[Linux-aus] grr

[Euan de Kock]

Hi Robyn,

We've discussed this as at our regular catch up session and have had 
some discussions with Linux Australia.

At present the Hobbyist and Student tickets are both priced below cost 
to encourage participation from people who wouldn't be able to justify a 
full priced ticket.

Our general approach to the categorisation of the tickets has always 
been to strive to keep the definitions as general as possible, hence 
we've always felt the terms Professional, Hobbyist and Student cover a 
broad set of use cases without being too exclusive.

We've agreed that we will change the wording of the Hobbyist ticket to 
specifically mention that this is also intended to cover all holders of 
concession cards to make it clear that this is our recommended ticket 
option for pensioners and others who do not earn a living through open 
source related technologies.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer a further general discount on the prices 
we have already set, the conference is budgeted as a non-profit event 
with all the funds raised through sponsorship and tickets going towards 
the cost of the conference. The Student and Hobbyist tickets are already 
subsidised through the Professional ticket pricing and any further 
discounting would force us to either reduce the scope of the conference 
or pass on a loss back to Linux Australia - either of these options 
would degrade the conference and would limit it's future viability.

There are a few other options you could pursue to further reduce the 
costs to yourself. Linux Australia run a Regional Delegates programme 
that may consider assisting you. We also offer a free ticket to people 
who offer to help as volunteers. Additionally, for future conferences, 
I'd recommend you take advantage of the early bird registration as this 
also offers a significant discount.

In the interests of being open to as much of our community as possible 
we would be happy to consider further discounts upon request.

Please contact the organising team directly via email 
/core.team at lists.lca2014.linux.org.au/ to discuss this.

I hope this helps to address your concerns, however please feel free to 
contact us if there is anything else we can help with.

Best Regards,

Euan de Kock,

linux.conf.au 2014 Organising Committee.

On 10/16/2013 03:27 PM, Robyn Willison wrote:
> Once again where do Pensioners and Unemployed etc apply. According to
> your website we are Hobbyists and should be paying $399 to go.
>
> I have to ask this every year and every year I'm promised the website
> will be changed and I don't think one of them has been changed ever.
>
> It's damn rude, there are young and old pensioners who are contributers
> to this Linux Community.
>
>   From your website.....
>
> Hobbyist
> The Hobbyist rate is heavily discounted for free software enthusiasts
> who are paying out of their own pockets and would otherwise find it
> difficult to attend.
>
> Student
> This concession rate is reserved for college or university students.
> linux.conf.au offers this rate as a form of investment in the future of
> the free and open source software community. As part of the registration
> process, a valid student ID card or proof of enrolment must be presented
> to the onsite registration desk. Any student who cannot provide this
> will be required to register at the conference as a hobbyist instead.
>
> Robyn Willison
>
> _______________________________________________
> linux-aus mailing list
> linux-aus at lists.linux.org.au
> http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/linux-aus

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.linux.org.au/pipermail/linux-aus/attachments/20131106/1f285f1e/attachment.htm