Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014
looks good. please post the official form link as soon as it exists.
suggestion: if at all possible, can the Contest/Event Submission System work in such a way that once someone goes through the whole official proposal, this data gets saved (or at least some of it gets saved... most importantly the contest description and photos or logos) so that future years the organizers need only re-submit the key details and not the long blocks of text?
just to be clear, i don't support an auto-populating of all forms in future years. that leads to laziness and click-through. organizers are at their best when they are re-filling-out certain details each time (such as size, time of day, duration, etc) because those details are subject to change.
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Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014
People last year thought they were that sparkly unicorn too ... and they almost didn't get their contest or event approved. I remember sitting with Pyr0 in his office calling people yelling at them to get their shit submitted... this year I hope to not do that!Leave a comment:
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Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014
See official responses Inline below:
Well, *my* contest has been around since DEF CON 0 (zero) , and I am sparkly short-bus-unicorn-dingle-berry special, do I have to fill out a form, too?
A: Yes, even if your contest is older than dirt, it does not exist unless a form is filled out
What about events like social gatherings or parties? Should they submit their info elsewhere? Consider QueerCon... the plans suggest an off-site party, which isn't a contest, but could be classified as an event. If a party, would it be something requiring communication with Great Scott! or would they also fill-out one of these forms or both?
A: Ask yourself this question, "Do I want to be listed in the official DEF CON material, featured in DEF CON sponsored tweets, be allocated resources from DEF CON (space, people, equipment)?" If you answered yes to ANY of these, you will need to fill out a form!
What about events like "The DEF CON Shoot" or "Toxic BBQ" which have historically not needed any on-site resources. What would they lose if they didn't fill out the forms? Would they miss-out on being mentioned in the program and main website?
A: See details mentioned above, if you want DEF CON marketing / acknowledgement of your event, fill out the form!
What is wrong with people showing up and being squatters, taking space where they can find it, and running a contest or event without permission? Could this cause problems with other contests that were promised and allocated resources? What else?
A: Short answer - Firecode, unions, etc. Long Answer - Anything onsite, you can assume someone is paying for. If something is happening onsite, DEF CON may need to pay extra for your shenanigans (Space rental, cleanup, fire code approval, fines, etc.)
What kind of resources could we get access to by going through this online submission form like last year? Could we ask to get a location with AC power? Number of tables? Number of chairs? Mentioned in the program? What about network access?
A: All of the above can be REQUESTED. There is no guarantee that you get everything you ask for! However, there is a 100% chance that your request will be properly reviewed if you ask up front and early!
What is this I hear about "Contest Badges" ? How many do I get to have?
A: During off hours the contest area is a "Secured Area". This badge is so you may get in early to prep your contest. You did not pass GO, you do not collect $200. It is for security purposes only
A: You get a bare min. of badges. We always ask for x and always get x/4 so there is a 100% chance that you ask for 4 and we give you 1. This does NOT mean ask for 16 and you get 4. We will give you a soft number of max approved, after your initial request, but that number is not hard coded.
Example of most likely situation: Our contest has 10 people, it take 4 to set up before con starts, we asked for 5 to have a backup in case someone gets sick/drunk/arrested/missing. Contest Goons find out on site they are short badges from requested, we were pre-approved for 5 but only got 3 as a result
Does running a contest make me a DEF CON goon?
A: No
Does running a contest ensure i will get all the [women||men||sheep]?
A: asked the people who hosted Leetest Link :)
What if I have a contest that would run before DEF CON officially begins?
A: This was common in the single digit DEF CON days, and is always possible. Scavenger Hunt used to have "Items to get before con" as part of their contest. DEF CON Shoot happens on Wed.
Best solution - Just pitch it here or fill out the form as best as possible!
What if I need time to setup my table before DEF CON opens?
There is a space in form for this request. See Also: Contest Badge
I think running a contest by myself would be awesome! (It is not.) How long will it take for the the stuff at my table to be stolen or trashed when I leave during normal hours to use a toilet or get food and have nobody to watch my stuff?
A: How much safety does a parking garage give you when you leave your car there? (NOTE: you actually PAY them for 0 insurance of your car)
But really, a single person contest will be hard to approve. If it does get the green light, we would pair you with a bigger contest (as in space paring) to help mitigate these issues. Still no guarantees on security from staff.
I missed the RFI deadline, how much will I have to bribe one of the Contest/Event goons in order to get the resources I want, and which goon should I bribe?
A: All RFI's submitted pass deadline will need executive approval. I.e. Chief of Staff and/or DT. We can assist, within reason, to get this in front of them, but cannot guarantee that just because they saw it, it will be approved. There is not any guarantee we can even get it in front of them, as they would be busy with preparing stuff that already got approved at that point.
Who is this "Russ" guy we hear people that have been running contests for a long time talking about? Is he Pyr0's uncle or something?
A: What is a Russ? Checked our Contest Goon lexicon and 0 result returned. You need to be aware of, at very least, these three names:
Pyr0 - Head Contest Goon
C0l3slaw - Sr. Contest Goon
Hackajar - Sr. Contest Goon
*For record Russ used to be Head Contest Goon from DC 6 - 16 IIRC
When will I know if I am confirmed to run my contest or event?
A: No later than end of April
I've heard that sometimes, rarely, an event will be set as approved, then this status will be revoked, as more information is required. Has any contest or event ever re-gained status as approved after losing it, but providing the extra information that was requested?
A: We will need full forms, with all details up front. It is possible that some Events & Contests simply cannot get these details. This will create a "case by case" condition, and will be handled as such. We cannot respond to more specific situations at this time.
After we get the resources we need, and everything works-out, DEF CON level awesome, where do we send our thank yous?
