Notes re: Penn Bowl 12

• From: stipenn <stipenn_at_stipenn.yahoo.invalid>
• Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 14:00:53 -0000
• Message-ID: <alacel+k9fh_at_...>

A couple of reminders--

(0) Penn Bowl is currently scheduled for *January 24-25, 2003*, the 
Friday and Saturday before Super Bowl 37.

(1) Registration will begin October 1, and will follow the same rules 
as last year. If you're thinking of bringing multiple teams, please 
sign up as early as possible.  If you'd like a reminder e-mail, send 
me an e-mail at <samer_at_...>, and I will send a reminder out 
on the 29th.

(2) I expect the 'finalized' question guidelines (see below) to be 
posted this weekend. Although the guidelines will probably *appear* 
differently than they were last year, there won't be any major 
changes, and the overall category quotas will remain the same.

(3) The discount for moderators *will* be increased, and there may be 
an increase in the discount for fully-functional buzzers. [I define 
fully-functional as having (1) at least eight working activating 
mechanisms, all of which produce a visible light/signal, emit an 
audible sound, and lock all other players out; and (2) a reset button 
for the moderator.  The registration form will probably ask for 
descriptions of buzzer systems (e.g., what types we've got and what 
is known not to work), so that we can keep track of the buzzer 
systems better.]

(4) Perhaps most importantly, when you register, one of the questions 
on the registration form will be whether you would prefer that Penn 
Bowl 12 be timed or untimed.  Using the votes cast by teams that 
register _by October 15_, PADT will decide whether or not PB12 will 
use clocks or not.

A couple of points to think about--

* If the tournament goes untimed, the only significant change in the 
packet requirements will be a reduction in the *number* of questions 
required (from 36/36 to ~27/27). The overall distribution will stay 
roughly the same (closer to NAQT distribution than ACF), and the 
length and style guidelines will *not* be changed.

* If the tournament remains timed, the packet discounts will 
increase. The first discount would most likely be $50 off for full 
packets and $25 for half packets, with progressively smaller 
discounts over a five-week period.

As always, if you have questions/suggestions, please e-mail me at 
samer at aya.yale.edu.

--STI