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Society Offerings => Society Convention => Topic started by: Richard Lockwood on November 28, 2019, 10:06:29 PM

Title: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Richard Lockwood on November 28, 2019, 10:06:29 PM
When: Weekend of 31st October/1st November 2020
Where: Great New Venue! Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: holdfast on April 02, 2020, 02:20:02 PM
It is six months until the Society Conference. With lockdown in force they is absolutely no excuse for turning up at Madingley without a game on offer.
Lots of time to ponder which period/battle has always appealed to you and produce the army/armies in plenty of time.
Those figure manufacturers who have stayed open for business can look in driving their top of the range Mercedes.
I will be recreating a Charles Grant battle from his The Ancient War Game, which has just been reprinted by Caliver.
JohnDZ
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Dave Knight on July 27, 2020, 04:27:28 PM
Any update on whether or not this is likely to proceed?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on September 09, 2020, 11:02:36 AM
Received an email from the organisers a few days ago - as no doubt did everyone else who's expressed an interest - saying that plans were well advanced for a distanced, safe conference. I hadn't quite made up my mind whether to attend or not ...

... and today the UK government announces a ban on gatherings of more than six people in England, starting next Monday. "A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes", but I am not optimstic.

Looking forward to the 2021 Conference now.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Tim on September 09, 2020, 08:46:53 PM
Duncan, you are assuming that the police state in which we now live will have relaxed the rules by the end of 2021...
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on September 10, 2020, 08:32:12 AM
Quote from: Duncan Head on September 09, 2020, 11:02:36 AM
... and today the UK government announces a ban on gatherings of more than six people in England, starting next Monday. "A full list of exemptions is due to be published before the law changes", but I am not optimstic.

Most recent measures seem to be focused on domestic gatherings where the irresponsible and fecund youth are failing to maintain an adequate social distance.  According to UK Government website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing), "Venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines will be able to continue to host more people in total."

Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on September 10, 2020, 10:01:05 AM
I am unclear how we will cope with  this section of the rules:

'Venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines will be able to continue to host more people in total - such as religious services in places of worship - but no one should visit in a group of greater than 6. When you visit one of these places, such as a pub, shop, leisure venue, restaurant or place of worship you should:

follow the limits on the number of other people you should meet with as a group - no more than six people unless you all live together (or are in the same support bubble)
avoid social interaction with anyone outside the group you are with, even if you see other people you know
provide your contact details to the organiser so that you can be contacted if needed by the NHS Test and Trace programme.'

The regulations struggle to accommodate the 'rule of six' with the government's desire to have life  regain normalcy.
The arbiters of the legality of all  this will be the local police. An organiser would  have to know that they approved of the activity and that it complied with the rule cited above, the tenor of which is that  one would have to stick with the same group of up to six  ( still social distancing within the group) all weekend.
Roy

Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on September 10, 2020, 11:55:00 AM
its all a bit of a mess really...
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on September 10, 2020, 12:06:42 PM
Quote from: aligern on September 10, 2020, 10:01:05 AM
I am unclear how we will cope with  this section of the rules:

I expect the venue will have asked the necessary questions already.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on September 10, 2020, 12:08:36 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on September 10, 2020, 12:06:42 PM
Quote from: aligern on September 10, 2020, 10:01:05 AM
I am unclear how we will cope with  this section of the rules:

I expect the venue will have asked the necessary questions already.

interestingly an excerpt from the BBC on it:

Will any social events of more than six be allowed?
Some gatherings of more than six people will be allowed, for example:

If your household or support bubble is larger than six
Where gatherings are for work or education purposes
Weddings and funerals
Team sports organised in a way limiting the spread of coronavirus
If you live in a household of more than six you can gather in public or private. However, you will not be able to join with anyone from outside of your household.

