geekhack

geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 08:08:13

Title: My time at Insomnia 55
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 08:08:13: So as some of you may or may not know, Multiplay hosts an Insomnia three times a year in the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The next one is April 3rd - 6th which is a bit short notice. However, there is one on the Bank Holiday weekend which is the 28th to the 31st of August, with early access on the 27th at about 6pm.

This is a Bring Your Own Console/Computer event, and the halls are filled with some pretty awesome builds, (they are also open 24 hours so you can come and go as you please) and you can pick your seat when it gets closer to the time, so you can all sit together if you book with friends. I took some pictures last year of the halls and the exhibits, which you can find here -> http://imgur.com/a/gpDrv

The security is decent, everybody's bags get checked when you go in and out so nothing gets stolen, the exhibition halls are cool, there are some eSports tournaments, cosplay competitions and some other stuff too. There is reasonably priced food you can order straight to your table, you can take your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the halls as well, and if you want, overclockers.co.uk have a stand there and they also deliver straight to your table.

I met Pexon there last year, but we need more GHers there this year! I have booked it off already, and I am definitely going to be going. If you wanna come, or have any questions, fire away!

Oh, and here is the link - http://insomniagamingfestival.com/

Also, hotels are quite well priced but they do tend to get booked up quick, but you can buy day tickets into the exhibition halls and event tent (which is massive and on the pitch) which are a lot cheaper if you don't want to fork out for the whole weekend and the hotel.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: Hzza on Fri, 23 January 2015, 08:19:34: Good times, I've been to a few of these. I think the last one I went to was i42 maybe? The last one they had at Newbury racecourse. It was great fun, I nearly killed one of my clan mates with a beer tray :D.

If you've never been, I would totally recommend going just once to see what it's all about; I'll never forget the smell of the main hall at about 3am on the Saturday morning...
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: foxer on Fri, 23 January 2015, 11:55:22: I'd love to go. How much around would you say I'd need? I get paid at the end of each month and me and a friend have spoke about attending one.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:02:09: Quote from: Wadeu on Fri, 23 January 2015, 11:55:22
I'd love to go. How much around would you say I'd need? I get paid at the end of each month and me and a friend have spoke about attending one.
Save some for a special ducky keyboard, I know for i52 ducky had a special shine 3.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:04:30: Quote from: Wadeu on Fri, 23 January 2015, 11:55:22
I'd love to go. How much around would you say I'd need? I get paid at the end of each month and me and a friend have spoke about attending one.

I think I spent just shy of £100 on the ticket, and however much you want to spend on the hotel. Then probably about £250 for food and drink, as you can get there from 6pm thursday, and stay all the way through until 4pm Monday. Then if you want to buy any stuff from the stalls, then bring however much you think you will need for what you want. Stuff isn't discounted, but there was a super cool ducky stand like you can see in my pictures :)
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:06:07: I'm not going to the April one, but I will be at the summer one, BIG style
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:54:39: Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:06:07
I'm not going to the April one, but I will be at the summer one, BIG style

Sweet! I shall try and sort the seating out so I'm not so far away this time! And I hope your PC doesn't break this time as well :(
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:02:13: Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:54:39
Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:06:07
I'm not going to the April one, but I will be at the summer one, BIG style

Sweet! I shall try and sort the seating out so I'm not so far away this time! And I hope your PC doesn't break this time as well :(

Doesn't help my mobo PCI lane on my ITX decided to blow up as I was building my rig the morning of LAN :))
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:46:58: Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:02:13
Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:54:39
Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:06:07
I'm not going to the April one, but I will be at the summer one, BIG style

Sweet! I shall try and sort the seating out so I'm not so far away this time! And I hope your PC doesn't break this time as well :(

Doesn't help my mobo PCI lane on my ITX decided to blow up as I was building my rig the morning of LAN :))

Yeah, that really sucked. And then your crypto miner PC packed up too!

I might have to cheekily try out your HHKB for more than 2 minutes next time :P
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 18:20:09: Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:46:58
Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:02:13
Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:54:39
Quote from: pexon on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:06:07
I'm not going to the April one, but I will be at the summer one, BIG style

Sweet! I shall try and sort the seating out so I'm not so far away this time! And I hope your PC doesn't break this time as well :(

Doesn't help my mobo PCI lane on my ITX decided to blow up as I was building my rig the morning of LAN :))

Yeah, that really sucked. And then your crypto miner PC packed up too!

I might have to cheekily try out your HHKB for more than 2 minutes next time :p

Yea, sod AMD brah, 280X wanked itself and then the 2x 290Xs were like NAH M9 its too hot in the lan hall, imma blue screen.

It was a nightmare. I will be there in september with a REAL PC sorted this time. I had my custom Parvum made up like a week before and I struggled to get it all sorted for LAN, it was a shame, but hey, these things happen. I won't buy another Zotac motherboard, lesson learned
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 09 April 2015, 14:49:57: So i54 has come and gone, and the tickets for i55 are up for sale. - http://insomniagamingfestival.com/tickets/

Unfortunately there are no rooms available in the Ricoh Arena hotel around those dates, which kinda sucks, but there are plenty of other hotels nearby, and of course there is also camping available.

Also, due to complaints from the owners last year, the huge marquee that was once on the pitch has been moved to one of the car parks, which is a real blow as parking was quite difficult last year as it was.

