Preview
Kiosk
-----
The kiosk will be open
around the clock,
serving the usual
amount of refreshments
and snacks.
A/V Platform
-----------
This platform holds the
Audio/Visual equipment.
The main Barco 1500
lumen video projector
and the 4000++ watt
sound system.
Information Desk
----------------
The Information Desk
will be operated 24hrs
a day by a person that
can answer your
questions and help you
in any way possible.
Video Room
----------
A 200 square meter
video cinema that will
show the latest and the
classics from the video
market on a large video
projector, Laser video
and a six-speaker
surround sound system.
Sauna
-----
What is better than
unwinding in a steaming
sauna after a busy day
of computing.
Main Entrance
-------------
This is the only way in
and out of the complex.
Arcade Area
-----------
Try your luck against
the latest and the
hottest arcades on
the market. Have a
go with the extremly
popular AirHockey.
Market Place
------------
Check out some of
the best hardware
and software
bargains available.
Representatives
from many retailers
will be available
Stairs
------
These stairs will take
you up to the first
floor
To Parking
----------
Parking is not allowed
in front of the building
but only 50 meters
away you will find a
huge parking-lot.
Move even more left to
leave the hall, or
press ESC.
Cafeteria
---------
The Cafeteria serves
everything from the
best pizza in Norway to
hotdogs and baguettes.
Everything at a
resonable price.
The annual event, The Gathering, is a four day high-power symposium for the
computer people.
The Gathering 1993 is the sequal to last years very successful Gathering 1992.
In contrast to major computer conferences like Comdex and so on, which
basically offer nothing but a collection of the largest computer manufacturers
bragging about their latest products, The Gathering is a conference for the
user.
For four days the eyes of the computerized parts of the galaxy will be focused
on The Gathering 1993.
For four days the best of the best of the computer scenes will do battle with
their minds and their machines.
For four days you will witness what will probably be the blueprints for future
computer symposiums.
If you think spending four days of easter together with your equals from all
over the World isn't what easter is all about, we hear they're re-running Sound
of Music at most European cinemas.
To be allowed to enter The Gathering 1993, you must pay the entrance fee. This
of course does not apply to girls and non-european citizens.
A special registration form, which is printed on the back of this invitiation
is used to register the attendants. This form will of course be available when
you arrive at the party too. You do not need to fill it out before you arrive,
but things might go a bit faster through the gates if you do.
After filling out this registration form and paying the entrance fee, you will
be given a special entrance badge that is to be worn at all times around the
wrist of your right hand.
You will not be allowed inside without this badge. On the badge a number is
printed which tells our computer systems who you are. This number must be used
when it is time to vote for the main competitions.
This information is the Official Invitation to The Gathering 1993. Here you
will find every detail of information you need to know, and hopefully answer
whatever questions you may have about the event.
{2Skedsmohallen{1
Skedsmohallen is one of Norway's largest sports hall. The building is made up
of an older part and a new part. The older part is aprox. 4000 square meters.
This will be used as a sleeping area. The new part mainly consists of the Main
Hall and other administrative offices. Skedsmohallen is located just outside a
town called Lillestrøm, about 20 Km north of Oslo. Norway have CET (Central
European Time) which is +1 hour GMT. The usual day time temperature in the
beginning of April is +10 degrees Celsius.
{2The Main Hall{1
The Main Hall is a 3600 square meter sports hall that will easily fit seats and
tables for over 2000 people. The hall has previously been used for huge events
like The Gathering 1992, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and so on.
{2Tables and Seats{1
The whole Main Hall will be filled with tables and seats. The tables will be
set up in 12 coloumns and 4 rows of about 15 meters. If you need extra tables
and seats, we have a large quantity stacked away. A map of the tables in the
Main Hall with the different group names, will be present at The Gathering so
you will be able to find eachother.
{2Reservations{1
If many of you, perhaps from the same group, are arriving together, you may
reserve a part of the Main Hall. All you have to do is call Crusaders WHQ BBS
or Dr. Outtasight and tell us how many seats you need.