A full list will be published before the law changes on Monday.


could the conference be classed as an educational purpose?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on September 10, 2020, 01:42:13 PM
Very difficult that one Dave. The intention with educational exemption is going to be to get schools, colleges  and universities back functioning. I suspect that if there is any policy towards such events it will be directed against someone holding a party with 30 people, giving them all a free copy  of Teach yourself Spanish as they come in the door and playing a couple  of Buena Vista Social club tracks in the disco!
As to Nick's point, he is the most robustly cheerful optimist chap that I have known...I rather think we will have to check rather than rely on the venue...of course its nice if they check too.
Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 01:50:46 PM
Quote from: aligern on September 10, 2020, 01:42:13 PM
Very difficult that one Dave. The intention with educational exemption is going to be to get schools, colleges  and universities back functioning. I suspect that if there is any policy towards such events it will be directed against someone holding a party with 30 people, giving them all a free copy  of Teach yourself Spanish as they come in the door and playing a couple  of Buena Vista Social club tracks in the disco!
As to Nick's point, he is the most robustly cheerful optimist chap that I have known...I rather think we will have to check rather than rely on the venue...of course its nice if they check too.
Roy

I confess my first thought was, who in the club can we persuade to get married  ;)

Could always end up a funeral if his intended finds out the reason, but we'd still get the games in  8)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on September 10, 2020, 02:44:30 PM
I have seen no difference with respect to restaurants, etc.  Maximum who can congregate at a single table is 6, and they should all be from the same social bubble.  This is due to obvious reason that one needs to remove face coverings to consume food & drink.  If you have more than 6 people or they are from more than one social bubble, you need additional tables that are 2 metres or more apart.

One of my daughters shares a house with 6 other students.  I have asked whether they have decided who should stay outdoors, but her response (which cannot be repeated here) led me to believe that I had misunderstood the situation.  Incidentally, they are all studying different courses, which means they all go into university and mix with other social groups who then go back to their own houses, shared with 6 other students, etc, etc.... 

I am not sure that I am an optimist, but I was in southeast China during 2002/2003 (SARS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sars/)) and Saudi Arabia during 2013 (MERS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_respiratory_syndrome)).  One learns to put coronavirus epidemics in perspective.  Put it this way, I have personally known more people who have been shot down or blown up in passenger aircraft than have died of such plagues.  And as for the IRA, they tried to blow me up when I was working across the road from Reading Railway Station, and were only foiled by one of Reading's many thieves who stole their bomb (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/terrified-thief-foils-terrorist-bombers-1415372.html).  There comes a point when you have to stop worrying and just order another beer.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 03:00:59 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on September 10, 2020, 02:44:30 PM

I am not sure that I am an optimist, but I was in southeast China during 2002/2003 (SARS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sars/)) and Saudi Arabia during 2013 (MERS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_respiratory_syndrome)).  One learns to put coronavirus epidemics in perspective.  Put it this way, I have personally known more people who have been shot down or blown up in passenger aircraft than have died of such plagues.  And as for the IRA, they tried to blow me up when I was working across the road from Reading Railway Station, and were only foiled by one of Reading's many thieves who stole their bomb (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/terrified-thief-foils-terrorist-bombers-1415372.html).  There comes a point when you have to stop worrying and just order another beer.

Yes, a lad I was at school with died in an IRA bomb attack (as a journalist he ran towards the bang, not away, and was caught by the second)
My lady wife and I have had the virus with no particular ill effects. The problem is my experience of 'field epidemiology' is agricultural and Steve and I have the 2001 FMD outbreak under our belts.
We exterminated a virus by the simple expedient of killing and destroying the bodies of up to ten million mainly cattle and sheep, the majority of which wouldn't have the virus but were killed as potentially dangerous contacts.

To put it in perspective, if a wagon load of cattle was to arrive tomorrow on a ferry from the Irish Republic and one was spotted as having FMD, all cattle, sheep and pigs on that ferry would be killed. And if they'd moved onto farms, they'd probably kill all the animals on the farms they were moved to. They would then monitor like hawks all contiguous famrs.
That is, alas, how you stamp out a virus.
All we're doing is slowing the spread. The idea initially was to make sure the NHS didn't buckle under the pressure. That has worked.
But seriously, until we've got enough people with some resistance, the virus will continue to spread.

Looked at from a historical perspective, in our period, endemic diseases were far more serious. I've read in various places that cities were so unhealthy they couldn't maintain their population by normal reproduction, they depended on a steady inflow of healthy peasantry from the hinterland to keep their numbers up.

Jim
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on September 10, 2020, 03:03:25 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on September 10, 2020, 02:44:30 PMAnd as for the IRA, they tried to blow me up when I was working across the road from Reading Railway Station, and were only foiled by one of Reading's many thieves who stole their bomb (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/terrified-thief-foils-terrorist-bombers-1415372.html). 

Makes me proud to live in Reading.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on September 10, 2020, 03:08:22 PM
Always thought Zinzan street sounded lije just where a thieves kitchen would  be.
Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on September 10, 2020, 03:51:00 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on September 10, 2020, 02:44:30 PM
I have seen no difference with respect to restaurants, etc.  Maximum who can congregate at a single table is 6, and they should all be from the same social bubble.  This is due to obvious reason that one needs to remove face coverings to consume food & drink.  If you have more than 6 people or they are from more than one social bubble, you need additional tables that are 2 metres or more apart.

One of my daughters shares a house with 6 other students.  I have asked whether they have decided who should stay outdoors, but her response (which cannot be repeated here) led me to believe that I had misunderstood the situation.  Incidentally, they are all studying different courses, which means they all go into university and mix with other social groups who then go back to their own houses, shared with 6 other students, etc, etc.... 

I am not sure that I am an optimist, but I was in southeast China during 2002/2003 (SARS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sars/)) and Saudi Arabia during 2013 (MERS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_respiratory_syndrome)).  One learns to put coronavirus epidemics in perspective.  Put it this way, I have personally known more people who have been shot down or blown up in passenger aircraft than have died of such plagues.  And as for the IRA, they tried to blow me up when I was working across the road from Reading Railway Station, and were only foiled by one of Reading's many thieves who stole their bomb (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/terrified-thief-foils-terrorist-bombers-1415372.html).  There comes a point when you have to stop worrying and just order another beer.

I quite agree Nick.

Its like flying. People say flying is dangerous. Flying is not dangerous at all. Crashing is dangerous....
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on September 10, 2020, 03:59:09 PM
Quote from: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 03:00:59 PM
We exterminated a virus by the simple expedient of killing and destroying the bodies of up to ten million mainly cattle and sheep, the majority of which wouldn't have the virus but were killed as potentially dangerous contacts.

Fortunately, no one seems to be advocating anything so extreme to keep us safe from infected university students... 

Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 06:11:51 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on September 10, 2020, 03:59:09 PM
Quote from: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 03:00:59 PM
We exterminated a virus by the simple expedient of killing and destroying the bodies of up to ten million mainly cattle and sheep, the majority of which wouldn't have the virus but were killed as potentially dangerous contacts.

Fortunately, no one seems to be advocating anything so extreme to keep us safe from infected university students...

Yet!
You haven't read the panicking people who seem to haunt my facebook feed  :-[

There are times I find myself channelling the spirit of my maternal grandfather and have to quietly close the page and go and do something useful or I'd end up upsetting so many people I'd run of of fingers and toes to tally them on  8)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on September 10, 2020, 06:16:59 PM
Quote from: aligern on September 10, 2020, 03:08:22 PM
Always thought Zinzan street sounded lije just where a thieves kitchen would  be.
Roy

I spend nearly a year in Reading (that was before the current Hexagon was built! but there was something similar around there somewhere, it had a model shop which pretended to sell Hinchcliffe and minifigs) and I never discovered Zinzan street!
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on September 10, 2020, 07:27:29 PM
The model shop was in Chatham street underneath the multi storey car park.  I used to buy the occasional Lasset 54mm there.  i was working in the  Evening  Post circulation dept then and  knew pretty well every street in Reading!
Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on September 11, 2020, 08:31:43 AM
Zinzan Street is out along the Oxford Road in West Reading, not far from where I once lived. I think it's a bit more respectable these days than it used to be, but in the '80s-'90s it was certainly famous for drug dealiing and dodgy landlords.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Agrippa on September 13, 2020, 08:02:22 PM
Yes, the Government has hardly covered itself in glory on the 'clarity' front. It will be a great shame if it does not go ahead, as I think Madingly Hall would be a tremendous venue.  Still, stiff upper lip time, I suppose.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: yesthatphil on September 14, 2020, 11:31:02 AM
Just for clarity, regards household groups, I live in a household group of more than 6.  The 'rule of 6' does not apply if the household is already more than 6 (and you can still have your 'support bubble' visit without any issues.

The rules that apply to households do not apply to businesses, charities and heritage attractions and events (which are covered by separate guidelines for the 'Visitor Economy', most recently issued on Sept 10th) ... There has been a lot of public misunderstanding about this.

For heritage attractions, guided tours (which covers what I do i.e. battlefield visits and heritage walks) you have to do a Covid-19 Risk Assessment, ensure Social Distancing and limit numbers to 30, max.  Although you can have more than one pod of 30 as long as they are kept separate.  Most tour guides don't do as many as 30 in a party anyway (because it is difficult to engage a group of that size - and be heard - even without social distancing).  So the difference it makes for us is the Risk Assessment and the Distancing.

As far as the Conference is concerned, I think the relevant section in the guidance is (2.2.3) ...

From 1 October, it is expected that events of all types (e.g. trade shows, consumer shows,exhibitions, conferences) will be allowed at a capacity allowing for compliance with social distancingof 2m, or 1m with mitigation (approximately equivalent to a density of 10㎡ per person). Where suchevents involve people speaking loudly for prolonged periods of time any mitigation must includeparticular attention to the ventilation of the spaces. This will be subject to the latest public healthadvice.

Madiingley Hall should deal with a big part of that under their own procedures.  But, by and large, and accpting the provisos, it is fair to assume that the Government intends that the Conference be allowed to go ahead.  But watch out for that date to slide.

I'm expecting it will happen and I plan to be there.

Phil
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Erpingham on September 14, 2020, 11:48:28 AM
Very useful clarification Phil.

I'll not be there but I really hope it goes ahead, if only so I see a report of John DZ's Grantian refight :)

I suspect for the game organisers it will be about maintaining safe distances round the table, as they are going to be in proximity for more than the critical 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Dave Knight on September 18, 2020, 02:36:31 PM
Sorry to see that it has beeen cancelled but it was probably inevitable given the current spike in cases
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on September 18, 2020, 04:23:32 PM
I've posted the news up on Facebook and Twitter
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on September 18, 2020, 05:57:50 PM
Thank you Dave.
The area of biggest concern for me is that the current new and restrictive rules really do not looks like  the final actions in this saga.  The ability to hold the event could be compromised at any time between now and the  end of October. The decision was taken with real reluctance, but it is the right decision. We should still be able to generate some value for the Society  and the wider membership which is  a positive. . I am sure that Richard and John will be addressing us on that topic soon.
Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: yesthatphil on September 22, 2020, 12:31:55 PM
I understand why the Committee could not wait until the guidance for Conferences emerged (if on schedule) on Oct 1st.  Whatever that guidance says, it is bound to require Social Distancing measures (which will, in effect, limit total venue numbers). 

I am organising the next Conference for the Battlefields Trust.  It has been postponed (already) from May 2020 (when it would have not been allowed at all) to May 2021 (when we hope it can take place).  However, I very much doubt that Social Distancing will have disappeared by the Spring and I already have a large number of carried-forward bookings.  I am concerned I may not be able to get them all in the same room for plenary sessions.  I am desperate for some permitted events to go ahead so we can start learning how to make these events work under different organisational protocols to the ones we are used to.

It may be we have to work more like school classrooms ... i.e. everyone who currently does a talk does it twice (for half a room, allowing for the Distancing) while the other half of the room is in break-outs ... then they swap (so everyone gets the keynote content, just not all at the same time).  It seems to me that we will still need more space to achieve that but some jiggling may help.  For slots where sessions run in parallel, people will need to be spread much more evenly across the available space (rather than the current random mix of crammed popular sessions and under-populated fringe sessions).  I think that means popular sessions will need to run more than once.

Hopefully, we will be able to have a BattleDay!

