A few basic questions

[Samael]

Hi Guys,

I just had a few questions that I could not find specific answers to. I checked both FAQ's and some threads, so if the answer does already exist I do apologize.

Firstly, I read the FAQ on bringing a laptop and how it is not necessary and may even get stolen. I understand however that hacking contests, and perhaps other types of contests are a big part. If these contests are for anyone to take part in, surely a laptop would be a necessity?

Secondly, how far is the riv from the other casinos and hotels? I wonder because I might light to check out some other entertainment. If I wanted to go to the Flamingo or Bellagio for example, how much time would it take to get from there back to the riv?

I also wonder about how many talks are on concurrently. Will we have to pick and choose, or will we be able to see them all if we want to? If there are usually multiple talks on at once, how many tend to be on at once?

Lastly, how early should I get there so as not to wait hours in line? Is it the sort of thing people start waiting from midnight from, or is getting there at 7am or so early enough?

Thankyou for answering these questions, and I do apologies if they have already been answered.

Cheers!


BTW, this forum software? IPB? It's pretty damn crappy. It just took me a few tries to post this message because I had to relogin, and it couldnt give me a new token. Just saying.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: A few basic questions

Firstly, I read the FAQ on bringing a laptop and how it is not necessary and may even get stolen. I understand however that hacking contests, and perhaps other types of contests are a big part. If these contests are for anyone to take part in, surely a laptop would be a necessity?

I would advise that you bring a laptop and keep it secured in your room. It comes in handy (for example, looking up the Enigma algorithm), but it generally won't be necessary.

Secondly, how far is the riv from the other casinos and hotels?

I would use online map software. It's toward the end of the strip. I find it easy to walk most places, but I'm used to the heat and generally walk farther than others.

I also wonder about how many talks are on concurrently. Will we have to pick and choose, or will we be able to see them all if we want to? If there are usually multiple talks on at once, how many tend to be on at once?

Expect to have at least two talks you want to see at any given time (in addition to events, performances, contests, villages). You'll have to pick-and-choose and watch the things you missed well after Defcon (they will be posted online eventually).

Lastly, how early should I get there so as not to wait hours in line?

Don't worry about it. The badge and popular-room lines are going to be your major concerns, and there is no good advice that will help. Things generally flow smoothly and showing up at midnight to avoid spending an hour in line for the badge is ... inefficient.

BTW, this forum software? IPB? It's pretty damn crappy. It just took me a few tries to post this message because I had to relogin, and it couldnt give me a new token. Just saying.

It works well for most of us. Do you have your browser's cookie settings tightened down beyond a reasonable level?

[HighWiz]

Re: A few basic questions

Hi Guys,

I just had a few questions that I could not find specific answers to. I checked both FAQ's and some threads, so if the answer does already exist I do apologize.

Firstly, I read the FAQ on bringing a laptop and how it is not necessary and may even get stolen. I understand however that hacking contests, and perhaps other types of contests are a big part. If these contests are for anyone to take part in, surely a laptop would be a necessity?

http://defcon.stotan.org/faq/survival2.htm#ques65

Secondly, how far is the riv from the other casinos and hotels? I wonder because I might light to check out some other entertainment. If I wanted to go to the Flamingo or Bellagio for example, how much time would it take to get from there back to the riv?

http://maps.google.com/

I also wonder about how many talks are on concurrently. Will we have to pick and choose, or will we be able to see them all if we want to? If there are usually multiple talks on at once, how many tend to be on at once?

Last years Schedule: https://www.defcon.org/html/defcon-1...-schedule.html

Lastly, how early should I get there so as not to wait hours in line? Is it the sort of thing people start waiting from midnight from, or is getting there at 7am or so early enough?

Most people won't wait too long, you may have to though.

Thankyou for answering these questions, and I do apologies if they have already been answered.

Next time you should do a little more research. Asking questions isn't a bad thing, asking questions when you've only done the minimum to find the answer, is.

Cheers!

BTW, this forum software? IPB? It's pretty damn crappy. It just took me a few tries to post this message because I had to relogin, and it couldnt give me a new token. Just saying.

