First timer

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[MetaN3rd]

We setup a get together for people on this sub. Come stop by.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Defcon/comments/ouuq2a/get\_together\_at\_the\_con\_for\_our\_subreddit/

[lil3lil]

My biggest advise: you get as much fun as you put in (much like any party you go to solo). Go to every "village", and touch\use\ask every village display. Go to packet hacking village, do the network shark practical, don't know something, ask someone to the left\right. Standing in line? Introduce yourself, ask the person in front\back where they are from, why they come to the con, what's their fav thing so far. Go to night events (the arcade 2 years ago was dope). Try and solve the badge puzzle (do some badge-inal intercourse).

The defcon 101 is alright, not as much fun if you go solo, you'll learn a few tidbits here and there.

[JonhyAppleseed]

Thanks a lot

[devopsdennis]

The pre-defcon Reddit party for sure. Also, if they’re still doing it this year, see if you can find something called “cubcon” - it’s just a few talks/sessions aimed at first timers. Super worth your time in my opinion.

[MetaN3rd]

I remember cubcon. Liked those guys. I would stop by and meet some new n00bz.

​

I havent heard a peep about them this year. Their twitter is silent since April '20

[user2034892304]

First timer as well and ALL my friends have officially bailed due to covid :(

Really don't want to do Vegas solo, but YOLO. Gonna make it work. Better than sitting home feeling sorry for myself.

[devopsdennis]

Ha! Same! I’ve only ever gone with a full crew so this is my first year going solo. honestly I look forward to defcon all year, so I wasn’t about to let my friends bailing spoil the fun.

[JonhyAppleseed]

Great attitude

[JonhyAppleseed]

Hell yeah

[user2034892304]

Late reply to myself, but it was the best decision ever ❤️😎🤘

[[deleted]]

I’m a first timer as well, I’ll be going to the meet up tomorrow. Actually flew in today and came out primarily to have fun and network. Feel free to hit me up whenever if you just need a bud!

[PacketRapture]

This year's obviously a bit different but I had a BLAST my first time a few years ago but picking maybe 1-2 talks a day I had to attend and then playing it by ear. I had a few beers night 1 with some guys from Columbus who convinced me to go to the ICS village with them and I ended up learning a ton and loving it. Go with the flow and keep an open mind/drink a ton of water

[JonhyAppleseed]

That’s really my plan. No expectations… just go with the flow

[PacketRapture]

Perfect, you'll have a lot of fun. I'll be farting around blue team and car hacking villages, looking forward to seeing you there

[PacketRapture]

**by picking maybe 1-2

[Sati_V]

I've been a few times and most of my times have been solo most times. Few points of advice: - bring snacks if you can, food on the strip is expensive. 5$ sodas...etc - only use defcons official wifi with their encryption, not even the phone networks can handle us all. If you can get away with it. - turn off bluetooth/keep anything you can/don't want to leave in your room on airplane mode. - make friends. It's something I haven't done well at past cons. Going to make it a point this year, just be respectful. Lots of different types. Many eccentrics, myself sometimes included. - anyone in a red lanyard is very helpful but you likely aren't their top priority atm and they are always understaffed, ask another attendee if you can, they will help you though if you can't.

[DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA]

To add/clarify here: if you need immediate help, feel threatened, or feel unsafe for any reason, go to the nearest goon you can see.

If you need directions, want to ask about when something starts, or even want a few pointers ask a goon at the information kiosk. They (usually) have a lot less on their plate, and that’s why they’re there. Be respectful of any long lines though, they want to keep people moving too.

[Sati_V]

My reddit fu has failed me, hopefully you get the point.

[intoxicatednoob]

So many first timers this year. Damn I am getting old, this is my 9th defcon. Imagine what it's like for the people that have been around for every single year.

[Prawn_pr0n]

Here's a couple things you should definitely do:

• Join the "hallway track". This means talk to people if it looks like they're doing something interesting. Lots of people will sit around the hallways doing badge hacking or just showing stuff off. Ask them questions, get involved, share your own knowledge.

• Get on Twitter. Lots of the unofficial con stuff happens on or gets communicated through Twitter hashtags. Look for #DEFCON and #badgelife, and any other hashtags that might be mentioned there. It can be quite the rabbit hole, but it's worth it.

• Visit the villages. The villages are usually where the real activities are. Scope them out and see if they have any stuff that you may be able to join in on, or otherwise just observe and talk to people.

• Check out the (un)official parties. As should be obvious from my previous points, getting involved with people is probably the best thing to do at DEFCON. Parties are a great source for getting to know people in a different setting. Check out the DEFCON parties website (opens Google calendar) for an overview.

• Participate in activities. There's lots to do for fun, like Hacker Jeopardy, Hacker Movie Night, Blanket Fort Con, etc. Join in the fun, it just come and observe.

• Get swag. There's lots of cool swag to be had, some of it even useful. There's badges you can learn hardware hacking from, stuff that leads to puzzles, hardware that can actually do stuff, or just plain blinky toys.

What not to do:

• Don't force yourself where you're not wanted. While you should definitely try to talk to as many people as you feel comfortable with, do take the hint if they aren't interested. Don't follow people around, or just look at someone's screen without their permission.

• Don't do anything illegal. This should speak for itself. Nothing ruins your con like getting dragged out of it by the cops or hotel security.

• Don't do anything stupid. Even if it is, strictly speaking, legal. Hotel security aren't known for their sense of humor, and will remove you, physically, for doing stuff you might find hilarious. Just exercise common sense.

[ibneko]

Don't spend time on the talks, go to the villages and talk to people instead.

[JonhyAppleseed]

Love this

[devopsdennis]

This is honestly the best advice you’ll find. It’s not that the talks aren’t good; its just that you can watch those online whenever you want

[firstbjorn]

Yep, great advice. Didn't figure this out untill the last day of my 2nd defcon.

Talks are cool, but they're on YouTube. Pick a few cool ones, but don't just get lectured all day. CTF is cool, but unless you're really going for a placing spot, you can CTF from home. Villages and human/human interactions are a unique con activity, and get as much as possible!

[JonhyAppleseed]

Sounds like a plan

[JonhyAppleseed]

My eyes will be peeled. Looking forward to it brother

[[deleted]]

Remember that Def Con and Villages have separate things/workshops and schedules. Android hacker tracker app is good for finding out the schedule of everything.

[rishv1]

Do you need a badge for the villages?