Phil
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: holdfast on October 05, 2020, 07:52:51 PM
'Madingley Conference update

Members will be aware of the decision to slip the Madingley Conference from October 2020 to October 2021, since the latest Covid restrictions have greatly diminished the appeal of the event.
The Conference Organisers have decided to replace the physical conference with a pair of virtual sessions. They will be staged as follows:
•   1600-1800 (UK time) on Saturday 31 October
•   1600-1800 (UK time) on Sunday 1 November 2020.
It is hoped that each session will have two presentations and a Q and A period.
Further details, including the identity of the speakers and the themes will be communicated to members via the Society Forum and by e-mail.
These virtual events are likely to be more accessible to the majority of members, not least those living abroad.'
John Drewienkiewicz
SoA Hon Secretary
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 05, 2020, 08:58:46 PM
thanks John. As you put it, the unintended consequence of the covid restrictions may give rise to a broader audience for the conference
Title: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: holdfast on October 21, 2020, 09:27:21 PM
Good Evening to the Members,
We are now 10 days out from our first virtual conference.
The programme for the Conference looks like this:

Sat 31 Oct 1600-1800 UK Time
                Simon Elliott: The Classis Britannica.
                Phil Steele: The Arab Conquest.
Sun 1 Nov 1600-1800 UK Time
                Matt Bennett: The Normans in the Mediterranean.
                John Curry: Random Insights into Practical Medieval Warfare.

We hope that each talk will last 60 minutes which will be about 45 minutes from each presenter and 15 minutes of Q and A, moderated by Richard Lockwood.
Members are invited to email Richard Jeffrey-Cook on <treasurer@soa.org.uk.> in order to register.  He will then send you an invitation with a link that will enable you to access the conference itself. 

The talks will appear in Slingshot in some form, probably in the January issue and we hope that they will also be available via an electronic platform in due course.

Best Regards
John Drewienkiewicz
SoA Hon Secretary
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Martin Smith on October 25, 2020, 06:00:56 PM
Quote from: holdfast on October 21, 2020, 09:27:21 PM
Good Evening to the Members,
We are now 10 days out from our first virtual conference.
The programme for the Conference looks like this:

Sat 31 Oct 1600-1800 UK Time
                Simon Elliott: The Classis Britannica.
                Phil Steele: The Arab Conquest.
Sun 1 Nov 1600-1800 UK Time
                Matt Bennett: The Normans in the Mediterranean.
                John Curry: Random Insights into Practical Medieval Warfare.

We hope that each talk will last 60 minutes which will be about 45 minutes from each presenter and 15 minutes of Q and A, moderated by Richard Lockwood.
Members are invited to email Richard Jeffrey-Cook on <treasurer@soa.org.uk.> in order to register.  He will then send you an invitation with a link that will enable you to access the conference itself. 

The talks will appear in Slingshot in some form, probably in the January issue and we hope that they will also be available via an electronic platform in due course.

Best Regards
John Drewienkiewicz
SoA Hon Secretary

Question:- what do we need to do from our end to be able to participate, apart from register?
Is it on Zoom, Skype, Teams eg? Not being very IT savvy myself, I'm not sure if I have the right 'kit' installed...
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on October 25, 2020, 08:01:37 PM
I will inevitably be working when they're happening. But please let us know when the papers are available
Jim
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 25, 2020, 09:21:22 PM
also working but also interested in the output!
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on October 26, 2020, 08:08:50 AM
Quote from: Martin Smith on October 25, 2020, 06:00:56 PM
Question:- what do we need to do from our end to be able to participate, apart from register?
Is it on Zoom, Skype, Teams eg? Not being very IT savvy myself, I'm not sure if I have the right 'kit' installed...

I understand the software is called 'Livestorm'.  Yes, I know it sounds frightening, but I am assured that all one has to do is hit the button on the email you receive from our illustrious Treasurer, Richard Jeffrey-Cook, and let it do its stuff. 

8)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Martin Smith on October 26, 2020, 09:56:57 AM
Thanks Nick...it was far from obvious to me (Mr Numptyhead).
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 11:46:00 AM

Quote from: Martin Smith on October 25, 2020, 06:00:56 PM
Question:- what do we need to do from our end to be able to participate, apart from register?
Is it on Zoom, Skype, Teams eg? Not being very IT savvy myself, I'm not sure if I have the right 'kit' installed...


All you will need is a browser.  It works best with Google Chrome, but should work with other browsers.

When you contact me - you will receive an email from Livestorm.  You need to click on the link to register. You will then receive a further link which allows you to access the webinar.  It also allows you to test your set up to make sure it all works okay.

The reason for contacting me first is so that we don't break any GDPR rules.

