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Revision 1 as of 2019-07-27 12:22:58
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Revision 2 as of 2019-07-27 12:35:53
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Comment: created and updated Sweden DebConf 2021 or later
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{| class="wikitable"
 |-
 ! Criteria
 ! Centralised catering
 ! Meal tickets to various venues
 ! Alternative 1
 |-
 | Location
 |
 |
 |
 |-
 | Transport
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 |
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 |-
 | Room arrangements
 |
 |
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 | Food included?
 |
 |
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 | Capacity
 |
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 |-
 | Care for minorities/accessibility
 |
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 |-
 | Advantages
 |
 |
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 |-
 | Downsides
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 | Potential Dates
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 | Details
 | sub wiki page
 | sub wiki page
 | sub wiki page
 |}
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=== Sea food ===

Being a coastal city, Cape Town is rich in a wide variety of sea food.
=== Local cuisine ===
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Cape Town and its surrounds are host to a large amount of [[wikipedia:Western_Cape_wine|wine farms]], producing many award wining wines that are exported globally. It also has a blooming [http://www.southyeasters.co.za/ craft beer] and micro-brewing community.
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* We have not received a full range of quotes from our contacts yet.
* Three quotes thus far from commercial caterers are in the ball park of R375 pppd (ball park Euro 27, $34) (see the [[/Venues/UCT_ChemEng#Caterers]] for more details)
* We are fairly confident that the caterers we spoke to so far will be able to offer a diverse selection and avoid monotonous meals.
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* <b>[[wikipedia:Western_Cape_wine|Wine Farms]]</b> - The Western Cape province houses many world-notable wine farms. Many of them are in close proximity of each other, making it an ideal day trip.
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*
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South Africa has strict exchange control, and transferring large sums of money in and out of the country requires Reserve Bank approval.

However, normal tourist activity requires no authorization.
DebConf Attendees shouldn't be affected by the exchange control laws at all.
They will likely only be an issue for the conference, moving Debian money and/or sponsorship into and out of the country.

Strictly speaking, foreign currency brought into the country must be converted to Rands within 30 days.
Large, say over R10k, transfers by banks can take a few days, because of the Reserve Bank approval, but shouldn't be problematic.
Individuals transferring over R1m out are usually required to pay a 10% tax.
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See the conference [[/Venues]] pages for venue and official accommodation connectivity details.

South Africa has quite expensive fixed-line Internet connectivity, compared to the rest of the world, but fairly cheap cellular and wireless options.

All South African cellular networks use GSM and the major ones have LTE coverage within Cape Town (although not necessarily over the conference venues).
You can expect to pay on the order of R5 (€0.36) for a pre-paid SIM card, and R100 (€7.24) for 1GiB of data, for a month.
You will be required to register (RICA) your SIM card with the Government, providing ID and proof of residence (you can usually do this at purchase).
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Aside from the usual International sponsors, these companies have a presence in South Africa (or are local), and may be worth approaching for sponsorship.
None of them have been contacted.
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* 2go
* Amazon Web Services
* Frogfoot Networks
* IBM
* LSD Information Technology
* MyBroadband
* Obsidian Systems
* Oracle
* Pick 'n Pay
* Praekelt Foundation
* SAB (South African Breweries)
* Samsung
* Siemens
* St James Software
* Takealot
* Woolworths
* Yola
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* [http://www.chpc.ac.za/ CHPC] (Centre for High Performance Computing)
* [http://www.csir.co.za/ CSIR] (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)
* [http://www.sita.co.za/ SITA] (State Information Technology Agency)
* [http://www.tia.org.za/ TIA] (Technology Innovation Agency)
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* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/234136640000720/ Arduino Cape Town (Facebook Group)]
* [https://www.clug.org.za/ CLUG] (Cape Linux User Group)
* [http://capetown.pm/ Cape Town Perl Mongers]
* [http://www.ctpug.org.za/ CTPUG] (Cape Town Python User Group)
* [http://capetownrb.org/ Cape Town Ruby Brigade]
* [http://www.ctwug.za.net/ CTWUG] (Cape Town Wireless User Group)
* [http://www.isoc.org.za/ ISOC-ZA] (Internet Society of South Africa)
* [https://ispa.org.za ISPA] (Internet Service Provider's Association)
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/ModernAlchemistsZA Modern Alchemists (Facebook Group)]
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Under South African law, we could register a [http://www.dsd.gov.za/npo/ Not for Profit Organization] quite easily.
We've spoken to a lawyer about doing this.

