[...] accept the reasonable chance that on Monday after the PAX, a clean install may the best option.
Saying that it's a "reasonable chance" is an incredible exaggeration - follow the basic security suggestions above (windows update, basic AV, etc) and you'll be perfectly fine. Firewalls are a good idea, but make sure you allow all of your games through, otherwise you'll have a bad time.
In my nearly-a-decade of LANing, the only times I've heard of friends reinstalling their OS as a result of a LAN infection was during the conficker outbreak and when they were stupid (eg, running keygens and cracks they got off a random person).
PAX Aus 2013 || PC Area || Network and Servers manager
Oh no doubt. The key word was 'accept', not 'reasonable chance' - basically, if you go in to PAX (or any other LAN, really) with the mindset that all other PCs are out to kill yours, you will be a lot safer
No devices larger than a lunch sack to store drinks or food are permitted into BYOC. By Cooler, I mean like a plastic tub that you throw ice and drinks in. They come in all shapes and sizes. The only thing allowed are lunch bags, and personal drink canisters. There are some small, insulated "cooler bags" that can fit like 3 soda cans that are small enough to not be a problem either.
I assume handbags are allowed? That just reads like they may not be so figured I should check rather than find out I have to stash mine somewhere after I arrive >_< (to give you an idea of dimensions if it matters mine just fits my 13.3" ultrabook width and height wise and is probably about 4-5" deep fully packed)
Also a slightly more odd question, if I was to bring some wooden framework to prop my monitor up on the table to give space underneath it and optimise my desk space would that be ok or not allowed? (I'm assuming not allowed on this one but again figured I'd ask ^_^)
Can we please get some official confirmation - Someone mentioned in another thread that the map shows BYOC parking at the top of the map - is that a drop off point only for the morning, or is it a car park that we can use for the event?
The parking lot at the top of the map is a car park that all BYOC badge carriers (and nobody else) can use through the event.
Handbags (along with purses/backpacks/totes) are allowed in BYOC. Our objective is to prevent BYOC from being a restaurant, rather than to inconvenience anyone.
Would APC Uninterruptible Power Supplies (1000 & 1400) for the PC/Monitors be acceptable if they fit within the desk space constraints? Being very solid and stable I'll use them for a base for a monitor.
They don't fit the description of a power board or network device, but better to ask now instead of getting bounced from the room on the day.
Sorry, but we can't have APC's plugged into the power, they can take a pretty wide range of amperage potentially putting everyone else on the circuit at risk. If you want to just bring them as a base, that's fine, but please don't plug it in.
For PAX Australia, a BYOC pass doubles as a 3-day pass (as opposed to the US based shows, where it's a badge in addition to the standard 3-day pass).
I just received my BYOC pass. It looks so bland compared to the normal 3 day pass (my flatmate got it). There's no map behind the BYOC ticket like the 3 day pass but just a barcode? I actually thought it was separate when I first got it.
Appreciate you responding in the thread! Cant wait to attend
Sorry, but we can't have APC's plugged into the power, they can take a pretty wide range of amperage potentially putting everyone else on the circuit at risk. If you want to just bring them as a base, that's fine, but please don't plug it in.
I had thought that the 6.5A absolute maximum current draw (circuit breaker on the 230V input) on the APC SmartUPS 1400 could be an issue but hoped the 4A circuit breaker on the APC SmartUPS 1000 would be allowed so I could run everything.
If the UPS idea is dead in the water will you allow a 'Y' power cord to run two LCD monitors off one power point?
Sorry, but we can't have APC's plugged into the power, they can take a pretty wide range of amperage potentially putting everyone else on the circuit at risk. If you want to just bring them as a base, that's fine, but please don't plug it in.
I had thought that the 6.5A absolute maximum current draw (circuit breaker on the 230V input) on the APC SmartUPS 1400 could be an issue but hoped the 4A circuit breaker on the APC SmartUPS 1000 would be allowed so I could run everything.
If the UPS idea is dead in the water will you allow a 'Y' power cord to run two LCD monitors off one power point?
I am going to guess no, as you are not allowed two monitors in a single BYOC space if memory serves.
Venue parking is rarely overnight-friendly. I would expect it would be the same in this case.
Turns out I was wrong here too! Ah the joys of learning the new show Overnight Parking is indeed ok, but no access to vehicles between midnight and 6:00AM.
It depends usually. Some PAX competitions have sponsored prizes from vendors (like hard drives, cases, other PC items), and some just give pax medals to winners. I have no details on what the prizes will be for those specific competitions, but I would go in expecting nothing other than fun, and be happily surprised if there's cool stuff
Venue parking is rarely overnight-friendly. I would expect it would be the same in this case.
