Irish 'Running Man' WarWalking Competition

phaxx writes "Dubbed 'WaveHunt', this is the Irish take on DefCon's RunningMan competition. Contestants will have three attempts, each an hour long, to locate a moving Linksys WRT54g running OpenWRT Linux. They must positively identify the person carrying the hidden acccess point and report this back to base. The first prize is two hundred euro, and it takes place this coming Saturday, March 5th. The intended venues are a large park, a defined area of winding streets in Dublin City Centre, and a multi-level shopping centre!"

beer and linux

[caino59]

will there be free beer during this event?

heh - you bet your ass i'd probably forget the competition and find my ass a pub.

Re:beer and linux

[ABaumann]

Irish beer? No way!

They also play their golf entirely sober.

Re:beer and linux

[Lord Pillage]

Like my friend always says, "I'm never drunk, I'm just always Irish sober!"

Re:beer and linux

[ScottyUK]

Or even decent Irish beer :p

What's wrong with Guinness?

beer and linux AND BANDWIDTH/SERVERS

[svanstrom]

Will there be enough servers/bandwidth to actually inform the public about it, now that it's on slashdot???

I was wondering why the OpenWRT-button on my website didn't load; took me about 3 seconds to figure out that I should go check if some mean person had given OpenWRT some ./-attention. =)

As soon as they're back up I'm saving a copy of that "button" on my own server/site [svanstrom.org].

Re:beer and linux

[T'Kethry]

The Temple Bar district is aptly named. Pubs galore. I'd imagine most of the competitors will start there...

Re:beer and linux

[markana]

and most of them probably won't continue on....
but they'll exhaustively search each and every pub :-)

Re:Simple answer

[over_exposed]

The point is finding it while it's moving - building a single wi-fi detector won't help you with directional location - especially in that last scenario, the multi-level mall. How do you plan on finding a moving signal within a 3-D search space?

Re:Simple answer

[caryw]

I wish it was that easy. It's pretty hard to find a moving target with a little pocket device that gives signal strength. A better solution would be to buy a nice receiver that can process signal direction (like a newer ICOM or Uniden). Of course you'd still have to fire up the laptop to figure out what channel [qsl.net] the SSID you're chasing is on.
Ham's have these (find the transmitting guy) things all the time. They call them foxhunts. The best anecdote I remember is one year the guy transmitting was an elderly man fishing off a bridge. He was using the fishing poll as the antenna. Nobody wanted to disturb him.
- Cary
--Fairfax Underground [fairfaxunderground.com]: Where Fairfax County comes out to play

Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[Jokernick5]

The article states that individuals or "teams of two" may enter. I wonder if a team of two could use two devices? If so, teams would have a huge advantage in their ability to triangulate the position of the WAP. ... on the other hand, the second person could just run around and physically search everyone in the area...

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[ch-chuck]

the second person could just run around and physically search everyone in the area...

At first I though that was a crazy idea - then realized that if it was held in the US, a clever team could just obtain some t-shirts marked "Homeland Security" or something, setup a fake X-Ray scanning table outside and start searching everybodys backpack and parcels. Locate it by social engineering instead of rf sniffing ;)

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[ggvaidya]

The first rule of Homeland Security: don't you FRIGGIN' DARE to pretend to be homeland security. Or else our hired goons^W^W^W agents will have you illegally detained in Guantanamo Bay^W^W^W^W^W brought in for questioning.

That said, that's a really smart idea :) - as long as the HS doesn't find out. Or you run into that millionaire who was disallowed from flying ...

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[easter1916]

In Dublin it would be better to pretend to be a syringe-weilding heroin addict, and menace people with the syringe claiming "I have AIDS! Empty the backpack/rucksack". That'd fit right in in lovely old "Dooblan".

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[arivanov]

Well, if you remember the original "Running Man" (both the Philip Dick story and the movie) you should recall that the Running Man is NOT supposed to have any advantages. In fact the Running Man is not supposed to live through it...

In btw, it is possibly the only meaningfull movie the Terminator ever made.

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[slimak]

I am only familiar with the Stephen King book The Running Man [amazon.com]. Was there also one by Dick? A quick Google search didn't find it, but that may just be me.

Re:Twice the persons = twice the PC's?

[arivanov]

Yep, you are right. This one is King's. I got mixed up with Total Recall which is based on a P. Dick short story.

