How do you contribute to "hacking"? How do you want others to contribute to hacking?

[TheCotMan]

2 Questions:

How do you contribute to "hacking"?

How do you want others to contribute to hacking?


We attend Defcon, and many of us volunteer at Defcon, run contests, events, present, write books, or work as goons or staff. Outside of Defcon, do you volunteer time to help other people with hacking? Do you act as a mentor, or help organize DCG? Do you work at a local,so-called, "hacker-space" ? Do you publish new papers online? Something else? How do you contribute to hacking?

Next part, where would you like to see other people contribute to hacking? Do you have specific topics? Specific kinds of leadership, presentations, services, classes, hands-on demos, something else?

Poll to be added shortly.... How you vote will be public and you can vote for more than one thing.

[willasaywhat]

Re: How do you contribute to "hacking"? How do you want others to contribute to hacki

Personally, I support our local hackerspace and help lead the local Defcon group, DC407. That said, I don't do nearly enough to contribute to "hacking" as a whole. Most of what I do is behind the scenes. Working with people to connect them to colleagues and acquaintances who can help them get started or give them a chance in the industry, paying dues to the space despite not having any time to actually use it, and being there to help set up for our DCG meetings as well as giving pick up presentations as needed are things I try to do but I don't consider "important" per se. Being relatively new to Defcon, I feel as if I have a breadth of knowledge covering a ton of domains, but I definitely do not have the depth required to really get involved just yet. I definitely want to do more, but my career development and academics are cramping my style for the next couple of years.

As far as what I think others should do? Well, anything they feel comfortable doing that they enjoy doing. I like the saying that one should never "work" a day in their life. Doing what you love and getting paid is a wonderful thing. I don't think any of us involved with Defcon, be it as a casual attendee or otherwise, is trolling the forums because they have to. So take that enthusiasm and make something of it. Show others your passion, knowledge, and get out there and network. Be a mentor, be a friend, or just be helpful.