Gizmodo: lanparties

The LAN Warrior Is Easily the Dorkiest PC We've Seen This Week [PCs]

Mark Wilson — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EDT

You're a dork, a huge dork. And you should never be out-dorked by anyone, even your closest friends, even at a LAN party.

So iBuyPower is offering the LAN Warrior, which is either a LAN-party-ready computer or just a mega tower PC with a piddly nylon strap attached, depending on your personal level of enthusiasm.

Available starting at $1000, configurations include various Core i7 processors, a 1000W power supply, Asus Rampage II Gene X58 μATX motherboard, up to 24GB of RAM, and your choice of dual NVIDIA or ATI graphics cards.

We envision setting it down next to our chair at the next Apple keynote alongside about 200 feet of bright orange extension cord, but that's just us.[iBuyPower]

Hacksac: Like a Rucksac for People Afraid of the Sun [Lan Parties]

Adam Frucci — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:50:00 EDT

For people who love LAN parties, computer manufacturers have started selling gigantic "gaming laptops" that make moving your rig easier. For those still with a tower to move, however, there's the Hacksac.

The Hacksac is a huge backpack designed to fit a tower, flat-panel monitor, keyboard, mouse and assorted cables. Sure, you'll still have 30 pounds worth of computer equipment on your back, but now you'll have it all in a bag designed for such endeavors.

Alternately, you can game online or just get one of the aforementioned 19-inch laptops. But hey, it's your LAN party. [Hacksac]

Commodore 64 LAN Party features First C64 Online Multiplayer Game [Commodore 64]

Adrian Covert — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:20:00 EDT

A Commodore 64 Expo was held recently, where attendees dusted off their Commodore 64s, networked them together and had an old-fashioned LAN party to play NetRacer — a new C64 racing game that supports eight people over internet or LAN for the first time. Organized by the Cincinnati Commodore Computer Club in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky (!?), the event was attended by the likes of Dragos, Dopple, Elwix and Snogpitch.

NetRacer also supports joystick controls, has sound effects and scrolling animations — which is pretty crazy when you think about the hardware it's running on. In addition to the LAN party (rumored to be for C64 A-listers only), the event featured Snogpitch's coveted C-1 computer, soldering stations, impromptu tutorials in 6502 assembler, frankengadgets, Mountain Dew, and a raffle! [C=4 Expo via NetRacer via SlashDot]

Dust-Off Keyboard Quiver Makes You Biggest Nerd In The Herd [Won't Get You Laid]

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EDT

Seriously, if you ever thought those around you doubted your supremacy in the nerdiverse, buying something called a "quiver" for your keyboard and mouse will settle the matter once and for all. It's no +2 Quiver of Plenty, but the $70 Dust-Off Keyboard Quiver, coming this October, may feel like one.

It provides ample space for keyboard and mouse, plus MP3 player, headphones, headset, cell phone, energy drink, airline-sized bag of pretzels and of course Dust-Off brand anti-dust spray (they're not stupid).

Best quote from the press release:

Until now, gamers have had no real dedicated solution for taking their most trusted gear with them when heading off to a LAN event or competition. Standard backpacks are simply not long enough to hold a keyboard and other interesting methods of transport, including hauling along the keyboard in its original box, are just not cool and can easily tarnish a gamer's image.

I'm sorry, but this thing is so dorky, if it doesn't tarnish your gamer's image, nothing would. I can see why the model never shows his face. [Dust-Off]