It's vBulletin, as for your issue, it may be a PEBKAC.

[Chris]

Re: A few basic questions

I would use online map software. It's toward the end of the strip. I find it easy to walk most places, but I'm used to the heat and generally walk farther than others.

I am with Voltage Spike on this. I don't mind walking in Vegas and do a lot of it (ask my feets when I get home). That said, the Riv isn't close to center strip (Bellagio/Flamingo/Caesar's). It takes me around 45 minutes to walk from the Riv to Caesar's or vice versa I think. Depending on time of day...that may be faster than a cab though.

[streaker69]

Re: A few basic questions

It takes me around 45 minutes to walk from the Riv to Caesar's or vice versa I think. Depending on time of day...that may be faster than a cab though.

How long does it take in a drunken stupor?

[Thorn]

Re: A few basic questions

Hi Guys,

I just had a few questions that I could not find specific answers to. I checked both FAQ's and some threads, so if the answer does already exist I do apologize.

Firstly, I read the FAQ on bringing a laptop and how it is not necessary and may even get stolen. I understand however that hacking contests, and perhaps other types of contests are a big part. If these contests are for anyone to take part in, surely a laptop would be a necessity?

Secondly, how far is the riv from the other casinos and hotels? I wonder because I might light to check out some other entertainment. If I wanted to go to the Flamingo or Bellagio for example, how much time would it take to get from there back to the riv?

I also wonder about how many talks are on concurrently. Will we have to pick and choose, or will we be able to see them all if we want to? If there are usually multiple talks on at once, how many tend to be on at once?

Lastly, how early should I get there so as not to wait hours in line? Is it the sort of thing people start waiting from midnight from, or is getting there at 7am or so early enough?

Thankyou for answering these questions, and I do apologies if they have already been answered.

Cheers!


BTW, this forum software? IPB? It's pretty damn crappy. It just took me a few tries to post this message because I had to relogin, and it couldnt give me a new token. Just saying.

1) That will depend on what you're doing. I'd guess about 85-90% of attendees do carry a laptop.

2) Distances vary. Circus Circus is right across the street (which is 200-300 yards in Vegas). The Bellagio is about 2-3 miles away, the Flamingo is slightly less. Taxis abound, but can get pricey. The Deuce is the municipal bus, which has 24 hour passes that are (or were) $5. Look up the places you might be interesting in on Live Maps or Google Maps and plan accordingly.

3) There are usually three concurrent talks at any given hour. You will have to choose.

4) Lines for talks usually form about 0-30 minutes before a given talk. This can vary due to the topic/speaker. Lines for the initial registration can be much longer, sometimes running an hour or more.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: A few basic questions

How long does it take in a drunken stupor?

I assume 45 minutes. Did you mean to ask, how long would it take if sober?

[Samael]

Re: A few basic questions

Thanks for the info guys. Quite useful.

I will be staying with a friend, so will have to take my laptop each day if I want to bring it. Do you know if there are any locker facilities around perhaps?

HighWiz: You may think you were being helpful by pasting links as answers, but you were anything but. Fortunately I got the answers I asked for from the other posters.

[streaker69]

Re: A few basic questions

Thanks for the info guys. Quite useful.

I will be staying with a friend, so will have to take my laptop each day if I want to bring it. Do you know if there are any locker facilities around perhaps?

HighWiz: You may think you were being helpful by pasting links as answers, but you were anything but. Fortunately I got the answers I asked for from the other posters.

If this is your first defcon, I suggest you watch the attitude. You know not whom you're speaking to.

[Samael]

Re: A few basic questions

If this is your first defcon, I suggest you watch the attitude. You know not whom you're speaking to.

My attitude is fine. I pointed out that posting links as answers was not helpful, and rightfully so.

I wanted perspective in my answers, from people with experiences. A link just doesn't cut it.

Anyway I'm not wanting to get into an argument, so I'll leave it at that.

[Thorn]

Re: A few basic questions

My attitude is fine. I pointed out that posting links as answers was not helpful, and rightfully so.

I wanted perspective in my answers, from people with experiences. A link just doesn't cut it.

Anyway I'm not wanting to get into an argument, so I'll leave it at that.

Actually, you did display some attitude, and HighWiz's links do have a much of what you requested, perspective included. His FAQ -in his first link- has helped many a newcomer over the years. You might want to read through it.

[Nikita]

Re: A few basic questions

You can walk from the Circus Circus to the RIV, proximity is literal. RIGHT across the street.

Do not attempt, DO NOT believe the "It's just right there" or "Its down the block" There is a reason there is a hotel named Mirage. It's not JUST because it's in the middle of the F$king Desert.

HighWiz gave you excellent information if you actually read it. This above all other information: Lurk Moar.

There are usually 5 talks going at the same time.
Please refer to last years schedule.

You might not want to bring a laptop. Read the FAQ for pro's & con's. It can be a pain in the ass, really really so. Especially if you are not playing in a contest. Check out the contests forums first, see if there is anything you want to play and see if you have to register for it. A lot of the contests you can't just show up with a laptop and expect to join in. It doesn't work that way. If you are not playing in a contest that requires a computer, you don't really need it. Most everything else is hands on and you will need the use of your hands and not focusing on your backpack/laptop bag and how UNGODLY Heavy it has become since you hit the conference floor at noon after waking up with a KILLER hangover. I find a cell phone is all the tech I need for con, unless I'm working-working. Don't come to con and stick your nose in your laptop and tweet to the world how awesome DEF CON is, if you are not actually seeing the con. But, that is my opinion.

You need not wait in line at 7am. I do think that registration opens at noon on Thursday. Once the badges start being handed out, it goes exceptionally fast. Give money, get badge, NEXT. I feel sorry for the people who wait in line, as they could be doing other things. Just show up when reg is OPEN and walk thru. If there is not a "REAL Badge" then waiting in line and hoping you are first is still a waste of time. If you show up for the EXCHANGE line when it is open, holy crap that line moves VERY fast. All of the people waiting in line, in my very very observant and knowledgeable opinion are wasting their time and making the whole badge process worse for everyone.

Not to mention every year people who are new waiting in line for hours only to find out they are waiting in the wrong f$king line. They make a mess of perfectly usable floorspace. Want me to prove it? get some people to start a line, just a line, that leads no where. dumbasses will wait in it and then complain all day.

This year we shouldn't have any badge drama and you don't have to worry about it. If you show up at 7 am I will personally look at you sitting on the floor with your laptop and stand over you crying. I will point at you and cry. Is this what really you want?

Come to the forum meet. Meet people. If you want to complain about the forum software, that is where you do it.

[TheCotMan]

Re: A few basic questions

My attitude is fine. I pointed out that posting links as answers was not helpful, and rightfully so.

I wanted perspective in my answers, from people with experiences. A link just doesn't cut it.

If you happen to visit http://defcon.stotan.org/faq/ and then check the "credits" you will see that HighWiz has assembled the FAQ from information provided by around 50 people, perhaps more.

In this way, you have a wide variety of perspectives and many different answers to the same questions you ask, stated from different points of view. The answer to the question on bringing a laptop to Defcon is an especially good example of this.

In this way, the content at the other end of that link has more perspective to answer many of the questions you've asked here, than this thread has provided, so far, and ever will. (closing)

Anyway I'm not wanting to get into an argument, so I'll leave it at that.

You could have done better research before asking, and when someone provided constructive criticism, your reaction did include what was described above as, "attitude."

Seriously. Don't carry that with you to Defcon. It will result in Drama, and less fun. People taking the time to help you with information through constructive criticism is a gift; people are spending their own time -- donating their own time to help educate other people.

I don't see much more value in leaving this open. If you all want to sort out your apologies or thanks or start up a flame war, please take it to Private Message.

Thanks!

Closed.

As to the forum software and login issues for posting, Voltage Spike is right -- that is usually caused by user-fail with cookies. These forums require cookies. Choosing not to use cookies with these forums means you will encounter problems.