Prepare for your Panel Properly V1.1.1 FAQ (Updated 5/10/2008)
By Jared “Zerox20” of Panel Programming Staff

Contact Information:
E-mail: panelprogramming@gmail.com / panelprogramming@acen.org (Best way, be specific!!)
IRC: #acen @ irc.rizon.org
Homepage: http://www.acen.org (Applications, etc)
Department Leads:
Justin Telman – Department Head
Lynn Hunt – Assistant Department Head

We are not Tech Support!

What we provide:
- The Room
- Projector + Screen (When requested)
- Microphones (Basic Sound as in 2.0.. not 5.1!)
- SOME Cables (VGA Cable, Basic AV Cables)

EQUIPMENT:

1) You must provide your own LAPTOP! Make sure you know how to use all the functions of the laptop. (Using the FN Key to switch monitors when hooking up to a projector, plugging in proper cables, software is installed and working)

2) If you have unique hookups, like a DVI Connection to your laptop, Specific AV Splitter Cables (RCA’s etc), Power Cords etc make sure you bring those, we do not have very many of these specialty cables and adapters. Since not all projectors will have the same inputs.

3) A good idea is to maybe have a set of speakers in your car or hotel room as backup just in case any of the rooms are having sound issues or does not have the proper hookups for your laptop or DVD player etc.


TIMING / PLANNING:
1) Plan your Panel, run through your content, keep in mind when you have a 1 hour block, you have about 50 minutes, we like all panels to start “Wrap-Up” about 10 minutes beforehand for questions and so the next panel can setup, be courteous to your fellow panel people!

2) If you want a time change, let us know right away, however be aware emergency changes could bump you into a different spot that could go against more popular events, we try our best to keep panel programming scheduled separately as possible but things happen. Just make sure you communicate it!!

3) If you need ANY kind of equipment, make sure you let us know when filling out the application, this is critical as we allot certain equipment to each department for use during the convention, if you do not put the proper equipment here it could end up causing headaches for everyone!!


PANEL BADGES:
1) Every year we try our best to have badges ready, just be patient and ensure we will work as hard as possible with registration to get the badges as soon as possible.

2) We will not “randomly” add badges for people, make sure when you submit your badge request you put all the names of your panel people and have your ID so we can verify who you are.


PANEL TOPICS:
1) If you want to run a panel, submit the application as we have mentioned above, be sure it is content you can talk about and be interactive with. Also if the panel will have any graphic / 18+ content be sure to let us know so we can properly check IDs.

2) Keep in mind all panel topics require approval by the department heads / staff, the better you propose it, the better luck you will have.


SILLY FAQ:
Q: How do I spell pannel?
A: Not like that you n00b, remember its panel, as in http://panelprogramming.com and as in panelprogramming@gmail.com, do not misspell panel then ask us why we did not get your e-mail… okay?

 

Q: What does "tentatively approved" mean?

A:  With a cursory glance your panel looks alright, we have the right to request more information if we realize we need it. Chances are any panel we get will be let through, unless it's just completely obvious the person has no clue about the subject they want to present on. The more content someone has, the more popular the subject matter  will really help carry where the panel is in the schedule. We send that out since, as you may have guess, it's a generic letter. Since you guys really want confirmation on stuff, it's our way of saying, it looks good, but we can always pull it if we deem necessary.

 

Q: Why would we ask for more info?
A: 1.) You are a new panelist and have not done anything for acen or even another convention previously. We want to know if the person is serious or just in it to get a badge and do a halfhearted attempt.
    2.) You have a reputation at acen or elsewhere of well, basically screwing up. In that case we want to kinda know that a repeat is not about to happen.
    3.) We already have a near identical panel idea. If you can differenciate your panel from another similar panel then we will give it to you. But there's no sense having a ton of panels on the same topic.

 

Q: What types of inputs do the projectors normally have?

A: Most projectors have a standard VGA connection with some having S-Video. A Standard VGA is the most common type of connection.