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Your LAN secrets

G

GDstew4

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
1,380
With both Quakecon and MillionManLAN kicking off tomorrow, I figured several of you are packing for 4 days of games and technology. I want to know if you have any favorite tips or tricks that only LAN vets might know. What are you bringing, beside the obvious, that will make your LAN experience more comfortable and/or convenient?

I'll start out:
My own roll of toilet paper. I don't want to mess around with that cheap sandpaper, or worse - empty rolls, that public bathrooms are notorious for.
 
I have sunbeam case straps I bought for $10 when xoxide went under. Turns your PC into a backpack with holsters for keyboard mouse pouches etc. You don't have to remove it to setup at the LAN. It leaves interfaces and vents open.
 
I bought a gaming laptop and Swissgear bag. Fits EVERYTHING!

1 - 15.6" MSI GT60 Laptop + Monolith Power Brick
1 - 400W Car Inverter (On the road gaming)
1 - Logitech Lap Pad with Mouse Tray
1 - RatPad
1 - Wireless G700 Mouse + USB Micro Charger
1 - Logitech G9X
1 - CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Cherry Red TKL
1 - Steelseries XB Headset (Love this thing, it breaks down into 3 seperate pieces and the mic/audio cord is only 2 feet in length. Bought for $30 from 1Saleaday.)
1 - Xbox 360 Wireless Controller + Microsoft Wireless Receiver
6 - Rechargeable AA Ni-MH Eneloop Batteries + Charger
1 - PS Vita + Charger
4 - Thumb Drives (8GB/16GBx2/32GB)
1 - External 2.5" Drive (500GB)
1 - External 3.5" Drive (2TB preloaded with movies)
1 - Toolkit Containing Philips/Slot/Torx bits of various sizes
1 - Optoma Pocket Projector (With HDMI and RCA cables and Mini Gorilla Tripod)
1 - Logitech Wireless Z515 Bluetooth Speaker
1 - Spare USB Cable with Adapters (Micro/Mini/Type B)
1 - Laptop Lock
1 - Verizon LTE Mobile Hotspot

And with pocket space for a couple of Monster's. Not going to lie, this thing weights like 30lbs with everything in it but the pack holds up wonderfully even though it looks like an inflated accordion.

http://www.amazon.com/Ibex-17-Inch-...1343834900&sr=8-4&keywords=swissgear+backpack
 
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My LAN secrets:
1999: I fucked a nerdy chick in a car in the parking lot.
2001: I got shitfaced drunk and pissed off some parents of some kids at the lan.
2002: I got kicked out a lan for sneaking in beer

Thats about all i can think of at this point in time.
 
Icewater. Energy drinks and pop don't do much for you when you're sitting on your ass. Sugar and greasy snacks will cause you to crash and lose focus. Don't sit next to a farter, they can screw up your K/D ratio when your eyes are watering.
 
Bring a decent sized monitor. My first LAN when I was a lil' whippersnapper I brought my 13" CRT and set it down next to some dudes 21" CRT. Talk about ego deflating! ;)
 
Mouse pads, cat5 cables, dvi-vga adapters & surge suppressors are cheap, I leave extra ones in my car.
I also pack a flashlight and headlight and a multi-tip screwdriver.
 
LeninGHOLA said:
Icewater. Energy drinks and pop don't do much for you when you're sitting on your ass.
Click to expand...

X2 on the water, don't get dehydrated. Soda and energy drinks can lead to dehydration and that can negatively impact your mental clarity and response times.
 
a box of pseudoephedrine if you're playing in a tournament. Didn't hear that from me.
 
Lose sense of smell. Or bring that stuff morgue people use...

kuyaglen said:
Mouse pads, cat5 cables, dvi-vga adapters & surge suppressors are cheap, I leave extra ones in my car.
I also pack a fleshlight and headlight and a multi-tip screwdriver.
Click to expand...

FTFY. :eek:
 
My lan secrets:

stay at home LAN !!!
4 comps already setup.
+1 htpc can be used for lightweight/old games

have excess friends bring own comps.

Wired gigabit, barbeque & box fans for air circulation nearby comps.
 
J Macker said:
My lan secrets:

stay at home LAN !!!
4 comps already setup.
+1 htpc can be used for lightweight/old games

have excess friends bring own comps.

