myself, i have two 16 Core, 64gb Ram Servers, with 10 nics in each for the ultimate game servers paired with three Cisco Catalyst 3750V2's 48 ports.

SO, i offer my services and i am sure Loki will put his hand in too. IF needed. We are both in the Manchester area.
 
Last edited:
Anim said:
In this thread alone there are a number from the north and a number from the south.
Click to expand...

I agree.

We need to see the exact numbers first then decide on a location. Once a location is decided, it will make chosing a venue easier.

It will be up to the committee to chose a location/venue. Will most likely involve some of us visiting venues to assess the practicalities.
 
Instead of trying to decide on a location so much, why not try a pilot-LAN fist EITHER up north or down south, and let those near it and those willing to travel attend it, and judge the numbers and setup from that and build upon it - at least that way there would be less pressure as such, simply because it's just to test the feasibility of a larger-scale LAN. My 2 pence anyway.
 
bJN said:
and let those near it and those willing to travel attend it
Click to expand...

That is the plan now. Nobody is being forced to go.

Almost everyone will need to make SOME effort one way or another. Those who dont want to, dont have to.

I think it is best make the event as open to as many forum members as possible.
 
with regards to loaction i think as central as possible, its more important for the venue to be tip top and at the right price , then to make sure its in the perfect location, if it means driving for another hour and putting another £10 fuel in the car, but the venue is good and the prices are better than so be it.

Ive arranged many things in the past and as already said , it tends to be much easier to just host it , tell people where its at and all the details and to see who attends.
 
ssharp59 said:
its more important for the venue to be tip top and at the right price , then to make sure its in the perfect location, if it means driving for another hour and putting another £10 fuel in the car, but the venue is good and the prices are better than so be it.
Click to expand...

I agree with this fully.

Nobody wants to be sat in a damp, cold community centre for the duration - lol.

Sure, it may well be easier to just "Host it" but no harm in at least asking people where they live first then making a decision based upon that information.

Sure, keep in mind that some will not go who will initially say they will.

This is a forum event though, not some random public LAN so it makes sense to involve the forum when planning the event as much as reasonably possible.
 
Gimpymoo said:
I agree with this fully.

Nobody wants to be sat in a damp, cold community centre for the duration - lol.

Sure, it may well be easier to just "Host it" but no harm in at least asking people where they live first then making a decision based upon that information.

Sure, keep in mind that some will not go who will initially say they will.

This is a forum event though, not some random public LAN so it makes sense to involve the forum when planning the event as much as reasonably possible.
Click to expand...

Agreed, we need some validation on how we are going to do this, like send out a ticket with a 30 digit random number on which corresponds to someone on the forum in a database... if I make sense...

Stelly
 
I'd be up for it but have no means to travel beyond public transport.

I ain't lugging my heavy and for some inextricable reason, armour plated case on a train :p
 
Tefal said:
I'd be up for it but have no means to travel beyond public transport.

I ain't lugging my heavy and for some inextricable reason, armour plated case on a train :p
Click to expand...

I expect people will be good for car sharing - I'd be willing to give a lift to Manchester people without cars :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom