Starting on Thursday....

[noid]

I'm curious what people's thoughts were about the early start on Thursday? I heard a lot of scuttlebutt in the halls on Friday that it was a good idea, but by Sunday I heard a lot of people lamenting it. I know personally that I found it exhausting as did a lot of my team.

So, what did *you* think about the early start?

[netstat]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I think it was a great idea, it allowed people to get registered earlier than originally expected, and added a couple hours to each of the tracks... How can that be a bad thing?

For those who found it to be to much .... just start your weekend there on Friday ...

[Melesse]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I have mixed thoughts. DC16 was my first Defcon, and I was burned out Sunday. DC17 was my second Defcon, and I was burned out Saturday night, after starting with the shoot on Thursday morning. I had a great time Thursday and Friday, a good time Saturday, and an ok time Sunday.

I like the idea of the longer time frame, with the caveat that one of those days might be for smaller, more low key things (like I thought DC101 was supposed to be...boy was I surprised coming back into the Riv around 1 on Thursday).

Mel

[YenTheFirst]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I liked that a lot of "pre-con" talks and events happened on thursday, and conference proper started on friday. Being able to get registration mostly done before defcon actually starts is a good thing, and having some light talks and events to occupy that day is good too.

[Evil]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I showed up on Thursday and instead of be able to take that time to slowly ramp up to the tasks at hand I hit the ground running. By the time Saturday rolled around it had gone from "DefCon" to "GrumpyCom"! It was too much! The staff, the hotel employees, and even many of the attendees were just plum wore out! We were all spread too thin. In addition to that, I don't work on salary. I get paid hourly and if I have to come out to DefCon a day earlier I lose money or (once I have vaction time) vaction time. Something to think about with other people suggesting raising the price of DefCon admission.

[Chris]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

Please god let "It's too much" win this poll.

My estimate is that the average Goon walks between 15-17 miles on "work" days of DEFCON. Adding another 15-17 miles of walking to our feet is too much. If we have to open everything a day early it kills us.

I have made my objection to Thursday DEFCON known to Zac and DT but honestly, unless the attendess back us up I don't know if it's going to matter.

[ndex]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I thought Defcon started on Wednesday anyway...

[falconred]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I spoke on Thursday and had a blast. The crowd in my talk was about 75% newbies (I asked at the beginning) - everyone was very engaged and gave me great feedback afterwards. This is going to sound silly but it really felt like the DefCon of a few years ago (around DC 8 and 9), with the size of the crowds and chill vibe. The crowds on Friday and especially Saturday are just too crazy. I think the Thursday talks are a great way to ease everyone into the weekend.

[nerdgir1]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I liked how y'all did Thursday this year. I would like to see that continue in the future.

[Dcept905]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I liked the Thursday start, but I'm probably biased since I get paid to be there anyway. I'd also like to say that the Thursday morning talk on FPGAs w/ Dr. K and his students was freakin' awesome!!!

Cheers!

[Salem]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

If you want 4 days of con, you go to Vegas early and find people you know. There is never a lack of things to do the days before and after the event.

The goons work their asses off, and shouldn't have to be dealing with another full day.

[CP99]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

The goons work their asses off, and shouldn't have to be dealing with another full day.

I second this and move to a vote.... oh wait. Vote no.

[spyhunter]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I wanted to add my two cents.. I liked the idea of starting on thursday.. gives people time to grab badges and swag early as well as see some great talks.. It would have been awesome if the vendor area and lp village was opened sooner as the everything was supper packed for the rest of the con.

[xor]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I found arriving Wednesday morning at the Riv during the quiet as the grave pre-con peace(no shite walking around the rooms you could hear a pin stroke a key) had a great Zen affect on my whole con experience. Get your Zen on at Defcon and come early next year. Though I was totally spent by Sunday, and after Hacker Pimps. But that's to be expected. In addition, getting out into the scenic LV desert for the Shoot, as well as firing close to 250 rounds at various targets also helped clean the psyche. The longer the better.

xor

[notmjp]

Re: Starting on Thursday....

I voted Yes.

Although I didn't actually show up to DefCon until Saturday morning. With better planning next year I want to make a week of it, one day before and two days after.

If it is too much trouble for the goons to set stuff up eariler and all the extra walking/beating people/bribing hotel security, I won't be annoyed at all at it being a three day event instead of four. (It'll still be at least one more day of defcon next year than I had this year.)