What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

[TheCotMan]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

What is the beer of choice at Defcon? ;)

Depends on the people. In my sample set, the three biggest groups of beer are:
* Guinness
* RollingRock
* PBR (yes, there are people that prefer this over the other two above.)

Also, is the rumor true: Stock up on Redbull (and maybe even Jager) ? ;)

Redbull and most food and drinks at the hotel are super expensive, so if you plan on consuming much of anything and want to save money, get a ride to a local grocery store, or Sam's Club to buy in bulk for much cheaper than the Rio will sell you items, and save your cash for other things.

[CWB]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

I am a Defcon virgin and there are two questions I need answered:

What is the beer of choice at Defcon? ;)

Also, is the rumor true: Stock up on Redbull (and maybe even Jager) ? ;)

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

balance your time...

1/4 sticking head in talks
1/4 hands-on stuff (contests or learning in villages or having sex)
1/4 hangout / hallway track / smoking area
1/4 parties (come see the Goon Band! then go to all sorts of other stuff that you've learned about by talking to people throughout the day!)

[veruus]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

If you're drinking:
* Alternate water. Camelbaks are great for this. Just don't accidentally bring the one that you filled w/ vodka.
* If you're recovering, take aspirin or ibuprofen (motrin/advil), not acetominaphen (tylenol) if you're going to be drinking again later. That shit will fuck up your liver in a hurry.
* It's Vegas. No one is going to look at you funny for having a 40 in-hand at 10am. Whether this is wise or not is up for debate.
* Try to not get all your shit stolen if you're at a large party.

Registration:
* The Line is an experience unto itself. Go with friends or make new friends while you're waiting. I hear rumors that the reg process will be much-improved for DC20, but it always feels like a shit show. Show up as early as you can. Bring beer.

Talks:
* If it's a popular talk, you're probably going to have a tough time getting in. Don't sweat it. You can talk about computers at parties and the bars.

General:
* Don't swarm the famous people. They're just people. Some are dicks, some are cool. If you run into one later, say hello.
* Feed the Goons. They can't drink booze on shift but they love water/juice and muffins.
* Don't be an asshat. Life will be difficult for you.
* Be social. Even if it's your first time. Limit yourself to emergency use of your laptop only.
* Check out the chillout room. It's great to unwind a bit.

[astcell]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

It's pretty much all been said. One thing I seem to see every year are newbies who try to impress others with their computer skills. They hacked into 127.0.0.1 or formatted a floppy and think they deserve free beer. For all you know you are talking to the guy who wrote the program you use. I know one person who bragged to another about knowing more than a book she had just read only to have the other person say, "If you bring me the book I will autograph it for you." If you are new into computers and work the night shift at McD's and had to save for six months to take your A+ don't sweat it. Attitude is everything.

[kallahar]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

Get drunk.
Don't ask too many personal questions.
Don't put people up on pedestals, just talk about normal stuff. Turns out the stereotypes are mostly wrong.
Don't ask people to hack your girlfriend's gmail.
Make sure attend hacker jeopardy, it's the best "talk" of con.
There's a huge range of people, a lot won't fit your personality type, but some will.
If you give any of the security goons a beer they'll tell you where all the cool parties are.

Kallahar

[erehwon]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

Bring a hat, sure the conference is indoors, but you might be staying at another hotel, go outside for a smoke, etc. you're in the middle of the desert.

Bring personal business cards with whatever information you feel like sharing, name/handle, Google Voice number, email, PGP fingerprint, etc. Makes life so much easier for remember who you are when you mail someone 2 weeks after DEF CON.

Bring a pen.

Bring a hydration backpack, again you're in the desert, mind you it doesn't have to always be carrying water, packing 100oz of Midori Sours makes for some pretty interesting conversations at 2am, also it does a good job of holding your hat, business cards, pen, DEF CON info, schwag, etc.

Bring an open mind, I've been coming to DEF CON for 14 years, I learn something new every trip out here, don't be afraid to ask questions, the only stupid question is the question not asked.

[0x90]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

My advice would be that if you're intending to try and attend a lot of talks, prioritise and plan out what you want to see to a T!

At DC18 there was pretty much always 3 talks at any one time I wanted to attend, so I'd prioritise which ones I wanted to see the most and then if I didn't manage to get into them I could fall back onto the others. And definitely bring some food / water when you're waiting to get in as you could be there for a long time, and there's nothing more irritating than having to lose your place in line to get hydrated or go to the toilet etc.

[Zorlac]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

As a DEFCON first timer in 2011, here are my thoughts on the overwhelming experience...

From the DEFCON 101, the 3,2,1 rule
-> At least 3 hours sleep a day
-> At least 2 meals a day
-> At least 1 shower a day

In addition to that basic advice...

Hydrate, and then hydrate some more.
Prepare to deal with the heat outside, it aint no joke out there!
Sleep when you get home.
Travel light at the conference itself.
Make plans for your day, but also expect them to change as the day goes on.
Talk to people you wouldnt normaly talk to.
Talk to people you would normally talk to.
Do the things that you have always had an interest in, but never had the chance.
Dont carry your gadets when you walk near a pool.
Dont rush around, enjoy the things going on around you as you go from one place to another. You may see or hear something that you REALLY need to take a closer look at.
Dont rust the wireless, its a trap!
Go to the DEFCON Shoot, especially if you are from a country with restrictive gun laws.
Use cash, dont trust the ATMs at the hotel.
Goons like beer.
The network Goons that I met are slightly more picky about their alcohol

[renderman]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

Case in point about my previous point of trying new things, I stretched myself and went to the DC shoot. I'm very much not a gun nut, but I went anyways to try something new. Met Firmwarez, handled his firearms (ilterally not figurativly) and met someone I spent a bunch of the weekend hanging out around and getting to know better. I expect that should timing work, he and Shortgrrrl will hang out this year with Grey and I.

