Welcome to the 36th annual KansasFest, the longest-running conference for Apple II users, programmers, hobbyists, and retro-computing enthusiasts. This year, we are gathering in Springfield, Illinois, from July 16-21 and virtually from July 27-28. You are welcome to join one or both. 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 into KansasFest/A24EVR page for details on using Discord and Zoom. These services are reserved for registered attendees (both in-person and virtual). Please check your e-mail for the password.
Our view-only YouTube stream is available to everybody at no charge. Only presentations during the virtual segment are livestreamed. We suggest using Zoom and Discord for live participation in discussions with presenters and attendees. Sometime after KansasFest concludes, we’ll post edited recordings of all sessions, both those presented remotely and in-person.
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 Springfield, from about 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM. 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 #dorm-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.
We’ll also stream the virtual 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.
Twitter/X
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
In-person attendees will receive their pins at check-in.
You may order shirts here. We are not selling shirts on-site. If you want a shirt, please order beforehand as shipping takes a couple of 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.
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 Springfield
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 Lincoln Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield. The street address is Lincoln Residence Hall, 2160 Vachel Lindsay Dr, Springfield, IL 62703. Please see the campus map. The nearest parking is the surface lot north of Pennyroyal Court just west of Lincoln Hall. Larger vehicles should park in the lot further south along Carl Sandburg Ln. For loading/unloading, you may temporarily park in the metered spaces adjacent to Lincoln Hall. The doors may be locked. Knock and somebody will let you in.
Checking In and Parking
You may check in starting Monday afternoon (if you paid for super-early arrival) or Tuesday morning.
The event registration table (to receive your welcome packet, t-shirt, parking permit, etc.) is officially open on Tuesday between 12PM – 3:30PM and on Wednesday between 1PM – 1:15PM, although staff may be available at other times for early/late arrivals.
After unloading, obtain an included parking permit from the registration table and relocate your car to the nearby lots.
Meals
Breakfast and lunch are available in the Student Union about a 5 minute (0.2 mile) walk one-way from the residence hall. The trip is flat with no steps or hills. Please ask if you need assistance. The dining hall is open weekdays for breakfast and lunch but is not included in our price.
Your registration cost includes dinner on Wednesday and Thursday, the Friday pizza banquet, and breakfast/lunch on Saturday.
- Tuesday
- Breakfast and lunch: On your own. The cafeteria is open. (not included)
- Dinner: Outing to nearby restaurants (as is tradition) OR meet your new and old friends in the lobby to order-in. (not included)
- Wednesday
- Breakfast and lunch: On your own. The cafeteria is open. (not included)
- Dinner: KansasFest Kookout catered by Red Robin (included)
- Thursday
- Breakfast and lunch: On your own. The cafeteria is open. (not included)
- Dinner: Fiesta catered by Qdoba (included)
- Friday
- Breakfast and Lunch: On your own. The cafeteria is open. (not included)
- Dinner: Pizza Party sponsored by Juiced.GS (included)
- Saturday: The campus cafeteria is closed.
- Breakfast: Coffee, fruit, and pastries available in the lobby. (included)
- Lunch: Jersey Mike’s sandwiches (included)
- Dinner: Outing to nearby restaurants (as is tradition) or order in with your new best friends. (not included)
- Sunday: Breakfast on your own. (not included)
Throughout the week, we will have coffee (a Keurig machine) in the lobby.
Activities kickoff mid-morning Wednesday with the Garage Giveaway followed by our Featured Speaker.
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 photo or video to public sites. If you’re streaming, please focus on the speaker and their session content (not on audience shots), unless the speaker is wearing a red lanyard.
- 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 recorded. Please sit behind the camera if you don’t wish to appear in the videos.
Keep it polite, and everyone will have a good time.
Linens and Pillows
Rental linens, including sheets, blanket, towels, and pillows, are included with your registration. Please leave the linens in your room when you checkout.
There are free laundry facilities on each floor. You will need 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
A Walmart and ALDI (grocery store) are nearby northwest of campus. As we find other suggested stores, we will list them here.
Lodging
Every pair of rooms has a shared bathroom forming pods with 1-4 people each. The shower and toilet have partitions, and you may lock the exterior door. Your room key also unlocks the bathroom Please coordinate with your roommate and pod-mates about sharing the bathroom, and consider adding a sign to remind everybody about your agreement.
Guard your door key. Replacement keys can cost $100. When you arrive, staff will provide you with a door key. We suggest putting the key on your conference lanyard for easy access. Return the 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 dumpsters.