Mayor of Boxtel wants to ban What The Hack!

May 23rd 2005

(You can help. Read on for details)

We still find it hard to believe, but we have to accept the fact that it is true. The mayor of Boxtel, the municipality under which the location for 'What The Hack' resides, seems to be refusing a permit for our gathering, citing "grave fear that the organisation of this event will endanger law and order as well as public safety".

http://www.whatthehack.org/news/index_html

 

HI GERARDWIL,

ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T HAVE SOME COMPETITION THAT JUST DOESN'T WANT YOU THERE?

FROM THE LETTERS, IT REALLY DOES SOUND LIKE THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE WHOLE THING IS ABOUT??

HERE'S HOPING IT GETS STRAIGHTENED OUT IN A WAY TO MAKE ALL HAPPY, MOST PLACES WOULD BE THRILLED TO GET THE REVUNUE SUCH A GATHERING WOULD BRING?

GOOD LUCK! HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT!!

MARJA

 

Good NewsTM: WHAT THE HACK is going on!!!
Misunderstanding solved - Permit will be issued

What The Hack is an outdoor hacker conference/event taking place on a large event-campground in the south of The Netherlands from 28 until 31 July 2005.

Events like What The Hack take place every four years, and originate from a group of people that was originally centered around a small hacker magazine called Hack-Tic. The magazine's last issue was published in 1993, but for reasons unknown the events have so far refused to die. 1989 Featured the Galactic Hacker Party, then in 1993 we saw Hacking at the End of the Universe, followed in 1997 by Hacking In Progress, and in 2001 there was Hackers At Large.

What?

Expect people from every nook and cranny of the hacker universe: those deeply into developing Open Source software, civil liberties and privacy activists, experts in every field of computer networking and security as well as many others showing their projects and talking about what they do. Expect very large tents where lectures and presentations are held as well as multiple bars and other cozy spaces to hang out. Expect quality wired, wireless and interpersonal networking. Expect seeing some amazing presentations as well as stimulating conversations with some great folks.

For whom?

The event is not just for those who already define themselves as hackers, although they will almost certainly have an excellent time. Like previous times we hope to create an opportunity for people from a great many different cultures and subcultures to meet. So no matter whether you're interested in any of the topics presented, curious about what it is we're into, feel there are some cultural connections missing that you could facilitate, or if you just want to hang out with some of the brightest and funniest people we know: please come. We need you!

http://www.whatthehack.org/