Topics

Here is the list of topics. You can go over each one, and come up with your own idea. If you are in a doubt whether a particular topic fits, then you can discuss the same with me. Be creative with the idea. Users will be using your application, hence make it as user friendly as possible.

1. Any application which will make day to day life/ routine easier, or will improve your daily efficiency in some way.
2. Safety. This is in the light of recent events about public safety (Delhi incident). Put your thought on how one can avoid such situations, or in some way manage to keep a tab on the occurrence. 
3. Some old game which has been lost in time. You can recreate it in your application. Examples are old card games, old board games etc. Make it visually interesting as well, so that it is playable (against a computer is a good enough feature).

Rules and Regulations

Here is a list of the rules. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and the rules can be modified at any point, depending on the gravity of the situation. You will be notified in the event of such an update.

1. Choose from the list of topics. You may get back to me in order to discuss your ideas with me. You can take help from your friends or any other source you deem fit. Since the topics are quite open ended, you are free enough to explore new avenues.
2. I will be posting the topics on Monday 25th February 2013. That will give you a two day head start to think :)
3. You will be given 42.195 days (43 days) to develop the app. In this time, you are supposed to come up with an idea, and develop the application. 
4. At the end, you need to submit the code, the .apk file and a sheet long report explaining your application. Remember, you are trying to sell your application to me (think of it that way), so try to convince me as to why and how I would use your application. 
5. In the app, include an "About" menu list. This will be a simple explanation stating your application; also include your name in it. This will prove useful if you want to upload the application on Android market.
6. Try to keep your application bug free. After all, the app will be put on the market, from where it can be picked up by millions of potential users. 
7. A good practice is to use a free source control tool like GitHub for your application development. You can create an account on GitHub, and then keep submitting your code as and when you make changes. Everywhere in any industry, its always beneficial to keep track of your code, and while developing a full production code, it will always prove useful to know your code check ins. Who knows when you might need to roll back on your check-ins!
8. The event will begin on the 27th of February at 11:59 pm and will end on the 11th of April 2013 at 11:59 pm. 
9. Your participation is at your own free will. You may pull out at any point without any reasons. There is no binding contract between the organizing team and you, and the former will not be responsible for any mishap or unfortunate event. In any event, your privacy will not be compromised. 
10. Decision of the judges will be final. Of course! :) We have a panel of very able developers. And I am sure there will be no partiality or favoring of any kind. 
11. Based on the results and your ability, you will be sent cheques with the prize money on it. I will ask for your addresses after the event, so be ready :)
12. We are currently hiring. And this event may provide you with an opportunity to be part of the development team.
    
    -Organizer  

Workshop

I hear there is an Android Development Workshop which has been arranged in COEP. Do make it a point to attend it. It may provide some useful insights into application development, and will prove beneficial while preparing for the event.

Cheers

A new beginning - And a new opportunity

Thank you all for taking interest in the Appathon. I am glad that we can all work together for the next 50 odd days. The registrations are in their last week, so hurry up those of you who haven't emailed me.

Shortly, I will be posting a list of topics from which to choose from. The topics will mostly be open ended, and will focus on current problems, and the ways we can better them. Or some improvement on prior solutions.

I hope you are all as excited to be a part of Appathon, as I am to be organizing it.

This Appathon will try to gauge your creativity and your practical thinking ability. This is important for you on any front, whether you end up working as an employee in a big company, or are the owner of a start-up. I guess we all have thought about owning a start-up at some point of course! :)

I have another surprise waiting at the end of the competition. As we all know, Lypas Technologies is a mobile application development start-up. We are a group of enthusiastic youngsters who intend to enjoy their free time developing applications which are aimed at solving or improving current education scenarios.

We intend to hire one or more of the good coders to help us develop new applications. I already have had some experience hiring new students out of COEP, and I think its a wonderful opportunity for both the parties involved. I hope to be as impressed as I was the last time! :)

Welcome to Appathon 2013

A warm greeting to every participant. Thank you for showing an interest in the event. I will try my best to make this event as exciting as possible, and your participation will make sure that we enjoy this ride together.

If you haven't mailed me already, please do mail me ( info@lypas.com ) with the subject header Appathon 2013, so that I include you in the list of participants. There is no entry fee. You can enter in teams, or individually, and submit as many times as you want. And yes, there are loads of prizes to be won, so keep the excitement going.

I have come to understand that you have your Mid-Semester exam coming up, and I will arrange the event so that we kick-off only once the exams are done (Around the last week of February). You will be given topics on the day the event starts, and will have 43 days to work on your application.
I will keep updating this blog, and through this, answer your doubts, give you tips and compile the rules and regulations.

Watch this space.