PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

I've started the process to synchronize events authorized/approved by Pyr0 and others from those that have not. Those forums for contests/events/parties without some sort of nod from a goon with authority over that will be closed and marked as such.

Some forums for events off-site that have no method for approval (like Toxic BBQ, and DC Shoot) are grandfathered into this process, because they were previously approved as unofficial events, and we let people know about them as a point of information.

Even if it is too late to submit your info with hopes that it can make it into the program, but at least you can avoid having the forum associated with the contest, event or social gathering, closed.

(I am not saying it is too late to get your info into the program, but based on experience, it probably is. I mean, maybe if you bribed the right people, you MIGHT be able to get something, but it would have to be a pretty awesome bribe, and at some point, it won't matter how big the bribe is. Deadlines, are deadlines, and if pushed back too far, the programs can't be made and delivered in time.)

For example, in this Synchronization with Nikita, and Pyr0, there are questions about things like "Hacker Jeopardy" and "The Hardware Hacking Village" (which is mentioned on the map, I think, as HHV.) So, this synchronization may lead to more forums being created, just as it could lead to forums being closed, if they haven't received some sort of nod, or don't use defcon resources, and take place off-site.

The forums will follow the decisions made by goons and DC staff, like Nikita, Pyr0 and Neil. I've sent a CSV of all contests, events and social gatherings that I've been informed of by people as happening, and a copy of other contests, events and social gathering that have happened over the past 4 or 5 years, but as far as I know, are not happening this year.

I would not expect a quick resolution on this, but you all should know it is coming.

Thanks!

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Added by Neil, a new event for Defcon:

[forum=591]Defcon Kids[/forum]

Focused on content for beginner hackers age 8-16, we have a classroom for kids to participate in demos and workshops, such as learning how to open Master locks, Google Hacking, making Electronics, Social Engineering, coding in Scratch and Communicating in Code. (site), (twitter)

The forum user that is associated with this is StealHead.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Copying forward forum leader(s)/organizer(s) from previous Defcon contest/event forums to Defcon 19:

* Artwork contest: neil
* BCCC: Deviant Ollam
* DC101: HighWiz
* HackBus: EvilMofo
* Defcon Shoot: Deviant Ollam
* Defcon Short Story Contest: Nikita, HighWiz (he is helping Nikita because she is busy)
* Forum Meet: Nikita (from last year, even thought BBox is running it. BBox: get a mod that knows you to vouch for you, and we can start a review process for this.)
* Hacker Karaoke: Bascule, Overdose
* Goon Band Recognize: Chris
* Lockpicking Contests Deviant Ollam
* The DC19 "Chillout" Room and lounge (Room #1 of the Rio Pavilion): GreatScott, DJ Jackalope
* DC19 Official Pool Parties // Music Action: Greatscott, DJ Jackalope
* Scavenger Hunt: Tacitus, Pinguino, Siviak
* SkyTalks: Pyr0 (though he handed it off to BluKnight, a mod would need to vouch for this user, to start that process to becoming a forum leader/organizer)
* Spot the Fed: Priest
* Defcon Geo Challenge: [Syntax] (Was forum leader/Organizer for Toxic BBQ, so no review needed here)
* Arduno 101 Workshop: [Syntax] (Was forum leader/Organizer for Toxic BBQ, so no review needed here)
* ToxicBBQ: Siviak, [Syntax], GodMinusOne, Kelvin, L0nd0, renderman

For the uninformed, "Forum Leader(s)/Organizer(s) for Contests/Events" are ABSOLUTELY NOT MODERATORS. They do not enforce rules, cannot ban or unban people.
"Forum Leader(s)/Organizer(s) for Contests/Events" have extra controls in the forums associated with their contest or event such as set/unset stickies, open/close threads, prune off topic posts from a thread in their forum, soft-delete posts,
Just because someone runs a contest or event does not mean they will automatically become "Forum Leader(s)/Organizer(s) for Contests/Events." This is a control setting on the forums that happens when a process is successfully completed:
1) A mod "vouches" for the user as someone that won't cause trouble on the forums (forum leader/organizer have controls in forums associated with their contests or event that can really cause problems for users.)
2) Then a review process begins which can take a week or two
3) Then a decision is made.

