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Also, would terminal-based CP/M boxen be in the running or would having graphics and sound abilities be part of the qualification?

I personally wouldn't mind that but there's already a Z-Fest for CP/M users:

http://www.zfest.de/

Yes, I have been there 2 years ago for the first time and will join it this weekend again
It's a very interesting meeting, as one of its focus are quite old Z80 and CP/M machines or even older stuff from the 70ies. But also more modern systems like the MSX and Sam Coupe are present there. Of course I will bring my TurboR + MP3 card this time
Unfortunately we didn't have any international guests up to now, but Kassel is also quit far away from the borders.

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Yes, I have been there 2 years ago for the first time and will join it this weekend again It's a very interesting meeting, as one of its focus are quite old Z80 and CP/M machines or even older stuff from the 70ies. But also more modern systems like the MSX and Sam Coupe are present there. Of course I will bring my TurboR + MP3 card this time Unfortunately we didn't have any international guests up to now, but Kassel is also quit far away from the borders.

Maybe if it will be announced earlier you can get more international people as well.
BTW have you read my latest mail

To reply on the initial post, I say 'hell yeah'...
Last two times Bussum were far from enjoyable, I say... The trips to and from Bussum were way more fun...
Why? Cuz there just ain't nothing there but little groups of people talking to each other whilst blocking the corridor, one fixing broken hardware, one selling some secondhand stuff, some people ignoring each other... The rest is doing stuff for their self on their computer (not even that many MSXes there)...

The urge of going there is not that strong anymore for me.

Variation would be nice...

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Cuz there just ain't nothing there but little groups of people talking to each other whilst blocking the corridor, one fixing broken hardware, one selling some secondhand stuff, some people ignoring each other... The rest is doing stuff for their self on their computer (not even that many MSXes there)...

Exactly. It's socializing, not a fair anymore. It's socializing with the same ol' people, and ignoring others. While the socializing might be fun for those who do the socializing, there's little fun for the neutral visitors who aren't in some group, who are just visiting a fair to check out new stuff -as they did many years ago-. Meits mentions Bussum, but it's not really different for Nijmegen (or the late Tilburg) either.

Therefor: we need new blood. Or you'll end up with scene-regulars also not being interested anymore for even the socializing aspect of it all!

I agree. I won't attend a fair until I can bring something myself (to keep myself busy). I hardly know any active users anymore so socializing will be minimal.....

Surely the main problem is that the speccy scene is UK based, and the CPC is all over except holland. Maybe you should hold the fair on a ferry

@Sunrise: Sorry for my late reply, you should have Email now. I didn't expect, that people here could be interested in retro-computer-parties/events/fairs in Germany.
At least there are 3 important events/fairs every year:

• XzentriX: My favourite one, all old systems, many attenders are from CPC and Commodore, but you will find nearly everything else, too.
  
• Z-Fest: All Z80 and CP/M computers allowed + cool older ones, too.
  
• VCFe: This is intended as an exhibition. You can be exhibitor with your "stand" and present something, or you can be a visitor. Usually all kind of old and very very old stuff is present here.
  

Unfortunately VCFe and XzentriX is in or next to Munich (south germany), also for me that's quite far away.
But if you want, I can announce these events here. How would be the best way to do that?

I am sure Bussum will be beter than last year , so I would go for sure , otherwise you regret it
People we all have to contribute - Wolf make music
- Bazix , maybe another way to get the one chip msx western available/ Options enough

@Prodatron, well it looks fun to see how a fair would be , but this year most likely to early

There are still some ZX81 + ZX Spectrum Fans here in Germany, check out

www.zx81.de/

www.zx81.de/webring/index.htm

They claim to be ''the world's very last but active users group for SINCLAIR ZX80, ZX81 and clones''.

I personally hope that there are still more groups caring for Sinclair computers out there in the world.

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Surely the main problem is that the speccy scene is UK based

I believe that the spanish speccy scene is very active (Sinclair platform was the best selling one here), at least talking about software produced and forum activity. The fairs and events are a bit sparse; but lately thanks to MadriSX the speccy users have found a stable place to show their machines and developments.

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Unfortunately VCFe and XzentriX is in or next to Munich (south germany)

Yay! for Munich!

Would be nice to meet you on the XzentriX this september
Maybe someone here nows Wolfgang Borrmann:
http://www.hansotten.com/msxwhiteturbor.html
He will usually join this meeting, too.

Wolfgang helped releasing my and Vincents latest demo Utopia at VFCe 8.0: http://hometown.aol.de/_ht_a/borrmannw/aussvcf80.htm

The demo was simultaneously released at VFCe and the MSX meeting in Barcelona.

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Would be nice to meet you on the XzentriX this september

Sure - I marked it in my agenda - less chance that I'll forget