Creative hackers to target solutions
An app that shows you the best locations on the Sunshine Coast for mobile phone signals or a boaties version of the aircraft tracking app Flight Aware. They are just two of the suggestions that have already come in for our hackers to tackle in Sunshine Coast Hackfest 2015 this weekend.
An app that shows you the best locations on the Sunshine Coast for mobile phone signals or a boaties version of the aircraft tracking app Flight Aware.
They are just two of the suggestions that have already come in for our hackers to tackle in Sunshine Coast Hackfest 2015 that kicks off on Friday night and will run through to Sunday afternoon.
With $20,000 in cash and prizes, Hackfest will bring together our most creative and smartest minds, all looking to make their contribution to building a Smart City and region.
Hackers will have access to open data information available from Sunshine Coast Council, as well as State and Federal governments, to create a solution for an identified issue or problem on the Sunshine Coast – either now or into the future.
“They’ll be turning information sets that are available today into valuable apps, websites, visualisations or other tools for people who need it,” Economic Development Portfolio Cr Robinson said.
“Council’s award-winning Disaster Hub is one operational example of what we’re looking to achieve.
“It has become the ultimate one-stop site to provide helpful information in being prepared ahead of time and then kept well informed during a disaster event.
“It is up to the hackers this weekend to find solutions as to what possibilities exist in the open data they will have access to, but we want ideas and suggestions from the community on what the issues might be that you want to see ‘hacked’.”
To make a contribution, email [email protected].
The major prizes include a first prize of $7000, including $4000 cash, as well as cash and product prizes to the value of $5000 for runner-up, $3000 for third and four category prizes of $1000 each, thanks to our partners platinum Cisco and gold partners, Telstra and Spark Bureau.
“You don’t necessarily need to be a digital whizz, you may be someone who thinks outside the box and comes up with an idea that someone can take to the next level,” Cr Robinson said.
“With the theme of ‘Hacking for a Smarter Region’, Hackfest 2015 closely aligns with council’s Smart City Framework, which includes making the new Maroochydore CBD one of the world’s most innovative and technologically modern cities.
“Our hackers are going to be making a real contribution to making the Coast an even better place to live.”
Sunshine Coast Hackfest 2015 will be based at Spark Bureau at Ocean Street in Maroochydore for those who want to hack in company with others, or find some like-minded hackers to make up a team.
The event starts on Friday from 6pm with a special launch function and an evening of forming teams and hacking. It runs all day Saturday until 11pm and on Sunday, November 22 until 6pm
There is no cost to enter Hackfest and there is full catering provided over the weekend for all participants.
To register, go to http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=hackfest