Re: Do you want to organize this?

[TheCotMan]

I'm not organizing this, and last year converge was really busy with organizing other things, or participating on other contests. We frequently have discussion about how this should work, if it should be part of the TBBQ (preventing many Goons from attending) or during the con. Some have suggested having this be an informal meeting at the pool, or at some place where something else is involved-- something other than sitting around introducing each other to everyone.

Converge has been sucked into the WoW thing. I think that we hear from him when he has to go pee. (This is only a guess.)

Since I don't want to organize anything while at defcon, and I think he is probably going to be busy again, this is probably open for another organizer. Anyone?

[Deviant Ollam]

while i don't want to organize and run yet another defcon event, i'll put in my $0.02 and suggest now is as good a time as any (should we start a fresh thread in this sub-forum or just post here) to discuss potential dates and times. any form of consensus or good suggestions there may help to spur along some more top-down organization later. as for the related matter of location, i think that's less of a pressing matter... since people's biggest gripe always seems to be time frame.

as always, i'm of the opinion that once defcon gets fully underway everyone is running around like frightened rabbits (or horny rabbits, as the case may be) and impossible to nail down. post-con sunday is out since that's usually either a "last blast" party for people with leftover booze or a cool-down, mellow time for folks looking to get dinner at some nice restaurant.

in my mind, that leaves either sometime on thursday or an early-friday happening. my two notions there...

1. what about tying the forum meet to the Summit event? it's close by (major props on having it in the skybox last time, i hate going off-site for anything but the BBQ. and frankly, if there were a way to have that on the casino grounds or in a vacant lot next door i'd support it.) and tends to be late enough that a lot of goons are done most of their setup duties for the day.

2. there had been some success in the past regarding forum meets and shared homebrew. if the brew wars event happens again and if it coincides with the beverage cooling time slot (noon on friday) maybe that could be a decent possibility... i am happy to provide as much free beer as possible to whomever shows up and it's sort of a time slightly before defcon gets seriously hectic.

thoughts?

[Z^2]

So what goes into organizing and running an event?

[TheCotMan]

1. what about tying the forum meet to the Summit event? it's close by (major props on having it in the skybox last time, i hate going off-site for anything but the BBQ. and frankly, if there were a way to have that on the casino grounds or in a vacant lot next door i'd support it.) and tends to be late enough that a lot of goons are done most of their setup duties for the day.

2. there had been some success in the past regarding forum meets and shared homebrew. if the brew wars event happens again and if it coincides with the beverage cooling time slot (noon on friday) maybe that could be a decent possibility... i am happy to provide as much free beer as possible to whomever shows up and it's sort of a time slightly before defcon gets seriously hectic.

thoughts?
These are both good considerations for the forum meet, and really good for the organizer of this event to consider in planning. Providing a list of challenges in the hostory of this event could help any would-be organizer.

So what goes into organizing and running an event?

Generally, it is someone who likes an event or contest, and enjoys organizing the contest or event. Organizers often organize because they love the work they do, the topic at hand, or more:
Look at Lost with his Mystery Box, or Deviant Ollam with the BCCC. Look at the people the put together the phreaking challenge, and then look at the aCTF and CTF oranizers. Look at the previous organizers to the Lockpicking village and Lockpicking contest. Nearly every contests or event at Defcon that is well received, is popular partly because of the topic, and partly because of the organizers' love for their contests or events.

For large contests/event, a DCG is often best used to help organize the event, since it can easily be more than what one person can build and maintain. (Look at the aCTF, as an example.) Having a DCG run a contest or event allows the event to last through several leaders and transition through many hands without disappearing.

If you don't have the power of a DCG, consider pulling your friends in with you to help you organize a contest or event. (Lost did this at DC15, and he seemed to enjoy his con more at DC15 because of it.) You don't need to do everything, if you can get other people to help you. Share the burden, share the responsibility, share the accolades with your peers. Don't share any blame for anything; use problems as learning opportunities for next year.

Passion is contagious. When an organizer shows excitement in their contests or event, others tend to want to see what the excitement is, "all about," and join the contest or event. Combine excitement with an on-topic contest or event and you have something that can quickly become popular.

