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

**blakdayz** · August 30, 2013, 22:38

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

Originally posted by Whiteb0rd

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** · September 1, 2013, 10:12

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

Originally posted by blakdayz

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** · September 2, 2013, 10:48

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

Originally posted by Chris

This.
This.
100% this!

Heartily concur. Thank you both.

Regards,
Valkyrie

__________________________________________________ ______
sapere aude

**Surreal** · September 2, 2013, 14:57

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

Originally posted by Kungfu Redneck

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** · September 2, 2013, 15:56

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** · September 3, 2013, 23:47

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

Originally posted by Surreal

* 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** · September 5, 2013, 08:51

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

Originally posted by Nikita

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...

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

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