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Project:
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Compufest & Fragapalooza East 2002 Report |
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Author:
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Hi-TEK
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Date:
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December 5th, 2002
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Introduction:
Toronto residents were treated to an exclusive 3-day event primarily known as Compufest, a trade show created for the consumer computer
market, which has been an institution for the past 10 years. The show offers over $12,000,000 in new used, overstocked and closeout
computer products with blowout and discounted prices from more than 100 exhibitors. This year's show marked the introduction of a 3-day
LAN event known as Fragapalooza East 2002. The phenomenon of Fragapalooza started in 1997 in Edmonton and has been expanding across
Canada run by Gamers for Gamers. The event allowed hundreds of participants and spectators from all over North America a chance to play
their favourite online games on a zero latency network for three days straight. Sponsors of the event included: Sympatico, Intel, Cisco
Systems, ATI, Microsoft, E-Compuvison and Digital Extremes (creators of Unreal Tournament 2003). The event was held at the International
Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on Friday November 29th to Sunday December 1st, 2002.
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The Compufest shows are known for attracting large crowds and MTB staff members Hi-TEK, Shennon (w/family) and Mantis were in attendance
for the Saturday November 30th venue. We started early in the morning on the Compufest event floor visiting various vendors and looking
for the best deals on hardware and software products.
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One of our first stops was at the Raven International booth, which had some great deals on $15 Black Compaq USB keyboards as well as
Phillips wireless mini keyboards for $20. Shennon was a man on a mission and managed to pick up a few Jam Cam digital cameras for $39
a piece while Mantis scored nice a Logitech Optical Mouse for only $10. I myself couldn't resist picking up one of the Compaq USB keyboards,
but little did I know if I only waited we'd later find a place that was clearing them out at $10.
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A universal theme that was apparent from most of the vendor booths that we visited was that case modification has moved mainstream into
the consumer retail market. There was an abundance of pre-modified cases ranging in different sizes and shapes from popular vendors
such as Thermaltake, Lian-Li, Skyhawk and Nikao. Most of the cases offered pre-modified side panel windows, digital thermometer displays
as well as interior lighting products such as cold cathodes and neon tubes. I did spot one vendor offering cool Pocket PC's for decent
prices. The photographed system was a full integrated Pentium III 1 GHz CPU with 512MB of RAM, 30 gig HD running Windows XP. These units
are excellent for those individuals who are short on desk space and want a complete compact system
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