Conjecture 2009

[reverancepavane]

It looks like something is finally happening with Conjecture (the 2009 Australian National SF Convention). Or at least, they've finally made their website look a lot more professional. There is still an almost total dearth of event information (which is rather worrisome for a natcon happening in just over 90 days*), and very little to attract the avereage fan off the street (if you don't already know about natcons – and the last one in Adelaide was 24 years ago – or are not already connected with the fandom community it's doubtful you would have any interest in attending, which would be a pity). Anyway, if you thought it was just a scam site before (and from conversations I've had this was by no means an unpopular opinion), go back and have a look. Perhaps they might even have some more details up soon. * And yes, the use of 90 days rather than 3 months is intentional. There really isn't that much time left. IMNSHO.

Comments

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

I'd love to explain what is happening, but right now I'm not entirely sure I can, as I find it a tad unclear. But in effect there's a lot of new people who have stepped forward in the past week, myself included, to move it along, on the grounds that there were significant problems. We discussed canceling with Damien, but we honestly believe that we can make something work in 90 days, given that the two big things - venue and GoH - were under control. The website is the first visible part of that, but a lot has happened behind the scenes.

The short version is: new people, with SF convention and professional event experience, are now involved. And things are happening. :)

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

While the cat is away the meece will seize the radio station and newspaper and surround the presidential palace, huh? I suspected something of the sort. I have no doubt that given the pool of talent available that something could be pulled together at the last moment. The problem is whether the something could be pulled together in time to interest people that weren't automatically going to go to the con anyway (and from what I've heard even some of those were looking doubtful). However given some of the names involved in the Glorious February Revolution, I'm feeling a lot better that something can be done. As I said to the organisers back when they got the bid (and heard nothing from them), if you need any help or assistance feel free to contact me.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

You are aware that we're going to do that - expect to be contacted. :) That aside, there isn't really a revolution. I like to think of it as ninjas and pirates. Until now the ninjas have been doing stuff in that secret, ninja-ish fashion that they use, but the boisterous pirates have arrived to push things along in that "let's make things happen" way of pirates. I shall need to start taking rum to the meetings.

Pirates are way cooler than ninjas.

[maelorin]

us pirates are awesome!

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

The next Pirate Vs Ninja War I want to go dressed as a Ninja (in a shinobi shozoko) with an overt Pirate disguise on top (pirate hat, sash, eyepatch, stuffed parrot [on the wrong shoulder!]) and go "Aaarrr-sama" or some such. After all ninja were supposed to be masters of disguise. <grin> I actually had a shinobi shozoku once, for much the same reason they were used in real life. And by that I mean, the theatre, where blackout represented the stealth abilities of the shinobi (and to tell the various grades of shinobi apart there eventually became customary colour codes depicting rank and importance).

Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot

[maelorin]

^_^ a challenge!

perhaps a ninja robot pirate, with a zombie monkey robot pet - all steampunk of course.

i'm hoping to be able to track down a "pirate-ninja cooperation alliance" t-shirt at some point. maybe get a badge made up in the meantime.

[i keep forgetting to show up at pvnw O.o]

Re: Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. That yummy taste of sweet, sweet uranium...

Re: Monkey, Ninja, Pirate, Robot

[maelorin]

mmmmmmm.

uranium.

polonium.

caesium.

brains.

[davidcook.livejournal.com]

I'll just second the comment that you're now fighting perceptions and even heading towards damage control - a few people that I spoke to recently (at a random social gathering) who are pretty influential in Australian fandom were not happy at the apparent lack of progress and non-responsiveness of the committee - to the point of suggesting that "conjecture" might turn out to be an appropriate name. There was also some grumbling about how a troubled Natcon 2009 could impact WorldCon 2010, because it's working on a longer lead-time and needs a bit of momentum among fandom to keep moving.
See also this post by Sean Williams almost a month ago, and the 82 comments on it.
e.g. quoting angriest : It's sad, but it's just one of those thing - I'm not in a position to drop the cash for a trip to Adelaide, the accomodation, the memberships, etc, at the last minute, and I'm unconvinced at this stage that the convention's going to happen.
and Absolutely. There's a bunch of stuff that sets off alarm bells, not so much a lack of confirmed guests so much as:

