Tarah M. WheelerVerified account

I'll help you find a good crowd, a safe place, a party, a quiet corner.

I gather n00bs like baby quail, and I know others who do the same. I'll introduce you to ppl at parties so you don't stand in corners.

If you want to be chill and not talk to folks, that's fine too. Learn all you can.

My absolute best advice and the reason I'm back at Hacker Summer Camp every year is: contests and games.

If you're a noob, do a contest. Join a crew. Don't try to do all of Defcon the first year; just make a few great friends.

Don't try to do all the parties. Find one that looks incredibly fun to you and go to that one. If I'm there, come say hi!

I know many ppl, often women, are concerned about alcohol culture at Defcon.

I've done Defcon multiple times on a cleanse (no booze) and a couple of times with some tasty adult beverages.

If you're scared you will be in a bad booze situation, tell me and I will point you at the awesome Infosec rockstars who don't drink.

If you're a friend of Bill W, there's meetings every day.

My biggest ask of you is this: if you're a Defcon noob, and you see someone doing something cool, ask if you can help!

You will see people bringing their A-game at Defcon, and don't be intimidated! All they did was ask "how does this work?"

I absolutely promise you this: if you have a question about how something works, ppl there will enthusiastically answer you!

If you've asked an interesting question to which no one has an answer yet, congratulations!

N00bs who bring interesting, unanswered, complex questions to Defcon are my favorite people.

If you have a serious problem, I and so many, many people will absolutely help you.

I was a Defcon n00b just six years ago, & the best thing I ever did in my life was stand on shaky legs at the mic and ask @1o57 a question.

I have an incredible family now because I took that first step (FY #Psychoholics!) and husband @deviantollam & I hope you find the same!

I hope you have a wonderful, safe, rewarding, incredible time. Come visit @isunlocked & we'll teach you to speak! https://isunlocked.com/#/main 

See you in Las Vegas, n00bs and family...even the family I haven't met yet.