Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

[RCon]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

Thanks for doing this Bbox. I can hardly wait for the meet this year, I had a blast at the last one met a lot of cool people. I’m still lulzing over the whole BeautifulHacker sighting.

Quick question, It’s probably too early but do you have any idea what your stance on booze at the meet will be?

[HighWiz]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

That's why I will be there with a welcoming smile and polite conversation!

So are you going to set a hard time for when you want people to be there for "introductions" or is it more of a "as everyone comes in, everyone intro's themselves again"?

Unfortunately not. I am embarrassed to admit I was either not able to locate you all or maybe I was too intimidated to say hello.

DefCon at large, like the forum meet, can be intimidating. As you've said before, some of the people (the "old timers" as you called them) know each other very well, and many are skeptical of new people. So it can be very difficult for new people not to feel out of place or as "one of the group". It's further exacerbated by the fact that many of the long time con-goers only see each other during DefCon, so they tend to spend a significant amount of time in only associating with them at events like the forum meet.

I don't envy you, as you have to find the happy medium between engaging the new people while not turning off the "old timers". Further the matter of dealing with largely different personality types, from a lurker who may be a total introvert to someone like Siviak who is on the extreme side of an extrovert.

You got your work cut out for you.. So I wish you the best of luck.

[Bbox]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

I don't know... Roamer, AlxRogan & Thorn can be pretty intimidating.... And Lockheed is definitely intimidating.

That's why I will be there with a welcoming smile and polite conversation!

Bbox: Were you at the forum meet, last year (or previous years)?

Unfortunately not. I am embarrassed to admit I was either not able to locate you all or maybe I was too intimidated to say hello.

[HighWiz]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

in a friendly non intimidating environment.

I don't know... Roamer, AlxRogan & Thorn can be pretty intimidating.... And Lockheed is definitely intimidating.


Bbox: Were you at the forum meet, last year (or previous years)?

[Bbox]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

Sintax error, Thanks for the kind words. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Meet!

So I am more of a lurker than a poster, and have never been to a forum meet. But I think I am going to whip up an interesting badge and see you all there! Looking forward to it.

DiscipleOfJude,

I know exactly what you are saying I was a lurker forever also. I believe there are lots more like us out here.

I know the forum is different things to different people and there are many different opinions and schools of thought on what the forums should be. In my perception, for a long time I believed the forums were mostly for long time Con goers who knew each other well and had inside jokes and stories that excluded me from participating.

I eventually learned that that was "MY PERCEPTION" not necessarily reality. If I posted and had something of interest to others, people would reply. If I said something stupid then they would not. It's not much different than a conversation face to face. If its interesting and engaging it's a good conversation.

That said I personally would like to see the forums have more active participants and see new people participate in discussions not just the "old timers"

I also realize that many of us out here are sarcastic and can sometimes unintentionally seem un-inviting. I hope that our forum meet this year can not only be a great place for active people to meet but also an open environment to let others know the forum is a great opportunity to enjoy Defcon year round.

Below is a sort of "mission statement" I am kicking around. (let the snickering begin)

A gathering welcoming All the Defcon community (security, hackers, hacktivists, privacy pros, and newbies) to understand the Defcon experience does not end after the Con, it lives year round online at the Forum.

The event will be a place for Forum Members to Meet & Talk "in Real Life" and put a face with the words they read all year long on the Defcon Forums. This will be a casual event that will allow existing Forum Members to renew friendships at the same time allowing people new to the forums to make new acquaintances and friendships.
It will offer first time Con goers an opportunity to meet, talk and ask questions of experienced con goers in a friendly non intimidating environment.

[sintax_error]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

Thanks for stepping up and donating your time/resources, BBox. See you in Vegas.

[DiscipleOfJude]

Re: Forum Meet organizer selected: BBox

Welcome BBox as the organizer for the Defcon 19 Forum meet.

I am closing the old thread on a need for a leader, because one has been selected.

Thanks and good luck BBox!

So I am more of a lurker than a poster, and have never been to a forum meet. But I think I am going to whip up an interesting badge and see you all there! Looking forward to it.

[TheCotMan]

Welcome BBox as the organizer for the Defcon 19 Forum meet.

I am closing the old thread on a need for a leader, because one has been selected.

Thanks and good luck BBox!