Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

[valkyrie]

Okie people, this beast has grown multiple heads and the only thing to do with a beast of that nature is to kill it, cut off all the heads save one, or create separate beasts. In the interest of two really great ideas, We wish to create separate beasts.

In my semi-official capacity of speaking for the "pontifical" we of the Introduction to DefCon Cerebral Eye Candy speed talk, I am requesting that the moderator split this off into a separate thread.

This new thread will present the pontifical we's concept of a newbie speed talk to introduce newbies and interested not-so-newbies to the wonders and vagaries of Defcon. If you wish to participate as a presenter, please visit the new thread and/or contact Highwiz. Please check the new thread for deadlines, etc.

While the pontifical we appreciates the idea of a "Newbie" track at DefCon and thinks it is definitely something that should be considered, the pontifical we determined that the pristine train of good intention became seriously derailed from the original intention and now we wish to get that original train back on the track.

Moderator, if you will, please call the new thread, "Pre-DefCon Speed Talk" for want of any l33tr tag at this time.

Regards,

Valkyrie

[valkyrie]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

So, you want to go to Defcon. And you want to romp and play and suck up all the delicious sights and sounds and experiences, but you haven't a clue about what to do or where to go before, during, or after the presentations? You have come to the right place.

The inaugural Pre-Defcon Speed School is for you. Newbs and not so newbs. The Pontifical We will speed school you with an overview on the delights and vagaries of DefCon. Games, Contests, Tech, Villages, Presos, Music, Dance and just hangin' out.

The Speed School will take about 2 hours of your time (you could spend that waiting on a table for lunch), provide you with some "insider" information on whatever jazzes your synapses, and then it is up to YOU to go out and make DefCon17 the best DefCon ever.

Stay tuned for further information.

Regards,

Valkyrie, semi-official mouthpiece for the Pontifical We

_________________________________________________
sapere aude

[astcell]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

The PDSS sounds good! I'm there!

[krma]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

This really could of benefitted me last year,

I would attend this, help me prioritise my time at Defcon.


it's a bit intimidating posing a question, for example at the oCTF table while everyone involved is busy with the actual event, something like this sounds like it could replace that need.

[Chris]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

This really could of benefitted me last year,

I would attend this, help me prioritise my time at Defcon.


it's a bit intimidating posing a question, for example at the oCTF table while everyone involved is busy with the actual event, something like this sounds like it could replace that need.

There is also the information booth (located in the contest area). They are there to answer questions so you shouldn't feel intimidated asking them there.

[valkyrie]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

There is also the information booth (located in the contest area). They are there to answer questions so you shouldn't feel intimidated asking them there.

Thank you Chris. Yes, the DefCon Information Booth has been mentioned in several previous posts and will be a highlighted component of the speed talk. "If you don't know, go to those that do know."

Regards,

valkyrie
__________________________________________________ ________________
sapere aude

[astcell]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

I asked a question at the "Information Booth" and it was more like a "Berating Booth." Telling me to "read the scrolling text on the wall until I see my answer" did not suffice. They never thought that maybe I had done that.

Anyway, information booth are fine if you know the question to ask. Newbies tend to ask questions like "What is defcon about? Where should I start? How does this whole thing work?" Such questions are outside the scope of the purpose of the information booth which is better served to find bathrooms, break-out sessions locations, list hours and dates of events, and liaison with hotel staff.

[LosT]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

Find people participating in the Mystery Challenge. P0wn them by figuring out the heavy handed hints that are projected on the wall (forest for the trees thing)

Visit the HHV.

Give LosT $5. (Try it, see what happens!)

[Sereyna]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

Give LosT $5. (Try it, see what happens!)

Can I give LoST booze instead?

[0x58]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

This Pre-DefCon speed talk is all about getting noobies up to date with DefCon? What happened to let them jump right in and learn the hard way? Loads of information is available online, and IMHO is the way to learn about it, it is more over the top and scares the shit out of people :P

That is how I learned, probably for the best that I did since I now appreciate it that much more.

[Thorn]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

This Pre-DefCon speed talk is all about getting noobies up to date with DefCon? What happened to let them jump right in and learn the hard way? Loads of information is available online, and IMHO is the way to learn about it, it is more over the top and scares the shit out of people :P

That is how I learned, probably for the best that I did since I now appreciate it that much more.

Not so much about getting newbies up to date as it's "This is a menu of all that DefCon has to offer. Now that you know, you can make some informed choices."

The idea here is to reduce that initial learning curve from a brick wall to steep hill. They will still have to experience it all on and learn a lot of things first hand, but they should be able to make some informed choices.

While I would agree there is a huge amount of information online, but like a lot of things online, you have to know what you're looking for before you can start searching for what you're looking for...

Another aspect to this is that most of us rely on friends to introduce us to DC when when we first go. I was very fortunate in that very knowledgeable people like Chris, Renderman, HighWizard, AlxRogan and others all took the time to introduce me to the whole experience. Not everyone has such friends in high places, and even with those guys helping me there were things I didn't see or even hear about until my second year. Hell, there are probably a lot of things about DefCon that I still don't know about. I intend to learn from this as much as anyone.

[valkyrie]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

This Pre-DefCon speed talk is all about getting noobies up to date with DefCon? What happened to let them jump right in and learn the hard way? Loads of information is available online, and IMHO is the way to learn about it, it is more over the top and scares the shit out of people :P

That is how I learned, probably for the best that I did since I now appreciate it that much more.

Thorn is much more diplomatic than I.

Your objections, sir, cause you are so l33t, are duly noted.


Regards,

valkyrie
_________________________________________________
sapere aude

[0x58]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

Not so much objections, as observations that it seems to take away part of the challenge that is DefCon and what it is all about.

[astcell]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

And DEFINITELY point the newbies to these forums. I'm surprised we do not have thousands of threads here running at once. WE stayed very active in the earlier part of this decade but newbies were eschewed from some gatherings due to their status. There are plenty of newbie threads here which still apply and those who seek will most assuredly find.

[TheCotMan]

Re: Pre-DefCon Speed Talk

Nobody has stepped forward to express intent to lead this as an event, and interest has trailed off. In one week, assuming nobody leads this, I will close the forum this is part of ("Defcon Pre-Con Introduction to Hacking at Defcon") and move threads from this to "New Ideas."