Cyber Legends part 2 (2023)

[PhilC]

Ok so we could go to the RCM as suggested by @exxos and @alexh but then you’d not be able to show off your own creations.

So as well as locations we could talk about content? For instance, as handsome as @Icky is I’m sure we would get bored of the H5 thing over and over. So maybe things like a soldering or fault finding workshop? @Steve visited me a while back and we looked at how to diagnose the faults on a couple of short ST boards.

So the questions are now, where do you want it? When and what sort of content?

[exxos]

Ok so we could go to the RCM as suggested by @exxos and @alexh but then you’d not be able to show off your own creations.

Indeed. This is why it becomes pointless doing a talk on the H5 again. So gets back to "nothing new" to show off.

So as well as locations we could talk about content? For instance, as handsome as @Icky is I’m sure we would get bored of the H5 thing over and over. So maybe things like a soldering or fault finding workshop? @Steve visited me a while back and we looked at how to diagnose the faults on a couple of short ST boards.

From what I remember, of the overseas events at least, people were taken Falcons along for someone to replace the RTC chips etc. But then it makes a lot of gear and a hard day for whoever takes on that role. Similarly that talks on how to fault diagnose is probably little bit lost as we generally know what we are doing on here anyway. Fault finding is not so easy to explain either.

So the questions are now, where do you want it? When and what sort of content?

It goes back to the point I made earlier. If the same people went ( regardless of location) would it would end up being a repeat event where everyone has shown off everything already anyway. It becomes "nothing new" and "more of the same". If you strip that out and it only comes down to a "meet up" which to keep the retro theme would be back to the RCM again.

On one hand it is great that @Icky explained the H5 platform, but that being a presentation , its now done and dusted, there is nothing else to really replace it with anything. Events to show off retro gear but only possibly work if the general public got involved and the location changed each year to attract new blood. I don't know how many "outsiders" went to the event ? But showing off retro gear is why places like the RCM exist. But likely does not really appeal to people on this forum anyway.

When I went to the Tesla coil events it was good for a couple of trips but I just got sick of travelling. There was a couple more local ones which I went to. Generally the same people went. But there was generally a " main attraction" of the largest coil running. I was there when they set the UK record for longest sparks. They basically poured more power from other coils into the thing. In part it was made up on the day by what people brought in etc. Then once that main attraction has gone..

It is certainly not easy organising the events. Myself and @Icky & @mrbombermillzy Exchanged likely few hundred emails over the weeks leading up to it. It was rather a effort I think on everyone's part, and I did not even go :lol: Certainly not something I really want to repeat again in a hurry.

[mrbombermillzy]

I would probably start the next one by asking attendees what would they would like to see/have happen at the event.

At least then, you are following up on your customers feedback and giving them what they are asking for.

Maybe also think about hiring a big function room in a nice hotel, so there is a bar/food/accommodation.
Perhaps spreading over 2 days would be an idea too?

Extra Ideas I had for the original event were:

* Coding workshops
* Games playing/tournaments
* MIDI synth tryout

However, things went very differently to what I was expecting. (For what I was trying to pull off, I could have done with 2 extra technically minded assistants and an extra 6 hrs setup time).

I think generally, all things considered, it went well and people seemed to enjoy it, despite missing lots of things that I wanted to do. But if there was another one, it would have to really be a step up and provide something extra/new.

[jwd]

From a pure spectators point of view it was great, loved to see what people had been upto with their Atari's and seeing it all in the flesh rather than virtually, so for me more of exactly the same whether it is working or just static display.

Maybe ask some a number of retro vendors if they would like to participate as I spent a few hundred quid on @mrbombermillzy stuff (and afterwards with @PhilC ) so there could definitely be a shopping type experience as i'm sure many people would rather part with their cash if they see something in person rather ebay or on-line shop. If @exxos had his stock there it would be servery depleted by now.

Loved to see the oddities too @Robson stuff was superb and @Steve orange screen wyse terminal took me back to my first IT job!

I suppose the only variable as its no doubt draining/stressful to organise is to make it a bi-Annual event thereby limiting the fatigue factor with organisation/spectator and the 'new stuff' question.

but whatever is decided I will definitely be attending the next event just need to remember to bring more cash with me!

[mikro]

Just to add my two cents (and congratulate you all for organising such a successful event). As a person who regularly visits not only demo parties but also "user meetings" around Europe, I think I can tell you what works. :)

In the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany this kind of events is quite popular. I.e. not competitions, basically no agenda whatsoever. There are always 2-3 talks about basically anything the person can come up with and it is loosely related to our hobbies - new hardware addon (doesn't have to be his, just something he'd built and likes), good experience with some application (can be anything, really - from doing cool stuff in an emulator to routing Atari hardware in some popular CAD), presenting some clever techniques in a Atari game, ... sky's the limit. Even on events with 20 - 30 visitors there's always someone being able to present / talk about something interesting, especially if the event is focused on all Atari machines, not just ST.

What definitely works is the ability to bring your own hardware. Without it... it's really awkward and personally I'd never go to such event. As soon as people bring their own stuff, you can talk about the person's latest addons, troubles, people can ask around for help, ... There's literally no event when someone wouldn't grab me whether I can't take a look at his computer and/or setup problem. On latest Atariada in the Czech Republic I helped this guy: https://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.p ... 89#p435389 for instance. Compiled some stuff for him, helped with debugging why it doesn't work... situations like that are very common. Without my gear we'd be just talking about hardship of setting things up and that would be end of it.

So don't worry about presentation themes so much and make sure that you have room for people bringing their stuff. :)

[Badwolf]

In the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany this kind of events is quite popular. I.e. not competitions, basically no agenda whatsoever. There are always 2-3 talks about basically anything the person can come up with and it is loosely related to our hobbies
...
What definitely works is the ability to bring your own hardware.
...
So don't worry about presentation themes so much and make sure that you have room for people bringing their stuff. :)

I concur with this.

The RISCOS boys normally do their annual meeting just up the road from me. I've popped along a couple of times and it's a heady mix of commercial sellers, presentations and enthusiast demonstrations.

Theirs is a multi-room format, which I'm not sure I'm completely down with, but it means if you aren't interested in a particular talk, you don't have to eavesdrop. I think on balance, I prefer the big room approach, though.

But it does work just like Mikro says.

BW

[PhilC]

Just thought I’d bump this and see what the current consensus is to having a second meet up some time this year.

[Steve]

I'd be keen! Really enjoy meetups. Somewhere in the Midlands would be good.

[PhilC]

I'd be keen! Really enjoy meetups. Somewhere in the Midlands would be good.

I’ve got a couple of possibilities in Northampton, so just testing the water once more now a few months have passed since the last one.

[JezC]

I'd be more likely to be able to attend if it's around the Midlands or more northerly.
Definitely interested!