Def Con 14 Location Discussion

[renderman]

I will be there this weekend and can take plenty of pictures. Let me know what you are looking for and I'll get it!


The middle picture with the robe is a little disturbing. Do you get a free robe with the room? or is there a girl in the shower? Or is the photographer nekkid?

Recon would be nice. You know what we're looking for. Gotta plan early where to put the inflatable pub

It's amazing how being at the same locale for so many years, we get used to things (i.e. automatic party at pool 2, dj action, etc.). Should be interesting to see what new traditions occur at the new location

[TheCotMan]

I will be there this weekend and can take plenty of pictures. Let me know what you are looking for and I'll get it!

Some suggestions for recon pictures:
Pictures of the pool and courtyard to show space that might be available for any kind of pool party.
Pictures of large open spaces for people to gather and "hang out."
Notes on businesses of interest nearby and their location. (resteraunts, 7-11, closest grocery stores) [If we have the names, we can google for locations.]
Pictures of the front of the Riviera from Las Vegas Blvd, and from Riviera Blvd.
Maybe a picture of the Menu from "Kady's Coffee Shop"
Pictures of the Buffet, and your opinion of what it looks like.
Picture of the Mardi Gras Food Court (showing names of places to eat)

Looks like "Monaco Tower" is closest to the convention space, with "the "Monte Carlo Tower" coming in second and "Mediteranian Tower" (South and north) coming in third and fourth and "San Remo Tower" coming in last. Is this what you see?

The middle picture with the robe is a little disturbing. Do you get a free robe with the room? or is there a girl in the shower? Or is the photographer nekkid?

My vote is for naked photographer.

[Voltage Spike]

My vote is for naked photographer.

Everything else in your post was a suggestion for what astcell should do this weekend. Should I assume this comment was made with the same intent?

[astcell]

The third photo shows a robe too, near the wine bottle. The TV is on in the pictures that show the TV.

I will ask if I can take a picture of the rooms too.

[Siviak]

YAY... recon for the masses... this should be fun. I feel sure that we can get lots of good pictures .... some of them might be of the hotel as well

[TheCotMan]

Everything else in your post was a suggestion for what astcell should do this weekend. Should I assume this comment was made with the same intent?

No, you should assume (u removed) so you can make an ass out of me. ;-)

The third photo shows a robe too, near the wine bottle. The TV is on in the pictures that show the TV.

I have another guess... The room was occupied by vampires, but the flash from the camera was like sunlight to them, and they combusted on the spot. Maybe vampires can be fuel for alternative fuel source engines? They only need sunlight to combust. That is like Solar power, eh?

I will ask if I can take a picture of the rooms too.

If you make it up to the room spaces, could you also photograph the hallways so we can see what kind of difficulties will exist in finding room parties that are public? (I am guessing it will be tough, since multiple towers and multiple floors will make searching for parties time consuming-- you can't just walk towards the noise. This also, probably means there are different levels of "newness" to rooms based on tower location.
Also shots of the bathroom, shower, sink(s) as well as closet (what kind of hangers and hanging system) for luggage, Back/Front of TV (where cables are connected), phones for various data/network jacks, and outlets (to know if they are grounded or "old fashioned" non-grounded plugs, and so we have an idea what space and resources will be available.

Your opinion on how helpful they are compared to AP employees would also be good.

Now I think I'll owe you a 4 pack of Guiness. Since you won't be there this year, I can try to make arrangements to snail-mail something to you (if your new location permits this) or just keep the IOU around until the next time we meet.

[renderman]

DIA = Defcon Intelligence agency

[Xodia]

I was just thinking, What if another convention is using the rest of the convention space during Defcon? Will the Riviera not let that happen or is it possible? I would hate to think that Defcon could possibly have to share convention space with the Gentle Christian Mothers of America.

I imagine security will be alot more staunch about badges this time around too. Given the flow of people in and out of the Riviera they are going to have to keep a good eye on who has a badge and who doesn't in Convention areas.

The party situation is interesting. There are going to be alot of people staying at the Riviera looking to have a good time in Vegas who don't know Defcon is there. I can see that leading to a whole lot more crashing of parties by people who have absolutely no reason to be there. Not to mention it could potentially lead to a sudden influx of stupid teens looking to get a drink while their parents are asleep.