In addition to the above, an organizer needs to pay attention to timelines, dates and follow-up requests for resources with requests for resources. Assuming this is like previous years, when Grifter asks for Skybox requests, get your request in to Grifter early, and follow-up to make sure you have your allocation. If you need contest floor space, Russ will probably be the person to talk to. If you are happen to need vendor space for some reason, then Roamer needs to hear from you. Black Beetle will likely need to hear from you, so your information can make it into the program, and may be the person to talk to, in order to get your contest or event mentioned on the web site. (It is also possible you may need to answer a request from the WebMaster (neil) for this.)

If you are looking to run a contest for the first time, you should get a buy-in from Dark Tangent, but that is not the only thing you should do. All of the other above should be consulted once you get an OK from DT, to ensure you get an opportunity to have access to the resources you'll need. An OK from DT does not guarantee you floor space, or a skybox.

I'll create a subforum for any contest/event that is going to appear or appears on the main defcon website, but would like to hear from organizers on a description for discussion forums about their contest or event.

For contests that have happened before, I can create subforums before they are officially (or unofficially) listed on the main site. I've contacted several people or groups through phone, SMS, email, PM, IM, and more to ask them about their plans to run contests or events again, and have opened up forums for many of those.

Lastly, for people that have been around long enough with a paper-trail that shows mods they can trust the organizer to not be asshats, we sometimes will make the contest/event organizer a *forum* contest/event organizer for their contest. This lets them do things like set/unset stickies in the subfrum for their contest event, as well as open/close and edit some content in the same subforum. Of course they are not mods, and don't get to ban users, so shouldn't enforce rules, but we give them access to tools that help them promote their contest or event in the forums.

I've met you (Z^2) and you have been around for a while. If you end up as a contest leader/organizer, I'd nominate you for becoming a forum leader/organizer for your contest/event; I'm not the only one that has a say, on this, and it can take some time to complete the process.

[DJ Jackalope]

1. what about tying the forum meet to the Summit event?

I DO hate to say it... but wouldn't that make the forum meet a mandatory $30+ donation? I am not against where it is going or anything, but we shouldn't have to donate to meet.

[Deviant Ollam]

1. what about tying the forum meet to the Summit event?

I DO hate to say it... but wouldn't that make the forum meet a mandatory $30+ donation? I am not against where it is going or anything, but we shouldn't have to donate to meet.heh... $30 unless you have your forum avatar badge should be a good policy. ;-)

that way, the event is populated with the cream of the defcon crop automatically... the real members who make this community great. not some whacky, unapproachable speaker types who have no grounding in our day-to-day lives.

(i was going to try to work in a joke along the lines of "nobody named kaminsky ever bought me a drink" but i think that the opposite may be true for the majority of us, especially if dan is the speaker being referenced.) :biggrin:

[Abby_Normal]

Since I don't want to organize anything while at defcon, and I think he is probably going to be busy again, this is probably open for another organizer. Anyone?

I would be willing to help with something like this. What day are people thinking of?

The last time I tried to get to a forum meet it overlapped with something else I was doing and I when I got there I guess everyone else had left.

I do have space to host something.

[Chris]

Whoever organizes this should work with DT/BlackBeetle to ensure that there aren't schedule conflicts. That has been part of the problem the last couple of years.

Also, trying to get the time and location set a week or two before Con would be a good idea so that people can plan on going. Nulltone did an excellent job of this when he was the primary organizer.

It wouldn't hurt to bring back the Avatar badges. They definitely helped people put faces with the names.

It wouldn't hurt if the mods and admins made a commitment to being there either. We have done a pretty shitty job of that the past couple of years.

[TheCotMan]

Whoever organizes this should work with DT/BlackBeetle to ensure that there aren't schedule conflicts. That has been part of the problem the last couple of years.
Start early, and get the space allocation done early too.

