Technically, Wednesday is the first official day of KFest, but then, KFest (KansasFest) is actually held in Missouri. We won’t go into that or other charming KFest peculiarities just now…Morning seemed to arrive a lot earlier for some of us than others, but nonetheless a good sized group of happy KFesters made it out to the Rockhurst Pub for breakfast.
The thought on everyone’s mind was likely what could we expect for breakfast. Experienced KFesters can tell you stories of past cafeteria meals – some good, some bad and some that were just mean. Institutional food can vary from “school lunch” to “airline food”, ie. is it edible, or will you regret eating it later.
I’m happy to report that the Rockhurst Food Services did really well. Not only was the food tasty, but there was variety as well. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, muffins and cereal. Something for everyone. Getting out bed seems easier now.
After breakfast, it was back to dorms for socializing and late arrival check-in. It’s also the official beginning of Hackfest!
Around noon, Kirk Mitchell, Master of the KFest Kookout and his sidekick Ryan Suenaga delivered another fine round of hamburgers, hotdogs and vegetarian eats for lunch. Thanks guys!
Our first sesssion of the day, Dave Miller presented “The Little Blue Linux Box”, an informative technical discusssion on how inexpensive, Linux-based LinkSys routers can be “hacked” to add functions and services to make them more versatile.
Up next, Ryan Suenaga announced his new freeware program “ClickIP”, a SideClick application that will display the active IP address.
Ryan then announced “Definitive GS+, Volume One” on CD. Long time Apple II users will recall that GS+ was Steve Disbrow’s highly acclaimed GS-only magazine and disk publication that’s been out of print for several years.
Definitive GS+, V1 is the complete collection of the first 6 issues of GS+ in PDF format, with accompanying diskettes in several different image formats. The disc will be available at the KFest Vendor Fair. $20 for KFest attendees, and later through Syndicomm’s online store for $25 plus shipping and handling.
Dinner at the Rockhurst Cafeteria didn’t disappoint. More good food. I think we may be getting spoiled.
Ray Merlin gave an engaging and entertaining keynote to kick off this year’s KFest. We heard about his formative years and experiences in the ASA, and later how he became involved with computers like the Apple II. If you ever have a chance to listen to one of Ray’s stories, don’t pass it up. Naturally, it’s the stories he CAN’T tell, but only hint at that are the best.
And now… it’s back to the dorms to work on Hackfest projects, get in some Internet time and visit with each other. It’s going to be another late night, but that’s OK because, we’re having fun.
By the way, tonight is Pizza Night, courtesy of Juiced.GS and Syndicomm. Thank you Sheppy and Ryan!
…and to everyone else out there,
Wish you were here.