{2Electricity{1
2000 computers pull quite a great deal of power, and the main hall has a very
capable electric circutry. All rows of tables will have separate fuse boxes
that will be locked. Across each row, a cable with a double outlet
for every fifth meter.
{2Audio/Visual Equipment{1
The audio/visual equipment is one of the most important parts of an arrangement
like this. Therefore we have relied on external sources for this particular
thing. The main video projector, a 1500 lumen Barco, will be installed and
adjusted by professionals. The video projector will be set up with a screen
that should be viewable from distances up to 200m. The audio equipment will
also be installed by professionals. The 4000++ watt 6 speaker system should be
more than adequate. We have selected a 6 speaker system so that a good sound
quality is available throughout the hall.
{2Internal Infochannel TV{1
In order for us to spread information more rapidly, we will in addition to
using the video projector to give you loads of information, use an Internal
Infochannel TV transmitter. The transmissions will be receiveable on any TV
set or VCR and will be available 24hrs a day throughout the
building. The picture shown on the video projector will at all times be
transmitted on the Infochannel.
{2Information Desk{1
It is quite clear that no matter how much information we release, it is
impossible to predict everything. We think it is important that there is a
person available at all times that can help you in different ways with problems
related to the party. This person will be available at the Information Desk.
The person sitting at the Information Desk will have constant radio contact
with the arrangers, the guards, the electricians and so on. If you have any
questions what so ever or need help with anything, just contact the Information
Desk.
{2Sleeping Area{1
The Sleeping Area consists of over 50 rooms equipped to make your stay very
comfortable. Most rooms have separate showers and toilets. Some even have
saunas. Most doors are lockable from the inside. These rooms are
within the same building as the Main Hall, though as far away from the Main
Hall that you will normally not be disturbed by the noise from the main hall.
{2Video Room{1
Probably the most popular leisure activity. This room features a CD Laser
Video Player, Video Projector with a 2 by 3 meter screen, a 6 speaker Surround
Sound System and a wide selection of the latest and classic movies.
{2Arcade{1
The arcade area will include arcade games like Street Fighter II Dash. Also,
we have managed to get our hands on a couple of the very popular Air Hockey
machines. This is probably the best arcade game you will ever try.
{2Kiosk & Cafeteria{1
The Cafeteria together with the Kiosk will offer the usual amount of
refreshments and snacks, from probably the best pizza in Norway
to baguettes, hot dogs and Coca Cola. Everything at a resonable price.
Though the Cafeteria have limited opening hours, the Kiosk will be open around
the clock and is located inside the Main Hall for your convenience.
{2Security{1
This is obviously a very important part of such a big event. This year we will
constantly have at least four guards, all radio linked to the Information Desk,
that will check that everything is going well. Should any unwanted people get
in, they will quickly be removed by either the arrangers or the local police.
However, no security scheme is 100% secure, so we basically depend on you to
report anything unusual.
If you have valuables that you can not guard yourself, you may hand it over to
the Information Desk. You will be given a receipt for the valuables, which
will be locked away. We suggest you hand over any equipment you have brought
that someone might steal.
{2Unwilling Parents{1
In Norway, in perticular, the media has managed to create a very bad picture of
the computer scene. Many parents are affraid of letting their young ones
attend conferences like The Gathering. If your parents do not want to let you
go, _please_ ask them if they can call me, Dr. Outtasight, and I will be happy
to explain what The Gathering really is. You will find my telephone number on
the last page of this invitation.
{2Competition information{1
Contestants for ANY of the main competitions must contact the
Information Desk BEFORE the deadline to receive a special envelope
and a special information sheet that is to be filled out before
entering the product. On this information sheet you fill out a
couple of fields regarding the product.
$ Products that have been entered in other competitions can NOT be
entered in any of the main competitions.