Also, trying to get the time and location set a week or two before Con would be a good idea so that people can plan on going. Nulltone did an excellent job of this when he was the primary organizer.
That is really more difficult, since many of the available spaces are allocated by then. It would be best to start asking about space about 2-5 months before con, and try to get everything setup and planned early.
To even get mentioned in the program you are looking at about 3 to 6 weeks of planning to know your location and time submitted early enough to make the printing.
The web site doesn't need planning as early, but it helps to get your information in early, because if you wait too long, people start getting too busy to apply your changes in a timely manner.

It wouldn't hurt to bring back the Avatar badges. They definitely helped people put faces with the names.
I've worn one a few years, especially at the TBBQ.

It wouldn't hurt if the mods and admins made a commitment to being there either. We have done a pretty shitty job of that the past couple of years.
Yeah, but you first. ]:>

I would be willing to help with something like this. What day are people thinking of?

In the past, it has been Friday nights. There was a window that existed years ago between the time the last speaker spoke, and HJ and other events started. This window has disappeared in recent years.

When Thursday is suggested, many say they don't arrive until Friday morning, and as a result, they wouldn't be able to make it.

Meeting at the TBBQ is the same as other Thursday suggestions, but is compounded by denying Goons opportunity to participate, since an off-site location like the TBBQ is too far away for them to go, visit and get back to work.

Meeting at the Summit (Thursday night?) is similar to the above, in that some people don't arrive until Friday, and there is a charge to enter, but Goons could attend if it happened at the Riv.

Thursday night has historically been, "SushiCon," night, and many forum members attend that too. Combining with SushiCon means Goons won't be able to attend, and the Sushi place probably could hold eveyone if they showed up.

Sunday is sometimes suggested, but like Thursday, many people are unable to make it because they are leaving before the evening.

When it is Friday, then there is a conflict when it is too late, with parties, and Hacker Jeopardy, night at the movies with DT, and other similar events. If the meeting is too early, then it interferes with the speaking tracks that many desire to see.

The last time I tried to get to a forum meet it overlapped with something else I was doing and I when I got there I guess everyone else had left.
I had the same problem, and I had a guest with me. We had something else to attend at the same time.

I think what happened last year, is nobody showed up to unlock the door, and so when people came by to drop in, they saw only a locked door and wandered off.

I do have space to host something.
Cool. :-)

I have no problem with several people organizing this together either. If you want to organize it, feel free. :-)
If you want to pull in Deviant Ollam and Jackalope to help, and they are also interested, that works too. Why should the planning of an event or meeting be the burden of just one person?

Converge isn't here right now, but I see his ethereal body hovering near a game of WoW. Let me attach ropes to his arms, and move his mouth:
hurmmmrumm hrumm nrruuhh muh muh
That was converge saying, "if you three want to run this meeting, go for it."*

* Obviously, he didn't really say that, but based on how busy he has been at con in the past, I suspect he would be happy to pass control on to any of you three or all three of you. This would allow him to actually spend time on LoST(boy)'s "LoST @ Con Mystery Contest" without worry.

[meee]

I should be able to be of some logistical use this year. Count me in if you require assistance.

[Deviant Ollam]

Thursday night has historically been, "SushiCon," night, and many forum members attend that too.Unless i'm mistaken, that has been Wednesday night in recent memory. Thursday is ToxicBBQ during the afternoon/early evening and TheSummit at night.

[TheCotMan]

Unless i'm mistaken, that has been Wednesday night in recent memory. Thursday is ToxicBBQ during the afternoon/early evening and TheSummit at night.

Doh! I suck. Sorry about that. You are totally right. Thanks for catching it. :-)

[converge]

Whoever organizes this should work with DT/BlackBeetle to ensure that there aren't schedule conflicts. That has been part of the problem the last couple of years. to be a little antagonistic on this... scheduling conflicts with what? I have determined it is actually impossible to schedule this indepedent of 5+ other things going on. Even the prior cry to 'move it to Thursday' is flooded out by the ramping up of activities.

