Hamilton needs a decent regular LAN event!

[Grrr!!]

I think it's about time hamtown graduated from a once monthly intermediate school counterstrike game.

How many people here would be interested in seeing a LAN in Hamilton.

It'd be mainly modern games, BF, UT2K3 etc, and whatever is wanted, but CS is a no-go IMHO.

Just testing the waters, as I may want to rally together a few peoples and organize one :).

[I.R]

You could name it HAMIL-TRON too........ sorry couldn't resist :p

Ta for the heads up Grrr!!

[Grrr!!]

Sorry IR, but Hamiltron was a LAN, and it's all gone :(l

[tonic]

yeah man, i would be keen as... not that im going to organise it :D

[Grrr!!]

Also, if anyone has any network gear which could be used, please mention it. That is the greatest bottleneck ... and I sure as hell can't afford to buy it.

[tonic]

Well if you split the costs between everyone... and tried to get people to pay up like a week or so in advance, giving you time to get the gear... but then i dont know how well that would work, you could just do a runner with everyones money.... ;)

[Grrr!!]

Hmmm.

A 24 port switch costs ~$250; and if I were to limit the initial lan to 24 people, that would be a prepayment of say $10 each. (I'm assuming 24 is a good number, as I will be limiting the event by imposing an 18+ age limit ... though it wouldn't be too heavily policed, as I'm 17 :D.)

If I could get a cheap (eg, free) venue, then we could probably get away with $20 each ... which is quite acceptable.


KJ or other LAN organization veterans, could you give me an idea on the costs of running such a LAN?

[fatsanchez]

networking gear should be reasonably easy at first, small switches are cheap enough.. (i only have a 16port 10mbit hub, which probably wont be much use ;) )

venue is always the biggest problem... (that and i dont know how many non cs playing gamers live here)

i dont mind helping out if you need anyone either...

/edit this idea kicks arse btw, i've been whining bitterly on the dc hub ever since L3 about hamiltons crap lan scene.

[Grrr!!]

That is the primary reason for this thread, to find out just how many interested mature gamers are willing to participate.

So everyone who lives locally and would defintely come, please post to say so.

If there is the support, and I can figure out a way of organising it all without going broke, it is a goer.

Sadly I don't think that 10MBit hub would be up to the act.

[Grrr!!]

Originally posted by fatsanchez
/edit this idea kicks arse btw, i've been whining bitterly on the dc hub ever since L3 about hamiltons crap lan scene.

I wouldn't have noticed. I never visit the DC Hub.

I just noticed KTulu's post somewhere complaining about it; and I agreed, so decided to post a thread.


As far as I'm concerned we should go ahead with this; even if it is just 8 OCNZers in someone's garage :).

[Solid Snake]

1. Plan small. L3 #0 had six people. And you first event is going to have 24? Plan very, very small.

2. Slowly, slow slowy ... L3 is kinda old now, about 14 lans old. And we've already decided to have a break and review everything, hitting back with better services in all directions.

3. Find the venue get everything sorted out first. And then tell people. Sure you may not know if people will come, but at least when you have it sorted people who do come won't be dissapointed. The biggest shame is to get a large crowd of people interested and then dissapoint them.

4. Find a venue most suited for your needs. There is no such things as a free venue. Even a church service has to pay for its service. No free meal in other words.

5. We charged a minimum of $10 when L3 first started. It's only at $20 now since we have grown in size, and we need to pay for larger venues.

6. Plan, plan and plan. Who is going to do this and who is going to do that... having two people I would say is the best amount of people since then people don't get confused and people don't don't b!tch over money.

7. Buy a smaller switch and support a small amount of people. If you like to run lans (I find it fun & challenging & frustrating all at the same time. I think KJ thinks the same) and then continue.

... uhm ... ask more direct questions to get better answers.

[p01s0n_p1e]

i agree with SS's first point- id aim small at first, even 6 people can mean the lan is no go till at least 5 hours into the event in the worst situations

[Grrr!!]

I'm not actually sure whether I'd want to do anything as of yet. Just judging the amount of people that would realistically come. Which is NOT 24 ...

[Grrr!!]