I am still going, but to cut costs, I'm probably only getting a hotel on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, even though I will be turning up on Thursday evening. All nighter night one, sounds like a good idea :)

Hopefully people can get the time to come to this in August, and I am going to call Multiplay tomorrow to find out what the hell is going on with the parking situation.

Let's get some confirmed attendances people! Let nobody say we never do UK GH meetups :P
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: pexon on Thu, 09 April 2015, 17:31:47: Was planning on some cool things for i55, but we have a family wedding on the weekend in Devon, so I can't attend the weekend. I am going to see if I can pop down on the friday day time/ evening for drinks and minglings
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 09 April 2015, 17:34:06: Quote from: pexon on Thu, 09 April 2015, 17:31:47
Was planning on some cool things for i55, but we have a family wedding on the weekend in Devon, so I can't attend the weekend. I am going to see if I can pop down on the friday day time/ evening for drinks and minglings

Ah that sucks dude :( It would be super cool to see you on the Friday though :)
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Wed, 03 June 2015, 10:17:53: While I can't guarantee anything, Ducky did have a stand at the show last year. Hopefully this trio will be there this year...

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11393410_872252002849895_534586129699857768_o.jpg)

I am going to get a Ducky Secret though I think.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 03 June 2015, 10:46:10: Quote from: katushkin on Wed, 03 June 2015, 10:17:53
While I can't guarantee anything, Ducky did have a stand at the show last year. Hopefully this trio will be there this year...

Show Image
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11393410_872252002849895_534586129699857768_o.jpg)

I am going to get a Ducky Secret though I think.

If Tp4 was hit with that marketing upfront, Tp4 would've bought all 3...

Tears flow as Tp4 powerlessly hands over the CC.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 03 June 2015, 17:30:08: Quote from: katushkin on Wed, 03 June 2015, 10:17:53
While I can't guarantee anything, Ducky did have a stand at the show last year. Hopefully this trio will be there this year...

Show Image
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11393410_872252002849895_534586129699857768_o.jpg)

I am going to get a Ducky Secret though I think.

I do like the legs on those keyboards!
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Wed, 03 June 2015, 17:44:19: Legs up for sure though ;)
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 03 June 2015, 18:02:02: Quote from: katushkin on Wed, 03 June 2015, 17:44:19
Legs up for sure though ;)

:))
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 06 July 2015, 12:10:38: So the seat picker is open. I am sitting in the main hall if anyone has actually bought tickets. They had issues with the picker last week but it seems like it's sorted now. It also look pretty full, so get in there quick! I am sitting at seat LG-H6m and there are a few seats around me, just don't sit right next to me as I'm saving a space for a friend :P

Only a month and a half to go!
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:33:14: So I'm guessing I'm going to be the only person there this year, but oh well.

I will take lots of photos, I'm also going to be able to try out the new Ducky Secret :) Hopefully I can get a concrete answer out of them about pricing and release dates, on that as well as the new boards.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45: I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 05:34:33: Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45
I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha

It's not actually that bad. The venue is really awesome, they basically put you in a massive exhibition hall, and it's not that cramped. Yeah there are the odd few stereotype neckbeards, but it doesn't smell. There's plenty to do other than just sit around gaming anyways :) It is fun :))
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:00:53: Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 05:34:33
Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45
I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha

It's not actually that bad. The venue is really awesome, they basically put you in a massive exhibition hall, and it's not that cramped. Yeah there are the odd few stereotype neckbeards, but it doesn't smell. There's plenty to do other than just sit around gaming anyways :) It is fun :))

All the same, I think the UK meetup needs to be in a pub.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:02:14: Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:00:53
Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 05:34:33
Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45
I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha

It's not actually that bad. The venue is really awesome, they basically put you in a massive exhibition hall, and it's not that cramped. Yeah there are the odd few stereotype neckbeards, but it doesn't smell. There's plenty to do other than just sit around gaming anyways :) It is fun :))

All the same, I think the UK meetup needs to be in a pub.

True. Although I thought it would be easier to bring a load of boards to a LAN party than a pub, but I do get your point.
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:13:39: Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:02:14
Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:00:53
Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 05:34:33
Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45
I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha

It's not actually that bad. The venue is really awesome, they basically put you in a massive exhibition hall, and it's not that cramped. Yeah there are the odd few stereotype neckbeards, but it doesn't smell. There's plenty to do other than just sit around gaming anyways :) It is fun :))

All the same, I think the UK meetup needs to be in a pub.

True. Although I thought it would be easier to bring a load of boards to a LAN party than a pub, but I do get your point.

ppffftt who cares about keyboards ^-^
Title: Re: Insomnia 55 (aka GH UK meetup!)
Post by: iri on Fri, 21 August 2015, 07:30:23: Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 06:00:53
Quote from: katushkin on Fri, 21 August 2015, 05:34:33
Quote from: baldgye on Fri, 21 August 2015, 04:39:45
I had a mate of mine want me to go to one of these, but the idea of spending all day in a hot sweaty BO tent kiiiinnda put me off haha

It's not actually that bad. The venue is really awesome, they basically put you in a massive exhibition hall, and it's not that cramped. Yeah there are the odd few stereotype neckbeards, but it doesn't smell. There's plenty to do other than just sit around gaming anyways :) It is fun :))

All the same, I think the UK meetup needs to be in a pub.
after 13-15 pints i'll be able to understand you guys