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| 25 new of 259 responses total. |
kentn
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response 50 of 259:
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Jan 2 06:48 UTC 1995 |
The advantage of having the con in or very near Ann Arbor is that
attendees could visit the Grex machine room and actually see the box
they are logging in on (hopefully, we'll be in the Dungeon by then,
ahem). I think STeve's idea of having a sf kind of con, maybe a
relaxicon? is about right. That doesn't mean we couldn't do a couple
short sessions on topics of interest, but that the main focus would be
on socializing and getting to know a bit more about the organization,
system, and people of Grex. A picnic pretty much fits that idea. We
seem to be awfully short on organizational skills here at Grex (or at
least we don't seem to like to use them much), so a relaxed, semi-ad hoc
sort of get-together seems to fit the Grex persona better.
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scg
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response 51 of 259:
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Jan 2 08:30 UTC 1995 |
I'd love to see this happen, although I agree that it would
probably end up being a fairly small gathering compared to what a lot of
people seem to be talking about here. Perhaps I'm being Ann Arbor centric
because I live here, but we should keep in mind that Grex *is* an Ann
Arbor system. I have no doubt that Gaylord is a nice place, but so is Ann
Arbor, and Ann Arbor is where Grex is. Does Gaylord offer the chance to
see all these locations that are frequently discussed on Grex? Does
Gaylord offer the chance to see the Grex machine? Does Gaylord have as
many Grexers? No, it doesn't.
Cost is definately a concern, but it's not the cost of the
facilities that we should be worried about. All we'd need is a shelter in
an Ann Arbor park, which don't cost very much to rent for an afternoon.
the big cost is bringing people here. Those in Michingan and other nearby
places could drive here pretty easily. If we had it in Ann Arbor, we
probably have enough Grexers who live here that there would be room for
out of town people to sleep in other Grexers' houses. The proble is
transportation for people who live too far away for it to be an easy
drive. Airfare is expensive.
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steve
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response 52 of 259:
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Jan 2 08:37 UTC 1995 |
(To be fair, if it was in Ann Arbor we'd still not be able to
have people see the hardware. Since the Dungeon is in a residential
house, I don't think the idea of people traipsing in and out would
go over very well. But all your other points are well taken, Steve).
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tsty
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response 53 of 259:
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Jan 2 13:47 UTC 1995 |
(through the back door and into a section of the basement? )
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wolfmage
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response 54 of 259:
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Jan 2 18:29 UTC 1995 |
Please. . . one last time. . . read carefully . . .GET OFF THE GAYLORD vs.
ANN ARBOR TOPIC. Thank you. We've established a long time ago that most
GREXERS don't want to travel. So be it.
The original conception, at least on my part, was for a more informal
gathering. However, being who and what I am, had to throw out as many
varied options as possible.
#51 What do you consider an 'easy drive?'
#50 I don't believe your point about GREX not having oganizational skills.
How much administration is needed to keep GREX up and running? How do
you know everyone's background and abilities. If you're basing that on
your personal observations, please clarify that. Some people here make
a good living organizing and directing major events.
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chi1taxi
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response 55 of 259:
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Jan 2 19:14 UTC 1995 |
Now that we've settled on Ann Arbor, I think the big decision is outdoors/
indoors. Outdoors would be free, but no electricity. We could have how-to
sessions w/o electricity. But bad weather could ruin a date. Indoors, we
should start now pricing meeting rooms. We don't want to sap the Grex
treasury for this, and certainly not charge admission. Indoor w. electric
would allow us to have some terminals for instruction purposes.
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chi1taxi
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response 56 of 259:
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Jan 2 22:10 UTC 1995 |
Another thing, if we are going to have this indoors, how much space do we
need? Would churches or fraternal organizations be willing to rent to us
cheap. A convention at an Elks hall w. beer handy might be quite nice.
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steve
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response 57 of 259:
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Jan 2 22:46 UTC 1995 |
I didn't know we'd settled on Ann Arbor. I didn't know anything
was settled!
Before we decide on what type of accomodations we want, I think we
need to see how many people there are that could probably make it
to the 'best' couple of places. Then we can figure out what we need.
