Hello from newbie! Free drinks anyone?!

[Kai]

Just wanted to say hi to everyone. This will be my first time visiting DC. Been reading the boards, but just registered today to share a good hotel deal I found.

I noticed some people complaining about hotel prices and such. Just wanted to let other people as 'thrifty' as myself know that Bally's online reservation system cheaper than those travel sites. I was able to get 7/30 - 8/4 for only $316. Don't know how good the hotel is, but it's better than the $309 per night at the AP!

Hope to meet many of you at DC!

Also thought maybe we could play quick trivia games for drinks at DCX? We post questions and then buy a drink to the first user to post the correct answer. Anyone intersted? Just figured it might be a good way for someone new to the scene like myself to get to know some of you!

Here goes!

First Qusetion:

What British mathametician theorized the current 'de facto' testing method for discovering artificial intelligence?

Yeah, I know, stupid and easy question, but I'm looking forward to buying a few drinks! Also, I got caught up in the whole replicant issue after watching Blade Runner again last night. Love that movie.

Oh well, a Car Bomb to the first user posting the correct answer.

Kai

[R.J.]

Well, it's a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing Alan Turing.

Evidence:
1) British mathematician
2) "de-facto" test for machine intelligence sounds alot like a little something I heard about called the Turing test.

Not that it's a very good test, I mean, if you want to test for intelligence, making it indistinguishable from human conversation is rather counter-productive.

[Kai]

Not that it's a very good test, I mean, if you want to test for intelligence, making it indistinguishable from human conversation is rather counter-productive.

haha!

The next step, teaching a computer ebonics! :D

Yeah, I know that was simple, but like I said, this is an opportunity for me to meet new people, and for new people to get drinks from me!

So, R.J. gets the first Car Bomb! Think I can afford a few more, as long as the wife doesn't take my credit cards! So to be fair, one win per person. Somewhere closer to the con, I'll figure out how to meet everyone and pony up the drinks!

Also, if anyone else wants to join in asking questions and buying drinks, please feel free! Just thought it'd be fun getting to know some of 'ya before Vegas.

Second Question:

What protocol is used by ESP?

Kai

[R.J.]

Well, since I have been known (before I was old enough to buy them for myself) to charge a drink for teaching people how to pick locks, you just got yourself a free lesson. (Not that I really "charged" drinks, it was more of a donation system.)

I should be bringing a lockboard to DC this year, I had alot of fun at 8, and really missed the board at 9, so I plan on hauling one with me since I'm doing the road warrior thing with some friends this year.

I'm not great, or even good by any means, but 90% of padlocks and houselocks are incredibly simple. It's one of those skills everyone should learn. (Like how to drive a stick or properly use a firearm. Of course, that's JMHO.)

[Kai]

Cool R.J.!

One of those things I've read up on, but never really tried. Been meaning to buy a pick set, guess I'll make sure to do that before the con.

Thanks,
Kai

[Kai]

Hey R.J., and anyone else good with locks,

What would people recommend for a beginner pick set. I don't want one of those electronic or automatic units, just something I can learn with.

Also, anyone ever buy from http://www.lock-picks.com? Looks like they've got a large selection, but as I'm new to locks, it's tough to tell.

Thanks,
Kai

[R.J.]

I got this set from SouthOrd (PXS-14) a few years ago, and it has been all I have ever needed for my admittedly limited picking. Start small. You will find that most of the time a tension wrench and a snake are all you need to get in. I like this set because it comes with two snakes and 4 tension wrenches. I keep a snake and a wrench in my emergency tool kit just in case.

As for learning, check out the doc formerly known as the MIT guide to lockpicking. I gave away my hardcopy at last year's con, but it is an excellent intro to the hows and more importantly the why's of picking.

[R.J.]

Oh yeah, the place for lockpicking discussions is in the Urban Exploration/Infiltration forum. I wouldn't mention it, but there are a few of us who are planning on bringing lock boards that kind of monitor that forum and play with this kind of thing.

[astcell]

locks

Hell, I'd buy someone drinks in trade for lock picking classes! Maybe we all have skills to trade. Maybe someone knows how to get a date with a girl before we turn 40. :D

[d0gcomplex]

Re: locks

Originally posted by astcell
Maybe someone knows how to get a date with a girl before we turn 40. :D

buy bikinigurl a drink call it a date and kill two birds with one drink so to speak..

[Kai]

haha

Can't help you with the dating scene! My 9th anniversary will be during the con and I still don't know how I managed to land her, or why she stays with me. I still think she must be mentally unbalanced! :D

Anyway here's another one.

Third Question:

Who is Cartman's dad?

I never imagined giving away liquor could be so difficult?! :)

Kai

[zero]

Re: haha

Originally posted by Kai
Can't help you with the dating scene! My 9th anniversary will be during the con and I still don't know how I managed to land her, or why she stays with me. I still think she must be mentally unbalanced! :D
Third Question:

Who is Cartman's dad?

I never imagined giving away liquor could be so difficult?! :)

Kai

His mom.

My 20th is next March. I'm amazed we've put up with each other so long. Fortunately there's a lot of love, and we realized that you need to work on a relationship to keep it. Too many figure if it works, it works.....which normally translates to - it doesn't.

As to the dating question. Talk to the girls. Find out what they're interested in. Too many geeks are quasi-autistic. They focus so much on the minutia of a small problem (good when programming) that they forget about what's going on around them. Normally they have to be clubed over the head to find out that a girl is interested in them.

Also, find an activity that isn't almost all male. Hacking/computers are fun, but you don't find too many females involved in it. Bad ratio. Try rock climbing, dancing, cooking, biking, etc. Much better ratios. Went out to Joshua Tree for a climb recently and the ratio was about 1:1 - Defcon was about 500:1, the wrong way.

[octalpus]

Re: haha

Originally posted by Kai
My 9th anniversary will be during the con and I still don't know how I managed to land her, or why she stays with me.

Congrats! My 7th anniversary landed during con last year, so he decided to come along for the first time.


So... about that whole teaching lockpicking for liquor...

I make a run to Nellis AFB to get my cheap tax-free liquor. Any requests? I'm kinda tired of locking myself out of my house. ;-)

[converge]

hahaha cartman's dad is, of course, ... <bang> ... .....


his mum..

toss the drink over to bikinigurl, I'm not big on the liqour

[R.J.]

Hell, I'm probably bringing some tequila, vodka, and zakuskis myself. Maybe some good local microbrew. Whenever we find a place to set up the lockpicking boards, come on over. Almost anyone who knows how can teach you the basics, and everyone loves to share.