Hackathon FAQ

  • What can I code in?

    You can build your application on anything you want, as long as it’s an
    app or service for UBC. Since m.ubc.ca is a Kurogo-based system we
    encourage people to consider building Kurogo modules, but this is not a
    requirement.

    Experienced mobile web, iOS and Android developers will be on hand to
    help.

    We will supply a shared LAMP server for users to create mobile web
    services using PHP and MySQL and the Kurogo framework. If you want
    to use other mobile web or native platforms (Ruby, native iOS, Android,
    PhoneGap), you will need to find and install your own tools and server
    hosts. We suggest getting this ready in advance.

  • I’m looking for a partner for the hackathon—can you hook me up?

    We’ll do our best to match people up
    beforehand. You can also try to find a partner at the event itself — arrive early
    to leave some time for mingling.

  • Do I have to know how to code?

    The hackathon is mainly aimed at developers. But if you have a good idea,
    and you’re not sure you can build it on your own, let us know. We can try
    to match you up with a developer. Similarly, if you’re a coder but you’re open to working with a less-technical
    partner for the day, drop us a line.

  • How many people to a project?

    We’re hoping that pairs of developers work on something—we want to
    avoid large groups of people coding a single project, as (in our experience)
    this leads to scope creep and miscommunication that means the project
    doesn’t get finished.

  • How can I prepare?

    You can download development environments, a LAMP setup with Kurogo,
    iOS and Android online. All of these platforms have good documentation.

    Useful links:
    Kurogo: http://kurogo.org/home/
    Apple Dev Centre: https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action
    Android Developers: http://developer.android.com/index.html

  • What should I bring with me, and what will be provided?

    You should come armed with a notebook or two, plus anything else you
    need to build an app (i.e. an iPhone or Android if it’s mobile; books; etc.)
    We’ll provide power and a wireless LAN (UBC), as well as desks and food.

  • Who owns the code that I write?

    You do, unless you’re using something that belongs to someone else.
    We’d like to make a few screenshots of promising projects, which we can
    share with folks in the UBC community, but that’s up to you. We’ll also be
    taking pictures during the event; we assume that’s OK.

  • Will the code we produce be entered into the Digital*U contest?

    We do encourage all Hackathon participants to enter their code into the Digital*U contest,
    but it’s not mandatory. If you produce something that you’d like to enter into Digital*U,
    be sure to fill out the registration form!