Before continuing, if you are unsure what the term LAN party means, I strongly encourage you to read this article first: \u201cWhat is a LAN party?<\/a>\u201d (Savard, 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going away for a weekend LAN party is similar to any other short trip. You need to think about your basic needs, but also pack the equipment you need for the activity. Let’s start with the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, a LAN party is an event where participants bring their own computers to play video games, competitively or otherwise, but this is not always the case. Sometimes computers or consoles are provided by the organizers. In fact, this applies to all items you need to bring. That’s why you should first check with the event organizers to find out what is and isn’t provided, what is and isn’t allowed, and what is and isn’t mandatory. This information is usually available somewhere on their website (e.g. Lan JDL, 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer (or console)<\/strong>: Essential to the activity. Important! Before reconnecting it, remember to check that all the parts are securely in place. I have seen many participants who were extremely enthusiastic and eager to get started, but didn’t notice that one of their parts had come loose, causing a short circuit. In addition, and especially in winter, be careful of condensation created by the transition from cold to warm temperatures. I would also like to take this opportunity to advise you to update your programs in advance. This will avoid overloading the network unnecessarily when you arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Screen<\/strong>: Generally, only one screen is allowed, but there may be exceptions. For example, the Lan JDL (2025) allows an additional screen, but at an extra cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keyboard\/mouse (or controller)<\/strong>: I strongly recommend using wired peripherals. Why? At my first LAN ETS party in 2007, I made the mistake of bringing a wireless mouse, and as luck would have it, two other players near me had the same model\u2026 I’ll let you imagine the initial confusion\/panic I felt when my cursor started jumping around randomly. I’ve been told that the risks are now greatly reduced, but I’m not taking any chances, even today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mouse pad<\/strong>: Even if you are used to playing without a mouse pad, don’t assume that the surface of your LAN table will allow you to play as you would at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headphones<\/strong>: By default, assume that speakers are prohibited in LANs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u00e2blage de vos p\u00e9riph\u00e9riques et barre d\u2019alimentation<\/strong> : Rassurez-vous, \u00e7a arrive \u00e0 tout le monde d\u2019oublier un c\u00e2ble pour votre ordinateur ou votre \u00e9cran. Pour la barre d\u2019alimentation, v\u00e9rifiez si vous devez avoir la v\u00f4tre ou non. \u00c0 v\u00e9rifier, mais c\u2019est rare que vous alliez devoir apporter votre propre c\u00e2ble Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cabling for your peripherals and powerbar<\/strong>: Don’t worry, everyone forgets a cable for their computer or monitor at some point. For the power bar, check whether you need to bring your own or not. It’s worth checking, but it’s rare that you’ll need to bring your own internet cable.<\/p>\n\n\n Then there are issues of hygiene, meals, sleep, and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hygiene<\/strong>: Please\u2026 Wash yourself\u2026 Listen, I understand that not all LAN parties provide showers, but that’s no excuse, because there are alternatives. For example, some people will go and wash at a friend’s house nearby, or in the hotel room of another LAN party participant who doesn’t want to sleep there. In my travel kit, I have a small cloth basin that allows me to wash when my accommodation doesn’t have a shower. In the worst case, buy baby wipes. Splashing yourself with Axe or perfume is not a viable option. Bring a change of clothes and don’t forget your toothbrush!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meals:<\/strong> Some LAN parties prohibit people from bringing food, while others allow people to bring coolers. Personally, as when I travel backpacking, I like to buy a bag of apples and\/or carrots. These make excellent snacks. Also remember to bring a bottle of water, and don’t overdo it on the energy drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleep<\/strong>: The rookie mistake is to stay up all night on the first night and be exhausted for the rest of the weekend. Even if it’s only four hours, try to get some sleep on Friday. When I was younger, I would simply bring a pillow, put it on my keyboard, and sleep sitting up at my desk\u2026 Obviously, I can’t recommend doing that. I’ve seen it all: makeshift beds on chairs, yoga mats under computers, air mattresses in hallways, tents set up in dorm rooms, people sleeping directly on the floor, etc. Many times, I considered myself lucky if I found a couch or a stretcher in a place that wasn’t too noisy. Depending on what is allowed, consider bringing a pillow, an air mattress, a blanket or sleeping bag, earplugs, and an eye mask. Since dormitories are sometimes mixed, a small tent allows for a minimum of privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n Health<\/strong>: When traveling, I always carry a mini first aid kit with various types of medication or over-the-counter items in case I get a headache, heartburn, a small cut, etc. Don’t count on a pharmacy being open when you have a problem\u2014it will be too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Miscellaneous<\/strong>: Although there are some universal items (e.g., cell phone charger), you know better than anyone else what you need. For example, my list includes a pen and the notebook I use for work. I also usually have a book with me so I can take a break. If you’re part of a team, don’t forget your jersey! What’s more, since the major credit card failure several years ago, I always carry cash with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A question that may seem trivial, but is fundamental. A list is available at the end of the article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":62883,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[208],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vulgarization","category-208","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62884"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62886,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62884\/revisions\/62886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/leonin.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/72835868_10157652986314549_192636760763662336_o-1024x683.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Monitor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
2x power cords<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Monitor cable (e.g., HDMI)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Keyboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Mouse<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Mouse pad<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Headphones<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If needed: Power bar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If needed: Chair and\/or cushion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If needed: Signed parental consent form<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Personal hygiene kit (e.g., soap, towel, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
First aid kit (e.g., antacid, acetaminophen, loperamide, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Sleeping equipment (e.g., pillow, blanket or sleeping bag, mattress, earplugs, eye mask, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Snacks or meals (e.g., reusable water bottle, fruit and vegetables, granola bars, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Miscellaneous items as needed (e.g., cell phone charger, team jersey, change of clothes, warm clothes, cash, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n