While he's a gun nute and I'm not, you can still be friends because there's a huge common ground. It's just that someone has to take that stretch outside thier comfort zone to take that step.

[FirmWarez]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

1) Anybody who has reason to want to go to Defcon will find someone you click with, something to do, and something interesting to learn. It's there, believe it, don't give up, keep looking.

2) This place is what is not because of the taking, but the giving. Share your skills. I think I've taught someone to solder every year I've been in the HHV; it's my favorite programming language.

3) That guy in the GITS t-shirt may not be just some guy. You never know who you're talking to, who they are, what they know, what they've done. Be open minded and prepared to learn; do not try to be the coolest guy in a black shirt in Vegas -- you aren't.

4) It is an opportunity to play masquerade for a couple of days. I have clothes that only come out for Defcon. I hear leather pants are coming back, or maybe I'm just being hopeful...

[renderman]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

To add to Deviant's Go Big advice

Doing something that no one else has done or doing something bigger is a great ice breaker and inspiration for others. Case in point, my outfits over the last few years. The coat/goggles/mask/cane came out of needing a project to learn electronics. It was certainly a great ice breaker and newbies to old timers loved it and were asking about it and it facilitated some great conversations in the hallways over a couple beers produced from messenger bags. It was also neat to see others taking cues and hacking thier evening wear to add some hacker style.

What many people dont know is that I was inspired by a couple in my early Defcon's (7 through about 10) who I have no idea of thier identity but they would always dress up in elaborate costumes for the B&W ball. Thier attempt to 'raise the bar' was inspiring and pushed me to try and raise the bar as well. I would recommend to anyone to have at least one outlandish outfit (hell, Deviant and company dressed up as your friendly neighboorhood TSA agents) and just roll with it. Defcon is the one time of year you dont want to blend into the crowd.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

1. Buy a bottle of liquor or a case of beer. Carry around said beer. Share unopened beers with people. Watch the party follow you.

ProTip: go big.

By that i mean, don't just walk up to a bunch of people, plop down an open case of beer, and sort of join the conversation. If you want to really make an awesome first-time introduction, etc... be the conversation or the draw. Create a mini-happening that moves around. Put something together that costs you almost nothing and doesn't cost others at all. Make it a little flashy. Make it participatory. Make drinks involved.

Here's an example i'm just pulling out of my ass by looking around our office...

Patch Cable Crimping Challenge

Get yourself a little red wagon and fill it with ice and beers. Grab all of the old CAT5 that you still have laying around. (Seriously, why do you have it? Every time you go to make a patch cable, you have to look at the tiny print only to see that it's not CAT5e and you have to start over again. Take all that shit out of your office once and for all) Have the cable in pre-cut 3' lengths. Buy a couple bags of RJ45 crimp connectors and get two crimp tools (which you can later return to Home Depot or wherever)

Make a sign that says "Ask me how you can win a free beer in under a minute!" Then go around and let friends challenge each other to see who can strip, pair, and crimp RJ45 heads on each end of a 3' section of cable the fastest. Winner gets a free beer.

Want extra bonus-y goodness to add to your hacker cred? Build a small plywood structure on the back of your wagon that has four network jacks. Each pair of jacks is for contestants to test their cables... maybe you wire in some LEDs on the sign on this board. Contestants submit their entry by jacking in. If all eight LEDs light up, they are proven to be the winner. And each person gets to go home with a working patch cable, even if they weren't the fastest.

Seriously, i just thought of that sitting here and you could build it in one hour, LEDs and all. Cost to the person running it: under $100 easy, even with the beer. And you'll forever be known as "the awesome Patch Cable Crimping Challenge" person. Take this idea. Run with it. Or make your own. But whatever you do, gear it around people getting involved in a way that takes no time and moves around the con.

(All ideas like this are totally inspired by and derivative of the OG of roving awesome fun, the 23b Mobile Disco Party Cart)

[hexjunkie]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

Here are a few of the gems that I have picked up:

1. Buy a bottle of liquor or a case of beer. Carry around said beer. Share unopened beers with people. Watch the party follow you.
2. You are never too fat, hairy, or gross to hop into the pool.. do it. Vegas is hot and pools are awesome.
3. Bring extra money to help out with events or surprise expenses.
4. I have missed 1 Defcon is the last 5/6 years (memory is fuzzy there). That was the biggest mistake I've made. GET THERE, no matter what it takes.
5. Let go of doing everything yourself, people are great and very helpful.
6. The best laid plans are abandoned about 20 min into DefCon. You will not do all of the things you plan to do, but having an idea is generally a great idea.
7. I've been roped into a sort of schedule of social events. I find that when I deviate from that list.. cool things can happen.
8. Try not to hover around 1 or 2 people. Head off on your own and just say hi to random people. They are usually very nice.
9. Goons are great people.. treat them with respect, buy them beer/water, and listen to what they say when they say it without question. Your time will improve greatly!
10. Don't sweat the small stuff. Things don't always go 100%.. so what.
11. Know what you are talking about and who you are talking to before you say anything. Absolute loud mouthed ignorance is not tolerated well.
12. DON'T BE AN ASSHAT!
13. DON'T BE AN ASSHAT! (so important it had to be said twice)
14. The social network you build at con will create lasting friendships that you will have for a long time.
15. If she is out of your league and hitting on you hard core.... she is most likely a hooker.

[kallahar]

Re: What is YOUR advice for people new to Defcon?

Agreed, I leave mine off during con, it's a great break, you don't risk getting owned, and you're (likely) more social.

Honestly just pick a place to hang out at (bar, hallway, smoking area, etc). Most groups having conversations there are open to including anyone new, *especially* if you bring beer!

Kallahar