Richard Jeffrey-Cook
Treasurer
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 11:48:40 AM
Quote from: NickHarbud on October 26, 2020, 08:08:50 AM
Quote from: Martin Smith on October 25, 2020, 06:00:56 PM
Question:- what do we need to do from our end to be able to participate, apart from register?
Is it on Zoom, Skype, Teams eg? Not being very IT savvy myself, I'm not sure if I have the right 'kit' installed...

I understand the software is called 'Livestorm'.  Yes, I know it sounds frightening, but I am assured that all one has to do is hit the button on the email you receive from our illustrious Treasurer, Richard Jeffrey-Cook, and let it do its stuff. 

8)

NOT QUITE RIGHT NICK.  See my other email.  On contacting me, you will receive an email from Livestorm fpr each day.  You will need to click on the link to register.  Then you can test your browser set up works okay.  You dont need Skype, Zoom or anything else - only the browser (Chrome works best, but others should work fine as well).

Richard

Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on October 26, 2020, 01:10:38 PM
Just so long as it is no more complicated than 'Click on the button and go'

My braincell is not capable of much more after 7 months of vegetating under covid restrictions...    :-[
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 01:49:28 PM
Quote from: NickHarbud on October 26, 2020, 01:10:38 PM
Just so long as it is no more complicated than 'Click on the button and go'

My braincell is not capable of much more after 7 months of vegetating under covid restrictions...    :-[

You need to click to register. 
Once you have registered it is as simple as click to go, but you may want to test your connection works (another click). 
Once registered you will receive reminder emails with 1 hour and 5 minutes to go.  You will also receive a further email once the event has finished with a link to the recording.
You can access the conference on a smartphone, tablet or PC.  Anything that supports a browser.
If anyone wants to know more, you can visit www.livestorm.com to find out more...

I chose the software bearing in mind the IT skills (or lack of them) of some of our (committee) members!   ;)

Richard
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 26, 2020, 02:11:34 PM
seems pretty straightforward...
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on October 26, 2020, 02:36:02 PM
Quote from: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 11:48:40 AMOn contacting me, you will receive an email from Livestorm.  You will need to click on the link to register. 

I received two emails. Is one for Saturday or one for Sunday, or was that an error?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on October 26, 2020, 03:12:01 PM
I think you will find it is for two separate presentation sessions.  We thought it might be easier for the audience to digest if we split it into two sessions on separate days. 

Asking everyone to pay attention for 4 hours without a break would probably bring complaints along the lines of 'having to gnaw one's own leg off', etc.

;)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Ade G on October 26, 2020, 04:17:14 PM
Really looking forward to this!
Title: Re: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 04:29:11 PM
Quote from: Duncan Head on October 26, 2020, 02:36:02 PM
Quote from: lionheartrjc on October 26, 2020, 11:48:40 AMOn contacting me, you will receive an email from Livestorm.  You will need to click on the link to register. 

I received two emails. Is one for Saturday or one for Sunday, or was that an error?

You will receive one email for each day.  I have corrected my earlier post to make it clearer.

Richard
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on October 27, 2020, 09:58:18 AM
Received the Mails, clicked as told, rehearsal tonight so will be finding out how it works  on Safari.

Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 27, 2020, 10:32:36 AM
Needn't go to Africa to test it out Roy  ;D

Shared on Facebook and Twitter btw
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Prufrock on October 27, 2020, 12:10:42 PM
Great, links came through, so many thanks for that. Just a quick Q: can we use the links to watch the talks at our leisure as well, or only in real time?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: lionheartrjc on October 27, 2020, 01:26:23 PM
After the session there will be an email sent  with a link to the recording.

Richard
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 27, 2020, 05:25:42 PM
brilliant, thanks Richard. If I cant make the sessions then at least I will be able to access them
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: holdfast on October 28, 2020, 07:40:57 PM
Good Evening
We have now had a technical rehearsal and have decided to switch the platform to Zoom.
We tried both platforms and Zoom came out as more operator friendly to the SoA's IT finest.
Delicacy does not allow me to describe the sheer slickness of the technical rehearsal.
You will be sent the link for each of the two days once you have registered with Richard Jeffery-Cook.

The other announcement is that Matt Bennett's talk has expanded northwards and is retitled 'Norman Tactics' so as to include Hastings.