Also, trying to get the time and location set a week or two before Con would be a good idea so that people can plan on going. Nulltone did an excellent job of this when he was the primary organizer. We had this last year, as did the year before, but things always tend to be locked down at the Riv until 10-15 minutes after hunting someone down. With all of the scheduling conflicts last year there wasn't really anyone to get that push for unlocking down, so everyone just migrated to the parties.

It wouldn't hurt to bring back the Avatar badges. They definitely helped people put faces with the names. Indeed.

It wouldn't hurt if the mods and admins made a commitment to being there either. We have done a pretty shitty job of that the past couple of years. Ya, I failed last year. Failed in a sense of completely enjoying myself at parties and completely neglecting the get-together. I can drink to that.


The general feel that I got last year was that folks were very lukewarm about the Meet, almost to the extent of it being a requirement more than an enjoyable thing. If people feel more strongly about it, then folks just have to help make it happen ;)

So here's the deal. If you want to help organize this and make it more fun that the ToxicBBQ .. please volunteer for the TBBQ first! .. then say aye and I will add you to the list of folks getting this together. Also, mention things that we want from the get-together. Just stand and talk? Food? Drink? Hugs? .. we'll start populating some planning on this and get the ball rolling early. DT has always been great to support the Forum Members with space and resources, we just need to enjoy them.

[Deviant Ollam]

heh... how 'bout we just bribe the Ninja Networks folks and make the forum meet a pre-party for the Ninja party? No shortage of people who would show up then, if just an avatar badge gets you into the hottest ticket that evening. :biggrin:

[TheCotMan]

heh... how 'bout we just bribe the Ninja Networks folks and make the forum meet a pre-party for the Ninja party? No shortage of people who would show up then, if just an avatar badge gets you into the hottest ticket that evening. :biggrin:

But how would I know which Deviant Ollam was the real Deviant Ollam?
"Would the real Deviant Ollam, please stand up?"

[converge]

Simple .. of all that show up, he would be the one with the animated avatar badge. Not sure the logistics on that would work though...

[Deviant Ollam]

Simple .. of all that show up, he would be the one with the animated avatar badge. Not sure the logistics on that would work though...maybe i could make one of those images that if rocked from side to side seem like they're moving. i can recall GIJoe and Batman stickers from the late 70's and early 80's with a ridged surface that did that. other folk here must recall what i'm talking about, even if i don't know the exact name for them... i'm certain there must be some sort of printing industry term or marketing brand name for that process.

hmm... maybe i'm on to something. coolest. avatar. badge. evar.

[TheCotMan]

maybe i could make one of those images that if rocked from side to side seem like they're moving. i can recall GIJoe and Batman stickers from the late 70's and early 80's with a ridged surface that did that. other folk here must recall what i'm talking about, even if i don't know the exact name for them... i'm certain there must be some sort of printing industry term or marketing brand name for that process.

hmm... maybe i'm on to something. coolest. avatar. badge. evar.

I looked into making a badge like that when I had an animated avatar, and I know how the technology works, but couldn't find a vendor of the material.

You will need one of those plastic plates, and a high resolution printer, as well as spec on how to interlace two or more different images. Then, you print the interleaved images according to the measurements of the plastic and carefully apply the plastic to the image in such a way that its vertical lines match the lines separating your images on the printed sheet. Bam! done.

*Specs meaning, how many millimeters or inches apart to set each interleaves part.

[haden]

but then would we really know that cot was cot?
oh and count me in aswell ill do whats asked

[converge]

Excellent. I know others may have expressed interest in other threads, but I'm not gonna go digging. This post will maintain a list of folks as I see interest posted or PM'd, once things start building steam we'll get a PM war or mail thread going between organizers to really kick the forum meet off right this year.

Forum Meet Organizers 2008:

Abby_Normal
Chris
meee
haden
mouseling
lil_freak
DaKahuna
converge

[mouseling]

Let's get l0sT to make the badges. He'll come up with something that shoots flames, has a 3-D Hologram and records the amount of calories you're consuming.

Btw: Count me in. It's about time I got involved helping organize something.

-mouse

[meee]

Well we can always embed the avatar badges with RFID info of ppl's pgp keys.

[HighWiz]

My initial question would be, what time the summit runs till?

