(Part 2) Top products from r/lanparty

Here are the things I do, but many of them may not be applicable to you :P


1) I collect laptops to use for LAN parties that I host, bought at roughly $50-$75 a pop, then request that people to use those. Since we mostly play older games and many people don't want to move their desktop PCs anyways, this goes over pretty well.

2) I have a smaller collection of smallish monitors (19", 1440x900) that I force people to use. Nothing takes up asstons of table space like gigantic 24" or 27" monitors.

I was thinking that you could also make keyboard trays, something like this design that clamps onto the side of the table for pretty cheap. You could get a monitor stand that has keyboard storage underneath it like this one, but those often aren't meant for using the keyboard while the monitor is on top, they're not tall enough.

The lans I go to are too small to really bear much advice to you on the questions you listed.

Where I can provide some insight is in the types of table top games you should consider. Lots of folks (in the lan community) have been exposed to traditional pen/paper stuff like DnD. If you're looking to spice things up a bit, consider trying out some of the modern board games that are out. I'm sure some of your attendees will have already been exposed to these, but for the rest that haven't, they'll probably strike at least an interest or a few questions. BoardGameGeek has a list of the top board games out right now, some of which you might not have heard of. Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Race for the Galaxy, Carcassonne are some of the most popular. They're flashy, they're interesting, and they're usually under an hour (if not usually under 45 min) to play. They're an up and coming type of gaming that's spreading fast among the table-top/CCG/comics folks.

Edit: In retrospect, I kinda seem like a fanboy for this post, but holy shit they're really awesome games.

This guy is a pretty good resource. Check out "Section 4: networking" under his A+ study videos. He also has a Network+ series. If you decide you really want to get in depth you might check out a CCNA study guide like this one. CCNA goes more into enterprise level stuff than you will need (and it's obviously cisco-centric), but you will still learn a lot of good networking theory.

I'm a bit late to the party here, and its not exactly snack food, but just wanted to point out that there's a whole ass World of Warcraft cook book. I have it and its pretty awesome.

Firstly, most the comments here sucked, people should read and only comment if they are actually answering the question. (Internet sucks balls).

I've got the same question except I'm usually on a bench seat so I'm probably not looking for the most comfortable but for something that is just slightly comfortable, I've found these so far:

DJ adjustable chair:
http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-DJCHAIR-Adjustable-Dj-Chair/dp/B001Q3KT4M/ref=sr_1_62?ie=UTF8&qid=1420846849&sr=8-62&keywords=folding+chair

Slacker chair with a back:
http://www.amazon.com/Travelchair-Ultimate-Slacker-Chair-Black/dp/B0017HB9IM/ref=sr_1_93?ie=UTF8&qid=1420847138&sr=8-93&keywords=folding+chair

Folding portable swivel chair:
http://www.amazon.com/rEvolve-Swiveling-Portable-Chair-Black/dp/B00794MN00/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420847250&sr=8-3&keywords=portable+office+chair

Hair dressing chair:
http://www.amazon.com/SALON-HYDRAULIC-DENTIST-PURPOSE-STYLING/dp/B00EAR4HIU/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&qid=1420847304&sr=8-45&keywords=portable+office+chair

Director / makeup artist chair:
http://www.amazon.com/CHAIR-HEAVY-DUTY-CONSTRUCTION-High-Product-5-WARRANTY-A-RECHARGEABLE/dp/B003YA5SZA/ref=sr_1_93?ie=UTF8&qid=1420847344&sr=8-93&keywords=portable+office+chair

something like this, keep away from noname, or storebrands.

A good guide of how to build a proper highspeed router of old hardware can be found here

Remember that routing is not CPU intensive, i have used a 10 year old pentium3 powered computer to run a 50 person lan. Anything that boots and has two network adapters will work. The reason for doing all this is to minimize lag and add some extra security to all.

This is a super low budget option that would give you 8 inputs.

You would need an HDMI splitter for each console. Buy one first and test to make sure it doesn't create a delay.

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Monoprice 8X1 Enhanced Powered HDMI Switcher w/ Remote

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Enhanced-Powered-Switcher-Remote/dp/B003L14X3A/

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Elgato Cam Link (Running OBS)

https://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Cam-Link-Broadcast-Camcorder/dp/B07N4B5JZT/

100 Mbps is old fashioned. It doesn't cost that much more to get a gigabit capable switch and is totally worth it.

I bought this for my Silverstone Sugo build years ago..still have it to this day.

amazon

My brother-in-law picked one of these up at Dreamhack Austin last year, he loves it more linkage

That was my first thought. Definitely use wired, even the powerline adapters are more reliable than wireless. I've recommended them to my GF's bro and dad (both are ps4 gamers) which were using wireless before and it was mediocre. They upgraded to powerline adapters and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

You can even get powerline adapters that have a 4 port switch built in...

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Powerline-Network-Adapter-PLSK400/dp/B006JG5S6U/

The Gear Grip Pro has for decades been the ideal product for this, imo.

https://www.amazon.com/ThinkGeek-108-0170-GearGrip-Pro/dp/B00021UJSK

I use a throat mic for car stuff and while its great because you cant hear wind/music/exhaust/other people in the car. It is utterly terrible for voice quality. I have a hand full of these in my lan bag. If someone forgets a mic, or breaks theirs, or has an utterly shitty mic that either transmits ALL the sound or sounds terrible we loan our one of the zalmans to them. Adjust the sensitivity so its only picking up there voice when talking at a comfortable level and you should be good to go.

I'd recommend thicker gauge extension cables to support the 15amp circuit and heavy duty gaffer tape (don't use it on walls) to hold it down. Try to balance laptops and desktops, not just for electrical load balancing, but table space.

https://www.amazon.com/2883-Heavy-Duty-Contractor-Extension-Lighted/dp/B000KKLMO8

https://www.amazon.com/Polyken-Coated-Premium-Gaffers-Length/dp/B00DZ5V2IG/ref=sr_1_16?s=industrial&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1479774940&sr=1-16&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BG4O8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is ideal but I may upgrade to something that has wheels.

Honestly, you will want internet. Someone will need an update. Some games require you to connect to an online matchmaking service. What I would do is buy a really long ethernet cable to connect the router to the switch. Very low-tech, but not very expensive.

Absolutely, I found a trendnet on amazon for ya:
TRENDnet 8-Port Unmanaged 10/100 Mbps GREENnet Ethernet Desktop Plastic Housing Switch,TE100-S8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M2UZBK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_zeWtub0EY1P1Q

AOE2 is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005N9A7/

100 feet 7 dollars. done

http://www.amazon.com/RiteAV-Network-Ethernet-Office-Product/dp/B000V0IE6G