The Royal Melbourne Show at this venue is a much different style of multi-day event and may allow overnight parking of vehicles at your own risk. For PAX Australia they will be locking the gates at night so once a vehicle is locked in you may not be able to access until the next day. Suggest you confirm the overnight parking of vehicles with the Royal Agricultual Society of Victoria. Guess it all depends on the event agreement.
Edit...
Could somebody on PAX Aus staff discuss this with the RASV Venue Manager, or I can forward an email sent by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Never thought having kept horses in a suburban backyard would be related to gaming, never can tell.
If the UPS idea is dead in the water will you allow a 'Y' power cord to run two LCD monitors off one power point?
I am going to guess no, as you are not allowed two monitors in a single BYOC space if memory serves.
An explicit one monitor limit is what I couldn't find or have missed in the FAQ.
Please update the FAQ to include an explicit one monitor limit. The current FAQ seems to allow multiple monitors (e.g. laptop with an external monitor) and appears to place an implied limit on monitors via the power points. These days you can buy a PC in a monitor enclosure so in theory you could have two monitors and still keep within the two power point limit. An alternative is to plug one LCD monitor into the PC power supply extension socket and use the second venue power supply lead to run a second LCD monitor. If you want to get creative, install two LCD monitors into the one enclosure and call it your monitor. Don't worry, I wasn't going to get creative with this, just trying to highlight the FAQ could be more explicit.
If the UPS idea is dead in the water will you allow a 'Y' power cord to run two LCD monitors off one power point?
I am going to guess no, as you are not allowed two monitors in a single BYOC space if memory serves.
An explicit one monitor limit is what I couldn't find or have missed in the FAQ.
Please update the FAQ to include an explicit one monitor limit. The current FAQ seems to allow multiple monitors (e.g. laptop with an external monitor) and appears to place an implied limit on monitors via the power points. These days you can buy a PC in a monitor enclosure so in theory you could have two monitors and still keep within the two power point limit. An alternative is to plug one LCD monitor into the PC power supply extension socket and use the second venue power supply lead to run a second LCD monitor. If you want to get creative, install two LCD monitors into the one enclosure and call it your monitor. Don't worry, I wasn't going to get creative with this, just trying to highlight the FAQ could be more explicit.
Updated.
Q: How many monitors can I bring with one BYOC Seat?
A: As stated above, you are provided two power outlets per BYOC Seat purchased and you can not bring power strips. In addition, you may only bring One External Monitor per seat. If you purchased multiple seats, you may bring an additional monitor for each seat. Remember, Only monitors UNDER 30 inches are allowed.
Q: Does my Laptop Count as "One Monitor"?
A: A laptop is typically powered using one power connection, and therefore counts as a workstation. If you desire to bring a larger external monitor for gaming, this is allowed. (e.g. you have a 15 inch laptop, but a 24 inch monitor) Keep in mind of the monitor size limitation as well.
Will there be a cloakroom or something at the BYOC?
Just I'm likely to bring a backpack with me to cart around the PAX show floor to aid me in carrying ill-gotten goods and refreshments, so it would be nice to have somewhere I could leave it before entering the BYOC area proper.
Also, will we be able to bring equipment into the BYOC after the check-in on Friday morning? My headset is currently being held together with tape, and my mouse's LMB is a bit dodgy, so I'm going to be on the lookout for some upgrades during PAX.
Just got me semi-informative official email from the BYOC specific people. Nothing really new in there other than:
-dedicated BYOC parking costs $10 a day
-their only securing large items (Computer/Monitor)
-running private Ventrilo servers on site
2 questions:
Does the first 200 free parking (in the general faq) apply to the BYOC parking as well? I'll be trying to get in on that despite the distance if not (need as much $ for swag as possible :P )
Is check-in still opening at 8AM? There was no mention of this in the e-mail last night.
Cheers and super excited.
Just so everyone knows, we're only officially opening the BYOC room at 10:00am on Friday morning, not 8:00am as says in this faq. Sorry about that! If we're able to open it early, but it will depend entirely on how setup goes.
Overnight parking is okay, but you won't have access to your car between midnight and 6:00am.
We will have prizes for tournament winners, typically in the form of branded PAX Aus medals, but we intentionally keep the high value prizes to a minimum to keep the tournaments fun for most players rather than the guys who see tournaments as a means to a profitable end.
We will have a cloakroom in the PC, and you are able to bring in equipment after Friday.
Will there be a separate queue room for entering PAX for BYOC attendees? And if so, can non-BYOC ticket holders get through there in the company of a BYOC holder (if for example they are sharing a car and parking in the BYOC carpark)?
There's no specific queue room for BYOC attendees, just a separate entrance. Non-BYOC ticket holders will be able to access the BYOC parking lot in carpool situations.
I believe you can just go straight to the BYOC car park, but I haven't heard information on when that opens specifically. Dave mentioned that BYOC setup will not be available until 10am, so I am guessing that you would just wait at the byoc car park in the morning *instead* of the queue room, but I truly do not know the answer to that. You should try tweeting that question at http://twitter.com/paxaus and I will forward the questions along to Dave and some of the rest of the PAX team.
