Welcome to the 34th annual KansasFest, the longest-running conference for Apple II users, programmers, hobbyists, and retro-computing enthusiasts. This year is a hybrid event. KansasFest is gathering in both the muggy heat of Kansas City, Missouri, and virtually. Regardless of the venue, we strive for an enjoyable and action-packed meeting of expertise and passion for the Apple II. We’re committed to everybody having an excellent time, so please let us know if we may help with anything.
This page contains two sections, one for all attendees and a second with additional details for in-person attendees.
Please visit the Logging In page for details on using Discord and Zoom. These services are reserved for registered attendees. Please check your e-mail for the password.
Our view-only YouTube stream is available to everybody at no charge. We suggest using Zoom and Discord instead for live participation in discussions with presenters and attendees. Sometime after KansasFest concludes, we’ll post edited recordings of all sessions.
Joining KansasFest – Remote and In-Person
Getting Connected
Calendar and Schedule
Check here for the schedule.
Sessions are scheduled in Central Daylight Time (CDT) or GMT-5, the timezone for Kansas City, from about 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM on Thursday through Saturday. We’re aware that, due to international participation, the times are exceptionally early or late for some, but there was no way we could accommodate everybody.
The schedule includes after-hours (after 6:00 PM CDT) events. Unlike regular sessions, these events might be off-topic or of limited interest, such as games, discussions, or social gatherings. If you’d like to organize such an event, contact us.
Discord
We’re using Discord for voice and text chat to re-create some of the social experience from an in-person KansasFest. Please join, listen, and share. You’ll get a lot more out of KansasFest if you join the ad-hoc discussions and social meetings. If you’re unfamiliar with Discord, please take a look at the introductory video below.
After you’ve joined Discord, we suggest starting with the #corcoran-lobby channel for general chat and the #photo-roster channel for introductions. The joining instructions require a password only available to registered attendees. Please check your e-mail for the password.
Zoom
We’re using Zoom for our virtual meetings. Zoom is available for a variety of operating systems. If you’d rather not install the Zoom client, Zoom is also available in your Web browser. Please setup Zoom beforehand so you don’t miss anything.
All scheduled sessions will have professional captioning available via Zoom. Please contact us if you need help with setup or other accommodations.
We’ll also stream the sessions to YouTube, but we cannot respond to questions via YouTube. Post your questions in Discord instead. Sometime after KansasFest concludes, we’ll post recordings to the Internet Archive.
We will schedule practice sessions for presenters. Check back soon for details.
Join our e-mail discussion list. We’ll cross-post announcements, like schedule changes, to Discord.
You can follow the official KansasFest feed at @kansasfest, or use the hashtag #A2KFest in your own tweets to join the discussion.
Pins and Shirts
During registration, you had the option to purchase a commemorative pin. If you paid for remote registration with a commemorative pin, the pins are mailed out at the beginning of July and you should receive an email notification from PirateShip. Domestic (US) shipments should arrive within a week of notification while international shipments may take several weeks. In-person attendees will receive their pins at check-in. If you purchase remote registration during the week of KansasFest, you will receive your registration information via email, and your commemorative pin will be mailed during the week after KansasFest.
You may order shirts here. We are not selling shirts on-site in Kansas City. If you want a shirt, please order beforehand and expect shipping to take a few weeks.
Code of Conduct
The code of conduct covers all official communication channels. Please be mindful that your fellow attendees hail from around the world and represent a variety of cultures, languages, politics, experiences, and lifestyles. If you have problems or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to conference staff (see “Getting Help” below).
Contests
Contests are a traditional part of KansasFest.
HackFest
This year, we’re organizing HackFest, our annual Apple II programming contest. Please see the rules and past entries. Judges consider completeness, cleverness, and “coolness”. Entries don’t have to be useful if they’re otherwise impressive, and they don’t have to be “finished.” Join the #hackfest channel on Discord for discussion, clarifications from the judges, and submission.
Low-Resolution Art
Details are forthcoming.
Lode Runner Level Design
Details are forthcoming.
Tips for Presenters
- Read Jason Scott’s “Presenting at the Virtual KansasFest”.
- Your allotted time includes a transition, brief introduction, and Q&A. If you have a 15 minutes slot, plan about 13 minutes of presentation. If you have a 30 minute slot, plan about 28 minutes of presentation.
- Watch the time. Be ready at the assigned start time. Moderators will interrupt you at the end time.
- Attend at least one practice session. We will schedule two. Let us know if you cannot attend either, and we’ll try to arrange something.
Getting Help
If you have a problem or question, please reach out to the planning committee. You may send a private e-mail or use our contact form. Committee members, identified with purple names, are reachable on Discord.
In-Person in Kansas City
You may also find our FAQ helpful. The KansasFest for Newcomers guide provides much more information; long-time attendees may even learn something.
Getting There
We will be in Corcoran Hall on the campus of Rockhurst University. Please see the campus map. Notice the one-way streets that may affect your travel. When you arrive, please park in front (north) of the building along the street. The doors will be locked. Knock and somebody will let you in. Dagen has created a helpful video showing our building and parking.
Checking In and Parking
You may check in starting Monday afternoon (if you paid for super-early arrival), or Tuesday morning. The resident assistant at the dorm can check you in and give you your room key and building access card.
The event registration table (to receive your welcome packet, t-shirt, etc.) is open on Tuesday between 12PM – 3:30PM and on Wednesday between 1PM – 1:15PM.
