York Questiom

C.W.,

Your point about spending time is well made, but with all respect your observations about the impact of banning certain technology reflects that you are out of touch with kids.  Kids, especially pre-teens and teens today, make very quick snap judgments about whether something is something in which they would be interested.  An organization that essentially bans, at its largest and most important gathering, technology that these young people consider not only cool but integral to their daily lives (personally I would like it to be less integral but it is what it is, as they say) is stating, in a loud, clear voice, that this is a hobby for grumpy old men.  I am exaggerating on purpose to illustrate the view from this perspective, not to state that it is completely true and without caveats.  

As far as those who want to ask for a "ruling," let's just say the attorney in me would not advise that course.  By making the request you are ceding the EDiv's right to create an interp where the rule is clear, and there is also the old saying that you should never ask a question to which you may not like the answer, particularly if the status quo is to your benefit.  The antiquated nature of the rule, and the foolishness of holding the line EDTCA wants to hold, will only grow more apparent with time.

quote:

Kids, especially pre-teens and teens today, make very quick snap judgments about whether something is something in which they would be interested.  An organization that essentially bans, at its largest and most important gathering, technology that these young people consider not only cool but integral to their daily lives (personally I would like it to be less integral but it is what it is, as they say) is stating, in a loud, clear voice, that this is a hobby for grumpy old men.

I didn't know the York was a venue for folks that don't already have some interest.

Some people seem to think the Eastern Division train show should be some sort of recruiting tool for the hobby. IMHO, while it is an unintentional recruiting tool for the TCA itself, it is not well structured to introduce new people into the hobby. The show is geared towards folks already involved (and should remain that way)  Public shows (where they allow cell phones, pictures, strollers, and backpacks) with numerous operating layouts and clinics are much better suited for the curious. In my area, the annual Springfield Ma and Syracuse NY shows come to mind.

Personally I don't care what they rule. But it would sure get a lot of others panties in a wad. I don't need any of these devices in the halls to enjoy myself. 

I would hope at min al the vendors an use them for transactions. 

I agree. As I have pointed out a number of times, there are 24 train shows open to the public each year that are within a 2 hour drive from York...even one at the York fairgrounds, and six 30 minutes away in Timomium, MD. The Timonium shows have lots of modular layouts, and they all allow cameras, cell phones, strollers, and big backpacks for those who cannot live without these things.