How would you make Defcon 21 better?

[TheCotMan]

While Defcon 20 is still fresh in your mind, or as fresh as it can be with all the debauchery, what did you find good at Defcon 20, which should also happen at Defcon 21? What didn't happen that you think should happen? How would you make it happen? What would you do to make Defcon 21 better than Defcon 20?

[Gigs]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

The expanded Hhv was amazing. More people than ever learning to solder, mostly thanks to lost's badge design.

I did miss having an Hhv contest though. I'm totally up for being an organizer for that for 21. I have a lot of contacts and might be able to get some kickass hardware donations from sponsors.

Smitty tweeted a great contest idea: electronic rube Goldberg machines.

So if bombnav and a are down for it this is something I'd want to make happen.

[xiitone]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

Some sort of split screen on DEFCON tv where we can see the slides/demo along with the presenter would be awesome.

[bjaming]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

I'm actually really happy to report that pretty much everything went off without a hitch for me, the line (although I didn't stand in it) appeared to be really well managed and run, the parties were fun, contests and vendors area did get a bit crowded at times, but there's not much to be done about that. There's some contest specific stuff but this isn't the place for that.

All in all I'd have to say, best Defcon ever. Hat's off to goons and staff and DT, awesome job guys.

[Regedit]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

Some sort of split screen on DEFCON tv where we can see the slides/demo along with the presenter would be awesome.

2nd that, plus having all channels on with audio from the start would be awesome.

A consistently working projector setup in T1 would be nice as well.

[OzoneRanger]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

- Consider using SurveyMonkey or some other method to better gauge session interest and better match meeting room size to projected attendance. The survey could be taken once the schedule is published online. Some fuzzy logic would be needed to extrapolate the results of survey participants into meeting room assignments. There were plenty of times when the smallest room was at max capacity standing room only while larger rooms had plenty of extra room; some where people were denied access or granted access on a "1 out, 1 in" basis.

- Consider opening the line to get DC21 badges early with a skeleton crew during the afternoon/evening before the con officially starts to get some people through the line early; maybe even have someone distributing badges in the hotel check-in line the afternoon/evening before?

- DefconTV: Consider getting the hotel to air recorded session repeats after regular hours so people staying at the hotel can catch sessions they had to miss that evening/night. Alternatively, allocate more channels for repeats in the evenings. Also, it would be really nice if these could be piped into the overflow hotel(s) - tall order but may be doable since the Rio & Bally's are owned by the same company (provided DC21 is at the same place).

- One really super picky item: I like Coca-cola products to mix with my Jack i.e. Diet Coke. Pepsi just doesn't have the same appeal. Is there any way to persuade the hotel to sell some? I know, probably not - but I said my piece. I can always drink beer to chase shots instead (again)... I was just thinking at $4+ per 20 oz at chill out, they should be able to stock some C-c products.

These are just some thoughts for consideration .... DC20 was great fun and was really just fine & dandy - A gigantic Thank You to those responsible for planning & execution of another great event. Looking forward to DC21!

[astcell]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

We could really use a moving sidewalk.

[wick2o]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

A group party with defcon attendees and the rollercon attendees. All of the rollercon attendees I hungout with at their black and blue party thought their music/dj's sucked and would have hung out at our parties...however their crowd are much better party goers (putting it mildly)

WiK

[greatscott]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

A group party with defcon attendees and the rollercon attendees. All of the rollercon attendees I hungout with at their black and blue party thought their music/dj's sucked and would have hung out at our parties...however their crowd are much better party goers (putting it mildly)

WiK

THIS. I will try to start a discussion on this for next year's planning.

[TheCotMan]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

Some comment previously made on these. If you have more ideas on how to address these, it may help them become a reality:

- Consider using SurveyMonkey or some other method to better gauge session interest and better match meeting room size to projected attendance. The survey could be taken once the schedule is published online. Some fuzzy logic would be needed to extrapolate the results of survey participants into meeting room assignments. There were plenty of times when the smallest room was at max capacity standing room only while larger rooms had plenty of extra room; some where people were denied access or granted access on a "1 out, 1 in" basis.

With the mischief of Defcon, padding votes is a known risk, and with the number of nodes available to many attendees, something that could be distributed and scripted with wget, curl, or even a proxy and manual use of a web browser.

Do you have ideas on how to avoid these kinds of problems when gathering user feedback?

- Consider opening the line to get DC21 badges early with a skeleton crew during the afternoon/evening before the con officially starts to get some people through the line early; maybe even have someone distributing badges in the hotel check-in line the afternoon/evening before?

Another good idea, but the counter to this has often been:
"Many people that would organize Badge Sales are at BlackHat and need to to train, prep and organize the areas for sales. Additionally, with money changing hands, security Goons would need to be present, and many Security Goons are the the PreDefcon party and/or BlackHat."
If you have some ideas to help with this, it might also become something that happens.

Maybe Defcon badges could be sold from the same area in BlackHat that people without Blackhat badges buy BlackHat end evetually Defcon Badges, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ? This is probably a non-starter, since the gap between "BlackHat" and Defcon gets wider as time moves forward, and the staff of BlackHat would not likely want to subsidize the sale of Defcon Badges with their own staff to people that did not pay BlackHat as their customers.

- DefconTV: Consider getting the hotel to air recorded session repeats after regular hours so people staying at the hotel can catch sessions they had to miss that evening/night. Alternatively, allocate more channels for repeats in the evenings. Also, it would be really nice if these could be piped into the overflow hotel(s) - tall order but may be doable since the Rio & Bally's are owned by the same company (provided DC21 is at the same place).

Good idea. Lockheed might be able to comment on how possible this might be.

- One really super picky item: I like Coca-cola products to mix with my Jack i.e. Diet Coke. Pepsi just doesn't have the same appeal. Is there any way to persuade the hotel to sell some? I know, probably not - but I said my piece. I can always drink beer to chase shots instead (again)... I was just thinking at $4+ per 20 oz at chill out, they should be able to stock some C-c products.

I'm guessing no... many of these chains have contracts/agreements with either Coke or Pepsi, not both. I too prefer Coke to Pepsi. Coke is not "too sweet" like Pepsi, and too much sweet overpowers the other flavors it could be mixed with.

Feedback and ideas are good. If you or anyone else has more thoughts on how to address some of the previously mentioned counters to some of the ideas, please suggest them.

Thanks!

[Supralingua]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

Great Defcon!

First time with no line, I bought my badge on Thursday afternoon.

An iPhone app with scheduling option would be nice.

Live audio webcast for Defcon Forum members, so I can eat and listen to some of the talks.

Voting could be accomplished through the forums here. At least we have auth.

(Anyone know the attendance numbers this year and the dates for 21? I had to leave before the end of the closing ceremonies)

[wick2o]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

THIS. I will try to start a discussion on this for next year's planning.

I made a few friends with some of their goons (called dicks). I also put them in touch with registration staff, I assume things went well as they left with a few goon shirts themselves.

[Chris]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

I made a few friends with some of their goons (called dicks). I also put them in touch with registration staff, I assume things went well as they left with a few goon shirts themselves.

I sincerely hope you are mistaken about them getting Goon shirts.

[wick2o]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

I sincerely hope you are mistaken about them getting Goon shirts.

I could totally be wrong about her getting them from registration, she might have traded a goon for them....

[Chris]

Re: How would you make Defcon 21 better?

I could totally be wrong about her getting them from registration, she might have traded a goon for them....

My God, that's even worse.