After unloading, please relocate your car to the gated parking lot adjacent to Corcoran Hall or the parking garage at the intersection of Troost Ave. and Rockhurst Rd. Your card will open the parking gate.
Meals
Most meals are in the Massman Hall cafeteria. Typical times are:
- Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Lunch: Noon – 1 PM
- Dinner: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Except pizza night on Friday, and dinners out on Tuesday and Saturday)
On Tuesday at 4:00PM, we will gather in the building lobby and depart at 4:30 PM for a dinner outing to Jack Stack BBQ (Freight House location) and Lidia’s Italian restaurant. Click here for directions. Both restaurants are in the same plaza, and you may dine at whichever you prefer. Vegetarians often split off and head to one of several excellent appropriate restaurants.
Activities kickoff mid-morning Wednesday with the Garage Giveaway followed by the Kookout Barbecue in the Student Activities Center (aka “party barn” just west of Corcoran Hall). The keynote begins midafternoon on Thursday in the Corcoran Hall basement.
Carpooling
If you have a car for the duration of the conference, please carpool with other attendees when we head out to local restaurants, arcades, movies etc. so we don’t have to use taxis/ubers.
Schedule
You’ll be provided with a printed schedule summary; while good for time slots, the particular session schedule always changes to some extent. Thus, the schedule is available in several formats online. We’ll update all of these schedule formats except the PDF with last minute changes. We’ll announce changes before sessions begin and maintain a whiteboard in the lobby with written notices. It’s also helpful to monitor the mailing list.
Questions and Problems
If you have any questions or problems, please ask. Members of the planning committee wear black lanyards. We have many regular attendees who can help, too, so don’t hesitate to introduce yourself.
Photography and Video Recording
We take privacy and safety seriously. Before streaming, filming, or taking photos, please consider the following:
- Attendees wearing RED lanyards DO NOT wish to be photographed, filmed or streamed. If you inadvertently capture someone wearing a red lanyard while recording, tastefully blur them out during editing prior to uploading the video to public sites. If you’re streaming, please focus on the speaker and their session content (not on audience shots), assuming the speaker is okay with being captured.
- People with BLUE and BLACK lanyards have consented to being filmed, streamed, photographed etc.
It’s always a good idea to ask permission before putting anyone in frame, especially if you’re using your phone. People can’t tell if you’re reading your e-mails and texts or streaming/filming. Clearly indicate you’re filming and make sure the person understands and acknowledges you. Don’t assume it’s okay because sometimes it’s not.
All sessions are streamed and recorded. Please sit behind the camera if you don’t wish to appear in the videos. There is a well-marked camera (facing away from the walkway) in the lobby for interactions between in-person and remote attendees.
Keep it polite, and everyone will have a good time.
Linens and Pillows
Registration by default includes no linens or pillows. If you can’t pack one and didn’t pre-order a pillow/linens, Wal-Mart has inexpensive options. If you can arrange to bring your own sheets, blanket, and towel(s), we recommend that you do so. Or, you may order linens from us at an extra cost; they will be sufficient but spartan. At the end of the event, attendees may keep linens and pillows, or leave them in the lobby and we’ll donate them to a local non-profit shelter.
There are laundry facilities in the dorm basement. You’ll need quarters and detergent. Sometimes, attendees share a box/bottle of detergent for the duration of the conference.
Weather
The local weather will likely be HOT AND HUMID. Some trekking is involved between the dorm and the cafeteria, loading/unloading vehicles, etc. If you’re from a milder climate or an indoor person, the heat and humidity can be brutal.
Keep yourself hydrated.
Don’t overexert yourself.
Ask for help if you need it.
Wear appropriate clothing.
Sunscreen is your friend.
Many attendees keep an ice chest in their room (often shared by roommates) filled with ice, beverages, and munchies. There should be a working ice machine in the basement of the dorm. To prevent the first day’s run on the ice, consider filling up with ice from a convenience/grocery store first and then restock from the ice machine.
Some attendees bring small desk fans or box fans to boost the effectiveness of the dorm A/C units. The A/C is pretty good, but a fan can help knock down humidity. The A/C is also an alternative to chilling bottled water if you don’t use a cooler.
Supplies and Local Stores
There is usually an impromptu call Tuesday evening for a caravan to Wal-Mart for supplies. Speak up if you need a ride or directions. Wal-Mart has just about anything you’ll need. Additional supply runs occur sporadically, so if you miss the first one, there may be another later.
Micro Center about 20+ minutes away in Overland Park offers computer stuff and electronics. For electronic components, the closest place is Electronics Supply Co. (directions).
There is an ATM machine and free-play Galaga machine in the Massman Hall basement.
Lodging
Our dorm is divided into ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’ areas. Each wing of the dorm has a single bathroom per floor; we try to fairly assign the bathrooms based on how many men and women are in each section. It’s the best we can do in the circumstances, so please understand that you might have to go upstairs or across to the other wing to find your bathroom. Signs will be posted, so please be observant before entering the facilities.
Guard your door card. Replacement cards can cost $100. When you arrive, staff will provide you with a door/gate access card (for swiping to get into the dorm, the hall, and parking area gates), a key (for your room), and a lanyard with a pouch. We suggest putting the key on the card pouch for easy access and keeping your card pouch in the lanyard’s pouch. Return the card and key when you check out. The lanyard is yours to keep. If you can, keep it for next year for your KansasFest annual pin collection.
Please help us keep the building clean. Make sure trash ends up in a can or dumpster. Use recycling bins. Break down boxes and bring them to the dumpster east of the building.