Could I just ask if this is a relatively complete listing of what would need to be organized?

- Venue
- Seating/Tables
- Electricity
- Networking
- Food/Drink
- Promotion

Is there anything which is seriously missing?

[DansteR]

kj's lan how 2.......

(posted a while back)

[fatsanchez]

a thought, has anyone been along to one of the lans at the school recently?

i havent been for at least a year, and even then they were pretty open minded about which games were to be played (this was back when CS was really big).

Lycan either runs it, or knows the guy who runs it, he's a member on the forums anyway.

According to the mailing list, they're getting close to capacity, so they must be doing something right.

it might be worth checking out before going to the hassle of organising something new...

[ktulu]

I'm keen to help out Grr!!
I've run small LANs in a double garage before (back in the Win98 days... shudders)... so that's no problem (though I'm definetly no network guru... we'll need one of them).
I've got a 8 and a 5 port switch. plus got mates with switches so that's no problem. I've got Cat5 crimper but no patience... so somebody else can make up the cables.
I've been thinking about doing one for a while now and a good venue is going to be the hardest thing to find (ie warm, enough power and available 24hours a day for a whole weekend).
Email me if you wanna talk some more (I don't do ICQ/MSN anymore sorry).

[Grrr!!]

KTulu, are all these swiches 10/100?

That would set us up for a small LAN quite easily.

I'll might have a talk to the WSU (waikato student union) and see if I can source us a venue at the uni or so, cheaply.

It seems as though there are plenty of people optimistic, and the only real bottleneck at the moment is a secure, warm, powered venue.

I'll check it out further.

I'm sure the three of us (Grrr!!, fatsanchez and KTulu) could make this happen :).

[Grrr!!]

Originally posted by fatsanchez
a thought, has anyone been along to one of the lans at the school recently?

i havent been for at least a year, and even then they were pretty open minded about which games were to be played (this was back when CS was really big).

Lycan either runs it, or knows the guy who runs it, he's a member on the forums anyway.

According to the mailing list, they're getting close to capacity, so they must be doing something right.

it might be worth checking out before going to the hassle of organising something new...

According to my mates here at the uni, several of whom went to the last two, it is almost all kiddie gamers with their l337 CS and so, I have been told it is worthwhile for pr0n though (if that's your thing :rolleyes: ).

Edit:
Those are not the type of people I like to go to LANs with. I prefer sensible g33ks who can handle their booze.

[fatsanchez]

Originally posted by Grrr!!
According to my mates here at the uni, several of whom went to the last two, it is almost all kiddie gamers with their l337 CS and so, I have been told it is worthwhile for pr0n though (if that's your thing :rolleyes: ).

Edit:
Those are not the type of people I like to go to LANs with. I prefer sensible g33ks who can handle their booze.

ahh, i see.

Thats a shame, because they have an excellent venue for <30 people.

[Grrr!!]

I'm thinking that the venue is the most important.

Are these the main aspects to look at:?

- Available for a full weekend, 24 hours.
- Warm.
- Power available, suitable amounts of it (not just one powerpoint).
- Secure.
- Furniture (probably not to important, this can be hired if necessary).



We could go and randomly setup in the derelict Macca's here at the uni :D.

[ktulu]

both 10/100 and one has a 200Mb upload link.

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Grrr!!
I'm thinking that the venue is the most important.

Are these the main aspects to look at:?

- Available for a full weekend, 24 hours.
- Warm.
- Power available, suitable amounts of it (not just one powerpoint).
- Secure.
- Furniture (probably not to important, this can be hired if necessary).



We could go and randomly setup in the derelict Macca's here at the uni :D.

If you're looking to run a LAN for 5-15 people, don't even bother worrying about power, furniture or security - they're not issues. Just find a cheap place that's available overnight ( places open during the day are easy to find, places open 24 hours are harder.... ;) ).

I know power is important - but seriously, when you can safely run 8 rigs off one powerpoint, it doesn't matter. It's only bigger LAN events where power becomes a big issue.

Most places will have at least 2 tables and 10 chairs available. It's only bigger LAN events where furniture becomes a big issue.

And stringing together 5-port and 8-port switches is fine - things will still be pretty fast. It's only bigger LAN events where networking gear becomes a big issue.

