Today is a momentous occasion for rockdirect, as an idea that started late last year finally becomes a reality.
It all started in December with a brainwave from rockdirect's Managing Director, Nick Boardman. In a post on the rockforum, he revealed his dream:
The first step in the plan to create a mobile LAN party was to find a vehicle to host it in. Ideas were thrown around, from VW Campers and Transit vans to Land Rovers and Ambulances. Finally, after much deliberation, rockdirect purchased this little number at auction:
An old library bus. Plenty of room for gaming kit, a network and a server, but a lot of work to be done to transform it from a dilapidated bookmobile into a supreme mobile LAN machine.
Rather than take on the mammoth task of converting the bus themselves (notebook building is a little different to vehicle converting), rockdirect commissioned the help of conversion specialists Zak Facta, who took the bookmobile away to work their magic on it.
So how does something like the blank canvas above become a gaming haven? Answer, with a lot of hard work and patience.
Come March, the bus was looking a little bit rough on the outside, but at least a decent floor was being laid on the inside. There were a few more issues to overcome too. A unique vehicle like this requires a special MOT and very strict insurance, limiting who can drive it, and nobody was going to be driving it far until the dodgy brakes were sorted, costing a mere £3,500!
Slowly, the bus was starting to look less like a library, and more like something a little special.
Intel wanted in on the mobile LAN action and so agreed to sponsor the vehicle for rockdirect. Can you guess the product they wanted to promote alongside a mobile LAN vehicle?
Centrino, of course! Looks pretty slick on the outside, doesn't it? So, what about the inside? The official launch of the rockdirect bus is today and HEXUS is attending to grab photos, so we can show you just what they've done inside this beast. Be on the lookout for the rockdirect bus; it could be coming to a location near you soon! Only one question remains unanswered: Will the bus be better than the preferred mode of transport for our fearless leader?
