Well, I'm finally back from Defcon 25 and writing up my notes while in the throes of con drop before too much of the experience fades from memory.  Suffice it to say that I have opinions about last weekend, which I will attempt to write as concisely as I can.  I don't like being negative about things because my experience is my own, and I much prefer that people have their own experiences and make up their own minds about things.  However, I would be lying if I painted a rosy picture of my attendence of the largest hacker convention …

Back from Defcon 25.

Exhausted.

Dealt with multiple crises at home.

Didn't spend as much money as I usually do, which isn't a bad thing.

Spent quality time with some old friends.  I hope I made a few new ones.

I have opinions.  They'll have to wait until I get some sleep.

UPDATE - 20170902 - Typos, finding emergency exits.

So, after many years I've decided that it's my turn to write a first-timer's guide to Defcon.  There are many like it, so I'll try to be as frank as I can about the topic.  I'm going to try to write for people who've never been to Defcon before (but may have been to other hacker cons).  I'm not going to lie or joke around (which some of the guides tend to do) and give as much personal advice as I can.  I'm also going to try to not sound like your parents, because …