Bouncers, Get your thug faces ready.

[Mata Hari]

and if you're lucky you'll only pay half price for the screwing ... I agree with Mata Hari, you guys need some cool local cat on the ground here that can check things out and do stuff.... that would be cool

Indeed, Siviak, Indeed. I am definitely not a cool cat, but if you are seeking a protege, I will accompany you to show these fine young tourists (I mean that in the most repectable way, mind you) around town....

ASTCell- if you are in Vegas this weekend, and need/want a chauffeur, feel free to contact me.

-Walsh

PS- Deviant, yes, there are issues with Riviera, but have no fear- they have one of the oldest topless shows, Splash, and the national billiards competition is held there sometimes. Great location, and it is very vintage/old school (as much as Vegas can be with regard to the strip). Yes, there are some ghetto features, but it merely adds character. If you want to stay at other places, you know my # darling

Notorious Canadian Hacker (You know it, hahahah)- Budget Suites is an interesting suggestion- be careful with them though - however you make a very valid point- also, you have Crazy Horse II strip club down the street, and the infamous Elvis museum hahahah! In addtion, Riviera is conveniently situated near Strip Club Drive (pick and choose adult superstores and cabarets at your liesure, but again, be weary, hehehehh)

Im going to cruise by there tonight and feel it out a little bit more (no pun intended!!!)

[Siviak]

Bouncers, Get your thug faces ready.

BAH! we learned years ago not to go with second rate bouncers or thugs. What we learned is that our budget was only big enough to get fourth rate goons... but they seem to have done ok.

[TheCotMan]

I was just thinking, What if another convention is using the rest of the convention space during Defcon? Will the Riviera not let that happen or is it possible? I would hate to think that Defcon could possibly have to share convention space with the Gentle Christian Mothers of America.

I imagine security will be alot more staunch about badges this time around too. Given the flow of people in and out of the Riviera they are going to have to keep a good eye on who has a badge and who doesn't in Convention areas.

If it will be like DC when it was at hotels with Casinos, then badges are only checked at the specific locations where presentations take place. Though DefCon is getting bigger every year, I doubt that they will close the building (Casino/Hotel/Resteraunts/bars) to anyone but DefCon attendees. :-)

Since it appears as though much of the convention area has a constraint on ways-into-and-out-of-the-convention-area, it is more likely that badges will be checked in those locations. (Educated guess)

The party situation is interesting. There are going to be alot of people staying at the Riviera looking to have a good time in Vegas who don't know Defcon is there. I can see that leading to a whole lot more crashing of parties by people who have absolutely no reason to be there. Not to mention it could potentially lead to a sudden influx of stupid teens looking to get a drink while their parents are asleep.

Part of this can be arbitrated through bouncing based on possession of a DefCon pass-- but that does not help for Post BH, Pre DC parties.

If people who register with "DefCon" as they checking/reserve a room, then DefCon could be granted ranges of floors. Some modern casino/hotel have room-key requirements to call elevators. Some elevators allow for coded-access, where selection of a floor also required keying a "code" using floor numbers to gain access to specific floors, and other use special "Security keys" to get to restricted locations (roof, basement, etc.) Things like these could also be used to raise the bar-- of course, this are mostly based on shared secrets, or are easily beat by things like tailgating / SE.

I have no idea what restrictions the Riveira has in place, and what security features they can enable on their elevators.

[astcell]

...oldest topless shows? You mean granny pr0n? :P

I wonder if the Goons will be approached by tourists looking for restrooms and the like. Maybe this is a good year to write their shirts in Swahili. :>

Defcon Intelligence Agency .... now that ought to be the Goon rank for the con! Luvit!

[renderman]

Budget Suites is an interesting suggestion- be careful with them though - however you make a very valid point- also, you have Crazy Horse II strip club down the street, and the infamous Elvis museum hahahah! In addtion, Riviera is conveniently situated near Strip Club Drive (pick and choose adult superstores and cabarets at your liesure, but again, be weary, hehehehh)

Location, location, location...