Wired gigabit, barbeque & box fans for air circulation nearby comps.
Click to expand...

Thats what I do! Though we just ended up using wireless...because there wasn't enough cables (and people like to spread out away from hubs)... It's not perfect, but lag is only 10ms ish, but it's not really done serious competitively. Lots of games (DOW2:R) require internet to play...:eek:

Just have my desktop be the server (if there is one) and everyone else uses laptops and sits wherever. LANs are easier than ever! :D
 
Last time I went to a lan party, I brought my own network cables, screwdriver, extra fans and a small portable fan, also, bring PLENTY of water, and stay away from Soda or snack crap, chips are fine, but stick with baked chips as they wont mess you up healthwise when your on your ass, if your gonna eat candy, eat Peanut M&M's as the peanuts are somewhat good for your system and chocolate isnt bad either.

Do some pushups and situps and step away from the PC once in a while to rest the wrists a bit and keep yourself from getting a headache, bring asprin too.

Bring deoderaunt (I cant spell today), and a can of fabreze (for the people around u) and mouthwash to freshen yourself up.
 
Unless you game wearing adult diapers to skip on bathroom breaks you are not [H] enough.
 
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Water, energy drinks? Pfft, a flask of Jameson and a 6 pack of Guinness is the true gaming performance enhancer.
 
TwistedAegis said:
Water, energy drinks? Pfft, a flask of Jameson and a 6 pack of Guinness is the true gaming performance enhancer.
Click to expand...

I agree, though I'd swap the Guiness with a Czech pilsner or light pale ale. When I have drinks while gaming, I fixate too much on the game and I don't watch the drinking. On Sunday I ended up downing a 6 pack in an hour flat because I was too focused on the game and not watching WTH I was doing. Guiness is heavy and that could get me into trouble.
 
Who all is going to MML? Its local for me so i might stop by. Im not lugging my 800D down there though haha.
 
German Muscle said:
Who all is going to MML? Its local for me so i might stop by. Im not lugging my 800D down there though haha.
Click to expand...

I wish I lived local for it, I wont make it myself, but thanfully I carry a gaming laptop (well, almost a gaming laptop) for events nowadays.

I have my Lenovo W520 and my Dell Vostro 3320 which I carry around for games, the 3320 handles almost everything I throw at it, the W520 plays BF3 better though :)
 
LeninGHOLA said:
I agree, though I'd swap the Guiness with a Czech pilsner or light pale ale. When I have drinks while gaming, I fixate too much on the game and I don't watch the drinking. On Sunday I ended up downing a 6 pack in an hour flat because I was too focused on the game and not watching WTH I was doing. Guiness is heavy and that could get me into trouble.
Click to expand...

Glad to know I'm not the only one. About a year ago I had the bottle of Jameson on the computer desk with the glass, instead of leaving it in the kitchen forcing me to get up for a refill. A few hours later....
 
piscian18 said:
I have sunbeam case straps I bought for $10 when xoxide went under. Turns your PC into a backpack with holsters for keyboard mouse pouches etc. You don't have to remove it to setup at the LAN. It leaves interfaces and vents open.
Click to expand...

Pisc, you're the ultimate nerd. :cool:

On a related note, my secret back when, was to not break my back when bringing my tower. Nowadays it's all about the $3,000 laptops ahah (which still break my back...).
 
My secret is to never be involved in a Bawls chugging contest with Texans less than an hour before your dodgeball team is to play in the Corsair Dodgeball Challenge. 8 Bawls in ten minutes with dodgeball immediately following is a terrible idea.
 
Kettchxxii said:
My secret is to never be involved in a Bawls chugging contest with Texans less than an hour before your dodgeball team is to play in the Corsair Dodgeball Challenge. 8 Bawls in ten minutes with dodgeball immediately following is a terrible idea.
Click to expand...

I forsee alot of spewage in your future!!!!!
 