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otterwmn
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response 58 of 259:
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Jan 3 00:03 UTC 1995 |
ref #56: NOTHING has been decided!! This is just a way to gauge interest and
toss around some ideas.
Again, I ask you, "is there a more central location that offers
camping?
Due to many factors, mostly allergies, I find it nearly impossible to crash at
someone's house. We camp at most of the cons we attend, and would want to do so
in this instance.
We need a tally here. Please either post an answer here or e-mail me.
Would you attend no matter where? Would you attend w/in X miles of your home?
Would you attend only if it's in Ann Arbor?
Also, let's get your thoughts on whether this should be a one or two
day event, and also on the idea of running seminar type classes.
So far, no one is really in charge of this thing, but a couple of us
with experience in organizing conventions are willing to work very hard to
make this happen for Grex. I suggest that we address the issues above, ie:
location,ration, date, agenda, then get the most popular ideas and put it to
a vote.
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robh
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response 59 of 259:
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Jan 3 01:01 UTC 1995 |
You can put me down for only in Ann Arbor, and only close to
home, which is much the same for me. >8)
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dairyman
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response 60 of 259:
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Jan 3 01:23 UTC 1995 |
I would probably only be able to go if it was held near Ga
(the area)is a central location because of the u.p. and I know there are
yoopers who would like to attend. Again if it is in the area I wo
than happy to help organize it. So put me down for within otsego county
(there are probably more GREXers in Otsego County than you might think I know I
was sure surprised. by the way, I would be willing to bet that monarch,
possibly dugger if it was held in otsego county, PLUS I know of many people up
here who would like more info on GREX. And this would make great exposure
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peacefrg
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response 61 of 259:
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Jan 3 03:03 UTC 1995 |
I agree with Wolfmage, Otterwmn, and Andrew. This is turning out to be a flame
entry, so I'm staying out of it until I need to jump in. But, I agree,
we should have it in Gaylord.
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phenix
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response 62 of 259:
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Jan 3 03:16 UTC 1995 |
too bad we can not use parlementary procedure here.
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treelawn
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response 63 of 259:
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Jan 3 03:43 UTC 1995 |
this rocks...Call me small and silly, but this is cool
is there a way to reconfigure VOTE to establish things?
cool, i'll do it if it's in ann arbor (being 14)
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kentn
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response 64 of 259:
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Jan 3 04:12 UTC 1995 |
I'd prefer Ann Arbor, also. Of course, nothing is keeping people from
other areas from having their own Grex-con (as there seem to be Grex
weekly walks springing up in other areas of the country ;) so don't take
our Ann Arbor-centricity as a flame against other places.
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wolfmage
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response 65 of 259:
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Jan 3 04:58 UTC 1995 |
I throw out a simple idea and it turns into a flame match.
This item (if you'll read the header) was to get ideas for a convention. No-
where does it put anyone in charge, determine a location, set a format, or
anything else! I offered early on to help organize this event, but if this
is the environment I'll have to work under, I am rapidly losing interest.
I can not begin to address all the entries here that work contrary to the
stated goals in the header, so I won't even begin.
Diplomacy fails with some people who have fixed ideas and are not willing to
part with their own skewed logic. This item has been twisted around so much
it's pathetic.
THIS WHOLE THING IS DEAD UNLESS:
#1 Someone is appointed to MAKE THE DECISIONS and be willing to accept
responsibility and delegate where needed.
#2 The ego entries stop. If the 'us vs. them' mentality doesn't stop there
is no way an organized event will ever happen.
#3 I hate to generalize because there are some really good and thoughtful
entries here. But there's a lot of defensive language and posturing
in some of these entries. This isn't accomplishing anything.
#4 If someone is put in charge, then everyone else get behind them and stop
trying to sway the decisions, and opinion.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO JUST GET BEHIND AN IDEA AND WORK TOGETHER?
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steve
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response 66 of 259:
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Jan 3 05:23 UTC 1995 |
Sure. It will take some ASCII flames perhaps, but it can work out.
