April Fish
The history of April Fool's day – or more traditionally, All Fool's Day – remains somewhat uncertain. Some sources attribute it to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in which the vain rooster Chantecler, is tricked by a fox on March 32. Another possible source is the story of a Flemish nobleman who sent his servants on foolish errands on April 1.
My
preferred origin of this silly holiday relates to the reform of calendar in 1582 by Pope
Gregory XIII. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25, and culminating
on April 1. With the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar,
New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.
These people, labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties, and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish". In modern day France, Poisson d'Avril is celebrated by children, who often make paper fish and run around taping the fish to their friends' backs. Once the victim realizes that he or she has been fooled, the prankster cries out "Poisson d'Avril!". The idea is that an April fish is a very young fish, and thus easily caught.
On this eve of All Fool's Day and with little more than a month to go before the 2010 LOGIN Conference kicks off, there's still plenty of opportunity to make wise choices and avoid being the "April fish".
For example, today, Wednesday, March 31st, is the final day to take advantage of early-bird registration rates for LOGIN 2010. For the outrageously low price of $495, you can participate in over three days filled with lectures, keynotes, panels, roundtables, sit-down lunches, receptions, and parties. Don't wait until April 1 to realize you missed out on one of the best deals of the year on the most exclusive, influential online game industry conferences you’ll find.
We've also introduced a great new way for companies at LOGIN to be part of the official networking party with a budget party sponsorship package. Whether you are recruiting, looking for strategic partnerships, or just building your brand, this is a fantastic opportunity that won't last long.
No fooling.
 |
Peter Freese Director LOGIN Conference |
Last Day of Early Registration
Save $200 if you register before midnight tonight
This
is it. We’re on the threshold of one of your most important deadlines for the LOGIN
Conference. After midnight tonight (March 31st), the early registration rate, offering a discount of $200
off the on-site registration price, will be over. Gone. Finito. Kaput. Sayonara. If you've been putting off your registration,
delay no further.
Why attend the LOGIN Conference?
- First-class content. You'll have access to over sixty
lectures, panels, keynotes, and roundtables over three days, covering topics important to the breadth of the online
game development world, including business, legal, production, new technologies, virtual worlds, social networking,
community, and much more, delivered by some of the industry's most influential
and knowledgeable speakers.
- Networking opportunities galore. Whether at the classy LOGIN welcome reception, the official conference
party, the LOGIN business lounge, or one of the speed-networking breakfasts, you'll have more opportunities to rub elbows
with some of the online game industry’s most powerful movers and shakers than any other event. Since LOGIN is
more intimate and more exclusive than other events, you can have the time you need to get to know just the right people
without being lost in the mob.
- Incredible amenities. Ask anyone who attended last year: The sit-down lunches, gourmet snacks, and fine wine are just a part of what made LOGIN one of the most memorable and superior game industry experiences in 2009. Everything at LOGIN is step beyond what you've experienced elsewhere.
If you’re ready to register for LOGIN, get started here:
Once you've registered for LOGIN, we definitely recommend booking your stay at the official conference hotel, the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel. Not only are you conveniently located at the center of all the official conference action, you’re staying at one of Seattle’s finest hotels at a specially discounted rate.
Additional LOGIN 2010 Speakers Announced
We're pleased to announce additions to our all-star cast of speakers for LOGIN 2010. We'll continue to announce speakers each week in LOGIN Beat, and you can always see the most current list of speakers on the conference speaker page.
See
the complete list of speakers
|
S. Gregory Boyd |
|
Andrew Stern |
|
Darion Rapoza |
|
Charles "AngryWaffle" Berube |
|
Matt Seegmiller |
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
- William Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 5 scene 1
