[Defcon 19] Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

[LosT]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

Thanks Tacitus.

It's no Mystery Challenge, but it's not meant to be. The badge is minimalist, and the puzzles are meant to be fun, accessible to the entire conference on *some* level, and accessible to very few on *other* levels. But above all, I hope people meet and talk to others.

Looking forward to seeing what you came up with!

[Tacitus]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

we will see how much participation a non-electronic badge receives. See my previous post on the purpose of the badge. I hope everyone has a good time this year.

Looking forward to seeing what you came up with!

[LosT]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

Yes, TV-B-Gones have been made from many different platforms. Modulating IR is pretty simple with standard micros.

As for your sig, we will be able to use this year's badge for something- a badge. ;) Things will be as interesting and fun as people chose to make them. Considering the percentage of people who participated in hacking the badge in previous years (relatively small for the crowd size), we will see how much participation a non-electronic badge receives. See my previous post on the purpose of the badge. I hope everyone has a good time this year.

TV-be-gone was done as well at DC18 using the badge. I walked out with the guys who made the item. As we walked through bars, TV's went off - it worked. Of course we were gone before we got the 'attention'.

[FourHundredKilo]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

I am sure the badge by this point is already designed, however , my 2 cents or less would be to see a badge that is "glitzy" enough to capture someone's attention but does something that is interesting enough to challenge someone to expand their knowledge through its use.

For me personally the TV B Gone badge (I believe Defcon 16) was that powerful catalyst. It did something I could immediately see and that made me want to learn more about electronics and how that specific technology worked.

If a badge can capture someone's attention (think the smiley face badge with the LEDs) and that gets them thinking about how LEDs work or how to control its flash pattern then its value is far greater than just a cool show badge.

Seeing the contests that Lost has put together in the past and knowing he is a teacher leads me to believe that the badge will probably be multifaceted. It will be something that will be a lot of fun, but will also make us users have to think and challenge us to increase our knowledge.

TV-be-gone was done as well at DC18 using the badge. I walked out with the guys who made the item. As we walked through bars, TV's went off - it worked. Of course we were gone before we got the 'attention'.

[b0n3z]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

That was a bit harsh, why do you say they won't be done in time?

Didn't even realize I honestly wrote this...must've been drunk. I retract my statement and apologize

[LosT]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it...

[astcell]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

So, if you hack the DC19 badge successfully it becomes a DC20 badge?

[LosT]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

There will be plenty of opportunities for hardware hacking, both at DC19 *and* (dun-dun-dun-dun) DC20....

What is that you say?

DC 20?

Why LosT, you say, we haven't even had DC 19 yet!

*As you scratch your head in dismay*

Never fear my friends. Haven't you heard? DC 19 has been cancelled. I'm sorry, but it's true.

Search your feelings. You *know* it's true.

How will you go on?

How will you cope?

Just relax.

Breathe.

Somewhere the ghost of the Mystery Challenge stirs. A faint voice echos from the past...the distant sound of a tardis can be heard.

Sometimes it skips a generation.

A form of mutation. Evolving.

...

[bilotra]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

Ah, too bad an electrical badge is going away...I was looking forward to it this year.

[Ellen]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

If you are just looking for hardware to play with in HHV, there is usually someone selling kits in the vendor area. Some of the other contests my also incorporate hardware hacking in some fashion.

IMO, it makes logical sense to switch the badge contest to something that more people can participate in. After all, everyone (theoretically) gets a badge. Why give it a contest that only a small percentage of people will try?

I am really excited to see what Lost comes up with, but I am going to try my best not to get sucked into any contests. It would be nice just to enjoy a con with him for once. Believe it on not, he is even more brilliant when he gets sleep. <3

[3d0g]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

Probably too late at this juncture but what would be really cool is a completely unpopulated badge - basically stylized breadboards. Then have a small shop in the HHV selling a variety of DIP µC and other components. I know my aging eyes would appreciate some old-school DIP love...

[openfly]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

I appreciate the artistic aspects of a new badge. And, let me be very honest, I do. I love that you guys are focused on maintaining an innovative attitude when it comes to the badge. I also love that you are reaching out beyond Joe Grand for designing the badges. That's an awesome opportunity for designers and artists and whomever else is able to bring something awesome to the table.

There is a something I am concerned about though. When the first badge arrived at defcon it was like a breath of fresh air, not only because it was really very unique at the time. But, also because it was the first really fun hardware hacking contest i am aware of in defcon's history. I am hoping that this isn't lost from defcon. I really enjoyed it, and I think it helped raise people's awareness of hardware security as well as expanding people's general technical knowledge base.

I hope the new badge can still allow for that. Or that some other contest can come into being to fill that gap. But I guess there is a real likelihood I am in the minority there.

Ah well. Felt it would be worth voicing the concern. Cheers. Defcon++

[willasaywhat]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

I'm kind of excited to see what people build themselves now that the badge is confirmed to be non-electronic. As we saw with the Ninja badges, and the other badge-like variants which were given away or sold at Defcon, there's a tremendous amount of imagination and creativity in the community on the hardware front. I know our hackerspace is pretty keen on building some boards now, especially since we are getting an Eagle license thanks to the Great Global Hackerspace Challenge.

[astcell]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

I just hope there are ENOUGH badges. If you have a thousand extra sell them at cost after the con, and they will sell.

[Ellen]

Re: Who is designing the DEFCON 19 badge?

I'm still suffering from PTSD. Ever time my clock hits 10:57 I have a flashback...

I know EXACTLY what you mean. :D To his credit though, it does bring an element of giddy excitement to the time of day I used to just think "Is it close to lunch time? No? Darn."