Posts
Saying that it's a "reasonable chance" is an incredible exaggeration - follow the basic security suggestions above (windows update, basic AV, etc) and you'll be perfectly fine. Firewalls are a good idea, but make sure you allow all of your games through, otherwise you'll have a bad time.
In my nearly-a-decade of LANing, the only times I've heard of friends reinstalling their OS as a result of a LAN infection was during the conficker outbreak and when they were stupid (eg, running keygens and cracks they got off a random person).
PAX Aus 2013 || PC Area || Network and Servers manager
I assume handbags are allowed? That just reads like they may not be so figured I should check rather than find out I have to stash mine somewhere after I arrive >_< (to give you an idea of dimensions if it matters mine just fits my 13.3" ultrabook width and height wise and is probably about 4-5" deep fully packed)
Also a slightly more odd question, if I was to bring some wooden framework to prop my monitor up on the table to give space underneath it and optimise my desk space would that be ok or not allowed? (I'm assuming not allowed on this one but again figured I'd ask ^_^)
Handbags (along with purses/backpacks/totes) are allowed in BYOC. Our objective is to prevent BYOC from being a restaurant, rather than to inconvenience anyone.
They don't fit the description of a power board or network device, but better to ask now instead of getting bounced from the room on the day.
No where on the actual badge does it say its a 3 day badge.
I just want confirmation that the badge is a 3 day and byoc combined on ONE badge. (unlike usa PAX where it is seperate)
For PAX Australia, a BYOC pass doubles as a 3-day pass (as opposed to the US based shows, where it's a badge in addition to the standard 3-day pass).
I just received my BYOC pass. It looks so bland compared to the normal 3 day pass (my flatmate got it). There's no map behind the BYOC ticket like the 3 day pass but just a barcode? I actually thought it was separate when I first got it.
Appreciate you responding in the thread! Cant wait to attend
If the UPS idea is dead in the water will you allow a 'Y' power cord to run two LCD monitors off one power point?
Edit...
Could somebody on PAX Aus staff discuss this with the RASV Venue Manager, or I can forward an email sent by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Never thought having kept horses in a suburban backyard would be related to gaming, never can tell.
An explicit one monitor limit is what I couldn't find or have missed in the FAQ.
Please update the FAQ to include an explicit one monitor limit. The current FAQ seems to allow multiple monitors (e.g. laptop with an external monitor) and appears to place an implied limit on monitors via the power points. These days you can buy a PC in a monitor enclosure so in theory you could have two monitors and still keep within the two power point limit. An alternative is to plug one LCD monitor into the PC power supply extension socket and use the second venue power supply lead to run a second LCD monitor. If you want to get creative, install two LCD monitors into the one enclosure and call it your monitor. Don't worry, I wasn't going to get creative with this, just trying to highlight the FAQ could be more explicit.
Updated.
Q: How many monitors can I bring with one BYOC Seat?
A: As stated above, you are provided two power outlets per BYOC Seat purchased and you can not bring power strips. In addition, you may only bring One External Monitor per seat. If you purchased multiple seats, you may bring an additional monitor for each seat. Remember, Only monitors UNDER 30 inches are allowed.
Q: Does my Laptop Count as "One Monitor"?
A: A laptop is typically powered using one power connection, and therefore counts as a workstation. If you desire to bring a larger external monitor for gaming, this is allowed. (e.g. you have a 15 inch laptop, but a 24 inch monitor) Keep in mind of the monitor size limitation as well.
Vapok
Just I'm likely to bring a backpack with me to cart around the PAX show floor to aid me in carrying ill-gotten goods and refreshments, so it would be nice to have somewhere I could leave it before entering the BYOC area proper.
Also, will we be able to bring equipment into the BYOC after the check-in on Friday morning? My headset is currently being held together with tape, and my mouse's LMB is a bit dodgy, so I'm going to be on the lookout for some upgrades during PAX.
Second question, usually yes. Just stop by the security desk.
-dedicated BYOC parking costs $10 a day
-their only securing large items (Computer/Monitor)
-running private Ventrilo servers on site
Does the first 200 free parking (in the general faq) apply to the BYOC parking as well? I'll be trying to get in on that despite the distance if not (need as much $ for swag as possible :P )
Is check-in still opening at 8AM? There was no mention of this in the e-mail last night.
Cheers and super excited.
Overnight parking is okay, but you won't have access to your car between midnight and 6:00am.
We will have prizes for tournament winners, typically in the form of branded PAX Aus medals, but we intentionally keep the high value prizes to a minimum to keep the tournaments fun for most players rather than the guys who see tournaments as a means to a profitable end.
We will have a cloakroom in the PC, and you are able to bring in equipment after Friday.
Will BYOC car park be open from 8am?