What fun! Wish I could join! -----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> On Behalf Of Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2025 9:15 PM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey@vcfed.org> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] MARCH Hack-A-Thon (March 8 & 9, 2025) MARCH Hack-a-ThonA 2-Day, 8-Bit Computing Challenge *DATE: *March 8 & 9, 2025 *LOCATION*: InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ *Fee*: None *Contact Email*: jeff.salzman@vcfed.org Calling all retro computing enthusiasts, programmers, and hackers! The Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH) is proud to present the first-ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon, a 2-day, 8-bit computing challenge that will put your skills to the test. The Challenge Using a vintage 8-bit computer system, contestants will have two days to design, develop, and deliver a working project that showcases their programming skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The project theme will be announced at the start of the contest, and contestants will have to work efficiently and effectively to complete their project within the allotted time frame. Eligible Systems The contest is open to any vintage 8-bit computer system that meets the following criteria: The system must have been first marketed before January 1, 1990. - The system must have a CPU and memory architecture primarily in the spirit of an "8-bit era" computer system. - Examples of eligible systems include, but are not limited to: - Apple II - Commodore 64 - ZX Spectrum - ZX81 and Timex Sinclair 1000 - Atari 8-bit - Texas Instruments TI-99/4A - TRS-80 - Amstrad CPC - MSX - Coleco Adam - Dragon 32/64 - Acorn Atom - BBC Micro - Electron - Enterprise 128 - Jupiter Ace - Oric-1 - SAM Coupé - Sinclair QL - For any other system that may qualify, please indicate the system you wish to use when registering for the contest. MARCH reserves the right to disqualify any system that does not fit the "spirit" of an 8-bit computing system. Rules and Requirements - A maximum of ten (10) contestants will be accepted. Entries will be prioritized and cut off based on the entry submission date. - Contestants must use a native programming tool(s) available for their chosen system. - All programming must be done on the vintage system itself; no cross-compilation or emulation is allowed. - Contestants may use any period-specific programming language or tool available for their system, including but not limited to BASIC, Assembler, FORTRAN, and FORTH. - The cutoff publishing date for period-specific programming tools is December 31, 1999. - For example, if the Apple II system just happened to be graced with a cool Apple II based set of programming tools in October 1997, then that programming tool would be fair to use for this contest. This applies to all eligible contest systems. - The final contest submission must be a standalone application that runs on the vintage system without the need for specialized external hardware or software. - As part of the judging criteria, contestants must provide a copy of their code and any relevant documentation to the contest organizers at the end of the contest period. - The challenge is to use original hardware, with an allowable exception of floppy or tape storage. We understand that disk or tape media is not as reliable as it used to be. If you wish to use original floppy and tape storage, by all means, do so. Flash-based storage will be allowed in a limited capacity. It must be designed to replace original media storage without significant enhancements. For example, storage devices cannot be capable of being bridged to the Internet, i.e Fujinet, Meatloaf, etc. Other stand-alone SD and CF based flash devices may be fine. - Once the contest starts, you won't be able to download or add additional software tools to work the contest. Make sure you have all the programming and design tools you think you'll need already on floppies, or pre-installed on your flash storage device. We reserve the right to inspect the content of your floppies and flash storage before the contest starts. - We understand it may be cumbersome to carry around programming guides, like memory maps and other system architecture resources. You may use Internet resources during the contest strictly for research purposes, not for downloading any additional code, data, or files onto your 8-bit computer. - All programming code should be of your own design. Judging Criteria The submissions will be judged by the MARCH Steering Committee members on the following criteria: - Creativity and originality of the project - Technical skill and proficiency in programming the vintage system - Overall quality and completeness of the project - Adherence to the contest rules and requirements Prizes and Recognition There will be three primary winners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, chosen for the contest. - The primary winners will receive a prize as indicated below, along with recognition on the MARCH website and social media channels. - 1st Place: Their winning entry will be showcased at VCF-East. They will also receive a free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025, along with a special "Golden Ticket" pass for exclusive entry to shop at Consignment 30 minutes before Consignment opens to the public, along with the privilege of bypassing any Consignment waiting line during open hours (if a line exists). - 2nd Place: Free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025 and a "Golden Ticket" to wait at the front of the line when Consignment opens, and to bypass any Consignment waiting line during open hours (if a line exists). - 3rd Place: Free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025. - All contestants who complete the contest, but are not one of the first three prize winners, will also have recognition on the MARCH website and social media channels. Schedule - Contestants may begin to set up their systems at 10:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 8, 2025. - The contest will start on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, running until 8PM Saturday evening. The contest will continue from 9AM to 5PM on Sunday, March 9. Registration - Registration for the contest is free and open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria. - Contestants must register in advance by filling out the online form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...c2ojJ1T_aKjCjzLejcRVpG1XA/viewform?usp... <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aKjCjzLejcRVpG1XA/viewform?usp=dialog> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aKjCjzLejcRVpG1XA/viewform?usp=dialog> - VCF officers, VCF management, and MARCH Steering Committee members are not eligible to participate in the contest. Venue - The contest will take place at the InfoAge Science Museum in Wall Township, New Jersey. - Contestants are responsible for bringing their own vintage system, power supply, and any necessary cables or peripherals. - Details for contest day activities (entry into the building, etc.) will be provided to the applicants closer to the contest date. We look forward to seeing your creative and innovative programming projects! Register now and get ready to hack your way to victory!