Given the size of the venue, warmth normally isn't an issue either - you're dealing with venues with standard 8-foot ( or whatever it is :rolleyes: ) stud ceilings, not school halls and stadiums. It's only bigger LAN events where heating becomes a big issue as a result of the venue.

In summary:

It's only bigger LAN events where anything becomes a big issue. Small LANs are easy - just do it. Hell, with 10 or less people you just use somebody's house.... ( and normally with small groups everyone knows each other reasonably well - so that's often not a big issue )

[fatsanchez]

keep posting KJ :D

so, who's got a big garage?

[Grrr!!]

I don't have any garage at all.

We'll see what we can sort out :).

[ktulu]

Originally posted by KingJackal

Given the size of the venue, warmth normally isn't an issue either - you're dealing with venues with standard 8-foot ( or whatever it is :rolleyes: ) stud ceilings, not school halls and stadiums. It's only bigger LAN events where heating becomes a big issue as a result of the venue.

Speak for your self... this northlander hates the cold and Hamilton is definetly that in the winter (anything below 21°C is cold for me).

Originally posted by KingJackal
Hell, with 10 or less people you just use somebody's house....

I've held plenty of these (used to have a flat with a fully carpeted double garage). Generally they just turned into parties, so I'd like to try something a little more serious (not too serious tho).

[krnage]

Well i have a 16port Switch and could get a 24port Switch if i had too. Im keen for a drive from Auck to H Town for a LAN - just gotta have notice - and you guys better have gf so i can bring mine and get them together - so i do get to go :p.
Yeah im hanging out for a Lan - although i should get some more skills and learn to play games better (oh well when the new machine arrives its my excuse too!)

[tonic]

and you guys better have gf so i can bring mine and get them together - so i do get to go .

Girls? At a LAN? Has that ever happened before? :confused:

:D

[Ragnor]

Well I'm not in Hamilton but I have small <10 people LAN's at my house with my mates etc...

People bring there girlfriends sometimes

You have to give them a go otherwise they get pissed off.

Haven't you ever seen girlfriend vs girlfriend deathmatch, it's one of the damn funniest things ever..

Almost most as funny as girlfriend vs girlfriend Need For Speed or Toca... :D

[ktulu]

Originally posted by krnage
and you guys better have gf so i can bring mine and get them together

sweet as... my kitchen's big enough for about 3 women :D

[tonic]

Originally posted by ktulu
sweet as... my kitchen's big enough for about 3 women :D

Teehehe, nice one... how bigs your laundry? I have a months worth of clothes backed up, that will keep them busy :D

[Grrr!!]

Originally posted by krnage
Well i have a 16port Switch and could get a 24port Switch if i had too. Im keen for a drive from Auck to H Town for a LAN - just gotta have notice - and you guys better have gf so i can bring mine and get them together - so i do get to go :p.
Yeah im hanging out for a Lan - although i should get some more skills and learn to play games better (oh well when the new machine arrives its my excuse too!)

I am only the lonely sadly :(.

Anyway; that networking gear would be great. I think it is time to seriously start looking for a venue.

[ktulu]

forgot to mention that I can supply at least one server (XP1600+, 256Mb RAM + win2k). Can probably scrape up another 1 or 2, but one should be enough for a small LAN.
I've got at least 2 others interested... so year, lets find a venue.

Oh yeah, got a 4 burner BBQ we can use too :D

[krnage]

What i meant was - id drop my gf off with the rest of the girls - and rock on over to the lan :)

[furio]

Teehehe, nice one... how bigs your laundry? I have a months worth of clothes backed up, that will keep them busy

You have a months worth of clothes?

[Grrr!!]

Sweet. We have networking gear and servery ... and a BBQ :).

We are really needing a venue.

... and a date. When do we want to do this?

[tonic]

Originally posted by furio
You have a months worth of clothes?

Yes well im having to reuse items now, but after they have been on the floor for a week the seem to clean themselves...

[Grrr!!]

Originally posted by tonic
Yes well im having to reuse items now, but after they have been on the floor for a week the seem to clean themselves...

