New hackers and Defcon

[Ahku]

I was wondering if a new hacker would get much out of defcon? I have been interested in net security and neutrality ever since i knew what it was, but i have only become deeply intrigued in the last 6 or so months.

I know script kiddies are eaten like doughnuts at a fat camp, but what about someone who is interested yet humble?

[noid]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Boy howdy are you in luck. The thursday leading into DEFCON is going to be the DEFCON 101 track, specifically designed for new people. Attend that to get you up to speed, then you should be good for the rest of the con.

Even if you dont make the Thursday track, I recommend going. When I went to my first DEFCON, I had no idea what to expect. Hell, I had to be drug kicking and screaming to the conference because I didnt want to go. That was 17 years ago. Going turned out to be the best thing I ever did with my life (seriously). DEFCON has expanded my knowledge, gotten me jobs, and introduced me to some of the coolest people in the world. I can honestly say that I am where I am today because of attending my first con.

If someone gives you shit for being a newb, fuck 'em. That just means they don't know what the fuck they are talking about and are afraid that their ignorance will show. The people who matter will treat you with respect.

[HighWiz]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

I was wondering if a new hacker would get much out of defcon? I have been interested in net security and neutrality ever since i knew what it was, but i have only become deeply intrigued in the last 6 or so months.

I know script kiddies are eaten like doughnuts at a fat camp, but what about someone who is interested yet humble?

Listen to what Noid said, he's definitely right on the money.

With DefCon being larger than it was in the past, there really is something for everyone out there who shares the hacker spirit (even somewhat for those who don't). If you can't make it on Thursday for the great session, there are still plenty of ways to get involved and expand your knowledge base. There are plenty of Contests where you can try out your talents, the villages offer so many opportunities for the more tactile learners. There are lots of great talks and a wide assortment of topics, and if you decide to be social you will learn a helluva lot by going to the different parties and interact with some great minds.

As long as you don't do stupid shit, most people won't give you a hard time. And like Noid said, fuck the ones who do... As long as your cool, the majority of con goers will be cool with you and if you get actively involved in the contest, games, parties, villages etc... DefCon 17 will be something you will never forget.

After you decide to go, my one biggest piece of advice is to be active at DefCon and not just a fly on the wall. Many of the people who rip on DefCon after they go one time are those who weren't active and just lurked about... Put yourself out there, and you will have an amazing time.

[tequilastrapple]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Simply by arriving "interested yet humble" as you say, you're bound to have a great time, meet lots of interesting people, and get hooked.

[noid]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

As long as you don't do stupid shit, most people won't give you a hard time.

Very true. Without fail, the people that I do hear from that went to DEFCON for the first time and had a horrible experience are the ones that we later realize 'Oh, was that guy the little shit that did ____? Ya, screw that guy'.

Basically, if you show up with attitude, you will get it back in spades. Actually, you'll get it back in some sort of robot shark powered, rabid monkey driven, planet destroying cannon that fires spades*. Its a bit like walking into a biker bar and shouting 'which one of you bitches wants to get his ass kicked?'. You cant be surprised at the result.

Thing is, that goes beyond DEFCON. You go anywhere and be the jerk with the bad attitude and you are bound to have a rotten time.


*the spades will be on fire

[*px]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

This is a pretty welcoming thread. Glad I saw the link on the index page of the site. I've posted here before, but never really stuck around. No offense to anyone when I say this, but it is a rather formidable forum for a newb.

I'm a college student. An older student. I'm studying my way towards taking that lovely CCNA exam. I've got a bit of a jog to go yet, but it's been very fulfilling so far. I'm self taught in PHP/MySQL/XHTML/CSS...yadda yadda... and wasn't satisfied with a programming degree when I decided to go back to school. So I started taking a more serious look at Network technology, with an interest in security.

I found the Defcon site via some videos that were posted on google videos from Defcon 15. I see Defcon 17 is this summer. I'm moving to a different state this summer and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to attend Defcon 17, but cannot. So I hope there will be a Defcon 18 for me to go to.


I'm in the 'humble' camp too, by the way.

[noid]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Well, I can assure you that DEFCON isn't going anywhere. Also, theres conferences all over the place you can attend too. Some are more expensive, others are less. Some are more business focused others are more social. Most are on the DEFCON calendar..check 'em out

[Ahku]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Awesome, Now if i can scrape the money together ill defiantly be going! Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

[sintax_error]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

I have to agree totally with Noid, and mostly with HighWiz here. DEFCON is definitely a life changing experience, even if you do tend to be the fly on the wall. But to contrast that, being even a little active makes the experience 100x more enjoyable. Go to the con, socialize with new people, learn new things, don't be a dipshit, buy a Goon a beer or 3, and you'll do just fine, and leave with all kinds of tales to tell.

[renderman]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

I have to agree totally with Noid, and mostly with HighWiz here. DEFCON is definitely a life changing experience

Keep in mind that those life changing experiences could end up being like mine and involve scars both mental, physical and liver.

Seriously though, come and participate, it will defiantly be something you've not seen before. I seriously have trouble thinking about a life without Defcon. It's become a fairly large part of my life just for the simple words 'You can't make this shit up'

[streaker69]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Keep in mind that those life changing experiences could end up being like mine and involve scars both mental, physical and liver.

Seriously though, come and participate, it will defiantly be something you've not seen before. I seriously have trouble thinking about a life without Defcon. It's become a fairly large part of my life just for the simple words 'You can't make this shit up'

Maybe it should be advised that new defcon members shouldn't participate in the highspeed transportation of Canadians on deer infested roads.

[renderman]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Maybe it should be advised that new defcon members shouldn't participate in the highspeed transportation of Canadians on deer infested roads.

Send them ahead first to clear the road

[Thorn]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

Maybe it should be advised that new defcon members shouldn't participate in the highspeed transportation of Canadians on deer infested roads.

To paraphrase Mona Lisa Vito: "Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along. You go to cross a highway in Utah. You start to carefully cross - BAM! A fuckin' carload of Canadian hackers rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask ya, would you give a fuck what kind of hat the son-of-a-bitch who ran you over was wearing? "

[burncycle]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

I was wondering if a new hacker would get much out of defcon? I have been interested in net security and neutrality ever since i knew what it was, but i have only become deeply intrigued in the last 6 or so months.

I know script kiddies are eaten like doughnuts at a fat camp, but what about someone who is interested yet humble?

In all honesty, last year was my first year and while I feel that I have a passing knowledge on security and related issues, I know that I am far down on the totem at events like Defcon. As long as you keep the "humble" part of your attitude as well as the "interested" part, you'll do fine.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: New hackers and Defcon

To paraphrase Mona Lisa Vito: "Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along. You go to cross a highway in Utah. You start to carefully cross - BAM! A fuckin' carload of Canadian hackers rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask ya, would you give a fuck what kind of hat the son-of-a-bitch who ran you over was wearing? "

that quote was full maximum win with a finishing move. best laugh of the day for me, quite likely, and i've only just gotten out of bed. heh, you have superseded the rest of the day's humor for me, Thorn.