It probably would be the best bet to work it to be Thursday night and keep it at the Riv. Don't tie it into another event, since in all honestly it deserves its own place to shine. Friday night would be difficult with parties, though not impossible as long as someone is willing to forgo the other parties and dedicate themselves to the meet since most people will probably pop in and out. Though, if you did do it Friday night, perhaps that best thing to do would be to have a dedicated time instead of people popping in and out.

I wore my avatar badge last year (as I do to any cons I goto), but was surprised that many other people did not. A resurrection of wearing them again would be excellent.

A skybox would be best for a meeting location, kinda like the "meeting room" at the AP. Though barring that, any type of room would really suffice.

I think if the format of the forum meet was like it used to be (Starting by going around and saying who you are) then it will definitely be a successful event.


Just my .02 cents.... But what do I know?


Personally, I may or may not attend DefCon this year and go on Vacation somewhere else with runnerup, so it's easier just to say I won't be there and show up. Then to say I will be there and not show up (as I have done in the past).

[LosT]

I agree with HW- nobody seems to wear their avatar badges anymore....

[Deviant Ollam]

I agree with HW- nobody seems to wear their avatar badges anymore....i'm willing to make the following declaration... if someone wants an avatar badge and truly cannot make it themselves i will make it for you, pack it, and mail it to an address of your designation free of charge. the following conditions apply...

1. i ask that you be very clear about wanting an avatar badge. post either in this thread or in a PM direct to me

2. you must specify the source image the moment you ask me to make you a badge. so if you PM me or post in the thread and don't have a link to a high-qual image, i will use the small forum avatar. otherwise, link to an image you'd like. i can handle almost all formats as long as they're not all cracked out. So PSD, JPG, EPS, BMP, TIFF, PNG, GIF, and TGA would be fine. "Bob's Image Format" would be less than good.

3. the default will be 4" wide, with the rest of the image fit to scale. if you want something else, plan ahead of time. if you have a ton of white space in your image for no discernible reason it will be cropped.

4. these badges are supposed to be for people actually going to con. if you fail to show up at DefCon, ShmooCon, etc... well, we'll make fun of you a lot here and try to shame you on the forums. at least that's my plan, anyway.

5. at least a one month lead time from your personal drop dead date is needed. it takes me no time to do this, but who knows when the fuck i'll actually manage to do your badge. if you're going to shmoo (well, you're screwed there unless i make it and give it to you at the con. if you're special to me i'll do that) as for defcon, tell me before HOPE. for HOPE folks, tell me before black hat europe, etc. etc. etc.


ok, enough rules and regs. that's the gist of it... if you want an avatar badge and don't have the wherewithal to make one i'm happy to do it for you but please don't waste my time.

[0x58]

but then would we really know that cot was cot?
oh and count me in aswell ill do whats asked

You'll know it is Cot because he will walk around handing out beer.

Let's get l0sT to make the badges. He'll come up with something that shoots flames, has a 3-D Hologram and records the amount of calories you're consuming.

Btw: Count me in. It's about time I got involved helping organize something.

-mouse

shoots flames? Around all the alcohol? That just sounds like an explosion waiting to happen :P

I agree with HW- nobody seems to wear their avatar badges anymore....

You did, just start the trend again!

i'm willing to make the following declaration... if someone wants an avatar badge and truly cannot make it themselves i will make it for you, pack it, and mail it to an address of your designation free of charge. the following conditions apply...

[...]

Excuse my ignorance, and non-exhaustive-searching since I am lazy, how do I make one of these badges? What is involved? As a student I have the resources at the University available to me, but besides that anything that is going to cost money is a no-no, and I hate to put the burden on someone else like yourself.

[TheCotMan]

You'll know it is Cot because he will walk around handing out beer.
I can't afford to buy everyone Guinness. I actually make a list of people that I have promised to buy beer for, and bring them a Guinness. Usually, said beer is provided as a sacrificial offering with hopes that I might be forgiven for something I may have done to them over the year, and I seem to always be getting into trouble. ]:>

I also buy more Guinness than that, and have been known to hand it out to people that looked like they were having a good time, have been a positive influence but not recognized, or for people that I meet if I think they are cool. :-) A good example has included the people working the grills at the TBBQ. Does anyone ever thank them? Working in the middle of a desert, in the summer, over an open grill? Crazy sober people shouldn't do that.

