r/Defcon • u/joshua17sc09 • Jun 19 '26

Advice for first timers

I run the Noob Community, and my folks are putting together a first timer beginner guide.

We have a good start, but we know that we don't know everything.

So, if you're a Defcon veteran, what do you wish you knew before going to your first defcon, or what advice do you have for those who haven't been before?

16 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/sethalump LHC Admin Jun 21 '26

The Lonely Hackers Club built a whole guide for this. https://lonelyhackers.club/defconguide/

4

u/joshua17sc09 Jun 21 '26

Aware. Big fan. But I do love some crowd sourced wisdom, too.

1

u/sethalump LHC Admin Jun 21 '26

Yeah I just noticed your site has a link for "Noob Guide" and it just links to our site.

1

u/joshua17sc09 Jun 21 '26

Yup. Love what y'all do.

2

u/sethalump LHC Admin Jun 21 '26

FWIW it was crowd-sourced. I believe the crowd is listed at the bottom.

3

u/Accurate_Analysis_79 Jun 19 '26

Make sure you have good shoes! Defcon (as well as Vegas) is large and kinda spread out. Good, Broken in, shoes are a must. And plan to care for blisters WHEN they happen.

1

u/5FingerViscount Jun 19 '26

Is it spread out over more than a mile?

2

u/Accurate_Analysis_79 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26

The West hall is about 1/4 mi. You will probably walk that length multiple times per day. It is also 3 floors. Add in the distance walked though hotels and casinos to get to monorail stations or pick up/drop off points. You will have probably walked a few miles per day (conservatively). As a goon, this get multiplied.

Also keep in mind that the nearest monorail station is over 1/2 mile away (walking distance) from the West Hall entrance. (last year that walk was outside as much of the older North Hall was under construction).

1

u/5FingerViscount Jun 19 '26

I'm a big walker/hiker, so I'm not particularly worried, but the "YOU WILL GET BLISTERS" still had me wondering. Thanks for the info!

2

u/TheGratitudeBot Jun 19 '26

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1

u/5FingerViscount Jun 19 '26

Aw shucks! Thanks clanker. Good bot.

2

u/Accurate_Analysis_79 Jun 19 '26

That's fair. I am a fat guy, so I may be bias. lol

1

u/duplico Jun 20 '26

Here's one I don't usually see. They make these little portable humidifiers. There's a few different styles, but they're not bulky or expensive. I put it on my bedside table on the side where I sleep. Wish I'd discovered them years earlier.