<br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">and there is even people complaining that HAR or CCC is too expensive,<br>
with a 150 - 185 EUR entrance fee for a fully equipped week of camping<br>
</blockquote><br>I know and I don't understand that. Have a look at a commercial event like Blackhat and look at their income prices. If we don't support the ones you mentioned, all we will have left is Blackhat, RSA, and others. If people find HAR too expensive, they should find a weekend job like I did for 4 years when I was a student. Complaining is easy, doing something about it is another.<br>
<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><br>
1- who benefits? who is actually earning $$ on it?<br>
</blockquote><div><br>We started Brucon as a non profit organisation. Under Belgian law, it's called a vzw, vereniging zonder winst. Most of the money goes to paying a decent venue. We are all volunteers of which some spend 10 hours a week setting this up, non-paid.<br>
</div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><br>
2- what do i get from it? is participation to such a conference going<br>
to provide you with certificates, titles, paper you can use to get<br>
a job (or stuff like that, if you know what i mean)? and even<br>
then, is there someone taking really seriously a "brucon"<br>
attendance certificate? how is all this spendable?<br>
</blockquote><div><br>You can put it in your CV and show people that you actively try to stay up to date on different topics. I'm happy to make you a certificate. ;-)<br><br>I go to these events, to meet other people, have fun, and learn other point of views on life. For me, it's like going on a holiday. <br>
<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
3- what is the "quality check" on such initiatives (if not a critical<br>
thread on a mailinglist, and a web of people known to be<br>
professional, at least)? is there a scientific committee?<br>
</blockquote><div><br>Look at the contents and decide what you can get out of it and what interests you. Please don't follow what other say or 'some' kind of committee.<br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<br>
4- what about starting to push forward the idea of discounts for<br>
"hackerspace members", rather than "students"?<br>
</blockquote><div><br>I posted a hackerspace discount code a few days ago. Use HACKERSPACESORG07 to get a discount. <br></div><div> </div>Yes, I'm on the Brucon crew. Not feeling targeted, just giving my opinion. We are looking for a cheaper venue in Brussels and are just trying to survive our first edition. If enough people come, we can lower our prices next year. If you have connections in Brussels, let us know. We welcome all help and feedback!!! <br>
<br>PS, if you are at HSF2009, get a brucon flyer at the income to get a beer voucher for Brucon ;-)<br></div><br>Find me at HSF today, and you get a free beer immediately. I have a netbook with a Brucon sticker. We can discuss thie over a beer. ;-)<br>
<br>Best Regards,<br>Benny<br>