$ Media (diskettes) that contain the product will NOT be returned
$ Once a product is entered, the product may not be modified further
$ Deadlines will be held as far as possible, but we will of course
accept products a short while after since it seems to be impossible
for some to finish something at the right time :-)
'Best Amiga Demo' Competition Information
$ Demo *MUST* run without problems on Kickstart 1.3 and 2.0 machines
$ Demo *MUST* run without problems on machines with 512K, 1 and 2Mb
chipMEM
$ ALL entered demos will be shown in full length
$ One person from the group that is presenting the demo *MUST* be
available to control any interactive parts of the demo (Pressing
mouse, controlling features with joystick and so on)
'Best Amiga Intro' Competition Information
$ The size of the file(s) (executables, graphics, music etc) that make
$ up the intro, must not exceed 40Kb total.
$ In addition, all rules from the demo-competition applies to the
Intro-competition.
'Best Computer Graphician' Competition Information
$ All pictures will be judged in ONE category only
$ Pictures from ANY machine can be entered, but for the competition,
pictures not displayable on an ECS Amiga ranging from 1 to 6
bitplanes, will be converted to the closest match using the proper
graphics conversion software. Contestants can either convert
the picture themselves or have the arrangers do it. ALL competing
pictures will be available in BOTH converted and original form.
$ Pictures *MUST* be entered on a single 3.5" AmigaDOS or MS-DOS
Double Density format diskette.
$ If more than a certain number of pictures are entered for the
competition, a jury consisting of non-competing graphics artists
will pick out a portion of the pictures for a final.
'Best Musician' Competition Information
$ All modules will be judged in ONE category only
$ Modules from ANY machine can be entered, but for the competition
modules not playable on an Amiga computer with NO extra sound
enhancing hardware will be converted to the closest match using
the proper module conversion software.
$ Contestants can choose if the module is to be played in mono or
stereo
$ Each competing module will be played for 3.0 minutes
$ All entries for the music competition must be entered on a 3.5"
AmigaDOS or MS-DOS Double Density diskette. On the diskette there
*MUST* be nothing but the module itself and an apropriate module
player. NO EXECUTABLES!
$ If more than a certain number of modules are entered for the
competition, a jury consisting of non-competing musicians will
pick out a portion of the modules for a final
'Best PC Demo' Competition Information
$ Demo *MUST* run on a 486 33MHz IBM compatible computer with 16Mb
RAM, ET4000 1Mb display adapter and SoundBlaster/16
$ One person from the group that is presenting the demo *MUST* be
available to control any interactive parts of the demo (Pressing
mouse, controlling features with joystick and so on)
$ ALL entered demos will be shown in full length
Scandinavians, who normally would have to pay 150,- NOK entrance fee, can by
sending 100,- NOK to us on our bank giro account pay in advance. You will save
50,- NOK and be registered much faster. A bank giro should be included with
this invitation. If it is not included, bank giros are available in every
bank.
Pay 100,- NOK for each person that will be attending.
Send the money to bank account number: {25102.11.86167{1
Make the giro payable to: Trond Michelsen
Nordbyveien 63
2013 Skjetten
Norway
It is very important that the giro has been payed before the 30th of March,
otherwise we will not receive the notification of your payment in time.
It is also very important that you get a valid receipt for the giro. Receipts
from those do-it-yourself giro boxes are not valid.
If you still need more information, if you have any questions regarding any
aspects of The Gathering 1993, call one of the following numbers immediately.
We speak Norwegian, English and some German.
Mike / Crusaders can be reached on the following number:
+47-6-842853 (Ask for Trond Michelsen)
Dr. Outtasight / Crusaders can be reached on the following numbers:
+47-6-833754 +47-67570708 +47-31-41160 (Ask for Espen Lyngaas)
All numbers can be called 24hrs a day.
Mail can be directed to: Trond Michelsen
Nordbyveien 63
2013 Skjetten
Norway
If you don't have a modem, but have a touch-tone phone, a GVP PhonePak system
with ALL the latest information you need is available at
+47-22-304880
Just call the number and follow directions given to you by the system.
