"LAN" vs. "computer party"

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A phenomenon that has been more and more common the last ten years or so, are the events (from 2-3 people to several thousand) where people (usually young ones) bring their computers to each other in social events.

I'm sure most people reading this would think "aha, he's referring to a LAN party" (or just the short form "LAN"). However, I object -- I think that the correct and ideal term should be "computer party".

This might seem like a minor difference, but in fact, I think the name should convey much of the spirit and ideals behind whatever event it is you're attending. Now, what is it in the word "LAN", that is, "Local Area Network" that I don't like?

The name "LAN" indicates that the network is in the center of everything, the main focus so to speak. In other words: Illegal copying, IRC and most importantly games are the main activities -- in other words, what I'd call very commercialized and non-creative activities. Back in "the old days", sure, you had people playing, but those were not at all the major "force" at the computer parties. You had a totally different social concept, where people would come together for the sake of coming together, not to play some game with as little "lag" as possible. Today, you can even see parties announcing their internet connection as the primary attraction. Seriously, what kind of social event is that? Whatever happened to the tradition of walking around, seeing something cool on their monitor and initiating a conversation, getting better known to those people? Whatever happened to the times when over a thousand people stood in front of the big screen at TG to watch the demo competition? Isn't that what the whole concept of getting together is about? If you're only going to play or IRC anyhow, why not stay at home and save yourself the time and trouble?

So, in short: No, I'm not a fan of the computer parties that are essentially modernized arcade halls (and perhaps centers of copyright breach). I think they lack a lot of personality, and are by nature, mindless. That is not the kind of party I'd enjoy, at least, and not the kind of party I'd like for instance TG to become. So please, if you talk about TG or any other party that isn't completely lost yet, don't call it a "LAN", call it a "computer party".