View Full Version : Hardware Hacking Kits Poll
Hi ya-
The Hardware Hacking Village, brought to you by LosT, Russ, A and Kingpin has a question for you-
We can't give you the details of what we are offering (it's a secret until con begins) HOWEVER, how much would you be willing to pay for a Defcon exclusive hardware kit that may or may not assist in other CON events/activities (or *multiple* events/contests/activities)?
We can tell you that these kits will be limited edition (as in we anticipate selling out the first day)-
We will also have supporting accouterments in the village as well...
BUT, how much would you pay?
LosT
Voltage Spike
06-27-2008, 02:35 PM
I would prefer that it be a multiple of $20, though, to avoid issues with obtaining change...
That's a good point. There's just a "mental boundary" between say $55 and $60. That's just an example. We're trying to keep the price as low as possible while still affording ourselves the possibility of paying all of this stuff off so we're not losing a ton of $$$ on this venture. There is a balance somewhere and it all depends on the quality of the product (superior), the number of people interested, and the price point.
I would prefer that it be a multiple of $20, though, to avoid issues with obtaining change...
Deviant Ollam
06-27-2008, 05:48 PM
That's a good point. There's just a "mental boundary" between say $55 and $60.that may be true... but trust me, half the time people almost prefer to not have to dick around and figure out change, find change when merchants don't have it, etc etc etc.
i've had lots of experience with super-small-scale con-related transactions and it has always worked out better when there were no divisions smaller than $10, or ideally $20.
(when there was some $10 breakdown, i'd say the bulk of the transactions happened with two people who would go in on a purchase together paying with $20 bills and figuring out how to even things out later amongst themselves. trust me, NO ONE wants to go back to their room or find a cash machine. even if $55 is a "savings" it just causes headaches.)
If we're talking about something with tools in it, I'd go up to 60. Otherwise, 40 is easiest, unless there are some real awesome, compelling parts in there.
I agree, $20 denominations are nearly a requirement. If you charged $55, I'd end up giving you $60 and then spending the $5 on some overpriced drink somewhere, forgetting about tax, and end up having to break ANOTHER $20. I'd then have this huge pile of small-denomination cash in my wallet, and feel obligated to buy more booze, or take the gf to a show, or gamble.
Basically, your not charging an even denomination of $20 would land me in some sort of therapy - either for alcoholism, or sex addiction, or gambling. Do you really want that? Charge an even denomination - you might save a life.
Thorn
06-28-2008, 08:11 AM
Hi ya-
The Hardware Hacking Village, brought to you by LosT, Russ, A and Kingpin has a question for you-
We can't give you the details of what we are offering (it's a secret until con begins) HOWEVER, how much would you be willing to pay for a Defcon exclusive hardware kit that may or may not assist in other CON events/activities (or *multiple* events/contests/activities)?
We can tell you that these kits will be limited edition (as in we anticipate selling out the first day)-
We will also have supporting accouterments in the village as well...
BUT, how much would you pay?
LosTKnowing the people involved, and the superior standards you guys have, my top end price would be your top of $55. I'd actually go much higher if it came to that.
It sounds like an even number, based on $20 bills would be easiest and more acceptable. That helps a lot. Thanks! I'm glad to see people excited about it. This kit will relate to multiple "events" at con.... not just the HHV. Although you will need to build the microcontroller before you can use it on the other stuff. We're planning on several presentations on this process in the HHV, so everyone should have an opportunity to see it.
Knowing the people involved, and the superior standards you guys have, my top end price would be your top of $55. I'd actually go much higher if it came to that.
mage2
06-28-2008, 01:05 PM
my only addition to the conversation should be, let us know the cost before hand so we can include it in the budget, not everyone has a company footing the bill.
that said, i want 2, where do i sign up?
sugardaddy
06-29-2008, 12:04 AM
Knowing the people involved, and the superior standards you guys have, my top end price would be your top of $55. I'd actually go much higher if it came to that.
Agreed. If I know in advance it will make the money situation much easier to deal with as well. If we're volunteering in the HHV do we get first crack at buying at least one kit? I don't want to be greedy and I'd buy another if there were any left over but I'd like at least one. I recall how fast the badge hacking kits sold out last year as well.
SD
If you are a volunteer in the HHV, and have contacted me already via email, we'll make sure you get a kit.
-Russ
Agreed. If I know in advance it will make the money situation much easier to deal with as well. If we're volunteering in the HHV do we get first crack at buying at least one kit? I don't want to be greedy and I'd buy another if there were any left over but I'd like at least one. I recall how fast the badge hacking kits sold out last year as well.
