Multiplay Insomnia. What do *you* do when you go, if you go?

[Akagi]

When i went too the iseries i had 2 Kensington locks 1 for pc and 1 for monitor which was firmly connected to the table, i then got a normal lock was a small one which i then locked the cables inside that so keyboard/mouse/headphones cables + the kensington lock cable. and also i made sure it was clearly on show to put them off if they wanted too. The lock i used was small and with the cables inside was no room for moving it obviously they could just cut the cables but then the item is worthless

Sounds like a good plan, i'll do a bit of searching for appropriate locks and such

It would be fairly easy to replace a severed USB cable with a new one, but I doubt many potential thieves would bother with that.

 

[BigBoy]

Sounds like a good plan, i'll do a bit of searching for appropriate locks and such

It would be fairly easy to replace a severed USB cable with a new one, but I doubt many potential thieves would bother with that.

Don't bother with the locks, I've been to 10+ I events and never once had anything stolen. Cable ties are your friend!

You want some one to sit with hang around with then drop me a trust message. I will be there with my clan mates www.roguesquad.co.uk we mostly play BF3 but plenty of other games. Will let you know where we are once the seat picker is up.

 

[Akagi]

Don't bother with the locks, I've been to 10+ I events and never once had anything stolen. Cable ties are your friend!

You want some one to sit with hang around with then drop me a trust message. I will be there with my clan mates www.roguesquad.co.uk we mostly play BF3 but plenty of other games. Will let you know where we are once the seat picker is up.

Better safe than sorry though eh'? I'm sure the locks will come in handy in the future as well

Sure thing, i'll drop you a trust message once I know with 100% certainty that i'm going, thanks

So far I have figured out what i'm going to do about my rig, I have been offered a lift from Croydon to Telford, I have the money side of things sorted, my I.D is being sorted out as we speak, I just need to figure out how i'm getting from here to croydon, I need to buy a tent, and then once everything is set in stone i'll buy an early bird ticket.

 

[BigBoy]

Better safe than sorry though eh'? I'm sure the locks will come in handy in the future as well

Sure thing, i'll drop you a trust message once I know with 100% certainty that i'm going, thanks

So far I have figured out what i'm going to do about my rig, I have been offered a lift from Croydon to Telford, I have the money side of things sorted, my I.D is being sorted out as we speak, I just need to figure out how i'm getting from here to croydon, I need to buy a tent, and then once everything is set in stone i'll buy an early bird ticket.

Still got he Box for your rig? I just box up my Rig take the monitor apart and pack it into my rucksack with all my clothes for easy of carrying, My boxed up rig gets strapped to an Antec Lanboard and wheeled everywhere

 

[Akagi]

Still got he Box for your rig? I just box up my Rig take the monitor apart and pack it into my rucksack with all my clothes for easy of carrying, My boxed up rig gets strapped to an Antec Lanboard and wheeled everywhere

I still have the box for the case if thats what you mean, yeah

I hope you mean to get it there, and not while you are there?

If you mean the latter, consider how my rig is over twice as big as yours, and probably less sturdy

I knew I would thank myself if I got a smaller rig, but nooooooooooo >.<

 

[Voxination]

I'll be around and up for a chat over the event, plus if you feel lonely just post up on the multiplay forums/IRC what your interests are and if anyone fancies a drink, guaranteed you'll end up with a few of you in the bar having a good time.

Have you thought about joining BIGCLAN? They have a large presence over the event and specifically cater for people that are going alone or for the first time.

As for securing cables, have got a lock that replaces a rear case screw that allows you to lock cables underneath it (keyboard, mouse, headset etc) which is great for peace of mind, but generally theft levels are rather low. Remember that as nice as your stuff is, there are people there that will spend serious amounts of cash on their gear and deliberately sit on the end of rows to show it off lit up like a Christmas tree. Keep it all low key and make friends with those around you and you'll always have someone who will look out for you.

 

[DodgeeRascal]

Have been to the last 5 insomnia events and take my pc down.

Everyone at the event is friendly enough and welcoming to anyone new or who has gone down alone. Pick a seat in an gaming area of your choice and get to know the people on your row.

I mostly go to play casually with a friend, entered a tournament once and we got smashed and haven't entered any since, and to watch the tournaments. Big fan of watching SC2 so is great to see some of the top UK players and sometimes get players flying over from EU and further afield.

 

[On Holiday]

Get one of those kensington locks that lock your peripheral cables together and those case side panel security screws.

When I go I pretty much play anything; BF3, Black Ops 2, COD 4, LoL, SC2, Trackmania are the common ones.

 

[skylineboy]

I am so tempted. This would be my first iseries hmmmm

 

[Admiral Huddy]

waste of time those locks.. Can be easily broken off.. Best off drilling a hole through the back case and cover and applying a pad lock..

Or wrap a Kryptonite bike link tightly round the case and lock.

 

[Akagi]

waste of time those locks.. Can be easily broken off.. Best off drilling a hole through the back case and cover and applying a pad lock..

