Strike,

> Those of you who are subscribed to the Tech Diver forum may have noticed a
> 'debate' about OZTek 2000 - being held in Melbourne over this coming
> week-end, 8th & 9th July - and the fact that two of the intended original
> participants, Jarrod Jablonski, of the WKPP, and Robert Carmichael, of
> Halcyon, have apparently had their invitations withdrawn.

Jarrod is also the founder of GUE and CEO of Extreme Exposure.
Initially
they were told that their expenses/etc would be covered.  Then, the
FIRST "uninvite" came when they were told that there was insufficient
funding.  They said, "Ok, we'll pay our OWN way".  Then the hammer fell,
"Sorry, we don't want you guys", which really was an edict that came
down from Bret (I like my deep air) Gilliam.

Is it true that they're considering changing the name from OzTek to
either StrokeTek, SlobTek, DeepAirTek, or
We'llTakeYourMoneyAndScrewYouOverTek ???

> I've read and heard various reasons why this has come about - but am still
> really non the wiser!
>
> The reason why I mention this here - just in case anyone's interested -  is
> because I'm about to log off for a few days in order to fly down to
> Melbourne and act as emcee for the two-day event.  Something that I agreed
> to do some months back when JJ was still coming over.

Personally if I were you I'd *cancel* the trip and urge everyone else
to boycott.

> For anyone who may have strong views about the organising - or
> dis-organising - of this year's event, let me just say that it was nothing
> to do with me!  I'm just a mercenary pawn.  (OK! I'll accept 'prawn'!)  :-)

However, you are "playing their game" now.  The *only* honorable thing
to do would be to forgo what is surely to be a gaggle of CFs.

> I'll do a  report on the gizmo's; gadgets; theories; politics and punch-ups
> on Tuesday, on my return.  :-)

Carl