- no outlet to supply program items.
- no obvious theme/program overview/etc.
- no list of committee members.
- no obvious means of directly communicating with the convention committee.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

I agree. In fact, I was lead to believe that it was Sean's post which led to the meeting last week to discuss with Damien whether or not to pull the plug. I went along as a newcomer to offer to help, so I'm not up on why things were that way, but I'm led to believe that there were genuine reasons behind the scenes. That aside, the thought was that either a) we close it down, now, and pass the Ditmars on to another con, or b) we throw everything and everyone at doing the best convention we can, given the time constraints. The first option was pretty seriously considered. What changed it, I think, were the backgrounds of those there and the new faces - several people (most not at that meeting, but lined up on short notice) with considerable experience running events.

Anyway, I'll be able to address some of that come Tuesday - on the agenda for Monday is getting names, photos and bios of everyone, and I'm working on communication channels. I think I have something on a theme already, though, so I shall get back to work. :)

[maelorin]

huzzah!

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Oh, and thanks for saying that it looks professional. :) I'm still mucking about with the look and feel, but we started with a rather nice theme, and generally I rather like what Wordpress can do for sites like this. You can do a lot with Wordpress, a bit of skill with CSS/PHP, and a week to play in.

Any suggestions on content that would help make it of more interest to people outside of fandom? I'm going to add more about what a Natcon is, and program information is to follow, but clearly it could do with a lot more.

[davidcook.livejournal.com]

Some of the things for the website (some of these for non-fans/might-be fans/etc, and some are aimed at fandom in general, and more particularly, it being 2009, attracting the core of people who are going to be needed to run WorldCon next year :
- I presume some other guests will be named at some point/soon ?
- A few highlights/main events from the programme - don't need specific times, just a line or so for each - e.g. main awards presentations ? Main social events ? GoH speech/interview/Q&A ?
- Some idea of who the committee are
- Volunteer information - how to get involved (either before Con or during)
- costs, of course
- more information on the venue
- local attractions (yes, winery tours obviously, because it's Adelaide, but what else ?)
- will there be a dealers room ? (there's been a lot of discussion in other LJs recently about how Swancon organises it's dealers room - maybe specify whether it'll be one room, spread across rooms, etc ?)
- slightly lower priority, brief history of the Australian Natcon (or link to same) and some idea of why it exists/what it's aims are, something about the various awards too (again, could be as simple as a link ... ) (oh wait, you already mentioned this :-) )
- list of current members, or at least an idea of how many people have signed up so far

Some example convention sites : Novacon, Australian Discworld, UK Discworld (note that their main page has been cleared for 2010, but that link gives some idea of what they ended up with for 2008).

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links and list! :) I'll chase up everything on your list that needs chasing up come Monday - that meeting should be entertaining. The rest I'll get to work on. All that experience on Wikipedia should be good for something.

[maelorin]

what are the different memberships? esp 'supporter'?

what are people getting for their dollars?

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Room parties. And I'll toss in Frog Cakes, if you can pull them from my cold, dead hands. :)

I'll try and focus on expanding what happens, as that may help with this. As it is, after all, kind-of important.

awesome

[maelorin]

i has to finds the $120 in the next 90 days.

after fixing my puter ...

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

I think the phrase was "more professional." Still needs actual content though, beyond Julie's biography and a PayPal tag. For example, if you are having a masquerade you really need to get the information out as soon as possible to give people time to make up costumes. Are you having a masquerade? Is it going to be judged? Is it themed? For that matter, is there a theme for the con? Is the con associated with a charity? I want to help – how do I volunteer? Well Mary Shelley be attending this con? Is there a radio play?** Etcetera. As to making it more interesting for those who haven't been to one* I suggest (in lieu of any available details about what is actually happening) you say something about what is going to happen there. Remember that the only experience many people have of "SF Cons" locally are the commercially run media events which seem to be designed to extract as much money from the punters as possible. [In the case of at least one local Buffy con, without any intent to produce the media celebrities.] This is quite different from the standard fandom*** con, and that really needs to be explained. In other words, I like SF (&F) – why should I go? * Has it really been 24 years since I was last at a local con? I still remember Jeff's talk on genres in publishing like it was, last year or so. (I still want your magic bike, Jeff). ** I always enjoyed these. Probably my favourite con activity. *** And by this I don't mean the commercial company Fandom that tried to trademark the term "fandom" for its exclusive use.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

The masquerade, I hope, is under control. The decision was that one would be very, very cool, so someone has been assigned to chase that up. I'd like to add more, but I figure it should wait until the report. And yes, there are plans afoot for a radio play. Or at least Roman keeps talking about one. :) The main problem with content right now is that there isn't as much to work with as I would like, as a lot of the stuff that I would expect to have ready wasn't. Which is where we come in - lots of mad running around, grabbing of people who know what they're doing, and writing of to-do lists. My feeling is that we'll have a good idea of how it will pull together in the next two weeks.

