Finding MarsCon

The Technology of MarsCon 2021

In the beforetimes, getting to MarsCon was a matter of getting your physical self to the convention hotel. For 2021, through the Magic Of The Internet, MarsCon brings itself to your coronavirus hideaway.

The benefits:

• Avoiding coronavirus is a wonderful goal in itself. You get to stay safe.
• You’ll be able to connect to like minded fans in other cities / countries / continents.
• People who have previously been unable to make it to Minnesota will be able to attend. (Maybe you’ll be back in 2022 in the flesh.)

The downsides:

• There are no downsides. Attending an event on a palm-size screen is absolutely the same as being there in person.
• There are no downsides. Computer programs never crash, never bog down, never do mysterious things. Everyone has infinite bandwidth, a HAL-grade computer, and deep geeky knowledge of what each electron therein is up to. The speed of light does not apply.
• There are no downsides. Everything. Will. Be. Perfect.

Note: Streaming video chews up bandwidth. If your device or ISP has data caps your MarsCon weekend could easily use up your monthly quota.

With that settled, what software will you need to take part? We will be using several platforms - now is the time to get them installed on your computer / tablet / phone and get familiar with them.

Discord

Cost: free (and up).
Runs on: Windows, Mac and Linux computers plus Android and iOS tablets / phones. You must register and be logged in for it to work.
Download at: https://discord.com/download or your device’s app store.

Features of Discord: two-way text (plus picture) chat plus voice and A/V chat / conferencing. Private messaging to another user. Conversations take place in multiple areas, a.k.a. “channels”.

When you first join MarsConline you’ll be taken to #registration. One of our adminions will give you access to more channels, which we have laid out in a convention hotel-like arrangement. You’ll find text and voice channels with a variety of topics/interests. Normal rules of civility apply.

Find MarsConline here: https://discord.gg/CfQQDk4fS7

Roll20

Cost: free (and up)
Runs on any web browser.
A free account is required to play. Create it at roll20.net/.
Features of Roll20: simulates board games in a virtual environment. Premade games are available, or create your own.

Twitch

Cost: free (and up).
Runs on: any device with a web browser. Apps for mobile devices are also available.
You can watch Twitch streams without an account - just follow the URL to the channel. To enable chat and other features an account is required; go to https://www.twitch.tv and select Sign Up.

HowStuffWorks has an introduction to Twitch at https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/twitch2.htm.

If you do not like the appearance of the mobile app, you can select Desktop View in your browser settings or append ?no-mobile-redirect=true to the channel URL.

Look for MarsCon events at...
www.twitch.tv/twincitiesgamefest
www.twitch.tv/lillfox #MarsCon Panels

YouTube

Cost: free (and up).
Runs on: any device with a web browser.
Once you go to YouTube Google will urge you to download an app and register. This is not strictly required but can provide some extra functionality.

Features of YouTube: high-quality one-way A/V streaming plus text chat. Automagic archiving of livestreamed events.

MarsCon programming will be found during the convention at marscon.org/mainstage and marscon.org/panels for those who want to take in an entire track. Check the schedule for YouTube links to individual program items.

Zoom

Noun and verb of the year 2020.
Cost: free (and up).
Runs on: Windows, Mac and Linux computers plus Android and iOS tablets / phones.
Download at: https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting or your device’s app store.
The software is required but an account is not strictly required. Logging in will give extra functionality.

Features of Zoom: two-way A/V conferencing, each user has a good deal of control over how a session is displayed locally, text chat and private messages.

If you are going to be a presenter or panelist at MarsCon expect to be using Zoom.

Website, FaceBook, Twitter

Our usual sites will be heavily used during MarsCon. Watch here for additions and updates.

Accessibility

All this new tech will help with some accessibility problems but create new classes of people with access woes.

• Everyone gets a front row seat (depending on screen size).
• For those with vision problems, Discord is relatively text-to-speech friendly.
• Auto-generated closed captions on YouTube are far from perfect, but will be some help to the hearing-impaired.

• Those with download caps, low bandwidth or slow computers will be at a severe disadvantage.
• A degree of technichal moxie is required. Fortunately, not an advanced degree in computer science.

Since you are reading this you have most of the requirements already. Welcome to MarsCon 2021!

MarsCon is a fan-run science fiction convention for all ages held every March in the Twin Cities area. At MarsCon you’ll find panel discussions, parties, guest of honor presentations, music of many kinds, our art show, film/anime room, science room, dealers room, charity auction, and masquerade. Our comedy music track is virtually a con in itself, and attracts a nation-wide audience.

MarsCon 2021

“Forces of Darkness”
March 12 - 14, 2021
Virtual only

MarsCon 2022
“The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be”
will return to
Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America
3800 American Blvd E
Bloomington, Minnesota
March 11 - 13, 2022

Send questions about MarsCon to info [redacted; use the online forms] @marscon.org, we’ll do our best to send answers!

More about MarsCon may be found at...
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarsconMpls
  • FaceBook: www.facebook.com/Marscon
  • Dementia: marsconcomedy.wordpress.com

If you are searching for the Marscon in Williamsburg, VA click here.

© 2020 and/or 2021, FenSF