I've also given out beer to people that look like they have no idea who, "all these people are," but are really interested in fitting in and socializing. (Several new people.) Like other people at Defcon, I am there to enjoy myself. :-)

I think last year, I brought 32 to 48 Guinness to the TBBQ, and then handed out another 24 to 32 during the con.

This count is absolutely nothing compared to what groups like Ninja Networks and others provide to people at Defcon. On one food run, I seem to recall one group hosting a party spent several thousand dollars on liquor at a discount "warehouse" store for their party. These are the big-time donation groups at Defcon to fun and enjoyment. Their contributions make mine look like cheap Top Ramen 2 packs for $0.06 each.

Look at the TBBQ organizers too, and you find people providing much more than me to their peers as gifts. I see plenty of of love at the TBBQ.

Excuse my ignorance, and non-exhaustive-searching since I am lazy, how do I make one of these badges? What is involved? As a student I have the resources at the University available to me, but besides that anything that is going to cost money is a no-no, and I hate to put the burden on someone else like yourself.

Blackwave's HOWTO on Avatar Badge creation. Link in that thread includes this URL (http://www.irvineunderground.org/blackwave/blackwaves-defcon-avatar-badge-howto.htm).

[0x58]

I can't afford to buy everyone Guinness. I actually make a list of people that I have promised to buy beer for, and bring them a Guinness. Usually, said beer is provided as a sacrificial offering with hopes that I might be forgiven for something I may have done to them over the year, and I seem to always be getting into trouble. ]:>

I also buy more Guinness than that, and have been known to hand it out to people that looked like they were having a good time, have been a positive influence but not recognized, or for people that I meet if I think they are cool. :-) A good example has included the people working the grills at the TBBQ. Does anyone ever thank them? Working in the middle of a desert, in the summer, over an open grill? Crazy sober people shouldn't do that.

I've also given out beer to people that look like they have no idea who, "all these people are," but are really interested in fitting in and socializing. (Several new people.) Like other people at Defcon, I am there to enjoy myself. :-)

I think last year, I brought 32 to 48 Guinness to the TBBQ, and then handed out another 24 to 32 during the con.

And us newbies thank you for it.


This count is absolutely nothing compared to what groups like Ninja Networks and others provide to people at Defcon. On one food run, I seem to recall one group hosting a party spent several thousand dollars on liquor at a discount "warehouse" store for their party. These are the big-time donation groups at Defcon to fun and enjoyment. Their contributions make mine look like cheap Top Ramen 2 packs for $0.06 each.

You seem to be getting ripped off for your Ramen at $0.06, I buy mine for $0.05 :P


Look at the TBBQ organizers too, and you find people providing much more than me to their peers as gifts. I see plenty of of love at the TBBQ.


I was not suggesting you were being cheap, or not providing for your peers, you do that enough by being the admin for these here forums, by helping people in the IRC channels, by answering questions. The "handing out beers" was how I first met you, when I introduced myself at the TBBQ. It was something that stood out in my mind, and something I remembered you by.


Blackwave's HOWTO on Avatar Badge creation. Link in that thread includes this URL (http://www.irvineunderground.org/blackwave/blackwaves-defcon-avatar-badge-howto.htm).

Thank you.

[Voltage Spike]

Just to pipe in with support, I have worn my forum badge at every Defcon since I joined the forums and will do so again this year.

Excuse my ignorance, and non-exhaustive-searching since I am lazy, how do I make one of these badges?

I know there was a link to Blackwave's instructions, but I made my forum badge at a Kinko's the night before Defcon by writing a quick-and-dirty web page with fonts, colors, images, etc. matching the forums while including my name and avatar. I then printed it (on simple paper) and used a heavy laminate. That badge does the job well and is still going strong. Cheap, easy, and it doesn't require planning (like much of the Defcon spirit).

