From: "Bob Dixon" To: "The Megaconference" ; ; "Video Development Initiative" Subject: Special Megaconference Virtual Picnic Instructions Date: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 11:38 AM One of the exciting new events in this year's Megaconference is the World's First Virtual Picnic. Since this involves some advance preparation on your part, I am announcing it separately here. A project is being developed to assist farmers and consumer groups in finding one another and in facilitating direct food orders among them, using H.323 video conferencing. This non-profit project is headed up by Benjamin Thompson, and described at www.smallfarmnetwork.com . During the Megaconference, Benjamin will describe this project, accompanied by several real farmers from across the USA. When talking to prospective consumer groups and coops, the farmers typically send ahead of time samples of their crops, so the viewers can be eating the crop as they watch the farmer describe how he grows it and processes it. For the Megaconference, they have chosen to illustrate this project by the use of a special heirloom variety of popcorn. Arrangements have been made for you to order a special Megaconference commemorative tin (one gallon) of this popcorn, which is specially labeled for the Megaconference and includes an information sheet about the project. The price has been kept low (about $10, plus shipping) to allow as many to participate as possible. This is of course completely optional on your part, but it will increase the realism of the event, and will be a lot of fun, just like eating popcorn at the movies! The popcorn is already popped in the tin. You just eat it during this part of the Megaconference. You can tell the farmer who grew it how well you like it. Then afterwards you can keep the empty tin on your shelf as a momento of the Megaconference. For the local audience in Austin, I will provide a large quantity of this popcorn for everyone to eat during the event. If you are hosting a large group for the Megaconference, you may wish to buy it in larger quantities also; if so just ask me and I will send you the info. The Word attachment to this message describes the complete ordering procedure. Please order as soon as possible to be sure it arrives in time for the Megaconference. Munchingly, Bob Robert S. Dixon, Ph D, PE Chief Research Engineer | Voice 614-292-1638 Office of the CIO | Fax 614-292-7081 Ohio State University | Lab 614-292-7425 1971 Neil Ave, room 451 | Email dixon.8@osu.edu Columbus, OH 43210 | Video 128.146.199.98 and Senior Systems Developer/Engineer | Voice 614-728-8100 X232 Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet) | Fax 614-486-4594 | Email rdixon@oar.net