We've got word that the Estrel hotel has changed their room key system from magnet stripe cards to RFID cards.
Cons:
- No Eurofurence themed room keys this year. Boo!
There are two reasons for this: first, we don't know the exact specifications of the cards being used yet. Second, RFID cards are significantly more expensive than magnet stripe cards and we haven't allocated enough budget to provide our own cards this year. Also, we'd rather like to spend your entrance fees on programming and events than on a comparatively expensive gimmick.
Pros:
- No trips to the front desk to rewrite the magnet stripe any more.
- Less fumbling to open the door (which way was up again?)
- The RFID card should work through a fursuit glove.
The new cards should be significantly less hassle than the old ones.
Notes:Please
DO NOT PUNCH HOLES into RFID cards, it will destroy the antenna and thus the card. We plan to get some card holders similar to those you might know from Confuzzled or NordicFuzzCon, and sell them at their nominal value at the convention store.
Also, as the cards are owned and provided by the hotel, please
return the key cards to the hotel at departure.