A Quick Update

[bjarvis]

kent4str, rlegters and tdjohnsn are off grazing for breakfast while I'm at the lobby of the convention hotel here in Anaheim, finally caving in to pay $10/day for wireless access.

Why business & institutions still charge for Internet access is beyond me, except of course, that they can.  The infrastructure and volume is cheaper than either water or electricity, but no hotel would consider charging for either of those.  Bastards.

In a short while, we'll begin the second day of caller school here at the IAGSDC convention. I'm not here as an attendee per se, just as a human checker for the callers.  In essence, I get most of the gain of the class without the pain or pressure.  On the flip side, it can be somewhat tedious, especially since these sessions run 9 AM to 8 PM.  Today's session schedule has more interesting topics on the list, but since the instructors may simply jettison the proposed lesson plan because (a) it doesn't meet the students' requirements, or (b) they simply feel like it, who knows what will actually happen.

I'll attempt to write more when I have a bit more time.  Or if the sessions turn out to be really boring.

Comments

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

I agree with your rant. We (ECR, who last hosted the convention) made sure to negotiate free access as part of the deal. The hotel business is now about keeping apparent rates down for competitive reasons, then screwing the price-insensitive with such things as $5 bottles of water, $18 parking (the Marriott's usual charge, negotiated down to $8 for us), and surprise fees for everything from gym access to local calls. The hotels particularly hate it when you escape their "reservation" to eat; convention committees will always have a hard time getting meal deals and price concessions on extras. Knowing in advance all of the areas where they plan to overcharge and containing them in a contract is very difficult.

So relax and pay; the room rate is higher than you thought! :)

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

Ran into this related discussion....

[deege.livejournal.com]

Wireless, huh? Their crackerjack web site said the Internet access in the rooms was wired so I was all ready to pack my pocket wireless router. Guess I don't need it.

On the other hand, I could bring it and let anyone who wants just come to my room and feed off the network. Not much of a lure though, really, is it?

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

The Marriott rooms might be wired... I didn't check into that as we're staying at the Cortona Inn next door. I'll ask around.

[abqdan.livejournal.com]

Kind of interesting... the Marriot is bundling 24 hour internet, long distance and local phone calls for $9.95 a day. So, if you don't want to use the net or phone your relatives in Ohio, but you desperately need that pizza delivery, it's going to cost you 10 bucks :-) Thank heavens for cell phones.

Yes, they're trying to make their infrastucture costs back while keeping the 'apparent' rate low. Same reason they charged outrageous fees for phone use (even 800 numbers), why that McDonald-like burger is $13 (limp lettuce and stale bun included) and why no-one gets drunk in a hotel bar without a second mortgage.

See you in a few days!

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

My hotel is charging $0.50 per outgoing call, beginning with *the third ring*. WTF?!