[AlxRogan]

Just to pipe in with support, I have worn my forum badge at every Defcon since I joined the forums and will do so again this year.
Same here, worn proudly along with my Jackalope Army badge. :)

I know there was a link to Blackwave's instructions, but I made my forum badge at a Kinko's the night before Defcon by writing a quick-and-dirty web page with fonts, colors, images, etc. matching the forums while including my name and avatar. I then printed it (on simple paper) and used a heavy laminate. That badge does the job well and is still going strong. Cheap, easy, and it doesn't require planning (like much of the Defcon spirit).
Ditto again. Used Blackwave's template, then just used GIMP to throw together some stuff. I think Jenn's turned out better than mine, but I don't feel like making another one. Either way, the guy at Kinko's that printed it out then laminated it gave us some funny looks, but I guess he figured that asking would be more confusing that just letting us go. :smile:

[astcell]

We have the calendar function here, we ought to use it more. I wanted to go to so many pre-con events but it seems they were all layered atop one another. The public calendar is very sparse for Defcon and all the desired events, can we add in all the events that are scheduled to take place for the benefit of those wishing to add in in event?

http://forum.defcon.org/calendar.php?s=&c=1&week=&month=8&year=2008

[HighWiz]

We have the calendar function here, we ought to use it more. I wanted to go to so many pre-con events but it seems they were all layered atop one another. The public calendar is very sparse for Defcon and all the desired events, can we add in all the events that are scheduled to take place for the benefit of those wishing to add in in event?

http://forum.defcon.org/calendar.php?s=&c=1&week=&month=8&year=2008


So has a date for this been done yet?

[Deviant Ollam]

would i be massively unpopular with the security goons if i were to say, with as resounding a voice as i can muster, that thursday afternoon at the BBQ makes the most sense?

i know some people aren't in town yet, and some people are working. my two responses there (not to sound too much like an asshole) are...

1. why aren't you in town yet by thursday afternoon/evening? jeeze, people... i know this is a sweeping generalization but you must know how to fake a sick day or something by now. DefCon starts on Thursday (technically it starts wednesday with SushiCon or even, some folk would say, Tuesday with Quark's Bar) and that's the way it's been for years now. I know that it sucks if you aren't here yet, but DefCon comes once a year. If you're fanatical enough about it to care about the forum meet then you're fanatical enough to get in town early.

2. Too all my fellow red-badge folk for whom Thurs. afternoon/evening is a bad time... what exactly is a good time for you over the course of the weekend? I'm willing to bet that there isn't a consistently decent time for all the goons and staff to meet up and be in one place at one time. Hence, my additional solution...

As silly an idea as this may be, what about "splitting" the Forum Meet into two parts? If you can make it to the ToxicBBQ, great. If you can't, then come outside to the Beer Cooling Competition at noon on Friday. My policy to encourage this and hopefully reduce ridicule will be as follows...

If you have at least one verifiable post on the forums and are wearing your avatar badge while watching either the Titanium Chef event or the Beer Cooling Contraption Competition then I will provide you with free alcohol until i run out.

And if you make it to both meetups, you kick ass and i'll give you cherry bombs or something even more potent than beer.

What are your thoughts? I may be way off base here. And pardon any belligerence, i had one too many lunch beers.

[jur1st]

I second this motion. After two years of failed meet-ups I think that it's time to explore other options. ToxicBBQ served as the de facto forum meet up last year and I love the idea of getting together for some beers in the afternoon.

Considering the weather here today, the tent out back seems downright inviting right now.

[goathead]

If you have at least one verifiable post on the forums and are wearing your avatar badge while watching either the Titanium Chef event or the Beer Cooling Contraption Competition then I will provide you with free alcohol until i run out.


IA IA D.Ollam!

I hope to take you up on that sir. ;)

[converge]

Ay, ay.. Not showing up for multiple years in a row is punishable by method of choice from highwiz. Don't shoot the messenger, just saying...

