"LAN Party v4.0 Military Force" in Lithuania

This weekend (2000 08 25 - 27 d.) in the building of "Pergale" cinema already fourth Lithuanian "Lan Party" will be organized. About "Lan Party" LAN (Local Area Network) is the local network that connects the computers of the individual users. Local network is usually created in the offices in order to make employee's cooperation and their usage of the network's devices (printers, scanners) more easy. There are also enthusiasts who create local networks in their homes connecting computers of their neighbors. Network conversations and games are the most popular between them. Opportunities of the local network are used for organization of "LAN Party" activity for computer specialists and those who are fond of computer network games. Every participant is to bring his own computer prepared for the work in the network. Participants' computers are connected into common network where every member sees each other. Through the network participants share their experience with each other, compete with each other in the different computer games, such as "Quake", "Rainbow Six", "StarCraft", "Age of Empires" and others. Competitions between two players, between groups and even between all the participants of "LAN Party" are organized. Data transmission speed in the local network is greater than in Internet. Besides, all the participants are provided with the same conditions. That makes competition quite different from those that are organized at home. The activity lasts for 48. Only fast food and short moments of sleep divert them from the games. If somebody doesn't have much experience in this area he may be given professional's consultations on different questions. Furthermore, here it is possible to find new friends, confederates. Of course the participants feel exhausted such sort of activities, but all are happy and with plenty of new impressions. Last year Last year "LAN Party v3.0 Y2K Compatible" was organized in December 17-19 in the edifice of "Pergale" cinema. JSC "Penki kontinentai" connected participants of the activity to the wireless Internet. 59 players took part in the activity. It sound very strange but only 35 % of them were Vilnius residents. Other arrived from Kaunas, Paneveþys, Klaipëda, Ðiauliai, Telðiai. During the first day the participants played "For fun", and all the night they were talking in the conferences. The next day all the participants were divided into groups (6 teams of 4 members), which were playing "QuakeII". Besides this activity two smaller ones were organized in Ðiauliai due to the pupils' initiative. This year "LAN Party v.4.0 Military Force" will take place this weekend (August, 25-27) in the edifice of "Pergale" cinema. Today there are already 115 registered participants with their personal computers. Average age is 19,5 years; 97 % are men and 3% - women. Totally, 152 volunteers are awaited. And about 10-20 members of computer clubs will also take part in that activity. The popularity of activity is so large that organizers are obliged to stop registration as the building is adjusted for not more than 160 participants only. It's very pity, but the spectators will be not allowed to watch competition. The tournament on "Quake III" will be organized. The winners will be given prizes: winner of the first place will be given 2000 Lt. prize, of the second place - 300 Lt. And of the third place - 200 Lt. Tournament on the "Minesweeper" game will be also organized. The first who clears of mines the field will be the winner and will be given 100 Lt. prize. Size of the field 24x30, number of mines - 150. "LAN" party's participants will be "chained" to computers during three days. The participant will of course be allowed to eat and to sleep. But considering passion of those who are keen on computer games this is perhaps the thing they will forget during the competition. "LAN" Party is organized by Evaldas and Vaidotas Jociai ,and Gediminas Grigas. Sponsors: "Infobalt" association, students' of the Vilnius University representation, JSC "Penki kontinentai", JSC "Gelvoros saugos konssultacijos" JSC "A-Kaabel Vilnius", "Quake Punk" - Martynas Majeris (www.quake.lt), JSC "Sonex kompiuteriai".