It feels worth pointing out that this is a free event. So expecting lots of infrastructure (like an abundance of power sockets) does seem a bit unrealistic? It

It feels worth pointing out that this is a free event. So expecting lots of infrastructure (like an abundance of power sockets) does seem a bit unrealistic? It was pretty cool to see some startup "legends" in real life. There where definitely interesting "geeks" in the crowd, if you went to the trouble of sniffing about. I think you're right in assuming that one of the most important (perhaps the most important) aims of the event is recruitment for YC. Given that YC are organising this event, giving out free food and generally going to a lot of trouble that seems pretty obvious going in though. They're not a charity, they seem like a nice bunch of guys running a business.