Date and time not yet settled, a few ideas have been tossed around with all things considered; they are soon to be discussed upon mail list creation. Anyone that wants to be involved with planning, it is not too late.

[DJ Jackalope]

TBBQ FTW is my vote.

[haden]

i agree the tbbq would be perfect

[jur1st]

they are soon to be discussed upon mail list creation

A mailing list to discuss forum meetup issues? DEFCON is becoming too corporate.

[DaKahuna]

Wait - we already have a DC IRC and a DC mailing list. Do we need to create something new or can't we just use those medium's, or even this forum to coordinate versus creating something new?

[converge]

Wait - we already have a DC IRC and a DC mailing list. Do we need to create something new or can't we just use those medium's, or even this forum to coordinate versus creating something new?

Not all folks interested in planning this lurk on IRC. Not all folks interesting planning tail the dc-stuff list. I happy to follow all three mediums mentioned and none of them are ideal for planning because those interested in planning are a small subset of the entirety.

Don't get me wrong. Input for what people want is driven by the forum members and will drive the planning, but (as demonstrated by last years event) a successful meet requires people that *work* to make it happen. Understandably not everyone wants to or has time to partake in that effort. To exemplify, prior to the TBBQ there were plenty of people willing to give input about an event of its kind, but it was never a go until the formation of a email list of folks willing to make it happen. Now it's a staple with no less than hundreds of people willing to make it happen and yes, similar planning overhead still happens every year outside of direct public eye.. this year will certainly not be an exception after the added hurdles due to local enforcement not liking our unaccounted numbers.

To be honest, I'm laying here scratching my head and my ass trying to figure out why something as simple as a small mailing list can depress so many of my technically-minded commrades. Seriously.. its email. Corporate got you down? Does everyone just communicate through myspace nowadays? At any rate.. apologies if this comes across snippy at all, I'm just confounded but open to suggestions as always.

[Deviant Ollam]

I've always been a big fan of using things like forums as opposed to email for planning a project or event simply because it lays out everyone's thoughts and ideas in a linear fashion. with emails, you get multiple threads and lines of thought branching out into a disorganized, skewed, and often forked series of reply-to-all discussions. I suppose that sort of a problem is less likely to develop with respect to a one-time event like the forum meet... but still, having all the talk in one spot without extraneous chatter (like what's found in most folks' inboxes) is a plus.

Anyway... it's the forum meet. I'd figure that anyone interested in it would be right here, checking in with the forums plenty of the time, no? :wink:

[HighWiz]

Alright, however you all manage to put this together, I will be there. As far as the badge creation goes...I kind of want to adopt a hacker handle. I already have one in mind, but if I switch from using my real name to a handle in the middle of my involvement with this community, will I be branded as a super-dork for all eternity? I'm concerned!

Don't worry about coming up with a handle. Come find me at DefCon and I will give you one.

As for the whiner babies, things tend to just sit there and not really get done when they're discussed on the forums. It's much easier when I have to reply to something in my inbox then navigate over to the forums and wade through all the useless crap.... Yea, useless crap like " I don't have a handle, blah blah blah". This post isn't bad on its own, but when some people are trying to have a discussion on organizing an event and other people come in and start getting everyone off topic, it tends to make things a lot harder to do.

Oh well... People always have to bitch about something.

[haden]

well technically were not really laying anything down in stone yet were just seeing who wants to help organize the meet. once its finalized we can open it up for planing. now i believe that we have plenty of volunteres so lets start planing in some new threads.

converge's list of organizers:
Abby_Normal
Chris
meee
haden
mouseling
lil_freak
DaKahuna
converge

[Dark Tangent]

Just let me know time, and I'll get you guys a space as close to it as possible!

[Dallas]

I dont mind helping either, Ill be in town for Black Hat so I will have some free time. Mainly hoping to get the EFF meet going. Add me to the list of volunteers..

- Dallas

Just let me know time, and I'll get you guys a space as close to it as possible!

[converge]

I dont mind helping either, Ill be in town for Black Hat so I will have some free time. Mainly hoping to get the EFF meet going. Add me to the list of volunteers..

- Dallas

You've got it.