Off Topic > Everything Else

Registration Blues (was: In future prevent the proxy error when regestring)

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Cookie:
I wonder how many registrations were done by bots and other "automatic" means..

EF, convention for people with good connections and computer wizz?

LOL

o'wolf:

--- Quote from: Cookie on 12.03.2009, 00:33:09 ---I wonder how many registrations were done by bots and other "automatic" means..
--- End quote ---

None. The form data changes slightly every year, the URL components changed this year, and there is no way to test a script without us noticing. And there is no way to even see the form before we start registration.

However, do not underestimate the power of 800 monkeys^Wfurless apes hitting F5 at the same time.

Zefiro:

--- Quote from: Cookie on 12.03.2009, 00:33:09 ---I wonder how many registrations were done by bots and other "automatic" means..
--- End quote ---
I'd guess... none.

You can only (reliably) create a bot if you know exactly how the page will look like beforehand. Since it was at least slightly changed (and could potentially have been completely changed) since last year, creating a bot would have been quite a risk.

And those which had access to the system before that, i.e. staff, already did register.

But hey, we could always try new ideas. What about selling memberships on ebay? Or requiring to write an application, and having a jury select those which could best describe why they just need to be there at the con? Or doing it alphabetically? Ok, I wouldn't be too happy with the last one ;)

*purrrr*

Oddity:

--- Quote from: Cheetah on 05.03.2009, 14:51:46 ---If you tell us how to stop 800 people from simultaneously hammering their "f5" key, we might be able to resolve this situation :) But honestly, we're already looking for a new location that has more spaces, so it's no longer necessary to play the "registration lottery" like it happened to turn out this year. But it's not easy, and we haven't been able to get any good deal so far.

--- End quote ---

If you don't find a larger location, then I suggest that for next year you make it an explicit lottery. Perhaps the first hour of registrations or the first 1000 registrations could be assigned a random registration number, or something along those lines. This would hopefully lower the pressure at the start and make the registration go a little smoother.

gwyndolium:
With some luck next year there will be enough spaces for all  ;D

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