/me reminds self to put deodorant rule in :p

[ktulu]

Mid June suits me really well as I'm on holiday.... otherwise I work most weekends (however, I'm sure I can get a weekend off if I fake SARs or something :D )
About the only weekends that don't suit me at all are the 20-22/6 and the 4-6/7... and I'm back on shift from 19/7 onwards (and any date after that is a lottery for me).

As for the g/f issue... I'm sure we can sort something out, there might be a few of them.

[fatsanchez]

mid-late june is good for me as well, tech is kinda hectic atm and it should have settled down by then...

[krnage]

Cool - as long as you guys give me a date - then i should be sweet. Well i told my gf and she said she wouldnt come so - thats my problem solved :)

[Grrr!!]

The 15/16 of June sound good?

[krnage]

Sounds pretty good from my end :) Just gotta let me know what games so i no what to load, or what to get :)

[tonic]

Isnt that exam time? Must be close to it...

I cant find my timetable :rolleyes: Nevermind.... But wouldnt you have exams then too Grrr!!?

[furio]

yeah exam week starts on the 16th at waikato...

[Grrr!!]

Yeah ... it's the weekend before exams.

It'll be a good reward for my studying :p.

I have:
Engineering on Wednesday the 18th
Algebra on Thursday the 19th
Comp Sci on Friday the 20th

The exam timetable is here (http://130.217.105.197:591/ett_default.html) by the way.

[ktulu]

probably not a good time if you have exams.
Also, the 15th and 16th are a Sunday and a Monday... would be better being a Friday/Saturday or a Saturday/Sunday wouldn't it?

[Grrr!!]

I meant the 14/15th.


Anyway, we could move it forwards or backwards, I was just randomly suggesting a date.

As far as I'm concerned it will be good to have it right before exams, it'll give me a much needed bit of stress relief.

The weekend before that would be all good too. I would prefer to do this before the holidays, but late enough to give organization time.

[Bman]

Speaking of Hamilton lans, Im having a couple of guys over this sat (17th) for a bit of quiet gaming. Probably a bit of OFP, car racing and flight-sim stuff... If anyones local and is keen for a bit lannage feel free to contact me on icq 934674.

Wont be 'hardcore' - just a bit of relaxed gaming, a few drinks and watching the S-12 semis.

[Grrr!!]

Any peeps interested in this; who happen to be WSU members, please email me:

grrr_pi@fastmail.fm

[ktulu]

what's a WSU member?

[tonic]

what's a WSU member?

waikato student union ;)

[Grrr!!]

Originally posted by ktulu
what's a WSU member?

A member of the Waikato Student Union.

If we get enough members to form a club affiliated to the WSU, we can use WSU facilities (ie, venues), and recieve monetary grants for club assets (:) ).

[Shape]

I could bring myself, though I'm only 17 & at least2 other 20 years olds to such an event.

I'm not really into gaming at the moment....What sorta specs do you need to run the games most people play nowdays? at the moment I have a Duron 1100 & a GF2MX so I'm guessing I need a bit more.

:)

[Grrr!!]

Shape. You are more then welcome to come ... provided you aren't going to go crying to mummy when someone is drunk or shares porn ;).

Don't worry too much about your system specs. This first event is looking like an experiment for who is keen, and what type of hardware they have.

Keep an eye out, the website should be up on monday:

www.lanthrax.net.nz

[KingJackal]

Originally posted by Shape
I'm not really into gaming at the moment....What sorta specs do you need to run the games most people play nowdays? at the moment I have a Duron 1100 & a GF2MX so I'm guessing I need a bit more.

:)

My totally unbiased opinion on system specs for a LAN is posted up on www.L3.net.nz (http://www.l3.net.nz), in case you're wondering.

Note that that's for the games we play at L3 - which tend to be whatever-came-out-last-week :rolleyes: ;). If you're playing classics like Quake3.... WORMS!!!!.... etc, then even the 'Bad Idea' system would do the trick :D.

Your machine is around the 'everything will work - but slow' mark ;).

[fatsanchez]

we are of course lucky that RTCW : ET has been released, and it should have pretty mild system requirements. (tnt2 level i think?)

i'm keen to give it a go :)