I tend to pack the same materials for every LAN:

- Computer
- Monitor (one of the 27" 1440p monitors off my desk)
- Necessary Cables (I bought a second mouse/keyboard/cables so no removal from desk setup)
- Power Strip (preferably one with a decent length cable, 6+ foot is good, 10+ foot is better)
- Pillow (at least one, try to go with a non-rediculously sized one so you can sit comfortably on it, if needed)
- Beverage (if location doesn't have free water I bring a gallon of water)
- Food (if venue has an oven I'll get a Papa Murphy's pizza; otherwise I try to bring non-salty snacks)

My primary goal once I get to a LAN party is to follow these steps:

1) Identify my seat and table assignment.
2) Set up computer/monitor and hook up all components/cables.
3) Identify a safe area to put my food/drink (usually on the floor under the table, assuming it won't get kicked/stepped on.)
4) Take all "expensive" things I am wearing and remove them (rings, wallet, keys, etc.) These go in my car or in the bag I use to transport my computer, if the car isn't conveniently close or available.)

By removing the expensive stuff I'm eliminating the possibility that I'll lose items while walking around the LAN. If I get frustrated and remove my watch and/or ring during a LAN it could potentially "walk away" when I go to the bathroom or go to socialize, so I attempt to clear my space of as many theft-prone items as possible. Typically all I have on me is a key to my car and my cell phone, and both are in my pockets before I walk away from my computer for any reason.

It isn't a fool-proof anti-theft system since the computer and components are still sitting out, but it minimizes my footprint at the LAN. If someone steals my water or my snacks I'm ok; take the key, go out to my car, take a few dollars out of my wallet, re-lock the vehicle and go buy something from the LAN. If something more expensive walks away I notify the LAN administrators, who will likely check people's bags for it depending on the rules of the LAN.

It's overkill, but it's my kind of overkill, so I'm ok with it. :)
 
BiH115 said:
Pisc, you're the ultimate nerd. :cool:
Click to expand...

Lol, what, for having a case carrying strap? If you've done any number of LANs you should definitely have one. I have one for my PC case, LCD monitor, and I used to have one for my CRT back in the day.
 
MavericK96 said:
Lol, what, for having a case carrying strap? If you've done any number of LANs you should definitely have one. I have one for my PC case, LCD monitor, and I used to have one for my CRT back in the day.
Click to expand...

I had that Sunbeam wrap for my Antec 1200 as well (and the Coolermaster mid-ATX case I had before it). Worked pretty well, but the shoulder strap couldn't support the weight of the Antec 1200 fully loaded down, and eventually broke. :( Luckily the rubberized handles on top of the wrap had no issues, so I carried it that way instead.
 
LeninGHOLA said:
A dark stout that feels like you are eating a pork chop makes it heavy. I'm not worried about calories or alcohol content. I worry about needing a nap after 3-4 Guiness.
Click to expand...

Guiness is the most vile shit in the world. I feel like I need a spoon when I drink it. At all possible times, if I'm offered a Guiness I say "Fuck, don't you have anything that isn't chewable?" :eek:
 
Eh, it's a good beer. Best consumed when you're not already full or eating something heavy like pizza. Avoid sugar and carbs beforehand.
 
I prefer light beers when I'm gaming, but that's just me. Tend to just stick to water and 'healthy-crap' when I'm at LAN's because I don't want to be on the shitter more than I'm gaming, or asleep.
 
BiH115 said:
You must eat wood and piss lead, pretty bold statement. :-p
Click to expand...

I'm that guy everybody knows at least one of, who has an iron stomach and eats/drinks anything --- so that's probably not far from the fact of the matter.
 
timestretch said:
I'm that guy everybody knows at least one of, who has an iron stomach and eats/drinks anything --- so that's probably not far from the fact of the matter.
Click to expand...

Ah one of those, sounds like my dad. Eats a 50-60 hot peppers, nothing. No issues, ever. But it catches up with you down the road, like everything.
 
I've not done a LAN meet for some years but when I went it was 1 bag, 1 crate. The bag is the custom Shuttle one and has my Shuttle, a mini-keyboard, trackball, and smaller cables, plus a few CDs. The crate is one of those transparent 42 L jobbies which contains my Saitek X51 joystick, MS Sidewinder wheel and pedals, headphones, a roll of duct tape, a 4-way power strip, cables, munchies, and everything else. I put the monitor face-down on top of the crate with a layer of bubble-wrap, tea towel, or something in between and duct-tape it to the crate lid for transport. Being left-handed, I always sit with room to the LHS.
 
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