It may be possible to become a tax-exempt [http://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Businesses/TEO/Pages/default.aspx Public Benefit Organization], but it would take at least a year for a company to get PBO status.

Given the difficulty in getting tax-exempt status, we may want to look to a sponsor organization to receive and spend local donations for us.
Praekelt Foundation has done this for Pycon.za.
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[[Image:M_plug.jpg|thumb|200px|Type M / BS546 socket. Rated 15A]]

* South Africa uses 230V power with a [[wikipedia:AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#BS_546_and_related_types|Type M 3 pin socket]]
* This socket is incompatible with US and European plugs, but 2-pin euro-plug adaptors are available in all supermarkets (most small appliances are sold with euro-plugs).
* Bulk buying some adaptors and setting up some US + Europlug power strips for users who wish to charge laptops and phones would be trivial.
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There are a few high-street computer stores (there are a couple in the V&A waterfront, and at least one on Main Road, below UCT).

However, to purchase any specific hardware or components, one probably wants to use an online specialist.
There are several in South Africa, and some offer next-day courier service (for a fee), or pick-up from their warehouse (half an hour's drive away).
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* Smoking is prohibited in any closed public area. This includes airports, malls and public transportation. Smoking is allowed in designated areas and outside unless otherwise specified.
* Current legislation only allow alcoholic beverages to be served until 2 am.
* No alcohol may be sold to persons under the age of 18. IDs aren't usually checked at restaurants and bars, but are often checked at clubs.
* South Africa drives on the left, like the UK.
* Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed or authenticated in English.
** However, car hire companies may require an international driver's licence. Check, if you are reserving a car.
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[[Image:MyCiti_Bus_system_Civic_Centre_station_2.JPG|thumbnail|200px|A MyCiTi bus at the central station]]

Compared to Europe, Cape Town has fairly poor public transport. Taking public transport in Cape Town is not ideal when you are in a rush, but is very convenient and relaxing once you understand how it works.

The [[wikipedia:Metrorail Western Cape|Metrorail]] train lines don't cover the city very well, and have had crime trouble in the past. There are sections that are considered safe during the day, and the Southern line that serves the university to town section is arguably the best functioning. Recently, the [http://gometroapp.com/ GoMetro] app made it easier to check the state of the line in real time. Rondebosch (below UCT) to Cape Town Central Station takes about 15 minutes. Plan to have adequate time for delays, but in heavy traffic the trains are the better option. Going the other way, the views by train to Simon's Town are spectacular.

The unregulated [[wikipedia:Share_taxi#South_Africa|Minibus Taxis]] are considered by some not to be particularly suitable or friendly to tourists, but as an African experience is fun and efficient. The best way to utilise this mode of transport is to ask people around you which stop to go to to get where you want to go, and if you feel uncomfortable, to ask someone for help. South Africans are very friendly and eager to help, in general. Travel times are similar to the trains, and they're very cheap.

More recently, there has been a rise in metered Taxi cabs, and [https://www.uber.com/cities/cape-town Uber] has launched, competing squarely with them. Taking metered taxis or rental cars are strongly dependent on traffic, and the university to town can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour, 25 minutes being more typical.

You can expect to pay around R10 (€0.72) / km for a metered taxi.
Drivers are often open to negotiation up-front on a flat fee for a trip.

Launched for the 2010 world cup, there is a bus service, [[wikipedia:MyCiTi|MyCiTi]], that covers the City Bowl, Nothern Suburbs and airport fairly well. At the time of writing there is not a convenient link between MyCiti and the University in Rondebosch. Commuting times are similar to rental cars, although they have dedicated lanes during peak traffic. [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apkola.myciti MyCiti Android App].

We would recommend that skittish attendees use MyCiTi, Uber, and metered taxis to get around Cape Town.

