What is a GeekAThon?
A GeekAThon is a contest in which players compete by building something using technology. We decided to keep the format open, so we're opting for a Maker Faire approach. Contestants will use their Kscope17 beacon to solve a problem of their choosing. They can hack the beacon, repurpose the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal, and/or build a new object of their choice. Beyond a few ground rules, the biggest limiting factor will be time. The contest will run from as soon as you register through Friday, September 15 at 11:59 PM Pacific time. The registration period for contestant sign-ups opens during Kscope17 and runs through July 16, 2017.
Who is eligible to participate in ODTUG's GeekAThon?
Individuals or teams may compete. Folks from all walks of life are eligible, including Oracle employees, non-Oracle folks, people who aren't even in the business world, people who are not able to attend Kscope17, non-adults, etc. Contestants may be located anywhere in the world. We welcome and encourage any geek to join in on the fun!
Note: We are intentionally running this contest in summer in case families would like to work together on a solution.
What is a beacon, and how do I use it?
Here is a great 101 video on beacons. They're pretty rudimentary objects whose sole purpose is to transmit the message "I am here" to some type of receiving object. Most aren't connected to the Internet, nor do they store much information (and no personal information) beyond a few ID numbers. Don't worry – you don't have to hack into it or even take it apart if you don't want to. Most smartphones can read the beacon signals. The final solution must incorporate the beacon's Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal in some capacity, but check the full rule list here. And yes, you must use at least one Kscope17 beacon model in your solution.
What if I am unable to attend Kscope17 and won’t have one?
If you are unable to attend Kscope17, don't fear! We have a beacon for you that we can mail out! Up to one beacon can be sent out to each registered individual/team. Please allow up to 1 week for the beacon to arrive.
How does someone win? What do they win?
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who are known "makers" in our community. The judges will use a pre-determined set of criteria to select the top three winners. All GeekAThon winners will be announced at the end of September.
Winners will receive...bragging rights to winning the ODTUG GeekAThon! And, the top three winners (individuals or teams) will win:
First Place: $500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $200
This sounds awesome. How do I sign up?
We are requesting signups, which will open during Kscope17 and close July 16 at 11:59 PM Pacific time. To register for the contest, you will need to know:
- if you'll be on a team
- who will be on your team (and their contact information)
- a basic premise of your idea, and
- whether or not you'll need a beacon (to be supplied by ODTUG)