As at the moment something over 60 folk have registered for the two sessions, which means that we are reaching twice as many as we would have had at Madingley.
Please note also that we have allowed for a Question and Answer session, moderated by Richard Lockwood, at the end of each talk.

Best Regards
John Drewienkiewicz
SoA Hon Secretary
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Martin Smith on October 29, 2020, 10:32:59 AM
Do we need / can we expect further e.mail invites for the Zoom session, or do we need to 'reapply' ?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on October 29, 2020, 11:51:17 AM
As I understand it, if you have registered for the Conference you will be sent details of how to join via Zoom.

Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on October 31, 2020, 12:55:21 PM
And the first session at 16:00 today coincides exactly with Boris' lockdown news conference!
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Dave Knight on October 31, 2020, 06:20:39 PM
Two grat talks - looking forward to tommorrow 8)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Baldie on October 31, 2020, 07:26:49 PM
Quote from: Duncan Head on October 31, 2020, 12:55:21 PM
And the first session at 16:00 today coincides exactly with Boris' lockdown news conference!

Good old Boris, listened to the masses and held on for the lectures.
Looking forward to tomorrow as wel.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Duncan Head on October 31, 2020, 08:17:21 PM
Quote from: Baldie on October 31, 2020, 07:26:49 PMGood old Boris, listened to the masses and held on for the lectures.

Yes, the SoA Conference is obviously more important than the Prime Minister. Or makes more sense, at any rate.

That (the Conference talks, that is) went very well indeed. Apart from my internet kicking me out, which fortunately was just after Simon had finished rather than in the middle of one of the sessions! Thanks to all concerned, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on October 31, 2020, 10:00:14 PM
missed today's as the missus dragged me out.....
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Nick Harbud on November 01, 2020, 09:31:36 AM
I don't see the issue here, Dave.  You have all of Sunday to visit your local DIY store for locks and timber to barricade yourself in a quiet room this evening.

(Of course, afterwards herself might cut off more than just your internet, but let's handle these problems one at a time)

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Imperial Dave on November 01, 2020, 09:38:06 AM
its all about timing...... :(
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Ade G on November 02, 2020, 05:03:41 PM
Enjoyed Saturday's offerings very much
Sunday was unfortunately spent at A&E with my dear wife who broke her wrist.

When/where will the recordings be available?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Baldie on November 02, 2020, 06:16:17 PM
Quote from: Ade G on November 02, 2020, 05:03:41 PM
Enjoyed Saturday's offerings very much
Sunday was unfortunately spent at A&E with my dear wife who broke her wrist.

When/where will the recordings be available?

Hope she not in too much pain.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Richard Lockwood on November 02, 2020, 08:39:11 PM
When/where will the recordings be available?
[/quote]

When I've worked out how to access the recordings and where they can be posted. Probably the website I should think.
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on November 02, 2020, 08:42:55 PM
Quote from: Richard Lockwood on November 02, 2020, 08:39:11 PM
When/where will the recordings be available?

When I've worked out how to access the recordings and where they can be posted. Probably the website I should think.
[/quote]

will there be a written version of the talks?
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Ade G on November 02, 2020, 09:15:51 PM
Quote from: Baldie on November 02, 2020, 06:16:17 PM
Quote from: Ade G on November 02, 2020, 05:03:41 PM
Enjoyed Saturday's offerings very much
Sunday was unfortunately spent at A&E with my dear wife who broke her wrist.

When/where will the recordings be available?

Hope she not in too much pain.

Thanks for that Baldie :-) She was knocked sick by it - has to have it pinned later this week which will be unpleasant
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: aligern on November 02, 2020, 10:29:46 PM
Jim, we ask the authors and hope that we can get Slingshot articles, but it is not something we can command.

Best Roy
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: Jim Webster on November 03, 2020, 07:43:12 PM
Quote from: aligern on November 02, 2020, 10:29:46 PM
Jim, we ask the authors and hope that we can get Slingshot articles, but it is not something we can command.

Best Roy

I'll trust you to ask really really nicely ;)
Title: Re: Save the Date: Society of Ancients Conference 2020: 31 October/1st November
Post by: yesthatphil on November 06, 2020, 10:54:34 AM
QuoteI'll trust you to ask really really nicely  ;)

He did ;) ... so did Justin ;)

Phil