SD
sugardaddy
06-29-2008, 08:56 PM
If you are a volunteer in the HHV, and have contacted me already via email, we'll make sure you get a kit.
-Russ
Thanks Russ. I did send you an email a week or two ago at your defcon address but haven't seen a response. Can you confirm if you received it? I sent it from sugardaddy2.0 at gmail.com. If you can't find it amongst the millions of other emails I'm sure you get please let me know and I'll resend. Thanks.
SD
Of course we are making Russ give all the volunteers back rubs as well ;)
I'm in dismay about how or whether I want to respond to this.
Of course we are making Russ give all the volunteers back rubs as well ;)
Hey, do me a favor and resend the email. I remember specifically getting your email, but I don't know what I've done with it. I have sooooooo many emails coming in these days that I'm losing track of some stuff. But shoot me another one, please.
-Russ
Thanks Russ. I did send you an email a week or two ago at your defcon address but haven't seen a response. Can you confirm if you received it? I sent it from sugardaddy2.0 at gmail.com. If you can't find it amongst the millions of other emails I'm sure you get please let me know and I'll resend. Thanks.
SD
Even though the value obviously depends on what is in the kit, I'd pay top copper for it to have a kit put together by these guys.. It's likely to be my first stop and first purchase when the vendor and contest area opens.
[Syntax]
07-10-2008, 10:57 PM
Same here, depending on the contents of the kit, that would determine my purchase.
draengold
07-15-2008, 12:05 PM
This will be my first defcon, so I know very little. One thing I do know is that dropping $50 on parts will be easier to explain to the wife than where it usually gets stuffed when in Vegas.
Thorn
07-15-2008, 12:14 PM
This will be my first defcon, so I know very little. One thing I do know is that dropping $50 on parts will be easier to explain to the wife than where it usually gets stuffed when in Vegas.
Oh, DefCon has those, too.
Kits will be $40 and $20 respectively. Details opening reg day of Con.
Quantities are so limited we anticipating selling out on Thursday.
Speculation on kits:
*May be useful as a tool for badge hacking
*May be useful as a tool in Mystery Challenge
*Are 'accessible' to those who are new to hardware (heck, you can come to the HHV and get lessons for free!)
*Will require assembly (come to the HHV!)
LosT
the_wodon
07-29-2008, 03:21 AM
Hi ya-
We can tell you that these kits will be limited edition (as in we anticipate selling out the first day)-
LosT
*Dons n00b hat and cloak*
I was wondering where we can get these kits from? If they are going to be sold from Thursday I assume they won't be in the skybox. I will be heading to registration on Thursday afternoon so was wondering if they could be purchased in the same place.
Cheers
Wodon (somewhat over excited about his first trip to Blackhat/Defcon/Las Vegas)
Our hope is to have a limited number of the kits in the Defcon schwag booth on Thursday, but that's not in stone. But assuming we DID do this, we would save back about half the kits for sell at our table in the vendor area. We won't sell out on Thursday because we're not going to put them all out there on Thursday. If you don't get one on Thursday, come by the HHV table in the vendor area on Friday morning.
*Dons n00b hat and cloak*
I was wondering where we can get these kits from? If they are going to be sold from Thursday I assume they won't be in the skybox. I will be heading to registration on Thursday afternoon so was wondering if they could be purchased in the same place.
Cheers
Wodon (somewhat over excited about his first trip to Blackhat/Defcon/Las Vegas)
hevnsnt
07-30-2008, 08:01 PM
i-hacked is in for at least one!
qubit
07-31-2008, 12:59 AM
Now, if I can just hack my flight to make sure I get there in time...
Q
super
08-05-2008, 10:35 PM
Was a decision made one way or another to make kits available at the swag booth on thurs?
Yes. Some will be available on Thursday at reg. Not many.
1057
Yes. Some will be available on Thursday at reg. Not many.
1057
At registration or swag booth? I didn't see any at the swag booth when I walked up.
super
08-07-2008, 09:00 PM
I was there around 6:00 and got two... Had to ask as the display was hidden on the counter.
I was there around 6:00 and got two... Had to ask as the display was hidden on the counter.
Yeah, picked one up myself about the same time. Haven't opened it yet, since the social scene kicked in. See you folks in the village tomorrow.
They sold out extremely fast, which is a shame, as I was hoping to own one.