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<<TableOfContents>>
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 * Everything you prepare '''before''' the event is done. There'll be enough left to do '''during''' the days.  * Everything you prepare '''before''' the event is done. There will be enough left to do '''during''' the days.
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(at least three months in advance)

Things to check when looking for a venue
Find a venue at least three months in advance.
Things to check when looking for a venue.
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 * Other Debian/Linux/Open Source events: DebianEvents https://lwn.net/Calendar/  * Other Debian/Linux/Open Source events: DebianEvents SocialEventAndConferenceCalendars
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(at least two months in advance) Announce the event least two months in advance:
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 * Set up a wiki page as instructed. Include  * Set up a wiki page as instructed. Include:
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 * Look at older annoucements to get an idea what should be in it. Keep it otherwise short, refer to the wiki page for details instead.  * Look at older announcements to get an idea what should be in it. Keep it otherwise short, refer to the wiki page for details instead.
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== Detailled planning == == Detailed planning ==
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Some ideas what else to do Some ideas what else to do:
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(one week in advance)

Things you might need
Equip the venue one week in advance.
Things you might need:
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 * Kitchen: Dishes, cutlery, coffee maker, water boiler, dishwascher  * Kitchen: Dishes, cutlery, coffee maker, water boiler, dishwasher
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 * Unless downlink is '''really''' thin, providing an apt cacher or even a package mirror is not worth the efforts.  * Unless downlink is '''really''' thin, providing an apt cache or even a package mirror is not worth the efforts.
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Hosting A Debian Bug Squashing Party (BSP)

Some things to have in mind when hosting a BSP. Most of them apply to all kinds of hackfest, or even (small) event organization in general.

The three most important things

  • People spend their weekend to join this event, and possibly travel huge distances. Make it worth their time.
  • Don't freak out on the previous statement. They will help if asked, and they forgive minor glitches. Just start preparing a little bit earlier than the first day.
  • WiFi must be up and running at the begin of the event.

General advice

  • Find a partner or at least a wing person. Talking about ideas helps a lot, so does having someone who can do some tasks for you.
  • Everything you prepare before the event is done. There will be enough left to do during the days.

About a venue

Find a venue at least three months in advance. Things to check when looking for a venue.

  • A meeting/conference room for 10-20 people. One big table is convenient.
  • Something suitable as an outdoor hacklab. Even if it rains.
  • Public transport connectivity
  • Car parking
  • Kitchen, at least microwave, coffemaker, water boiler
  • Nearby stores, pubs, and restaurants
  • Policy wrt staying over night. If yes, are there showers?

Network connectivity

  • Is there IPv6? Users could need it.
  • Venues might filter traffic. Check early that at least SSH, IPSec and OpenVPN get trough.
  • Especially for Germany: If there are concerns users' activity might lead to legal trouble, set up a Freifunk router that will make all traffic visible at a different place in the net.

Finding a date

BSPs usually run from Friday afternoon or Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon.

Carefully check for dates to avoid:

  • Other Debian/Linux/Open Source events: DebianEvents SocialEventAndConferenceCalendars

  • Public holidays, people might use them to visit relatives instead.
  • School holidays, Debian parents might be traveling.
  • Big local events, they drive hotel prices up (think Munich during Oktoberfest).

Announcing

Announce the event least two months in advance:

  • Set up a wiki page as instructed. Include:
    • Location and time
    • Reachability (both car and public transport)
    • Accessibility
    • Special regulations of the venue (like no alcoholic drinks)
    • Corona policy (still, unfortunately)
  • Offer registration in private.
  • Look at older announcements to get an idea what should be in it. Keep it otherwise short, refer to the wiki page for details instead.
  • Send e-mails to debian-devel-announce and other lists (like debian-events-<your-area>) separately.

  • People will send you e-mails with questions. Answer promptly.

Detailed planning

Some ideas what else to do:

  • Short introduction into bug squashing (usertagging at most)
  • Key signing
  • Cooking (group of volunteers or a passionate chef)
  • Visit a pub
  • Tour de maison (if hosted by a company)
  • City sightseeing

Create a schedule, and be flexible if things go a different way.

Equipping the venue

Equip the venue one week in advance. Things you might need:

  • First-aid kit
  • Some standard medication (head-ache pills mostly)
  • COVID masks and tests (still, unfortunately)
  • Kitchen: Dishes, cutlery, coffee maker, water boiler, dishwasher
  • Various beverages
  • Coffee, tea, milk, cookies
  • Printer
  • Beamer
  • Power strips, network and video cables, power adapters

Setting up the place

  • Connectivity build-up. As said above: When the guests arrive, they expect the WiFi to be up and running. You will not have the time to fix things then.

  • Unless downlink is really thin, providing an apt cache or even a package mirror is not worth the efforts.

  • Signs for the door of the venue to guide your guests. Take some time for a good design. People look for the Debian swirl.
  • Printed instructions, including
    • WiFi credentials (also as QR code)

    • Nearby stores
    • Venue address and contact telephone number
    • Some non-standard regulations (alcohol, how to handle doors)
  • Check the evacuation plan so you can guide others in case of an emergency.

Special needs

Take the following points into account. Communicate if there are problems.

  • Dietary (at least vegetarians and vegans)
  • Wheelchair accessibility (doors, elevators, bathroom)
  • Other ways of restricted mobility (people might have difficulties walking more than hundred meters)

Final remarks

  • Be confident in what you do.
  • Relax and enjoy.

See also

See also this other page with similar content.