Forwarded from: Jay D. Dyson <jdysonat_private> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- I imagine this will kill attendance to COMDEX. If I'd been even remotely interested earlier, I'm definitely turned off now. Security is one thing. Overreacting is another. Score one for al Qaeda. (Thanks to Rick Forno for passing this along.) - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- For the complete announcement, see http://www.key3media.com/comdex/fall2001/security.html In the wake of the 9-11 attacks, extreme paranoia appears to have gripped the organizers of the annual COMDEX Fall computer trade show. According to an "official statement" on the COMDEX Web site, bags of any kind will not be allowed onto the show floor, and purses and waist packs will be searched. (The organizers, alas, fail to mention what these may or may not contain. Would a Leatherman tool, screwdriver, pocket knife, or nail file be prohibited, lest someone attempt to perform a hijacking of the Convention Center?) The real shocker, however, is that laptop computers -- a vital tool of the trade for computer users, dealers, and others who are likely to attend the show -- will be prohibited anywhere within the Convention Center. Since the show itself is ABOUT computers, and attendees will undoubtedly need to use them for everything from taking notes to fetching e-mail to placing orders, many potential attendees who hear about the ban are likely to cancel their trips and stay home. (Even before the security announcement, attendance was already projected to be down at least 25% from last year -- so much so that the convention will not use the Sands Convention Center site as it has in previous years.) Alas, most of those arriving in Vegas for the show probably will not know of the restrictions, which were only recently posted to the COMDEX Web site. Therefore, thousands who arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center - -- with the reasonable expectation that they will be able to carry computers at a computer show -- will be turned away. What's more, the organizers have stated that they have made no provisions for attendees to check laptops at the Convention Center. Thus, frustrated convention-goers will have to wait on long cab or bus lines to return to their hotels, which may or may not be willing to store laptops behind the front desk. (Given the high likelihood that a laptop computer will be stolen if it is left at a Las Vegas hotel, it is unwise to leave it in one's room.) Attendees whose laptops contain valuable or proprietary information, or are important to their ability to conduct business, may simply depart without entering the show. It is likewise unclear how speakers who expect to deliver their presentations from laptops will be able to do so. Even those who are not carrying contraband may experience long delays. All are expected to carry identification at all times. Attendees are further warned to expect airport-like delays when entering the convention and to allow extra time to pass security checkpoints. "If you have meetings, appointments, or conference sessions to attend," the site warns, "please arrive as early as possible. It may take longer than usual to enter the property this year due to increased security measures." - ----- END FORWARDED MESSAGE ----- ( ( _______ )) )) .--"There's always time for a good cup of coffee."--. >====<--. C|~~|C|~~|(>------- Jay D. Dyson - jdysonat_private -------<)| = |-' `--' `--' `-I love peace. That's why I want terrorists dead.-' `------' -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 Comment: See http://www.treachery.net/~jdyson/ for current keys. iQCVAwUBO+bJ9blDRyqRQ2a9AQGTmAP8DEir4iRl2UpkyjRBMybBKPpDUkyj0iT2 KoYru9UtbVSB6E+/QkLe2KK6S9+HIFN9b0Ws5ONvKhOqNKGgkgmEtZKkbuxxOKsi nkQASG4G5Tqzr6bmRRfyT57paKE0NpxVJBBCwiUGNDr1kHv4VRxxBz+CR562zzCb cZxfFIFGvW0= =wEqe -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Nov 06 2001 - 03:54:54 PST