The University of Cape Town also has a dedicated [https://www.uct.ac.za/students/services/jammieshuttle/ 'Jammie' ] shuttle service, which we are currently investigating as the official DebConf travel option if the conference is held at the university. [http://anonscm.debian.org/cgit/debconf-data/bid-capetown.git/tree/venue_info/uct-jammie-vac-schedule Holiday schedule].
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Cape Town is home to the [http://www.cycletour.co.za/ Cape Argus] cycle tour, and is readily accessible by cycle for both pleasure and commuting, on road and off. Lately, the city is becoming even more cyclist friendly, as part of the integrated rapid transport ([https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/Overview.aspx IRT]) developments.

Cape Town also proudly hosts the [http://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/ Two Oceans Marathon], which is second only to the Comrades. The city is populated by avid runners, and it is virtually possible to transverse Table Mountain to get anywhere in Central Cape Town if that's your thing. The contour path right behind the university connects with town to the north (approx 16km unpaved road), and reaches further than the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, for a commute with a difference. (For an afternoon hike, head up about 30 minutes slow climb-walk to the contour path and walk a circular route in the forest which lasts an hour). Some people take it as far as the beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard, but don't do this if you're in a rush.

Alternatively you can leave the contour path and cross the mountain for a hike - apparently a previous president took this route to work daily. For any hikes on the mountain, the [http://www.slingsbymaps.com/ Slingsby maps] are highly recommended and beautiful mementos to boot.

Swimming to most places is possible but not really suited for commuting yet; it takes long, the water is rather cold and there may be sharks or strong winds. There may also be whales and orcas. Best to stick to [http://www.capeswim.com/ organised events] or boat charters.

[http://struiktravel.bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/02/19/excerpt-from-paths-to-pubs-a-guide-to-hikes-and-pints-in-the-cape-peninsula-by-tony-burton/ Bundu-bashing ] through the wild is not recommended - stick to the multiple, well sign-posted [http://www.cape-hike.co.za/ trails ]. The Cape is covered in fynbos which is scratchy, and the rest is boggy or sandy.
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As some our our venues are less well served by public transport, we've investigated hiring buses for airport pickups and/or evening round-trips to the city. UCT has it's own Jammie shuttle bus system that should be hireable (and its regular routes may even be useful to attendees).

Third party bus services charge around R3400 (€250) per evening for a 60 seater bus, or R5600 (€420) per day. 13-16 seater minibuses are around half that price.

== Crime and Safety ==

South Africa has a huge economic inequality, high unemployment, and many people living below the poverty line (close on 50% of the population).
This results in levels of crime, higher than Europe or the United States, but equivalent to other locations that DebConf has been held, in the past.
The majority of crime occurs in poorer areas outside the city.

One can visit and live in South Africa, quite safely, by simply being aware of ones surroundings:
* Avoid dangerous city areas at night (e.g. slums).
* Avoid empty trains in the evening. Busy trains during rush hour and the day are safe.
* Don't go up the mountain or along the contour paths alone, be social, invite a group for hiking or jogging.
* Don't flaunt wealth and valuables. Keep fancy cameras out of sight, unless you're using them.
* Don't leave visible items in a locked car.
* Call a reputable taxi service or use Uber, rather than hailing a random taxi cab.

All the conference venues we're looking at provide good security and would be safe environments.
Petty theft would be our main concern in these areas — don't leave phones, laptops and other valuables unattended.

== Crime, Safety, Xenophobia etc ==
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* Mailing list: [https://lists.debian.org/debconf-bid-capetown/ debconf-bid-capetown@lists.debian.org]
* IRC Channel: [https://webchat.oftc.net/?channels=%23debconf16-capetown #debconf16-capetown] on oftc
* Mailing list:
* IRC Channel:
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* [[/Ideas]].
* [[/Minutes]]: IRC meetings.
* [[/Status]]: Status Summary, for the bid presentation
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* [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Cape_Town Cape Town in Wikivoyage]

[[Category:DebConf16 bids]]

[[Category:DebConf21 bids]]
----
CategoryDebConf

Describe DebConf/21/Bids/Sweden here.

