How would you make DEF CON 22 even better than DEF CON 21?

[blakdayz]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

When I started coming to the con (DC8) we were still at the Alexis Park. The only areas you needed a badge for were the talks, and other official con events. Pool, bar, hotel lobby, etc., were all open to all, and there was a LOT of activity in those areas, good times had by all who didn't end up getting duct taped to a tree or something.

Additionally, there was a large group of (mostly) guys who had been attending, and continued to attend, for years, who brought their SOs. If the SOs wanted to hang out by the pool, come to parties, etc., it was all good. They typically spent most of their days crawling the strip, shopping and doing the other typical Vegas things.

Bottom line, we don't need to change the con to cater to non hackers. There is plenty to do for those folks, either on the periphery, or in Vegas at large.

I'd suggest you buy your wife a badge and let her experience it, you might be surprised when she finds something that interests her, and the day goes past in an instant.


NOW, on the other hand, I do wish there was a manageable way to have badges for SOs, perhaps sold only in conjunction with a full badge, for the after hour social events. It would make for a logistical nightmare at registration, and (as a redshirt goon) I don't even want to think about the problems it would cause us, but it would be nice to be able to bring your spouse to the social events in the evenings without paying the full freight. Not practical, but nice.



-WB

My opinion -

Humans wear human badges. Regardless of status. All human badges cost the same.


That is all.

[Whiteb0rd]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

My opinion -

Humans wear human badges. Regardless of status. All human badges cost the same.

That is certainly the simplest way to manage it, the way we currently do it, and I don't foresee it changing given the current venue. But I do miss some of the flexibility in this area that the AP used to offer us.



-WB

[valkyrie]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

This.
This.
100% this!

Heartily concur. Thank you both.

Regards,
Valkyrie

__________________________________________________ ______
sapere aude

[Surreal]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

How about wife/spouse events during the day? While I was off in the Vally of Geekdom, as my wife calls it, she was a little lonely and bored at the hotel longing for some one to hang out with. If you have wife/spouse events she could hang out with them and I could enjoy the classes/talks.

also maybe a half price wife pass. I am cheap and didn't want to pay the 180 for her to get in.

Just a thought.

Hey, Mr. Fu! I'd probably be willing to hang out with your lonely wife Thursday, depending on what talks are running

Seriously, tho (as in: "that's a joke, I don't need a beating, thx") Vegas is famous for having many entertainment options available that aren't Defcon.

That said, I sure was thirsty before and during the Goon band's set. It blew goats that the bartenders were standing there, petulantly waiting for the magic moment when they could sell a drink. Was that some freaking union thing, or WTF?

[Surreal]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

I've been making the pilgrimage since DC8, and 21 was by far the smoothest, best run yet. The subtitles were a great addition. I didn't try to get into Penn & Teller*, but found a seat in every talk I got into. Spacious.. The rooms were spacious!

I've some very minor gripes/observations. First, I was buzzed most of the week, but I didn't see any info about Skytalks, like what/when/where. I check the schedule on the web the night before to select a talk and a backup talk and figure out when to eat. Didn't see info there either.

Second, it took some initiative beyond having cash to stay buzzed. During the day there was, I think, ONE bar, in the chillout lounge? More bars, please! More garbage cans would be good, too. I like to keep on Woodsy Owl's good side and clean up after myself.

* An overflow/alternate area with a broadcast of what's going on in Penn & Teller would be appreciated. I won't submit to being searched to get into a talk. How about a live multicast version of DCTV?

[Nikita]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

* An overflow/alternate area with a broadcast of what's going on in Penn & Teller would be appreciated. I won't submit to being searched to get into a talk. How about a live multicast version of DCTV?

We do NOT Search anyone to get into a talk. LAst year there were some miscommunications on that, but it was corrected and we did make a point to make sure that our GOONS knew that no, we were not searching bags or harassing people over Penn & Teller's requirements. It was in our contract. You can rest assured going forward, that just like this year, that will not happen in future years. I was rather irate, you'd see some very colorful expletives coming from ME If I was searched by any security just to go see a presentation, so I am on your side there.

[Surreal]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

We do NOT Search anyone to get into a talk. LAst year there were some miscommunications on that, but it was corrected and we did make a point to make sure that our GOONS knew that no, we were not searching bags or harassing people over Penn & Teller's requirements. It was in our contract. You can rest assured going forward, that just like this year, that will not happen in future years. I was rather irate, you'd see some very colorful expletives coming from ME If I was searched by any security just to go see a presentation, so I am on your side there.