I hadn't thought about the comparison with the professional cons - that's essential, and I shall get onto that now.

And I'm happy with "more professional" - professional will come in time. :)

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

I think it's very important to have some sort of preliminary event schedule up, subject to blatant revision, of course. Or at least a preliminary list of presentations, workshops, discussion meetings, panels, et al. Even if it ends up being an almost total fabrication at this time. It shows what you intend. Major events (masquerade, con dinner, con cocktails, quizz, auction, the awarding of chocolate Ditmar awards [9"x4"x1" blocks of solid Haighs chocolate is a wonderful suggestion – Ditmars finally have a use for starving authors <ducks thrown rocks>], business meeting, opening and closing ceremonies etcetera) should already be blocked out anyway, so that's no problem. Just tell people about them. [A theme can often help to tie the con together into a contiguous whole. Just make it one tied to the guest of honour.] Some information on facilities would be vitally important too (as in how many streams can you run simultaneously; is there the potential for unscheduled activities; is their a lounge/gathering area; do people have to leave the con to get coffees and snacks, et al, is there wireless internet connectivity available for con goers, what AV equipment is available for presenters, et al), as it may allow people to volunteer to run sessions. There are a lot of people that want(ed) Conjecture to succeed – use them!

[freyaw.livejournal.com]

One thing I'd like for the website is a date (of the convention) on the default homepage. Possibly also town where it's being held. Speaking as someone who might randomly come across the page, linked from someone's blog :D but doesn't already know these details, it's incredibly useful to have them easily.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Ah. That seems very wise. I shall get on to it now.

And I should have known better than to leave that off the front page. :)

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

And done. As the front page is posts, rather than a page, I put it in the side bar. But that way it appears on every page.

[freyaw.livejournal.com]

It's very helpful, thankyou :D Sadly, I won't be able to go myself, as that weekend has been booked for months and months and months :(

Clicking on the various linky pages, I note that under 'venue' you have a description of the public transport options available - maybe add a link to Adelaide Metro?

Also, under 'membership' - rates are valid until the end of Swancon (easter). Dates?

Events - winery tours includes the html [caption id="attachment_58" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Bethany vineyard"]Bethany vineyard[/caption]

[freyaw.livejournal.com]

I tend to be nitpicky about little things, I'm sorry, but they tend to be little things that frustrate me if I want to find them and it takes me more than ten seconds.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Please be as nitpicky as you like - I appreciate it. And I'm sorry you can't make it. :(

The first two (linky thing and dates) are done. The other seems to be a template problem, which should prove more interesting to fix. Still, I'm faintly fond of PHP.

[davidcook.livejournal.com]

PS Sorry to dump all this on your LJ, reverancepavane, you've apparently become a communication channel :-)

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

Dagnammit! I really need a Humphrey icon (not The Bear, the Knight as in Appleby). I believe in open government transparency, unless commercial or security reasons necessitate otherwise. Keeping people informed about what was going on is vitally important to avoid the sort of panic which seems to be going on at the moment. Unfortunately the previous concom had a decided tendency to play things very close to their chest, which just exacerbated the situation. So by opening discussion in as many channels as possible it helps. I'm helping – and I never even realised I was doing so. that's the best kind of help to give. <grin>

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

I certainly appreciate it. :) I'm still trying to get my head around what channels used to exist, but I'll take whatever I can get to make things more open.

[drjon.livejournal.com]

Well, reading the comments here, I'm a hell of a lot more impressed with the professionalism of the Conjecture people than of many others in Aus Fandom.

I wish them every fortune. If I can help, let me know.

[easterbilby.livejournal.com]

Shall do. After all, it's not possible to have too many Discordians at a con. Hail Eris!