So what is Bitcamp? Bitcamp is an MLH sponsored Hackathon. A Hackathon is more or less as one of this year’s attendees’ tweeted: “Bitcamp is like woodstock for nerds!!”. where hackers and mentors work together in this case over a 36 hour period to:
- make some new technology (or extension of existing one) –i.e. new or better module for VR controller, DIY Arduino Thermostats, IP camera monitors.
- Learn how to code (in most if not all languages out there and used)
- Network with vendors, other attendees, vendors and make more connections that can help them or their teammates in future ventures/learning.
We (Mike Depaulo and I) attended Bitcamp for yet a second year this past weekend. We showcased Fedora’s Security and Robotics Labs as well as Workstation. I personally spent a large portion of my time helping several teams with mostly Web app/Website design and implementation of 2 Factor/multi-factor back-end support (namely the OAuth2 and OpenID APIs). DVD Media of 25 Workstation was in HIGH demand, so much so that of the 100 DVDs we had at the start by the start of Saturday morning’s Breakfast we had to start rationing distribution so as to have some throughout the event.
Surprising to me was the, in general, decent knowledge of 2FA/MFA but the lack of its implementation server side for apps, largely due to, from what I heard from hackers, ‘It’s too hard, and will take longer than the hackathon to implement and polish up the app!!”. Thankfully in the case of the team behind ‘Scandicash’ a currency brokerage startup in attendance I was working with, we proved that statement wrong!!. The public facing site is still in the works so sadly no link for publishing at the time of this report.
During intermittent wifi stability, I happened to show a few very interested Developers some of the finer things and options of Cockpit and using locally stored mirrors for development pods and deployment. (That part was REAL fun).
Sadly, I was called back to work mid-event but I was pleased with the connections and time I was able to spend with my colleague Mike AND the hackers and other vendors. I was even asked about having Fedora sponsor or at least provide mentors for a few NE hackathons in the coming fall term, Namely YCPHacks and HoyaHacks
https://pagure.io/ambassadors-na/tasks/issue/174
https://pagure.io/ambassadors-na/tasks/issue/175
With any luck, Fedora will be in attendance in some manner for at least one of those upcoming Hackathons.
In closing, I’d love to give a few shootouts,
BSN, Back Stage Networks, in collaboration with MAX Media for the Donated Ethernet and whilst dodgy at times also the WiFi. With special Shootouts to Dan and Josh.
UofMD, Events / Concessions Staff, This was a VERY WELL executed Hackathon
Major League Hacking, who works with SEVERAL Universities and sponsors/partners to make such Hackathons like Bitcamp a recurring success.
and of course, not the least of them all ALL of you HACKERS, that continue to push both your mentors and technology/mindsets to and often beyond the current perceived envelope of feasibility and doing it year round in 24-48 hour cram sessions where Humble mentors/sponsors like my colleague and I and Fedora may continue to be amazed.
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