BLE October Update

[DiscoDave]

As many of you know, due to last month's lan's Internet Issues, this LAN is rejecting the built in Internet access from the Hotel that gave us so many problems last month, and we'll be teaming up with Clearwire to provide Internet Access at our event.

And this isn't just any Internet Access...Clearwire will be providing essentially a T1 download...a full 1.5Mb/s. To give this number some context, this is the same download speed that was offered by PAX, which supported around 150 people.

Now, of course, it's not generally the download speeds that matter most with gaming...latency is the key, and I've just gotten off the phone with a Clearwire representative who has assured me that the latency is just as good, if not better, than any competing wired connection.

But wait, there's more!

Because it's widely known that I'm a complete failure of an admin (see last month's Internet access), it seems obvious that the best way for things to work is for me to have other people who have a grain of competence do the work while I take credit for it. That's why we'll have Clearwire representatives on hand for the event to set up the Internet access.

Now, don't let me give you the wrong impression...it sounds as though the connection is easy enough to setup that a retarded monkey would have iq points to spare. But, of couse, I'm no retarded monkey. *sigh*

Furthermore, we're going to be testing the Internet Access out tomorrow evening to make sure everything works as it should.

I know last month didn't go so well due to the Internet blackout. And I know this is a free lan, and conventional thinking implies that anything free must not be as good as something you pay for. And, of course, even at the normal price, BLE is pretty cheap as far as LAN parties go.

But I've worked harder on this lan than I have any other lan I've been involved with (other than PAX, but that's...PAX). Between the new gigabit switches, a refitted power distribution network, help from Clearwire, and all the new games released lately, I honestly believe this lan has the potential to be one of BLE's best.

All the same, while new equipment is great, these kinds of changes tend to be accompanied by minor problems. Hopefully we won't have any such issues, but if we do, rest assured I'll do anything within my power to get them resolved as quickly as possible.

I'll reply to this post on Friday evening following my impressions of the Internet access along with any other last minute details.

As a quick reminder, if you're not going to show up by 3:00pm please notify me, as I'll otherwise give your seat away to anyone that happens to want it on a first come first serve basis.

Feel free to give me a call at (360) 202-6846 anytime during the event to check on whether or not there's room for you, but if you're not on the list I'm not going to let you in until 3:00pm.

As for everyone else, seeya at the hotel at 11:00am on Saturday!

[Silvercorona]

Dave you're the man, thanks for all your hard work on this LAN I'm sure it will turn out great!

Even though the last LANs internet problems sucked we know it wasn't ALL your fault ;)

and now we have Clearwire internet monkeys to mess with between games, sounds fun.

[infinitydxn]

yeah dave!!! gj..

testing it on friday gives you many +++++ to your iq

[Disco Dave]

:tup:

[UB_Bomber]

Dave. Will you have my man babies?

[DiscoDave]

Well, I've never really thought about getting pregnant...but in your case, SURE!

[UB_Bomber]

YEAY!!!!

[Shadow]

Dave, you are awesome!

[UB_Bomber]

Hey shadow it might get a little cold in my truck bed. Can we use your ford escort?

[jinx666]

As many of you know, due to last month's lan's Internet Issues, this LAN is rejecting the built in Internet access from the Hotel that gave us so many problems last month, and we'll be teaming up with Clearwire to provide Internet Access at our event.

And this isn't just any Internet Access...Clearwire will be providing essentially a T1 download...a full 1.5Mb/s. To give this number some context, this is the same download speed that was offered by PAX, which supported around 150 people.

Now, of course, it's not generally the download speeds that matter most with gaming...latency is the key, and I've just gotten off the phone with a Clearwire representative who has assured me that the latency is just as good, if not better, than any competing wired connection.

But wait, there's more!

Because it's widely known that I'm a complete failure of an admin (see last month's Internet access), it seems obvious that the best way for things to work is for me to have other people who have a grain of competence do the work while I take credit for it. That's why we'll have Clearwire representatives on hand for the event to set up the Internet access.

Now, don't let me give you the wrong impression...it sounds as though the connection is easy enough to setup that a retarded monkey would have iq points to spare. But, of couse, I'm no retarded monkey. *sigh*

Furthermore, we're going to be testing the Internet Access out tomorrow evening to make sure everything works as it should.

I know last month didn't go so well due to the Internet blackout. And I know this is a free lan, and conventional thinking implies that anything free must not be as good as something you pay for. And, of course, even at the normal price, BLE is pretty cheap as far as LAN parties go.

But I've worked harder on this lan than I have any other lan I've been involved with (other than PAX, but that's...PAX). Between the new gigabit switches, a refitted power distribution network, help from Clearwire, and all the new games released lately, I honestly believe this lan has the potential to be one of BLE's best.

All the same, while new equipment is great, these kinds of changes tend to be accompanied by minor problems. Hopefully we won't have any such issues, but if we do, rest assured I'll do anything within my power to get them resolved as quickly as possible.

