Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 15:02:02 -0500
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Con Security
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

>	Ron Kean and Keith Lynch present a strong case that there will be
>few if any imposters attempting to secure badges at cons.  Our own =
Michael
>J. Walsh was involved in a situation in which another Michael J. Walsh

Michael R. Walsh . . .

>checked into the same hotel.  Upon discovering this, both Walshes marched
>down to the hotel registration desk and chorused, "We are Michael J. =
Walsh."

'twas the Austin NASFiC.  When we finally met up, we went down to the =
front desk and explained the situation.  More of a problem would be folks =
trying to reach us at the hotel by phone (this being pre-cell days).

The reaction of the front desk was "We don't do middle initials . . ."

The Adventure of the Glasgow Marriott was more amusing, but would take too =
long to recount here.

>However, this is exceptional rather than the rule.  Accordingly, the
>practice of placing badges in envelopes and challenging the second person =
to
>ask for a given badge is probably sufficient.  In the not uncommon case =
of
>someone with a common name (e.g. the 57 Steve Smiths or the 3+ Lee
>Strongs),
>the possessor of the common name would presumably be understanding.

I suspect the Group Mind could come up with a number of "what if" =
scenarios.

mjw