Vote - Defcon 12 100$usd

[DrStrangeCheese]

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

Off subject but its funny, I should be linking ODBC, ADO, and XML to a SQL DBase. Why all three? Class project that sux balls. I hate MS SQL.

[ripshy]

Originally posted by DrStrangeCheese
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)

Off subject but its funny, I should be linking ODBC, ADO, and XML to a SQL DBase. Why all three? Class project that sux balls. I hate MS SQL.

Sounds like mind-racking fun, but I cant seem to comprehend what class that would be for. Care to enlighten? PM would be great.

[kallahar]

You could have the test be online. To get a Low Voltage Electrical License in Oregon you have to take a big test, but they just mail it to you and you have 2 weeks to complete it. The goal of the "test" isn't to see what you've memorized but to ensure that you know how to look things up when you don't know the answer.

So if DC wants to do a test, it could have easy and hard questions, but the person puts in the time and effort to look up the answers to the questions he doesn't know then that's like a rite of passage.

But you get into the same problem of anonyminity... You could let people reserve a badge under an alias, but you couldn't have them pre-pay, which means a lot of people would flake on their pre-reg's...

[pezz]

Good point...since I commonly have access to persons of several differing levels there are common questions that could be designed. Have them to select a topic of interest. Hardware, database, cgi scripting, etc.. Then have a pool of questions based on suggested topics.

The pre-reg ideal is great.

What do you think about having a printable form which allows the person to submit a handle with some type of password for access rather than real names.

For example:

Handle: Pezz
Maiden name: Spawnofunholydemons


They could also use this to submit payment via money order.

You would need some type of confirmation system to verify the registration however.

Problems I forsee with this:
1. General distrust. Must be able to verify registration.
2. Password issues. Forgotton pass codes etc...

[blackwave]

i wouldn't trust too much online pre-registration on a form that is going to be shoved into a database... things could magically appear and disappear... and trying to prove that you "were" registered at one time by showing a home printed receipt probably would fly as far as a midget could throw you on a hot day.... surely a thinktank could come up with something viable and reliable... but until something such as any change is actually sanctioned by those powers that be, we are mentally masturbating again... look ma no hands!

[pezz]

So providing a handle and passcode that you submitted via a hardcopy wouldn't work? You could complete pre-reg in both ways. Hard copy for those wishing for anon presence and online submission for the feds using p-cards.:p
Just a suggestion to kick around.

[converge]

blah blah blah. all too much work

bottom line, cleanse a script kiddie. only you can prevent fucktard fires

[blackwave]

Originally posted by converge
bottom line, cleanse a script kiddie. only you can prevent fucktard fires

hooray cleanse the skript kiddies! let the kiddism begin!... perhaps we can convert the sks to lackeys... this may require us to perform lobotomies instead of sharpie-ownaging...

[detok]

honestly

It's just like at work, you are going to have co-workers who you dislike, and who are assholes, etc,etc. You are going to have script kiddies at defcon, who are fucktards, etc, etc.

Even if you raise the price to $200, it will cut down on sk, but seriously, if the kid really wants to go, he will find a way.

But then you have the people who are just starting out, or want to learn more, they may not know to much, but they want the knowledge, at first, you may percieve them as script kiddies, but they just really want to learn, etc.

So I understand the reasoning to weed out the kiddies, but honestly, you are never going to ged rid of enough of them without getting rid of many of the people who arent kiddies.
Raising the price may help, I worked full time all summer, and now that school has started, part time, I put away so much for defcon, but you also have people out there, who have to pay bills, car payments, etc. What if they can only afford to save say 200 for defcon? I knew many people who only had like 100 bucks for defcon, I know because I lent people over 200 dollars for food, etc. So you are going to have people who know quite a bit, but can't afford it. I say, leave it as it is, or try to find a better way.

The pre-reg is bullshit, there would be so many problems, I couldn't begin to count.

The whole "answer these questions to prove if you know enough" isn't very good either, I mean honestly, if you have someone who knows a lot in say networking, but nothing about, c, or perl, or database's etc, and you have those questions, what good does it do? Or someone who knows linux like the back of their hand, but doesnt know shit about tcp/ip (these are just examples). It wouldn't do much good, everyone has an area of expertise, I just dont think it would work very well.

Of course I don't have any better ideas, im just voicing my opinion on the ones already given.

[Ricky1146]

Like it, but mixed.

Well i like the idea of a test but, the 21+ kicks me out. Since i am going 18 this October, i do agree with blackwave heck i will admit it openly.

When i first started out i was a sk but then one day i just stopped. And got into security, with patching up Windows holes.

Closing ports to me i rather be given a test. I just wanna be at the next con since i had a good time at 11.

Detok you have a good point to i do agree with.

[renderman]

It would shave down the SK's but definatly make it harder for some who should come to afford it.

I think that with any group your always going to have a certain percentage of idiots and I think they do need to be tolerated (to a point), but goons should have power to exact some sort of corrective measure (ejection, random beatings, rubber stamp to the forehead)

Personally I think that the first person who exemplifies himself as an idiot should be drawn and quartered, and the corpse should be hung upside down from a tree by pool one and used as pinata. Sort of a 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here' type of warning. Probobly not fiesable, but worth considering :)

[dataworm]

Re: Vote - Defcon 100$usd

Originally posted by blackwave
KEEP THE SKRIPT KIDDIES AWAY... VOTE TODAY!

What we should do to keep the script kiddie away... We should charge 250$ and put the extra 150-175$ to buy more alchool :D





Oh wait, I am not sure if they would be a good idea...

[dataworm]

Originally posted by pezz
Why don't you create a testing procedure which allows for those who answer questions correctly to get in. Do you honestly think a scene whore would know what ODBC stood for?

Thanks... I have no idea what ODBC acronym stand for

I sure know what it is, but I don't care what it stand for...

[dataworm]

Originally posted by blackwave
i wouldn't trust too much online pre-registration on a form that is going to be shoved into a database... things could magically appear and disappear... and trying to prove that you "were" registered at one time by showing a home printed receipt probably would fly as far as a midget could throw you on a hot day.... surely a thinktank could come up with something viable and reliable... but until something such as any change is actually sanctioned by those powers that be, we are mentally masturbating again... look ma no hands!

Digital Signature... You could solve the probleme while keeping the anonymity... you only have to sign the result of the score of the test with a digit id that you have to show to get your badge...

You could even increase the price to 2000$ if you introduce the concept of Defcon Certified... And I could probably some additional money by selling blackmarket badge/signed certificate...

[blackwave]

Originally posted by dataworm
Digital Signature... You could solve the probleme while keeping the anonymity... you only have to sign the result of the score of the test with a digit id that you have to show to get your badge...

The "funny thing" about PKI is that it involves initial trust... I don't think anyone is going to trust everyone signing their own results... btw, the anonymity was supposed to be linked to the fundage, I don't think the tests... :/