I stayed there for DC 8-10 (it was cheap). Was'nt bad, but certianly nothing compared to the HRH or other hotels I've stayed at since. Just presenting it as an off site, cheap, tolerable choice for the inevitably budget constrained. Though I'll probobly be crashing in Deviants bathtub at the rate my budget it going :)

My major concern is that having had the run of the AP for so many years and having the outdoor 'leisure' area's to party in we've been spoiled (as a 5000 person group), things might get ugly being indoors.

Keep in mind it's been a long time since DC was at an 'indoor' hotel (DC6 I think) and the crowd that has joined since then seems to get more and more immature. To suddenly try to contain that energy and attitude indoors and with more 'rules', sounds like a recipie for several disasters, big and small.

Not to speculate too much, but hopefully aggrements can be struck to allow access to pool/courtyards, etc after hours (with badge maybe) to allow that energy out.

I usually assume the worst and find myself pleasently surprised when it does'nt happen. Hopefully the goons/orginizers are covering these thoughts and disaster can be avoided. Remeber, it's been a while since they had to blow up a hotel after we were there :)

I was just thinking, What if another convention is using the rest of the convention space during Defcon? Will the Riviera not let that happen or is it possible? I would hate to think that Defcon could possibly have to share convention space with the Gentle Christian Mothers of America.

hehehe, It was alot of fun when that happened at shmoocon. GM1 has better stories than I do, but to explain: There was some interfaith conference going on at the same time as shmoocon (lotsa nuns running around).

I for one would love the entertainment value of such a conference sharing space with us :)

p.s was'nt there some religious revival leaving the AP one year just as we were arriving?

[noid]

I was at the new location a while back. Lets just say our overcrowding problems will be a thing of the past.

There will definately be some culture shock to the attendees. Particularly the ones that only attended Defcon when it was at the AP and have never experienced it in a Casino/Hotel environment. I think the first year or so there will be an 'adjustment' period with the hotel and the attendees. All I ask is that if you check out the location ahead of time (I guess some of you are going this weekend), please be on your best behaviour. The last thing we need is Defcon attendees showing up in October of 2005 and saying 'we're totally gonna destroy this place next year'. Its going to be crazy enough when DC finally happens there next year, lets not get them worked up ahead of time.

[erehwon]

As far as on the ground local hotel intelligence for Lost Wages, I have used Cheapo Vegas in the past as the basis for learning the ups and downs of where to stay in Vegas nearby the Alexis Park.

Highlight reel of Cheapo Vegas' review of the Riviera

Less than twenty years ago, this was the biggest casino in the world, and one of the brightest jewels in Las Vegas' crown. Then in the 1990's, the town went really nuts with huge resorts, and the poor li'l Riv got left in the dust. It's still an okay hotel, but lacks the luxury of the newer places. The casino used to be a lot of fun, with tons of live gaming, but nowadays you see a lot more slots and the crowd tends to be a little older and quieter.

The Hotel

Room Quality: There are four towers, all built during different expansions. The nicest and newest rooms are in the Monaco and Monte Carlo towers. They are larger and many have refrigerators (Monaco also has floor safes for an extra fee). They also cost a bit more, unless you can sweet-talk the front desk clerk. The cheapest rooms are the oldest, and they are in the shorter Mediterranean and San Remo towers. The Mediterranean rooms are right over the casino, if you like a short walk. The San Remo rooms overlook the pool. They are from a time when overlooking the pool was best, because there wasn't much to see on the Strip.

Service Quality: Fair. This is an older hotel for moderate incomes. If you can take care of yourself and only need a decent room for sleeping, it's okay. If you want someone to clip your toenails for you, go to the Bellagio. Be warned, this place will nickel and dime you on phone calls and other unexpected costs.

Clientele: Middle-aged to senior citizens of middle-class stature. This used to be one of the nicest places on the Strip, but it's been overtaken by everything built since the late 1980s and has gone down-market in response. It's a fine hotel, just not glitzy enough for some people.

How's the Pool? Okay. The pool doesn't have any theme except for a giant tile "R" built into its floor. It's a good place to sun or swim, but not to find hardbodies or be seen.

[...]


Given the good recommendation from the above mentioned website, I'll be looking forward to this weekend's imagery intelligence of the battlefi.. err, convention space.