Thanks, Nikita. That's good to know for the future. Last year I had to throw out a bottle of water and an apple, ffs. I'll abstain from food & drink during a talk if someone asks, but they can have my bottle of rum when they pry it from my warm, sweaty hand.

I don't even want to look at all the talks I said "fuck it!" to over that misunderstanding...

[TheCotMan]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

Thread copied from the "DEF CON 21 Recovery Forum" here.

I have altered the top post in this copy of the original to omit content that is out-of-date. See original thread (linked in this post) for original post in original thread from me.

Now that DEF CON 22 is only a few months away, how would YOU make DEF CON better?

[Razta]

Re: How would you make DEF CON 22 even better than DEF CON 21?

What I remember about my first Defcon last year was how hard it was to get drinks during events. I remember standing in endless lines to get 2 drinks and stand in line again while I drank them. =)

[Ikarian]

Re: How would you make DEF CON 22 even better than DEF CON 21?

Hopefully, this isn't buried too deep to get some visibility.
I had this thought at a different con, but this would be the best place to capitalize on it I think.

So, I'm relatively new to infosec, and I've only been coming to DEFCON for a couple years. To me, one of the most interesting things happening at DEFCON is the CTF. This is the Super Bowl of CTF, and some of the smartest people on the planet are sitting in that room doing unbelievably brilliant things.

Things I can't begin to identify.

Would there be some way to install some sort of play-by-play commentary (similar to what you see at a FPS or Starcraft tournament)? Obviously, there would be a bit of an issue in tipping off other parties by calling out a maneuver, but there must be a happy medium where they can either be isolated from the commentary, or the commentary is generalized so that it's at least enough to give the neophytes trying to follow the action some kind of a clue.

I would kill for someone to be able to sit down and go over what is happening in that room. This would be unbelievably valuable as a learning tool (especially if it is thrown on the web later) - for people like me who are new to the industry, as well as researchers trying to identify the latest trends in offense/defense (people who study hackers, like Josh Corman mentions frequently that he does in his talks, etc.).

I would even be willing to pony up some extra $$ for access to a feed like this. I'd consider it something akin to the courses a lot of cons offer as an additional fee before/after the main con. Especially a post-mortem collection of all the perspectives.

Is something like this even feasible? I'd love some feedback on the idea, even if it can't be done.

[Dark Tangent]

Re: How would you make DEF CON 22 even better than DEF CON 21?

Excellent idea!

[RekordQueen]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

I saw a lot of children in sketchy situations. I didnt like the idea of children running around in the contest area during some of the more adult contests.

As a parent of very young DefCon / Rootz Asylum attendees I appreciate your concern but understand we are FULLY aware of the situations we are bringing the kids into. And to be perfectly frank what the kids are exposed to at the hotel and the floor of DefCon is by FAR more tame than what they experience walking up and down Fremont Street. Furthermore, my little geeks got a great laugh out of watching contest participants retrieve a kong size dong from a suitcase.

[RekordQueen]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

my tits out in front of a little kid . call me a prude but that's not really how I roll and that is not a situation that I nor the contestants nor the rest of team distraction should have been put in to start with. This is the 4th DEFCON that i have been to and this is the first one where I had to be conscious of my behaviour and dress because of children by putting me in that situation I am forced to make that decision.[/QUOTE]


Why should you be forced to make any such decision. This is Vegas and I think most reasonable parents bringing their kids to Vegas know they are going to be exposed to nudity. It is what it is and we know what we are bringing the kids too. If the hotel allows bare nipples then that is what we shall just expect to see.

[b0n3z]

Re: Welcome to DEF CON 21! How would you make DEF CON 22 even better?

I saw a lot of children in sketchy situations. I didnt like the idea of children running around in the contest area during some of the more adult contests.

Sketchy meaning what exactly? Some parents allowed their kids to be at hacker jeopardy on their own accord and such (just an example).

[astcell]

Re: How would you make DEF CON 22 even better than DEF CON 21?

I'm fine with kids who are completely supervised by their parents or who are aware enough to act like the rest of us. The in between kids are the PITA. I saw one stroller in Lockpick Village that was the size of an off-road vehicle, taking up room enough for 4 hackers or to goons, and the parents were oblivious as to the monstrosity they parked in a small area with dense traffic. I found that the contraption was occupied when a hand reached out and went right for the front element of my camera lens. I wondered if those parents were also the type who think that their kid's scream is "cute."

It is only fair to have areas where no kids are allowed, due to a possibility of alcohol, provocative clothing, content, and/or subject matter.