[GNHLUG] Re: Hosstraders Dead, but NEARFest Lives!!

[Jon 'maddog' Hall]

On Sat, 2007-03-17 at 22:36 -0400, Ben Scott wrote:
> On 3/17/07, Jon 'maddog' Hall <maddog at li.org> wrote:
> > and I found out that they are going to charge a $20. deposit on computer
> > monitors to make sure that people take them back out with them.
> 
>   They seem to be calling out tubes, and by implication, not flat
> panels.  Doubtless because of the disposal problem presented by CRTs.
> I don't see a problem with requiring a deposit, so long as they give
> it back.  If you can't afford $20, you don't have any business hauling
> a CRT around anyway.

I wonder if the issue is *all* of the "heavy metal" that was typically
abandoned when the event ended, with CRT screens just being the most
visible (pardon the pun) of them.

I think that the $20. deposit basically puts a stop on the sale of CRT
monitors at the event.  I think that it might be hard for someone to get
more than $20. for the monitor, and if they have to pay $20. to get the
monitor in, and the customer (presumably) gets the $20. when they take
the monitor out, that could be an issue.  I guess the vendors could say
"Free monitor, but you have to pay me $20. for it, and you get that back
as you take it out."  That might work.  Or sell the monitor for $20.,
have the customer give you $40, with a
$20 "instant rebate" at the gate.

> 
>   The "no alcohol" policy is unfortunate, but lacking a police force
> to enforce more general "don't be a dick" rules, probably a necessary
> evil.

I noticed that this policy was printed on the map of the fairgrounds
http://near-fest.com/sitemap.htm

and seems to be a policy of the fairgrounds, whether or not it is a
policy of the fest.  In addition the map of the fairgrounds also said
"no pets", which (if vigorously enforced) would also affect some people
who used to bring their pets.

> 
>   I'm considering making an informal trip to the inaugural event, to
> reconnoiter and get an idea for if/how to re-institute the GNHLUG
> Hosstraders involvement there.
> 
I was actually going to get a little more pro-active and try contacting
them to see what their prices are, etc.  I would not mind getting a
table or two, even for the first event, figuring that they would
leverage off all the old "hosstraders".

I can find out about the issues of computer equipment (CRT vs LCD),
whether we can get inside, issues of power, and where the nearest
Internet drop is (its a long way from Ted's house).

But from the mission statement:

http://near-fest.com/statement.htm

it seems that some of the ham radio operators see the "Internet" (and
perhaps therefore computers) as a
reason that their members get "older and older".  Maybe
we need to be even more pro-active in "doing ham
stuff" while we are there.

md