I prefer to have it anywhere in Michigan. The best location, as far
as I can see it, is most likely a function of how many people can
realistically attend depending on location, and the (affordable)
facilities of that location. Does anyone know of some "survey" software
we can feed questions into, such that people could run it and we might
get a picture of preferences. That would be a lot better than having
to use a person to gather such data.
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kentn
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response 67 of 259:
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Jan 3 06:41 UTC 1995 |
Yeah, it's called the "vote" program...
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sun
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response 68 of 259:
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Jan 3 07:12 UTC 1995 |
Well, I have thought about this before, and after me meeting about
40+ grexers on my own, and most of them coming to see me, I have to say
that this is a great idea.
I also agree with stopping the "us v. them" thing. I know a lot of you
up there. But then again, I know a lot of people down here too. Due
to my financial constraints, I cannot go anywhere other than A2, because
I know the cost, and there ARE places for grexers to stay here from out of
town. There are some grexers who have offered their houses to people
(like me) before for a stay.
And actually, the spring is the PERFECT time for this, because our lovely
friends from mcKendree college were hoping for a get together to come to
meet the grexers, and 5 were planning on coming to see me during the Spring
anyway!!!
I am open for whatever people need me to do. I can organize, plan, run
things, and etc.
My vote? Elect a committee. Not just one person. Depending on the
committee's interaction with the rest of the system, we could have
a great time here.
--Sunny
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wolfmage
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response 69 of 259:
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Jan 3 11:28 UTC 1995 |
Thank you Steve and Sun for getting this back on track. Maybe future readers
will follow the example.
What do we need to do to get the mechanism in place to select a committee?
Open nominations? Volunteers? Vote software? Maybe I should open a second
item for selecting the committee? Whatever will be the fastest, most fair
method is what I'm in favor of.
I like the idea of a committee. Under strong leadership a committee can be
very effective.
The committee would set the location, and other specifics. (Is it REALLY
6:20am? I never sleep :/ )
Now that things appear to be back on track let's figure out how to select
our committee and start planning.
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kt8k
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response 70 of 259:
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Jan 3 16:39 UTC 1995 |
I vote for AA, but then, I live there (at the moment anyway.)
I agree that many grexers are stay-at-homes, but a few terminals could be
set up for grex access and a continuous party channel or two could be going
so those at home could attend in at least cyber-form.
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raven
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response 71 of 259:
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Jan 3 18:03 UTC 1995 |
Ann Arbor is a must for me as well due to cost limitations. I
don't see it as an us vs them kind of thing but rather many people here
can't afford the time/money to go elsewhere for a Grex con.
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pegasus
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response 72 of 259:
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Jan 3 18:19 UTC 1995 |
What is this CON going to be/have?
Pattie
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tsty
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response 73 of 259:
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Jan 3 18:45 UTC 1995 |
during "spring break" (hope breaks would coincide) would be the
easiest for distance travelers, but that's not a mandate.
Traveling with more than one pern per car would lower expenses
for all concerned.
If it's a camping trip / camp site arangement, some reservations
might be needed. Following on that, some group-foods (meal planning)
would help. Firewood, stoves, need to be arranged.
Allergies, preferences, and choices affect group food also.
Advance perns and stay-after perns need to be discussed.
Some sort of $$ pool (for common expenses) needs to be set up.
This can be arranged for before, during or after the event.
There are some babysitting concerns, either locally or at the site.
Some people simply will not be able to come even if it's in
their own backyard.
Consideration needs to be made for weather, emergencies, etc.
Entertainment / music / activities / sight seeing / tourist traps
are all valuable things for finger fodder.
Since we are so far flung, we could name this Grexstock and hope
for three days of peace and understanding - but don't take any of
the brown acid.
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wolfmage
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response 74 of 259:
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Jan 3 22:26 UTC 1995 |
#72 Maybe some classes or workshops. Maybe a GREX talent show? What are your
suggestions?
#73 Good ideas. (Some I hadn't thought of). That's what we need the committe
fofor. We'll get things rolling here pretty soon.
Hmmmmm. Grexstock? <g>
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