While beginning preparations for the next HOPE conference, we were stunned to hear of the plan to triple the cost to us from the hotel. This would pretty much make HOPE impossible, at least not without it becoming the kind of conference we never wanted. The purpose of HOPE is to make the world of hackers and technology accessible, and that means affordable. We could become one of those corporate events that charge thousands of dollars. But we would never feel as proud of what we're able to create with the hacker community every two years.

This crisis gets worse as much of 2600's revenue comes from sales at the conference. Losing HOPE, combined with the ever-increasing challenge of printing an advertiser-free publication in a world of vanishing bookstores and rising costs, could paint a very dire picture for us.

No doubt that prospect fills many powerful entities with glee, as we've taken great pride in being the right thorns in the right sides for over 35 years. That alone is reason to fight this with every ounce of strength we can summon.

We've been sued, we've been threatened, and we've faced extinction on a number of occasions. And one thing we've learned is that times like these are when this community truly shines. We don't intend to be defeated by this and we have no intention of giving up on the prospects of HOPE in 2020. But we can't do it by magic.

Sign this potion to save HOPE!