A: This is not for public "consumption" you will know where to send these thank yous if you made it that far ;)
Is there a Contests/Events FAQ for people new to this? Where is is?
A: Details coming soon. Also, this post appears to be turning into said document, no?! :D
What happens if I claim this ["TheCotMan"||Roamer||Noid||ASTCELL||$ANYONE_NO T_A_ GOON_IN_DEF_CON_CONTESTS_OR_EVENTS] person said I was approved to run a contest?
A: This is not warp tour, there is no "Kevin Says So" stage. If <insert sr. good> said so, they would have contacted the Contest Goons team. And after they contact us, we will read them the riot act for attempting to circumvent a very carefully planned submission process. And the contest will still probably not be approved.
I hear about vendor tables, and contest tables. Am I allowed to sell stuff at my contest table?
A: Vendor area is a very delicate balancing act. There is probably way more that goes into that, then managing contests. To allow sales in an area not setup for monetary transaction would be pretty foolish of us. Also, past situations does not dictate the future. Any security professional working for a reasonably sized company shoots down this argument twice a week.
My contest requires liberal use of [fire||fireworks||arc-welding||High Voltage spark-gaps of 2 meters or more||Radioactive Material||BIOWeapons||a jug of wine, duct tape, a garbage bag and two live sheep||.*], it will be approved, right?
A: You can ask, but don't be surprised if the answer is no. Further, we will try and be as pragmatic as possible, like any good security professional would. Example, "We need 3-Phase 240 power with a 60A Draw" response, "We can do that, but your contest will be placed in an area with very low traffic, as that is only spot for that kind of request"
Are there any problems with having naked/topless people on the contest floor? Men/Women wearing pasties?
A: We are still within the bounds of a Casino, even in the event center. Simply put, would you dare go directly onto the casino floor like that and there be no response from their security?
Are you really as good as they say with Google Glas 3D Tetris using street sculptures in San Francisco? This one time, on the Internet, I saw this picture where you were winning.
A: You are incorrect, I was losing - http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...08b_story.html
Who is BATMAN?
A: SavantLeave a comment:
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Re: DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014
(Sticky Set, as requested)
Playing the role of the shill to help with getting information out to people...
Well, *my* contest has been around since DEF CON 0 (zero) , and I am sparkly short-bus-unicorn-dingle-berry special, do I have to fill out a form, too?
What about events like social gatherings or parties? Should they submit their info elsewhere? Consider QueerCon... the plans suggest an off-site party, which isn't a contest, but could be classified as an event. If a party, would it be something requiring communication with Great Scott! or would they also fill-out one of these forms or both?
What about events like "The DEF CON Shoot" or "Toxic BBQ" which have historically not needed any on-site resources. What would they lose if they didn't fill out the forms? Would they miss-out on being mentioned in the program and main website?
What is wrong with people showing up and being squatters, taking space where they can find it, and running a contest or event without permission? Could this cause problems with other contests that were promised and allocated resources? What else?
What kind of resources could we get access to by going through this online submission form like last year? Could we ask to get a location with AC power? Number of tables? Number of chairs? Mentioned in the program? What about network access?
What is this I hear about "Contest Badges" ? How many do I get to have?
Does running a contest make me a DEF CON goon?
Does running a contest ensure i will get all the [women||men||sheep]?
What if I have a contest that would run before DEF CON officially begins?
What if I need time to setup my table before DEF CON opens?
I think running a contest by myself would be awesome! (It is not.) How long will it take for the the stuff at my table to be stolen or trashed when I leave during normal hours to use a toilet or get food and have nobody to watch my stuff?
I missed the RFI deadline, how much will I have to bribe one of the Contest/Event goons in order to get the resources I want, and which goon should I bribe?
Who is this "Russ" guy we hear people that have been running contests for a long time talking about? Is he Pyr0's uncle or something?
When will I know if I am confirmed to run my contest or event?
I've heard that sometimes, rarely, an event will be set as approved, then this status will be revoked, as more information is required. Has any contest or event ever re-gained status as approved after losing it, but providing the extra information that was requested?
After we get the resources we need, and everything works-out, DEF CON level awesome, where do we send our thank yous?
Is there a Contests/Events FAQ for people new to this? Where is is?
What happens if I claim this ["TheCotMan"||Roamer||Noid||ASTCELL||$ANYONE_NOT_A_ GOON_IN_DEF_CON_CONTESTS_OR_EVENTS] person said I was approved to run a contest?
I hear about vendor tables, and contest tables. Am I allowed to sell stuff at my contest table?
My contest requires liberal use of [fire||fireworks||arc-welding||High Voltage spark-gaps of 2 meters or more||Radioactive Material||BIOWeapons||a jug of wine, duct tape, a garbage bag and two live sheep||.*], it will be approved, right?
Are there any problems with having naked/topless people on the contest floor? Men/Women wearing pasties?
Are you really as good as they say with Google Glas 3D Tetris using street sculptures in San Francisco? This one time, on the Internet, I saw this picture where you were winning.
Who is BATMAN?Last edited by TheCotMan; March 4, 2014, 17:22.Leave a comment:
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DEF CON Contests & Events for 2014
Official RFI for ALL DEF CON Contents and Events are forthcoming in the next 2 - 3 weeks. Anyone who wants to bring back an event or contest, and anyone interested in submitting a new contest or event idea will be REQUIRED to fill out forms!
To be clear: Even if you are a "staple" event and you choose not to fill out the forms, you will not be a part of DC 22! So keep a keen eye on these forums and your email boxes for updates as they occur!
The Contest & Events TeamLast edited by hackajar; March 4, 2014, 13:54.
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