I claim first post!

[Anonymous Coward]

Whoo!

Now then; can you just imagine how people will react to seeing teams of geeks with their high-tech gadgets running around all over the place? Even before they get a false positive on you.

- Kizor, Making an idiot of myself in public since 1994

intentional vi-l33tness?

[myspys]

:wq (bottom of the page)

Re:intentional vi-l33tness?

[kahei]

It must be a hoax -- a user trying to quit vi actually types this:

^C
^C
^Z
.
^[
^[^[^[^[^[
quit
end
exit
bye
quit!
QUIT
QQQQQQQ :quit :QUIT :zz :w :quit!

$rm /usr/bin/vi

Re:intentional vi-l33tness?

[KiloByte]

I would personally go for Alt-F2 (or perhaps Ctrl-Z) followed by killall -9 vi.

Re:intentional vi-l33tness?

[EvilSporkMan]

Funny, it's in /usr/bin on Debian, and you'd think they'd be sticklers about that...

Verizon

[GeeForeTechTV]

Verizon Wireless now has high speed wireless in major cities across the country. It would be interesting if people subscribed to this "all you can eat" access and set up mobile access points. This would be an interesting way to get access on the road.

--
Dogs are annoying. Go ECFA.

Triangulation

[mikeumass]

Triangulating the location of a wireless access point is no small task even if it is stationary, and you have 3 point of reference.

However combinting 2 points of reference with signal strength from each point should make the job possible, assuming there is not too much interference from external sources. The hard part will be trying to keep track of how your experimental locations map up to location of persons who could be carrying the access point.

Maybe you could just look for someone with an antenna sticking out of thier backpack!

Re:Triangulation

[Otter]

Maybe you could just look for someone with an antenna sticking out of thier backpack!

Simply identifying the nerdiest guy on the streets of Dublin is probably a fairly sound strategy.

Re:Triangulation

[Anonymous Coward]

Also helps to use some of the massively directional WiFi antennas you can get (you know, the ones with +22dbi gain or more). Signal strength then beocmes less of an issue, and more of how good your pointing skills are (one directional antenna, with good backside characteristics will point you in a rough line).

Mostly because the signal strength "meters" on most wifi cards are utterly useless. All you really need is "signal found and acquired".

Ah, the modern foxhunt (I don't believe that even the traditiona

Re:Triangulation

[mikeumass]

The rules state no directional antennae.

Spherical Trigonometry

[drewzhrodague]

I asked someone for advice on how to deal with our triangulation [wifimaps.com], and he said "Spherical Trigonometry," and sent me a URL. I printed it out, and took one look at it. The hair on the back of my neck hasn't stopped standing on end since!

Of course, we're using GPS coords, in addition to signal strength.

Winners!

[RamboCalrissian]

Hopefully the contestants this year will do as well as last years winners: Whitman, Price, and Hadad!

Re:Triangulation

[Propaganda13]

Triangulation is not required since you're in close proximity to the target and the target is clearly defined as a person and router.
One person with a directional antenna can do this.

Now if you're dropping a bomb a thousand miles away, you better have something better than shoot it over that way.

Re:Triangulation

[Eythian]

it's not so bad, I've done similar things with ham radio transmitters. All I did was use a handheld, removed the antenna, and carried a paperclip to use in place, so that I could change the reception abilities of the receiver. Through turning around and blocking the signal with your body you can relatively easily get a direction. You don't need to do fancy triangulations involving signal strength.

oblig

[Tuffsnake]

First ya find the computer running the wireless then you win 200 euro, then you can buy lots and lots of Guinness ... BRILLIANT!

Re:oblig

[mickyflynn]

"It's a little black book! you put women's phone numbers in it!"
"a little black book! briliant!"
*slap*
"it also works as a coaster!"
"a coaster?! BRILLIANT!!"

(typical slashdotter night at the pub, as put in a Guinness commercial).

Re:oblig

[anticypher]

You mean, the winner of the contest can shout us all a few rounds of Guinness after the hunt. Brilliant!

the AC

Re:oblig

[cordsie]

You obviously haven't been in Dublin city centre recently. You'd be lucky to get change from a single pint for that amount.

My, My

[punkin]

Is that an access point in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

This should be pretty easy

[winstonmeister]

If you're using wireless internet and the router stops working every five minutes for no apparent reason, you're getting closer to the Linksys.

