CTU 2009 v2 Frequently Asked Questions
<We're updating this list as we go along>
About Registrations
Q. Can i don't transfer the entrance fee by e-Banking Transfer?
A. We do not encourage other ways of payment as there is a single digital record that the payment is successful and to whom. It'll help us to match your payment with the registrations as well. However, if you do insist, you can use ATM to transfer to DBS Savings: 005-8-053434. KEEP THE RECEIPT AS EVIDENCE OF PAYMENT (scan and attach in your email registration). Send the txn reference as part of your registrations.
Q. Can i register first and then pay at the event over the Counter at the event?
A. No. We will treat you as a walk in and you pay $15. We want commitment from attendees so we can better allocate the valuable resources that the community leaders put together to prevent wastage. In the past, we wasted money catering for food for attendees whom registered and failed to turn up.
Q. I have transferred the payment and sent the registration email. Its been 3 working days, i haven't heard from the registration team. What should i do?
A. Please immediately send an email to
i-dchung@microsoft.com with your details again. It might have been a lapse and we may be overwhelmed with the payment transactions. Alternatively, you may contact Dennis at 68888047.
Q. Can i register now but not pay first? I am willing to pay $15 on 19th Dec 2009.
A. As earlier explained, we needed commitment. However, if current methods of transferring is a pain. Please go ahead and register. Indicate that you will pay $15 on 19th Dec 2009 when you walk in. At this point, we will trust you and take your word to turn up. A list of community members (name and handle) will be published if they registered, never pay and failed to turn up that day. This is because we'll use the fund collected from others who paid to cover those who promised to come, but never turn up.
About the Event
Q. How often does Community Technology Update (CTU) run?
A. CTU takes place twice a year. Usually in June and Dec of the calendar year.
Q. Who should attend CTU?
A. Professionals and Students who feels that they want to know more about the presented technology should attend. We welcome anyone to come and join us, however, only criteria is you must be a member of any of the local user group alliance.
Q. Isn't CTU a free event? Why do i have to pay $10?
A. The past CTUs we had were free for attendees. That is because sponsors and organizers pay for it. Over the years, there has been an increase in participants. But there were also an increase the number of people who registered and failed to turn up.
For each registered person, we cater lunch and prepare door gifts (paid by sponsors and organizers). The wastage is increasingly becoming disturbing as we waste hundreds of dollars each time we run the event which could have been put to better use.
We seek your understanding on why we impose the $10. It will help us on the following;
- Defray increasing operating costs of such events
- Better plan resources and make sure lunch is catered correctly
- Prevent wastage
Q. What will i get if i pay $10?
A. Most importantly, $10 gets you the entry into CTU. However, let me summarize what you can expect when you turn up on 19th Dec 2009.
- Entry into CTU 2009 (19th Dec 2009). Free movements in all tracks and sessions
- Lunch buffet will be catered for early registered attendees
- $10 MS Press Voucher (Redeemabled on site only - MSPress Books on site are always discounted)
- Limited Edition Door Gift (Limited to First 100 Registered Attendees who registered, paid and showed up at CTU)
- CTU Commemorate MUG
- Windows 7 CTU T-Shirt (Limited Sizes available, first come first serve basis)
- Win great prizes at end of day
Q. What are the prizes to win at the end of the day?
A. We have the following;
- IT Pro and Developers MS Press Books to give away
- Microsoft Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set
- Microsoft Web Cams
- 8GB Thumb Drives
- USB Total Travel Kits
- WIFI USB Dongles
A good high percentage of you will take home something. I hope the lucky draw isn't the only thing you guys are signing up for. :-) The content of the day should be what matters.
About MS Press Vouchers
- All paid attendees are issued with a $10 MS Press Voucher.
- All vouchers will need to be utilized on site on the day of CTU.
- Vouchers cannot be combined. Only 1 voucher per attendee.
- As FYI, Books on site are already on discount.
Hands On Labs
Q. How many attendees can fit into 1 HOL session?
A. We have limited hardware. Thanks to SWUG, we are able to provide 10 servers into each session. Hence, 10 participants can join us on each slot.
Q. Do i have to bring my own laptop or server for the HOL?
A. No. You just bring yourself. We'll provide KeyBoard, Monitor, Mouse, LAN and Server. We will also provide you with the step by step hands on lab instructions.
Q. What is the format of the HOL?
A. You enter the HOLs based on the session you have registered for. At your assigned desk, you will see a set of HOL instructions. The first 5 minutes of the lab, you will listen to your proctors to understand the setup in the room before you commence. The proctors will not be conducting lectures, they will just be there to help or answer questions you may have.
Q. After the HOL, can i take away the instructions?
A. Hmm.. The HOLs are supposed to help our community build self-run labs. You will be helping us refine them. Once refined, we will release the entire instructions over your community contacts. By then, you will receive tested and refined Hands On Lab instructions that you can run everywhere. But for the purpose of the HOL on 19th Dec, please leave the instructions behind for the next attendee.
Q. Can i copy the Virtual Machines setup for the Lab?
A. No, you are not allowed to copy the VMs. The VMs are works of the community leaders proctoring your room. Sorry, you may not copy the VMs. However, the Labs are meant to be self paced. Once we release the instructions after CTU, it will include how to setup the labs from scratch.