the NIOTH2015_FAQ as a PDF

Nordic IoT Hackathon
Frequently Asked Questions
February 2015
http://nordiciothackathon.com / hackathon@mobileheights.org
What is Nordic IoT Hackathon 2015
Mobile Heights & MVD Project invites you to the Nordic Internet of Things
Hackathon 2015.
April 10-12, 2015, Mobile Heights Center, Lund, Sweden.
Nordic Internet of Things Hackathon 2015 is a 50 hour competition for attendees
from all around the globe, no matter if you are technical or not. Compete and win
within two sectors: Smart Transport or Smart Home. We supply quick
presentations, code samples, food and plenty of caffeine. You bring your laptop,
skills and ideas.
This hackathon will introduce you to the latest cutting edge Internet of Things
tools to help deploy your own app with a website backend, fully hosted in the
cloud.
Challenges
Compete and win within two themes: Smart Transport or Smart Home. Here is
some inspiration for your team.
Technology
How to use MVD (Minimum Viable Device) in new creative ways is the theme of
the Nordic Internet of Things Hackathon 2015. MVD is a reference design that is
used in education, research and innovation projects. It is a very smart Internet of
Things gateway and fog computing device. MVD is developed in the Vinnova
funded project MVD, which is led by Mobile Heights.
The MVD device is a gateway for your physical devices to access the cloud. It is
possible to connect BLE sensors, share their status on different cloud services,
make expert decisions online and act physically on the world with the BLE
actuators. BLE sensors can talk to online services like Xively, your own webapps
or simply send data to an MQTT server. MVD is also a fog computing device
Who attends hackathons?
Anyone curious about application development or interested in building their own
startup.
What are the benefits to a developer for joining?
Join to network, learn about new technologies, refine your skills and collaborate
with other app enthusiasts. You set up a network of important contacts.
Are there guest speakers?
Yes, each Hackathon has keynote speakers that generally give technical
speeches or demonstrations on their newest technology.
What are the rules for the hackathons? What can disqualify a
contestant from participating?
There are specific rules for each event related to what software is used and what
the theme is, which will be explained by the organizers.
http://nordiciothackathon.com / hackathon@mobileheights.org
Are there copyright issues when developers use visuals or audible
features on their front end?
The developer has to worry about this aspect when releasing the app to an app
marketplace. Please seek out the advice of a certified professional.
What kind of educational benefit can I expect from participating in a
Hackathon?
Hackathons attract all kinds of people from the developer community, and offers a
chance to meet, connect, and collaborate.
What kind of promotional opportunities are there at hackathons? Do
devs have the time to approach the employers or recruiters who
come?
Devs will have the opportunity to mingle and present their applications to other
developers and attendants looking for talent. Assistants and journalists will also
be at the events taking pictures and uploading video content. A record of the
attendants will be kept by the organizer to continue relationships after the event
and to send any footage of the event that will help the developer build their
personal brand.
Are there Q&A sessions?
Guest keynote speakers will either give demonstrations or technical speeches.
There may be time for questions after, but if not developers and attendants are
free to approach the speakers at any time.
What kind of resources are available to attendees?
We make sure the technical support is onsite, the tables, chairs, power and wifi is
all there. The attendees need to bring their own computer and power supply.
What is the judging process? Who has the most power in choosing the
winning app?
The judges will discuss their own opinions on which team should win and why.
But the head sponsor has the final say.
http://nordiciothackathon.com / hackathon@mobileheights.org
How can the developers prepare for the event? What should they
bring?
Devs should bring their own computer as there won’t be any available for use on
site. They can bring their own food and drinks although those will be provided.
Also, some venues allow the event to take place through the night, but if there is
a closing time at the event, developers from out of town should have overnight
arrangements made.
What makes a champion developer?
A desire to learn, a creative mind, and the willingness to stick to it.
Can developers invite their friends or mentors for support?
Yes. They just need to register before coming.
What kind of software should a dev have installed on his/her laptop?
That is unfortunately a question we cannot answer. What you need installed
varies based on what your role is in your team and what stack you decide to
develop with.
Can developers start writing the code prior to the event?
At a standard hackathon developers are encouraged to work on whatever project
they want including ones already in progress.
What happens if your team has run out of ideas?
If your team hits a creative roadblock during the event, step back from a task
oriented mindset and think of the bigger picture: What are you trying to
accomplish with this application? Who are you making the application for and how
do you want it to benefit that audience?
http://nordiciothackathon.com / hackathon@mobileheights.org