I'll reply to this post on Friday evening following my impressions of the Internet access along with any other last minute details.

As a quick reminder, if you're not going to show up by 3:00pm please notify me, as I'll otherwise give your seat away to anyone that happens to want it on a first come first serve basis.

Feel free to give me a call at (360) 202-6846 anytime during the event to check on whether or not there's room for you, but if you're not on the list I'm not going to let you in until 3:00pm.

As for everyone else, seeya at the hotel at 11:00am on Saturday!
Did or did I not mention using a wireless broadband service at the last lan?

Yes I did.

I am the revolutionary!


That being said, are they now a ble sponsor?

[Shadow]

Hey shadow it might get a little cold in my truck bed. Can we use your ford escort?
If you buy it for it's Book Value, no problem. ;)

[UB_Bomber]

ok. 5 bucks

[Warder]

Sounds like you have a good plan Dave!! Looking forward to it. Also, I plan on partaking my lunch at the Olive Garden via unlimited SS&BS. Anyone else?

[jinx666]

Sounds like you have a good plan Dave!! Looking forward to it. Also, I plan on partaking my lunch at the Olive Garden via unlimited SS&BS. Anyone else?


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! it's rigged!

[Warder]

That a yes? lol

[Pimpy]

Salad bar mmmmm. Breadstick wars anyone?

[DiscoDave]

That being said, are they now a ble sponsor?
Pending my own personal evaluation, they will be, Mr. Revolutionary. ;)

[QuietStorm]

Of course, the next LAN will cost us thirty dollars and Daikatana will be the only game available. (Shhh.)

[QuietStorm]

Sounds like you have a good plan Dave!! Looking forward to it. Also, I plan on partaking my lunch at the Olive Garden via unlimited SS&BS. Anyone else?
If you'll have me. <3

[Kashll]

Olive Garden = Likwid Hawt Buttsechs

[Silvercorona]

Sounds like you have a good plan Dave!! Looking forward to it. Also, I plan on partaking my lunch at the Olive Garden via unlimited SS&BS. Anyone else?
I'm always up for it, count me in

[Excessive]

Is this gong to be in the same conference room? If not, is someone going to post directions to the right one? Or at least put up a sign?

[DiscoDave]

Just got back from the Hotel (after making a pit stop to pickup Civ4...mmmm, it smells so good).

Basically, it works, and it works very well. We're getting a full 1.5mbs download from inside the office, ping times were very respectable (80ish from inside UT2k4, which is just as good as my DSL line in Mt. Vernon), I didn't see any sort of packet loss or any ping spikes during my testing...no signs of any potential problems.

The Clearwire guys are really excited to be working with us, and I'm really excited to be working with them, so this could turn out to be a great long term relationship for both parties.

Again, they're going to be there to prevent me from screwing anything up (all that needs to be done is plug in the power, plug in the network, and you're up, but remember...this is me we're talking about). I know there's a few of you that can't get any sort of broadband where you live, you should definitely talk to these guys...they've only been in Bellingham for a few months, but they've already got a ton of towers up in the Bellingham area.

Even if you've got broadband with another host, it might be worth talking to them. Make no mistake about it...wireless is the future.

They're also going to be bringing in some spare modems and are willing to let people try a direct line on your own...so bypass the local network, and plug right into a 1.5Mbs line that's all to yourself if you wanna do some Internet gaming, or download some stuffs...all you've got to do is ask. :rup:

They really want your feedback on this stuff. They want to know how their product fits for gamers...I think they'll be handing out comment cards, and those of you who are more technically inclined are welcome to make any sort of suggestions as to what kinds of improvements could be made in their modems. They actually want you to burn this modem up. When they pack it up after our event, they want us to leave the modem smoldering...so aside from dropkicking it, or something, definitely feel free to put the modem through the paces.

For myself, as you know, I was reluctant to go with a wireless Internet solution. Just ask Ender, I'm the Ultimate Skeptic. But I honestly walked away impressed...I didn't think wireless could offer the performance I saw tonight.

Okay, sorry for rambling, but I'm super-excited for tomorrow. :woot:

Seeya'll there! =D

[DiscoDave]

Is this gong to be in the same conference room? If not, is someone going to post directions to the right one? Or at least put up a sign?
It is going to be in the same room. I'll try to make sure there's better signage up to direct people.

[PyroInsane]

sweeetness =D

[Shadow]

Sweet, I can D/l several copies of my favorite Donkey Pr0n!

[phoenix_vii]

They actually want you to burn this modem up. When they pack it up after our event, they want us to leave the modem smoldering...so aside from dropkicking it, or something, definitely feel free to put the modem through the paces.


adding white gas to "Bring to LAN list"..........fire good........

[hockeysnipermlg]

Sweet, I can D/l several copies of my favorite Donkey Pr0n!

... you mean the ones sky made?

[QuietStorm]

It is going to be in the same room. I'll try to make sure there's better signage up to direct people.
By that you mean there will actually BE signs?