If you have a modem, you can call The Crusaders BBS:
+47-6-833980 (300-2400, MNP5)
+47-6-833981 (4800-14400, V.42bis)
+47-6-833982 (2400-12000, V.42bis)
At The Crusaders BBS, leave a message to Sysop, Dr. Outtasight, for additional
information and table reservations. We also have a special conference where
you can find the latest information about The Gathering 1993. Most of the
information and rules in this invitation are based on questions and suggestions
from this conference.
'Best Amiga Demo' Competition Information
1st prize:
$ Commodore Amiga 4000
$ No comment needed
'Best Computer Graphician' Competition Information
1st prize:
$ OpalVision Graphics Adapter Card
$ 24 bitplanes
$ Extreme resolutions
$ Flicker Fixer (A2000)
$ Genlock Module Expandable
$ Frame Grabber Module Expandable
$ Roaster Video Effects Chip Expandable
'Best Musician' Competition Information
$ Vector 68030 Accelerator Card
$ 25MHz CPU
$ 25MHz 68882 FPU
$ 4Mb 32 bit SIMM RAM (Expandable to 8Mb)
$ A2630 Compatible Expansion Port
$ SCSI II Controller
$ Beats an A3000 in speed comparasions
{2Arriving Before the 7th of April{1
The Gathering 1993 will be open from around noon, local time, 6th of April for
those of you who have no other option but to arrive at this date. If you have
to arrive earlier, please contact us well in advance.
{2Travelling by Trains/Buses{1
If you are travelling by train, you should exit at "Lillestrøm" railway
station. Most long distance trains that head North from Oslo make a stop at
this station, so there's no need to read all the train schedules in order to
get on the right train. If your train by any chance doesn't stop at
Lillestrøm, you should simply stop in Oslo and take a local train to Lillestrøm
from there. These trains leave Oslo every thirty minutes.
When in Lillestrøm you should locate the bus platform (an approx. 50 meters
walk from the railway station) and get on bus route #401 heading for
"Holt/Vestvollen". This bus stops right outside the party-place. If you don't
think you'll manage to get on the right bus, don't worry, we will put up
signs at the railway station explaining which bus to catch.
PS! If you want, it is possible to catch the route #401 bus from Oslo as well,
but that requires you to walk from the Central Station in Oslo to the Bus
Terminal that is located right next to it.
PS!! We will NOT put up a special party bus from the railwaystation to the
party-place, simply because we consider the local bus connections between the
railwaystation and the party-place more than adequate.
{2Planes{1
If you come flying in by a foreign plane you will arrive at Fornebu Airport.
At the airport you can enter a bus called "Flybussen" which will bring you to
the Oslo Bus Terminal, from where you can take bus #401 to the party-place.
If you do experience any problems, call us right away!
{2Ferry{1
If you come by ferry we will set up a special bus travelling from the quay to
the party-place, call us for more information about this.
{2Automobiles{1
Since Oslo is the capital of Norway we reckon you will find it yourself, so we
just won't explain how to get to Oslo. Once in Oslo loccate highway E6
(Trans-European 6) Take this way heading North. If you see signs like "Hamar"
and "Trondheim", you're heading in the right direction. Continue driving until
you spot a sign that says "Lillestrøm" and exit at that conjunction. The first
thing you will see coming off the highway is a big castle looking hotel.
Continue following signs to "Lillestrøm". Drive 500 meters until you reach a
bridge followed by a gas station and then a roundabout. Turn right in this
roundabout and follow that road you are on for a couple of kilometers until you
reach a railroadcrossing. Turn left immediately after the crossing. Straight
in front of you you will now see the sports hall called Skedsmohallen.
We have set up some very simple and very obvious rules that we expect you will
follow.
1. Smoking is not allowed inside the Main Hall. You may smoke in the
cafeteria or in the Entrance Hall.
2. Whatever you are responsible for breaking, you are responsible for
paying or replacing.
