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Hillsborough County (FL) Hackathon is a Sign of Increasing Tech Awareness (Video

The idea of the Hackathon was to develop either Web or mobile applications that would dovetail with county services and be useful for county workers, county residents or both. The winners got cash prizes, but many people on the nine competing teams weren't aware of them until the closing awards ceremony when the three winners were announced. But then, this is a helpful part of the country where, if an old person falls down on the sidewalk, strangers will rush to her side, whip out cell phones in case a 911 call is needed, and help her to her feet. A hackathon to benefit your neighbors is nothing but an extension of that spirit. One note: Several county employees said this was the first-ever government-organized hackathon around here, but there was a Tampa Mayor's Hackathon last June, and Tampa is the biggest city in Hillsborough County. But this is all good, and Hillsborough hopes to hold a bigger (and hopefully better-publicized) hackathon next year. Meanwhile, there are more home-grown tech events around here every year. April 25 saw the 3rd annual Ignite Tampa event, which brought together people involved in "technology, arts, communications, education, non-profits, the government sector and more" to meet with "the community" -- and local venture capitalists. And the inaugural Sarasota-Bradenton BarCamp is scheduled for May 2 - 5. And so on. Lots of events, many of which combine technology and the arts, which is always a delightful mix -- and one we look forward to seeing even more of in coming years, not only in Florida but everywhere in the world.

15 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Hack for Change - Hackathon by tdc_vga · · Score: 2

    They're also holding a Hack-for-Change hackathon in June ( http://hackforchange.org/hack-change-tampa ) -- Tampa and Hillsborough are definitely working to push growth of the technology center and open data within the tri-county area.

  2. Fixed that for you... by Fallen+Kell · · Score: 1

    if an old person falls down on the sidewalk, strangers will rush to her side, whip out cell phones, in case a 911 call is needed, take photos and video to be used later for the lawsuit and help her to her feet

    --
    We were all warned a long time ago that MS products sucked, remember the Magic 8 Ball said, "Outlook not so good"
  3. Close paren? by oodaloop · · Score: 4, Funny

    WTF is up with TFT? A missing close paren on an article about programming? Are they trying to send a million slashdaughters into cardiac arrest?

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    1. Re:Close paren? by bradinthehouse · · Score: 1

      *twitch* My eyes!

  4. they could have called it by nimbius · · Score: 2

    "the Tampa Florida Hackathon: rise of the GNU Geriatrics"

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  5. increased tech awareness? by Trepidity · · Score: 1

    Tampa was not aware of technology prior to 2013?

    1. Re:increased tech awareness? by roccomaglio · · Score: 2

      That is simply not true. I was working for a Tampa Bay internet start up circa 1995. Tampa was well known then as an technology area.

  6. Are there really places... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    ...where you don't go to the aid of an old person when they fall in the street..?

    If there are then I'm glad I don't live there. Everyone there sounds like complete assholes.

  7. extolling hackakthons on CBS News last night by peter303 · · Score: 1

    As the latest, greatest new tech advance. I almost threw up. I dont think working all night or long days in a row is going to solve a lot of problems. Just Because Zuckerberg does it and Zuckerberg is rich doesnt mean its a good business model.

  8. It really says something. by SpeZek · · Score: 2

    But then, this is a helpful part of the country where, if an old person falls down on the sidewalk, strangers will rush to her side, whip out cell phones in case a 911 call is needed, and help her to her feet.

    The fact that this very basic behavior that I would expect any human being to do (and do regardless of the age or gender of the person who was injured) is exemplary of a "helpful" part of the country is just sort of sad. It really says something about the rest of the country, if true.

    1. Re:It really says something. by mythosaz · · Score: 2
  9. Re:Hey IDIOT. Yes, YOU, MORON, Hey, ROBLIMO, douch by jampola · · Score: 1

    get out much?

  10. Creepy old dude making those Videos by citizenr · · Score: 1

    He reminds me of Mr. Plinkett from RedLetterMedia.
    I totally see him following that girl after the event, kidnapping here and holding in his mums basement (mum is dead obviously, buried in same basement behind the washing machine)

    --
    Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  11. Now, if only... by meowgoesthecat · · Score: 1

    ...they could fix the traffic problem here, Tampa wouldn't suck so bad.

    Source: 26 years experience driving in hell (also, voted 5th worse in North America).

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    Meow
  12. Re:Voted By People Who Don't Get Out Much by meowgoesthecat · · Score: 1

    The study was based on congestion factor. Not the actual amount of traffic. http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/7/18/tampa_traffic_among_.html

    The top 5 are: LA, Vancouver, Miami, Seattle, and then Tampa. All cities that are also on your list. Of your list, I have driven numerous times in Boston, DC, Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta. Only Boston is worse than Tampa imo.

    It honestly sounds like you have never driven in Tampa. Most out-of-towners I have met unanimously agree Tampa is one of the worse. The lack of public transportation (as you even pointed out) adds that much more stress to the road system.

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    Meow