Once a person becomes a "Forum Leader(s)/Organizer(s) for Contests/Events" for any contest or event, then there is no review for being added to other forums for other contests or events. Previous year's status as a forum leader/organizer can be copied forward, too, without review, even if several years separate this status change.

This requires mucking about with permissions. Please let me know if I broke something for any of you.

Also, did I miss any that were leaders/organizers before? Please let me know.

Thanks and good luck!
-Cot

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

I've started the process to synchronize events authorized/approved by Pyr0 and others from those that have not. Those forums for contests/events/parties without some sort of nod from a goon with authority over that will be closed and marked as such.

Some forums for events off-site that have no method for approval (like Toxic BBQ, and DC Shoot) are grandfathered into this process, because they were previously approved as unofficial events, and we let people know about them as a point of information.

Even if it is too late to submit your info with hopes that it can make it into the program, but at least you can avoid having the forum associated with the contest, event or social gathering, closed.

(I am not saying it is too late to get your info into the program, but based on experience, it probably is. I mean, maybe if you bribed the right people, you MIGHT be able to get something, but it would have to be a pretty awesome bribe, and at some point, it won't matter how big the bribe is. Deadlines, are deadlines, and if pushed back too far, the programs can't be made and delivered in time.)

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Forum user merge has taken place eliminating one account in the process. (User contacted us about this.)

Forum user "utahman3431" has been merged with forum user "boboli" leaving only forum user "boboli" account on the forums.

DB has been updated, so old posts from the old account should appear to come from the new account name.

Posted here as public notice so people know about this change.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Since firewall upgrade, there have been a few problems observed internally. DT has some time to work on these today.

Access to pics.defcon.org has been down since the firewall upgrade. Access to see images on pics.defcon.org should now be restored. Please let us know if you see problems on pics. We have not tested uploading, for example. It may take longer to fix other problems related to upload.

More updates may appear here tonight.

[Dark Tangent]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Tasty.

Just finished round one, let me know if you notice any changes please.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Scheduled service outage: DT is working on network device which will make many *defcon.org sites unreachable.

This is a known event and is scheduled.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Forum user BBox has stepped froward to be the primary organizer for the Defcon 19 Forum meet! A new forum has been created for this:

[forum=589]Forum Meet[/forum]

An informal gathering of people on the forums at Defcon.

The title and description may both change; it is up to BBox to choose what if anything should replace either of these.

Good luck BBox!

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Pry0 notified me that a new contest has been approved:

[forum=588]DEFCON Beard & Championship[/forum]

Due to the growing number of awesome beards at DEFCON and the (popularity?) of the shitshow that is beardsmanship, it's time that folks were recognized for letting their unix beards fly.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Forum user gdead got okay from Pyr0 to run a new social event for Defcon 19:
[forum=587]Defcon Bikes[/forum]

Rent bicycles, hire a guide, and endure a 2 Hour bike ride in the Las Vegas heat! Got Water?

Site, and twitter account may come later. Description may change, too.

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

New forum created for contest from Triskt:

[forum=586]Forensics Contest[/forum]

The Network Forensics Puzzle Contest is a challenging mystery requiring contestants to forensically analyze packet captures (and more!) to uncover an evil plot. (site), (twitter)

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

Lost has requested a new forum and it has been added:

[forum=585]Defcon Badge Contest[/forum]:

Forum for the Defcon 19 badge and badge-like discussion. (twitter), (<a href="Classified%3a%20DTS//FDUO">site</a>)

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

[forum=583]Mohawk Con[/forum] forum has been created. Description from last year has been copied forward changing DC 18 to DC19. A new description may replace this:

Get your head buzzed at DC 19 to support the EFF!

I am not sure if the charity will be the EFF or not, so that may change too, or it may stay the same.

I've moved a thread to this forum that was on-topic about this as ideas related to this event, but not posted by one of the organizers (as far as I know.)

[TheCotMan]

Re: PUBLIC-NOTICES: Forum Changes/Fixes. Any Questions?

PM from livinded informs us the name "Open CTF" should change to "OCTF" and the description for the forum associated with the contest "[forum=549]OCTF[/forum]" should now read:

Not to be confused with the original Capture the Flag (CTF), OCTF is organized by The Open CTF Group to be played openly by people at Defcon. (Formerly known as the aCTF or "amateur Capture the Flag.") (site).