FAQ
What’s a hackathon?
A hackathon is an event where people get together and develop awesome projects in a short timespan.
You will need:
- an ID, so ID card, passport or driving license
- a laptop with wifi
- if your team was active before HACKWAW bring your blueprints ;)
Although the most important thing for you is to sleep well on Friday night.
Can we come as a team to HACKWAW?
We welcome any pre-formed teams, as a matter of fact in the second edition of HACKWAW you will be able to co-operate with your teammates even before the event. You'll get access to Hackathon IO after you Register. You can submit a hack, create a team, gather a team, chat within your team and other attendees
Do I need to bring a team with me?
No. As a matter of fact, it's very good even if you don't know anyone. Hackathons are all bout meeting new people, and testing yourself in an unfamiliar environment. Who knows, maybe you'll get to know your new business partner, future employer, or just make a new friendship.
Is HACKWAW a competition?
The primary goal of HACKWAW is to gather great programmers/designers together and give them ability to create awesome stuff in just 20 hours, out of "nothing". But competition plays an important part here. It motivates teams to hurry :)
What is the "theme" of HACKWAW?
Robots, wearable electronics and mobile apps. The "theme" is very general. You can interpret it. Remember that HACKWAW is all about bringing "ready product" at the end of the hackathon. But this is all you have to focus on. We can talk business plans later.
How judges make a decision about who wins?
Partials are (and these may change till 10 of November):
40 % - product itself. solving problem? engaging? product?
20 % - 'finished look"
10 % - Theme fullfiilment
10 % - design
10 % - external API usage (Facebook, Arduino etc)
10 % - amount of code created on HACKWAW
Who are the judges?
Judges are also your mentors. These means they will be present at most of the time. They will be the same people that help you throughout the hackhaton. But they will be a few. We believe having to many mentors takes to much time and focus from the teams.
Do I get to sleep during the hackathon?
Yes. Teams finish the first day at 9 p.m, Hackwaw restarts on 9 a.m. on Sunday.
I can’t stay whole weekend, can I still participate?
Nope, sorry. Hackwaw is for dedicated.
Will there be prizes?
Yes.
Will there be free food?
YES, definitely!
Do I have to bring my own laptop?
Yes; unfortunately, we can’t provide computers. Please bring anything you’ll need to code (though it’s fine if you share equipment with a teammate).
Do you provide a server to host some files if needed (eg. a PHP, Apache, MS SQL server)? Or should we arrange for this?
Sorry, not yet. Either use a free hosting provider for your language (AppEngine, Heroku, etc) or buy an account on Linode. That is probably the best $20/month you can spend as a geek.
Are we provided access to the Internet there?
Yes, we'll get you Internet.
Are we limited to doing everything from scratch in the 20 hours provided? or can we prepare anything before coming to the event?
You can build on something else, but you will only be judged on you 20 hour coding. Gotta keep it fair.
Why is HACKWAW held in english?
One day or another, someone will force you to execute your plans in english. We believe that it is better get use to it sooner, in the safe, friendly environment :) Still, you and your team will probably communicate with each other in Polish and that's 100% fine!
Why isn't HACKWAW free?
When something is free some people tend not to come to an event, they forgot, or change they mind the day before. We have a limited number of spots for HACKWAW so we want to assure that people submitting to an event are determined to come. Throughout the hackathon you will eat, get gadgets, spend some awesome time in the awesome place, all that is worth around 200-300 PLN, so the money comes back to you.