DebConf16/FAQs

Registration

Who can attend?

DebConf is a technical gathering for people involved, in any way, in the Debian project. While anyone is welcome, the conference is filled to the brim with hard core geekness. If you are interested in Debian but not ready for 24/7 hacking, please join us at the Open Weekend [1]. If you decide you want to attend the conference, you are welcome to, but at that stage we will not be able to guarantee access to food or accommodation.

How do I apply for bursaries (sponsorship) for accommodation/food/travel?

Fill in the online registration form, and follow the instructions at https://debconf16.debconf.org/about/bursaries

How are/were the travel bursaries allocated?

This year's main travel sponsorship process was as as follows. Each applicant was given a self-assessed financial need score from 3 down to 0, according to the menu option selected (with 3 as "Without this funding, I will be absolutely unable to attend"). Two bursaries team members were asked to give a "contribution to debian/debconf" score (with a third referee in the case the first two were far apart). We then worked our way through applications based on the rule that people whose financial need was at least as high, and whose "contributor score" as strictly higher (or vice-versa) should be funded first.

Are food and accommodation included in the professional and corporate registration fees?

No. While in the past the registration fees have included food and accommodation, this has often led to confusion and frustration on the part of our paid attendees. Also, in years when the conference is in a city, our corporate and professional attendees sometimes prefer to book their own hotel rooms rather than stay in the conference accommodations. To simplify the registration process, since DebConf13 the registration fees are kept separate from self-paid food and accommodation.

If I'm self-paid, can I stay in the same place as the sponsored attendees?

Yes. You should register promptly for DebConf, selecting that you want a room. Please note that the rooms are almost all a single bed, with shared bathroom and shower. There are some double rooms, but probably not enough for everyone.

What if I prefer to stay in a hotel?

See DebConf16/Accomodation/External for some alternatives, nearby.

How much does food and accommodation cost?

See the main registration page (the "On campus" and "food" sections).

Money

The local currency is the South African rand (R, ZAR).
Current exchange rates as of 2016-03-29 are:

South African rand conversion

$1 USD	R15.40
€1 EUR	R17.25

The cities in South Africa, and particularly Cape Town, is well equipped for tourists. Most banks have a currency exchange counter, and most, if not all ATM's accept international Visa or Mastercard cards.

More information:

• Local article [2].
• WikiTravel article on South Africa has useful information on exchange and ATM use under the section on "money". http://wikitravel.org/en/South_Africa

ATMs and bankcards

ATMs are abundant throughout the city, with a number of places on Upper Campus at UCT as well, within short walking distances.

Airport ATM's:

• Airport ATM's can be found inside, not outside.

UCT Upper Campus ATM's:

• Library, Chancellor Oppenheimer Building, Upper Campus: ABSA and Standard Bank ATMs
• Leslie Social Science Building, Upper Campus has two ATM's: First National Bank, Standard Bank and Nedbank ATMs

Comments about ATM's from DebConf IRC channel (to be verified and moved above):

• Airport ATM's include ABSA.
• Preferences expressed for paying Taxi's with cards (remind them to restart their meters before departing).
• The conference UCT Club pub does not accept bank cards.
• ATM's might provide better exchange-rate than other exchange-services found at the airport, including consideration of bank fees.
• Campus Standard Bank ATM's provide cash only, but others might provide prepaid SIM-card charging and some other services.
• Molly Blackburn has 2 ATM's.
• Kramer building on middle campus has ATM.
• A campus Nedbank ATM has been said to "eat" a bank card, but not all bank cards.
• Locals find "other bank's" ATM's overpriced, so use their own banks' ATM's.
• Cardholder's bank will have largest impact on ATM costs.

I want to be able to eat with the group, but I also plan to enjoy Cape Town's dining scene. Can I pay à la carte?

To be completed (Not a proper answer to the question, but it is known that Debconf16 team needs predictability to pre-order food delivery for the dining hall.)

I have someone accompanying me, do they need to register as well?

For those accompanying (significant others, spouses, offspring, etc.), if they intend to participate in the conference proceedings (attend sessions, the day trip, or anything that is part of the conference proper), please have them set up an account at conference system.

If they do not intend to participate in the conference proceedings, they can be registered under your account. See the Family section

Children

Please note that everyone is welcome to attend, and we encourage accompanying friends or family that might have any interest in joining our community to register for the conference, too!

What are the options to get around?

See the Directions wiki for transport options [3]

Venue

Maps

University of Capetown amenities are usefully represented on OpenStreetMaps.org [4]. The cycle-map layer clarifies locations of stairs [5] .

Are the venues accessible to people with disabilities?

The conference venue is accessible to those with mobility-impairments, but living accommodation is not. The newer buildings, which include all the conference venues, are compliant with accessibility standards. We are exploring suggestions for accessible hotel options close by. There will be dedicated transport for people with mobility disabilities.

There are hacklabs downstairs from some of the living accommodations. There is no elevator in Fuller. The conference areas and talk rooms are about 3 buildings away and up the hill. Being nestled on the slope of Table Mountain, the buildings are on multiple levels and this poses difficulties with access.

The university takes accessibility seriously, and the Accessibility Centre is very open to address questions [6]. While many of the older buildings are national monuments whose basic structure cannot easily be altered, the university has taken steps to improve accessibility, which can be read on their site [7].

How safe are the rooms? Can I leave my stuff there?

Most of the rooms have swipe card access, and we plan to provide all delegates temporary swipe cards. While this should be sufficient, people should still be alert and take care of their personal belongings. We are investigating the use of lockers for attendees, and there are smaller rooms to store items more securely.

Where can I smoke?

There are designated outdoors smoking areas throughout campus. In addition, the pub has a popular smoking area. All indoor spaces and spaces that may carry odours indoors are strictly smoke-free.

Misc

Where can I check what cheese & wine is expected so as to prevent duplicates?

There is a wiki page: DebConf16/CheeseWineBoF. Notice a trip for cheese-buying is being organized for interested participants, due to South African Customs dairy-product restrictions [8].

Medical

Is there a medical store on campus, and doctor for any small emergencies?

The Steve Biko building has a clinic, close to the conference venue. There is a pharmacy down the hill: Rustenburg Pharmacy, 65 Main Road, Rondebosch, 021 686 3997.

How much would a doctor visit cost for cold, cough or something simple like that in case the medicines need a medical prescription. ?

We have private hospitals where visits cost, I think, in the region of R300 a pop. There are also public hospitals that can be free.