DebConf 21/22/23 Sweden Bid: Umeå

[[File:Location.png|thumb|500px|Umeå is special because...]]

[[File:Location.png|thumb|500px|The best part of Umeå is ...]]

TOC

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ume%C3%A5 Umeå],... more about Umeå.

We're submitting a [https://wiki.debconf.org/wiki/DebConf21/ bid] to host ?DebConf21 in Umeå. At this stage (mid 2019) we're asking for feedback if we should create a firm bid page in the wiki with all the info by early fall, or if we should rather aim for 2022/2023.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ume%C3%A5_University Umeå University] is special because... .

Why Umeå

We believe that Umeå makes a great DebConf host city

* It is in Europe, but even with a heatwave is not too hot. * The days last forever ... Summer gives near continuous sunlight * English is nearly universally spoken and understood as either first or second language. * This may be the most Northern DebConf yet.

[some images]

Weaker points in our bid

* We don't want to block other bids, we're willing to postpone / withdraw our bid on the community's advice.

Local team

The following people support this bid:

{| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col"|Name ! scope="col"|Location ! scope="col"|Debian affiliation ! scope="col"|DC experience ! scope="col"|Other experience/affiliation |- | Mattias Wadenstein (maswan) | Umeå | DD since 2005 | Volunteered at Oslo and Helsinki ?DebConfs | Staff at Umeå University, main local organizer for the [http://neic2017.nordforsk.org/practical/ NeIC 2017] |- | Bernelle Verster (indiebio) | South Africa | Debian aficionado | DebConf16 (Cape Town) local team | |- | Graham Inggs (ginggs) | South Africa | DM since 2014, DD since 2015, | DebConf16 (Cape Town) local team | |- | Luna Jernberg (bittin) | Sweden | | | Volunteer at Stockholm Debian Day, GUADEC, FOSDEM, etc |- |}

Venue

picture of Academic Computer Club / Umeå University

Main option, alternatives

A weakness of Cape Town was poor access to mobility challenged people (The university is located on a steep slope). indiebio in particular would like to see this improved.

<div style="clear: both"></div>

{| class="wikitable"

  • |- ! Criteria ! main option ! alternative 1 ! alternative 2 |- | Location | | | |- | Transport | | | |- | Accomodation included? | | | |- | Food included? | | | |- | Capacity | | | |- | Care for minorities/accessibility | | | |- | Advantages | | | |- | Downsides | | | |- | Potential Dates | | | |- | Details | sub wiki page | sub wiki page | sub wiki page |}

Include gallery of images here

Accommodation

There are no university residences, options between hostels, hotels, other... need to be compared.

{| class="wikitable"

  • |- ! Criteria ! alternative 1 ! alternative 2 ! alternative 3 |- | Location | | | |- | Transport | | | |- | Room arrangements | | | |- | Food included? | | | |- | Capacity | | | |- | Care for minorities/accessibility | | | |- | Advantages | | | |- | Downsides | | | |- | Potential Dates | | | |- | Details | sub wiki page | sub wiki page | sub wiki page |}

Food

{| class="wikitable"

  • |- ! Criteria ! Centralised catering ! Meal tickets to various venues ! Alternative 1 |- | Location | | | |- | Transport | | | |- | Room arrangements | | | |- | Food included? | | | |- | Capacity | | | |- | Care for minorities/accessibility | | | |- | Advantages | | | |- | Downsides | | | |- | Potential Dates | | | |- | Details | sub wiki page | sub wiki page | sub wiki page |}

Dietary Considerations

Local cuisine

Wine and Beer

Catering

When

Fun and Free Time

gallery here

Potential venues for conference dinner

Entertainment

Getting there

By Air

Visas

Countries requiring visas

Visa Application process

Customs (including Cheese & Wine)

Exchange Control

Connectivity

Potential Local Sponsors and Support

Business

=== Institutional / Government ===

Community

Umbrella Organizations

Power

Computer Equipment Availability

Local Laws and Regulations

Public Transport

Other commuting options

Bus Hire

Crime, Safety, Xenophobia etc

Team Administrivia

Contact Details

* Mailing list: * IRC Channel:

Misc sub-pages

?Category:DebConf21 bids


CategoryDebConf