URL : http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/participate/delegates/

Conference Delegate Registration System

Please read this before continuing with the registration.

Introduction

Last year, we had an issue with more people at the venue than actuallyattending the talks. This caused a lot of inconvenience to people, becausethey had to stand in long queues, and our poor BLUG volunteers were tearingtheir hair out.

Many people who stood in the queues actually did so because the event was free, and because registration would give them "attendance" in colleges and at work. While we are proud that principals and employers considered the event worthy of such recognition, we were quite upset about how it was misused by some people, and of course the inconvenience caused.

Another problem was that of the people who registered online, very few people came with their registration codes/cards, causing our volunteers to have to re-enter everything.

So, after a lot of deliberation, we have decided on the following system to ensure that only people actually interested in the event show up.

Registration Charge

1. We are going to charge a gate fee of Rs.300 per head for people who have pre-registered online and bring their correct registration code (i.e. the printout of the registration card that you get to see when you register online). 2. We are going to charge a gate fee of Rs.500 for people who show up to register, but have not registered online or who do not have a valid registration code with them.

The money we collect is *not* for our coffers, or even for the event. Instead, every delegate will receive a Conference T-Shirt (valued atRs.150) and food coupons for all three days (valued at Rs.150).This is, of course, in addition to any handouts that our sponsors give us toinclude in delegate kits.

What this means is that while delegates have to pay Rs.300 to attend the event (Rs.500 for those lazy guys who make us work extra hard), they will receive at least Rs.300 worth stuff in return - thereby rendering the actual cost of attending the event to zero.

What does this mean?

1. You *will* have to spend some money to attend the event. The amount is low enough to be attractive to even the poorest student - with 70 talks, an exhibition and tons of other stuff, plus the food coupons and T-Shirt, this is a total steal. 2. If you are in it for the attendance only, and wish to sneak off even after paying - well, you are the proud owner of a t-shirt and food coupons that you cannot use anywhere but at the event. 3. If you are really not interested and don't want to spend money, then you don't have to.

While we recognise that some people are likely to complain about not getting in for free, we have to look at the greater good.

Please note:

1. The people who don't register online also affect our estimates on how many T-shirts are required. On the other hand, so do people who register but don't show up. 2. The food coupons are not encashable, nor is any other part of the package (i.e. the T-Shirt). You pay, you get, you use. No discounts because "I don't need the T-Shirt" or "I am on a diet". 3. Food is veggie only, and fixed menu. We eat our own dogfood - complaints about food quality (if any) should take into account that the managers will eat the same stuff you will. 4. Extra T-Shirts will not be available. However, if you anticipate the need for extra T-shirts, register twice, pay twice, and Bob's your uncle. ;-)

About the T-Shirts:

The T-Shirts will have the conference Logo on the left breast, and the Conference name on the back, with the Platinum sponsor's logo on the sleeves.

We cannot guarantee T-shirts to people who don't pre-register. Quantities (with reasonable margins) will be based on the number of pre-registrations via the CDRS.

Even if enough T-shirts are available, we cannot guarantee sizes for people who do not pre-register.

(In fact, we do not guarantee anything except that a good time will be had by all.)

About the registration cards:

When you register, you will receive a conference deletgate pass which you *MUST* display whenever you enter the premises or any area within the premises (such as an auditorium). It is common for people to have the pass on the first day and forget it at home (or lend it to a cheapskate friend) on the second and third day. I am afraid that will result in your eviction.

Moral of the story: DON'T LOSE YOUR DELEGATE PASS!

This is especially important on evening of the last day's Mondo Major Monster BLUG meet and the "cultural programme" (he he he - maha-evil chuckle, accompanied by sinister rubbing of hands, bolts of lightning, crash of thunder...), which will take place in an auditorium that can accommodate no more than 1000 people who will keep perfectly still and seated - a most unlikely scenario given the programme...

Seats

We do not guarantee the availability of seats at talks. First come, first served. We will be happy to reserve seats for people who are willing to pay the value of the event to them, but then we don't think even Bill Gates has that much money ;-)

Register

OK, you may now spend 5 minutes flaming us for "commercialising the event", "violating the spirit of Linux" and "being the Microsoft of the Linux world" , after which you may click on the link below to register as a delegate for the event. ;-)

Please note that you don't have to pay to register - you only have to pay when you actually show up at the event.

[15][Register]

References

1. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/ 2. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/about/ 3. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/updates/ 4. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/participate/ 5. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/schedules/ 6. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/photos/ 7. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/press/ 8. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/discussions/ 9. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/guides/ 10. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/sponsors/ 11. http://linux-bangalore.org/2001/ 12. http://linux-bangalore.org/ 13. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/credits/ 14. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/contact/ 15. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/participate/delegates/index2.php 16. http://linux-bangalore.org/2002/sponsors/