HackMTL: Everything you need to know
We are less than a week away from HackMTL and if you have yet to register you better hurry up as we will be sold out pretty soon! If you are registered and are wondering what to expect at HackMTL let us answer all your questions!
What is HackMTL?
A gathering of geeks, developer and hackers. We will spend the entire day building applications on top of some great APIs. These APIs will be announced tomorrow (Tuesday November 23, 2010). Support for the APIs will be provided the entire day so if you have any questions while working with the APIs, assistance will be right there.
Who attends HackDays events?
This is a developer event. So when you arrive, you will be expected to roll up your sleeves and start coding or join a team that’s coding an application and get involved to the best of your abilities. All developer levels are welcome. So don’t feel like you can’t participate because you are just learning, come and join us.
What can I build at HackMTL?
Anything you wish provided it is using some of the APIs provided. The applications you build will be your application.
Why do developers participate in HackMTL?
Well as Paul Graham said: “The way to create something beautiful is often to make subtle tweaks to something that already exists, or to combine existing ideas in a slightly new way.” We want to create many beautiful things hence HackDays!
Am I allowed to use third party APIs (APIs not provided via HackMTL) for my application?
Yes. But your usage of the third party APIs needs to be in addition to the HackMTL APIs. Also keep in mind that judging is partially based on utilization of the provided APIs, though, so their use should be prominent.
What if I don’t have an idea for an application by Saturday?
No problem, there will likely be many people who could use an extra brain for their ideas. Ask around during breakfast or Open Planning.
How large can the teams be? Can I work solo?
Teams can be as large or as small as you like. Solo is okay, too!
What is the Saturday schedule?
This is a full day event. HackMTL is being held at RPM. The RPM team has been wonderful at supporting us in Montreal and making their space available to us for the entire day. The day’s schedule is as follows:
- 9:00 – Breakfast and introductions
- 9:30 – API presentation: learn about the APIs available
- 10:15 – Open Planning: come up with hacking idea and build a team
- 10:30 – Hacking setup and start
- Noon – Lunch
- 1:00 – Hacking
- 5:00 – Application presentation – 5 minutes for each presenter!
- 6:00 – Judging and prizes
- 6:30 – Off to nearby pub for celebrations!
Will you feed us?
Yes! Awesome breakfast and lunch will be provided. Drinsk, snacks, cookies, fresh fruits will be available throughout the day. Beer after 5 PM.
What do you need to bring?
- Your Guestlist receipt (HackMTL will be sold out)
- Your laptop
- Your mobile device if you are developing a mobile app
- Cables, chargers and connectors for any of the above
What happens at the end of HackMTL?
We will wrap up HackMTL between 6:30 Pm and 7:00PM and will then head to a near by pub for a few celebratory drinks.
What will the HackMTL prizes be?
We will officially announce them on Tuesday November 23. But we hear the HackMTL prizes include a Macbook Air, an Ipad and a Kindle and perhaps more!
I am coming from Toronto, Ottawa or some other city to join HackMTL, can you help with accomodations?
We will do our best to connect you with local developers attending HackMTL who would be interested in hosting you. Leave us a comment below.
See you in Montreal! and Register now!