Or wrap a Kryptonite bike link tightly round the case and lock.

There is a loop for a padlock on my case, I guess i could just use that. But it looks like someone could just bend it repeatedly and snap it off.

 

[BigBoy]

You really do not need to be so secure, every one in the room is in the same boat as you, do you think they want there stuff nicked??

Your Rig and Monitor will have stickers on with your details that get checked when you leave, security was very tight at i46 even at the camp site (became there were some problems with the company that were running the campsite) much more secure than Newbury ever was!

 

[Akagi]

You really do not need to be so secure, every one in the room is in the same boat as you, do you think they want there stuff nicked??

Your Rig and Monitor will have stickers on with your details that get checked when you leave, security was very tight at i46 even at the camp site (became there were some problems with the company that were running the campsite) much more secure than Newbury ever was!

Hmm... Alright. I have a padlock already, so i'll use it just cos I have it. Other than that, I might not bother. It would be somewhat difficult to smuggle out a large(ish) PC or a 24" screen, and i'm sure out of all the things, nobody would bother to nick my over-used mediocre peripherals

My phone will be in my pocket at all times. Not sure what to do about USB cables, headphones, and other stuff...

 

[On Holiday]

At the last event there were reports of stolen GFX Card, RAM, DSLR, Keyboard, Mouse, 360 Controller, DVD Drive forced open and some random DVD stolen.

Not to put anybody off of course WIth 2500 strangers in the room, take precautions and don't assume your stuff is safe lying around..

 

[Akagi]

At the last event there were reports of stolen GFX Card, RAM, DSLR, Keyboard, Mouse, 360 Controller, DVD Drive forced open and some random DVD stolen.

Not to put anybody off of course WIth 2500 strangers in the room, take precautions and don't assume your stuff is safe lying around..

...

So many conflicting facts and opinions

 

[On Holiday]

...

So many conflicting facts and opinions

I'm not gonna dress it up, but with 2500 strangers in the room, it's a good idea to take precautions. I've been to a few, and the last one had the most thefts at an event I've attended - it's not usually that bad

To secure your peripherals, I'd definitely recommend a Kensington lock as it sort of clamps the USB cables together so you can't take them out without unlocking the locking cable. Security check monitors/PCs on the way out, so there's no need to worry about those. To secure your side panels you could either buy a security cable and cross it over the case and padlock it, or buy security screws - they're not top-notch security but it's a good deterrent, the event is 24/7 so there'll always be someone awake to spot if someone suspicious is fiddling at the back of a PC.

 

[Marshstyles]

I went to i34( or whatever the first 2000 player one was) and went with my clan. I knew a few of the guys in IRL and travelled up with them ( 3 big guys+ 3 PCs + camping gear in a 206 was not the most comfortable ride).

Its not really my cup of tea. If I had a clan that wanted it go again I probably would but I'd need some convincing I don't play the PC that often at home either and when I do its in short stints or I'm racing. I just wouldn't be talking my club sport wheel to a lan I've also got a lot of wireless gear which would be too easy to half inch.

Loved watching the pros play though, the atmosphere was great watching the finals. I remember watch a final race for a play seat competition. The driving quality was terrible but the winner just edged it at the finish line and everyone went crazy.

The final day was my favourite day and the evenings having a communal dinner and playing poker was good aswell.

I just can't play computer games for 18 hours a day. I like to be clean and well rested.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[neoglow]

Ive never been to one of these before but quite tempted to give it a go. Couple of Q's...

* Is there a designated PC area with loadsa desks all lined up and do you get your own desk?

* Can you sleep under your desk if you are not camping?

* Do you play on Multiplay servers against/with other people at the event (maybe even sat next to you) or is it normal internet access to play on other servers outside the event in games like BF3, CS:S etc?

 

[Akagi]

Ive never been to one of these before but quite tempted to give it a go. Couple of Q's...

* Is there a designated PC area with loadsa desks all lined up and do you get your own desk?

* Can you sleep under your desk if you are not camping?

* Do you play on Multiplay servers against/with other people at the event (maybe even sat next to you) or is it normal internet access to play on other servers outside the event in games like BF3, CS:S etc?

Ah I think I can answer this one despite having not attended

There is a designated PC area with row upon row of desks, you get allocated a space, and one plug socket into which you plug *your own* splitter cable for your hardware.

Yes you can sleep under your desk in theory, but personally I wouldn't as you would probably encroach on other peoples space. *edit* I have now been corrected on this (see later posts)

There is standard internet access at the event (wired) so you can use the internet as you would at home for browsing, Skype, online gaming etcetera, but a few things like torrenting and watching inappropriate content are not allowed for obvious reasons.

There are dedicated servers, but unless I am mistaken they have to be pre-booked by a clan or a group of people, I don't think there are Multiplay servers for everyone else, which does seem to defeat the point slightly, but there's plenty of other stuff going on. Hopefully someone who has been recently can confirm this or correct me

 

[Akagi]

Just waiting for a reply from my taxi driver (a kindly member of another forum) and then i'll get myself booked up