Alright – so the jinx continues. Just when we have everything in place, we are forced to call off the online payment process for logistical reasons. We aren’t going to go into any detail here – just that this time the problem is us, not the vendor (who bent over backwards getting things in place). The primary issue is that as a non-commercial, volunteer run event, we do not enjoy the kind of financial and legal protection in the case of credit card fraud or similar issues that commercial events have. Rather than take the risk of getting into trouble, we would rather not take a chance with it this year.

Right, with that behind us, here’s how you go about making your delegate fee payment

Delegate Fee Payment

First, make sure you have registered online, and have received your delegate code.

Registration at the venue starts at 9:00am.

Come to the venue, and as you enter the main gate, you will see see a large sign saying “Registration”. Head there, and you should find several counters there – one for Individual and Student Delegates who have pre-registered online, one for Corporate Delegates, one for Invitees, Press and Speakers, and one for unregistered delegates.

Here’s what each of you have to do:

Regular Delegates (Rs.750)

You need two things: your 8-character delegate code (which you got when you registered), and Rs.750 in cash (exact change, Indian Rupees only, please – no USD/Euros/Yen/etc.). Sorry, no cheques or any other forms of payment.

Come to the counter, and present your delegate code and your Rs.750. The volunteer behind the counter will do a quick lookup on the code (not on name, email address, etc – if you don’t have your delegate code, join the unregistered queue), and instantly print out your delegate pass (which will mention the amount paid – there is no separate receipt!), and hand it to you with a plastic card pouch and lanyard. You are done.

Student Delegates (Rs.500)

The procedure for Student delegates is identical to Regular Delegates, EXCEPT that you need a third item – your original (no photo copies!), valid Student Photo ID identifying you as a bonafide student of an institution affiliated to a bonafide university. And of course your delegate code and Rs.500. The volunteer will check both your delegate code and your Student ID. If the ID isn’t valid, have another Rs.250 ready, pay that as well to become a Regular Delegate. Once that is done, you will receive your delegate pass, puch and lanyard. You are done.

Corporate Delegates (Rs.3,000)

Corporate Delegates are special to us, and have a separate counter. The extra money they pay (Rs.3,000 instead of Rs.750) goes towards subsidising student registrations, as well as supporting the event financially. We will recognise this gesture on the site by listing companies who have sent corporate delegates.

Corporate delegates have the option of paying in cash, or by company cheque (registered companies only – i.e. Ltd. or Pvt.Ltd.). Company Cheques or Demand Drafts must be made payable to “FOSS.IN, Bangalore”. If you wish, you can optionally reduce the amount by 10% if there are more than 5 delegates being paid for with a single payment, 20% if more than 20 corporate delegates are being paid for with a single payment.

The procedure is the same, except that you can give a list of delegate codes (yes people still need to register online first!) along with the payment. You will receive the delegate passes, and you are done. You will also receive a separate receipt for your payment for reimbursement purposes (this does not apply to Regular and Student Delegates!)

Additionally, if you have sent in your payment earlier (contact us for electronic transfer details), we will keep your delegate passes ready – just walk up with your company name and delegate codes, and pick them up.

Unregistered Delegates

So you didn’t register online by midnight of November 30th. Tough, and thanks for the extra cash – you get to pay Rs.1,000 instead of Rs.750 to become a Regular delegate

Please collect the registration form from the counter, fill it in, then join the queue for unregistered delegates, hand in the form and Rs.1,000 in cash, and wait while your details are entered for you (that’s what you pay Rs.250 extra for – personalised secretarial services and a delegate code is generated. After that, you are a Regular Delegate.

Invitees, Press and Speakers

Invitees, Press and Speakers follow the same procedure, but do not have to pay the delegate fee. You have to be pre-registered as Press (mail press [at] foss dot in) and will have to present your press Photo ID to receive your pass, invitees will have their printed invitation cards, and speakers will need to show some form of Photo ID to identify themselves.

A note about the Delegate Pass

This year, there are no coupons for the delegate kits, the give-aways, the lunch, coffee/tea, etc. Instead, you have your delegate pass, which you wear round your neck at all times. The delegate pass qualifies you for access to all areas, and the bar code (or your delegate code) tells us whether you have received your kit, had your lunch, etc. To avail of any of these things, simply make sure that the volunteer servicing your request can see your delegate pass, delegate code/barcode.

So take GREAT CARE of your delegate pass, and don’t leave it at home when you come to the venue!

Losing your delegate pass requires you to buy another one, so please take care of it for all days of the event, and always wear it around your neck. Anyone found on the premises without a valid delegate pass will be asked to leave the premises, and either purchase a new delegate pass, or bring their original. The pass is required to be shown for entry, delegate kit, lunch and tea/coffee, etc. You cannot enter any hall or area without your pass clearly worn around your neck.

The pont we are trying to make here is simple: DON’T LOSE/FORGET YOUR DELEGATE PASS! No pass, no you. Period. No exceptions, even if you are clearly Linus Torvalds.

Sorry, but we are trying to make life simple for everyone in these troubled times.

Once you have your Delegate Pass

Slip the card into the pouch, clip on the lanyard, sling it round your neck at chest (not tummy!) level, and you are done.

Walk through the main entrance, and welcome to FOSS.IN/2009!