Foxhunting by another name

[wowbagger]

This is just Foxhunting [arrl.org] by another name.

The only difference is that this is open to non-hams.

Re:Foxhunting by another name

[shrubya]

Bah, fox hunting is such a wussy pseudo-sport. I think a competition that features two governors wrestling to the death in an iron cage [imdb.com] is MUCH more exciting.

Or Recruiters...

[drewzhrodague]

I personally prefer to see recruiters fight to the death [zhrodague.net] for my amusement!

Re:Foxhunting by another name

[M1FCJ]

Finally fox hunting by dogs is banned in this country. I always wondered why these hound dogs hated hams, probably it's the smell.

Re:Foxhunting by another name

[easter1916]

It's more like drag-hunting, as there is no kill involved. Both types of hunts are still perfectly legal in Ireland... come on over, U.K. hunts -- you're welcome to pursue your sport right next door.

Re:Foxhunting by another name

[wowbagger]

You didn't actually FOLLOW THE LINK, did you?

I am not speaking of hunting Vulpes vulpes, but rather the sport practiced by amatuer radio operators of tracking a hidden transmitter with radio direction finding equipment.

Damn, this coincides

[Anonymous Coward]

With my "mobile build a Linux based wireless network" competition, also being held in Dublin on that day!

sounds a lot like...ham radio

[lophophore]

This sounds a lot like Ham Radio direction finding contests. In fact, I bet a lot of the same kind of DFing technology will be used.

Look here for information about direction finding, transmitter hunting, and radio-orienteering as used by hams:

http://members.aol.com/homingin/

I could do this without a Wi-Fi device

[gearmonger]

Just seek out the smuggest-looking n3rd in the mall/park, which shouldn't be too hard, since true geeks generally avoid places with other people and sunshine.

Yeah, go ahead...I've got some karma to burn.

Re:I could do this without a Wi-Fi device

[kryten_nl]

Much easier:
Listen for young women screaming: "Get the f*ck away from me!"

Re:I could do this without a Wi-Fi device

[Stavr0]

Just seek out the smuggest-looking n3rd in the mall/park Heh. They'll prolly give hime a haircut and a shave, dress him up in a suit and tie and put the WAP in a attache case.

Geek Bar

[asoap]

I agree with you, but I had an experience that was the exact opposite once.

I once went to a bar to meet up with some "internet" friends of mine. I don't see these people that often so when i walk into the meeting place, I just look for the geeks. We can identify our own kind right away. Well I went into this one bar and right by the door was a bunch of geeks. So I start to walk over and they notice me, and they give me a weird look. These obviously were not MY geeks. Ok ok, that doesn't happen often

Re:I could do this without a Wi-Fi device

[anticypher]

Well, the St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre will be packed solid with shoppers at noon on a sunny Saturday. That will make it difficult just to get around, and the hunters will probably annoy a lot of people. It's a pretty lame spot, just three levels around a central open space. Not too many spots for a fox to hide or move around easily.

I hope the weather reports are correct for Dublin, sunshine and 10 degrees for Saturday. The continent has been fucking c*ld this week, the snow hasn't melted since the s

War Walking?

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

where did that come from? If Eazy E were alive and a geek he would say:

The name is 345y for me to come off like the 3|\|f0rc3r' Mass Stumbling [netstumbler.com] muthafskas in a course of An everyday situation where I would stalk by Fsck the car, I do a muthafsking walk-by

English muthafska..

[slashmojo]

..do you speak it?! ;)

Not my cup of tea...

[eric_brissette]

Running? Like... with your feet? After a moving router? I'm getting winded just thinking about it.

Let me know when the host a go cart enabled competition. Or at least with those scooters for handicapped people. I'd be all over that.

Thanks /. !

[cwj123]

I was planning on installing OpenWRT on my linksys today. But from the looks of it, the site's been slashdotted. Thanks for giving me some more free time today!

Re:Thanks /. !

[mikeumass]

http://wrt54g.free.fr/openwrt/

Easy

[slapout]

Just look for the guy with the extension cord hanging out of his coat. Or the one carrying the really big battery. :-)

New Reality Show

[drewzhrodague]

Call it surWIver, or Wi-Fi Rally, or whatever. Neet idea for my next video segment for tv [seattlewireless.net].

Amazing!

