<html>
<head>
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"
http-equiv="Content-Type">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Hi Robyn,<br>
<br>
We've discussed this as at our regular catch up session and have
had some discussions with Linux Australia. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<p dir="ltr">In the interests of being open to as much of our
community as possible we would be happy to consider further
discounts upon request. <br>
</p>
<p dir="ltr">Please contact the organising team directly via email
<i><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:core.team@lists.lca2014.linux.org.au">core.team@lists.lca2014.linux.org.au</a></i> to discuss this.<br>
</p>
I hope this helps to address your concerns, however please feel
free to contact us if there is anything else we can help with.<br>
<br>
Best Regards,<br>
<br>
Euan de Kock,<br>
<br>
linux.conf.au 2014 Organising Committee.<br>
<br>
On 10/16/2013 03:27 PM, Robyn Willison wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:525E3FFD.6040409@robynspcs.com" type="cite">
<pre wrap="">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
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au">linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/linux-aus">http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/linux-aus</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
</body>
</html>