3. Alcohol is not allowed inside the Main Hall. Anyone carrying or
intoxicated by alcohol will not be allowed inside.
4. The Gathering is a drug free event, basically because drugs and computers
do not match. Any users of drugs discovered will be handed over to the
local police.
{2Wednesday 7th of April{1
The official opening date. We expect that 80% of all attendants will arrive on
this date. Therefore this day have been set up for everyone to get settled.
{2Thursday 8th of April{1
12.00: Outdoor soccer tournament begins.
17.00: Our sponsors presents their product range that includes Gravis
Ultrasound, GVP-proucts, Opal- Vision, Scala MultiMedia, Amiga
4000 & 1200, Microbotics-products, and Floptical.
Also, we will show various practical drawing technics for use with
DPaint.
24.00: The Gaming competion-finals starts.
{2Friday 9th of April{1
12.00: Semifinals and finals in the soccer tournament.
13.00: Deadline Music Competition.
16.00: Deadline Graphics Competition.
18.00: Deadline Amiga Demo, Amiga Intro & PC Demo Competition.
22.00: Presentation of the competition finalists.
{2Saturday 10th of April{1
02.00: Voting begins
06.00: End of Voting
10.00: Presentation of the winners
16.00: The Gathering closes its doors.
{2Voting{1
In all the main competitions, the attendants - you - will be deciding who is
the best demo, module and picture. When it is time to vote a large quantity of
special voting forms will be made available at the Information Desk. The forms
will be available before the showing of the competition entries. This will
make it easier for you to judge during the competition. One form is used for
all main competitions. To vote, all you have to do is to fill out this form as
best you can and when finished hand it in to the Information Desk.
The form will then be handed over to a group of vote counters. While the votes
are counted the big screen will show a constant update of the competition
results. This should make things really exiting!
Q: I have heard that you need to register and receive an invitation
before I can come to The Gathering. Is this true ?
A: Not at all. You need absolutely no invitation, no registration,
no nothing. You only need to be there!
Q: I have only had my computer for two weeks. Should I still go to
The Gathering?
A: Certainly! Absolutely everyone should. Even though the event is
very computer related, even people that have little or no computer
background should attend.
Q: I have heard that girls do not have to pay anything to get in, is this
true ?
A: Yes, we are doing our part of trying to get more girls invoved in this
very male dominated scene.
Q: What do I need to bring to The Gathering ?
A: Except for the money for the entrance fee, you do not need to bring
anything. However we suggest that you at least bring some money for
food and something to sleep in. And very important - remember to
bring enough electrical extention cords.
Q: I do not think I would want to sit in front of my computer for four
days in a row. Is there anything else to do besides playing with the
computer ?
A: Refer to the different section in this invitation and you will see all
the activities we have planned for those who want to do something else.
Q: As far as I know, The Crusaders is an Amiga group, but I have another
type of computer. Can I still come ?
A: Events of this type have commonly been exclusively for Amiga owners.
The Main Competitions at The Gathering 1993 is for both Amiga and PC
compatible computers. If you do not have an Amiga or a PC, bring your
computer anyway. We know for a fact that most norwegian Archimedes
users and a lot of Macintosh users are coming.
Q: My parents think it is too far for me to travel alone. What do I do?
A: Just give the telephone numbers from this invitation to your parents
and have them call one of them. We will explain, in most european
languages, what they need to know.
Credits
-------
Coding: {2Switchblade{1
Music: {2Jason{1
Blow-Job logo: {2Intec{1
Logo, Menu & PartyGator: {2Joachim{1
Much work (text'n'shit) by {2Dr. Outtasight{1 and {2Mike{1.
My compliments to {2Intec{1 for utterly fast work. Way to go man!!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings to {2Vishnu/CRB{1, {2Nightshade{1 & {2Ohio/CRS{1, {2Lord Helmet/PMC{1
and to everybody at {2Crusaders BBS{1, +47 6 833980/1/2