[Evil W1zard]

All triangulation seems to lead directly to a pub. Hmmmm beer is good!

Walking to Los Angeles

[bitspotter]

Not a bad solution to the problem with the wardriving competition a couple years ago. In their race to record the most APs, contestants were told they needed to stay West of a certain Las Vegas street - so some smartass went all the way to LA.

Needless to say, he won. ;p

Re:Walking to Los Angeles

[Render_Man]

Actually, that was BigEZy. He did drive all the way out to LA before the start of the competition, provided evidence of his being there at the time of the contest, but through some technical goofs, they did'nt get thier data in by the deadline and so the LA run did'nt count.

I know this because I was one of the other contestants who was angry and impressed by the interesting interpretation of the rules.

What strategies are they going to use?

[Phantasmo]

HUFFDUFF???

Power?

[CypherXero]

How are they going to power the WRT54G? Are they gonna look for a guy attached to a wall outlet? Or what?

Just hope that...

[ebrandsberg]

nobody uses an old cordless phone that for all intent purposes jams the signal, like the one my neighbors use... and use... and use....

Re:Just hope that...

[ebrandsberg]

Nah, 2.4Ghz phones have been out for a while now. It's the 5ghz that is newer. And I don't really think it is a problem, 2.4 is "unlicensed" and if someone wanted to should be complete legal to operate a wifi jammer if they really wanted to.

I can see it now

[RU_on_weed]

300 hundred anti-nerds randomly plugging in routers in every free wall outlet. Or god forbid they all start walking around with powered routers .. Turn into a gong show real quick ....

Now if only I could get to ireland .........

Wardriving... warwalking... What's next?

[elgatozorbas]

Let me guess: war-segwaying. Definitely.

A mod to the rules...

[PHAEDRU5]

Try to get from start to finish without passing a pub!

If Andrea Corr...

[Master of Transhuman]

was carrying the Linksys, I'd find it!

And if Sharon was with her, I'd find it fast!

Why it's called "Warwalking"

[benn333]

Try driving in Dublin City Centre on a weekend and you'll understand the change in terminology...

Bitter associate

[DkY]

Dammit if only they'd done this last year when I was still in that college, and that country.

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[Hyecee]

Recreation? Competition? Exercise? Something fun to do? Not everything has to have a "point". Sometimes folks can just get together and have fun, you know?

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[Dogtanian]

Recreation? Competition? Exercise? Something fun to do? Not everything has to have a "point". Sometimes folks can just get together and have fun, you know?

It's called sex, and that IS the point.

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[mzwaterski]

Rationalized: Its fun and you can win money...

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[iBod]

Ok, I'll buy!

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[myspys]

what about that thing people keep talking about called "fun"?

Oh no! My karma suffered at the hands of the...

[iBod]

groupthink clowns!

Well, fuck you!

Re:Oh no! My karma suffered at the hands of the...

[ggvaidya]

All your thinks are belong to us.

cheers,
The Group Think Clowns

Re:Oh no! My karma suffered at the hands of the...

[iBod]

Ah ha! - so you admit it then?

Re:Oh no! My karma suffered at the hands of the...

[ggvaidya]

Group Think clowns admit NOTHING. We have sworn our oaths on the Sacred Red Nose of Bobo and the Gloved White Hand of Krusty. We will be honest, generous and true to our cause.

We may or may not be funny.

cheers,
The Group Think Clowns
(laugh at us? -5, Unfunny to you, bozo)

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[Silver Sloth]

Maybe if you can't see that this might be fun then you need to have more free time. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy.

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[iBod]

You really mean to tell me that you think this would be 'fun' ?

Holy Christ!

What sort of 'fun' did you have as a kid?

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[ggvaidya]

Treasure hunt, hide and seek, Scotland Yard ... a whole lot of "go find something/someone before anybody else does" games.

My first thought when I saw the article was, man, I wish they had this in Singapore!

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[iBod]

Yeah. But where I came from we had girls!

Re:I think some people have too much free time

[VAXcat]

But, all play and no work makes Jack a jerk.

Re:For those who dont know..

[citog]

So the PRC has been annexed then? Langers surrendered?

Re:For those who dont know..

[easter1916]

The Peep's Republic of Cork is going strong... a few dirty RA lucre handlers won't shut us down. Up Cork! FUCK DUBLIN!