The First Time I Attempted to “Hack,” I Was Almost Branded As “A Spy”

Yes, I went to a hackathon this weekend.

No, I did not breach security.

I did, however, try to “hack” and got accused of being a “spy.”

The story begins in the tiny but top-secret area called MyCubicle…

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Thursday, 11/10/11:
Setting the “Plan-of-Action” in Place

I glanced around nervously. I couldn’t let anyone else see what I was doing.

Things could get dangerous—real dangerous—if people saw the small device constantly updating with new information and lying in the palm of my hand. “A breach of security,” they would say.

Good. I am alone.

I pulled down the information I needed from the Twitter server. Tweets started to appear. Mashable, AdAge, TechCrunch, HuffPostTech… Then, something caught my eye. The NYC’s Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne had retweeted an event called NYC BigApps 3.0 Hackathon.

For some weird reason, I felt compelled to click on it. So, I did.

Crap. Only three types of tickets existed. Developer: nope. Designer: nope. Other: yes.

With the clock ticking, I had to pull the trigger. I feared I would stand out like a sore thumb at this event, but something pushed me to go for it.

So, again, I did.

I should have felt relieved, but instead, my blood turned to ice as I read the details:

[H]ere’s what you can look forward to:

• Develop ideas, brainstorm, explore NYC Open Data
• Find teammates and contribute your skills
• Build something amazing to help NYC
• Talk to representatives from companies providing APIs
• Compete for $2,500 in prizes for the best hacks!

Oh, crap! “Contribute”??? I was going there to learn. What could I contribute? I am only a techie@heart, not a tech expert!

I immediately called an agent (aka expert in the tech field), Ben.

Techie@Heart: I’m going to a hackathon tomorrow…
Agent Ben: Wait… what? You? Uh… you’re not a developer or a designer, you know…
Techie@Heart: I know. Don’t blow my cover already.
Agent Ben: Okay. But you know they’ll be coding all weekend long, right? I mean, that’s a ‘hackathon,’ a marathon of coding. What are you going to do there?
Techie@Heart: I’m gathering information!
Agent Ben: Wow. Even I don’t go to hackathons.
Techie@Heart: Sh*t.
Agent Ben: Yeah…
Techie@Heart: But… so many interesting people will be there, including Rachel Sterne, NYC EDC, developers, designers, and more.
Agent Ben: Yeah… to CODE all weekend. What are you contributing, aside from your contagious excitement for all things tech?
Techie@Heart: I don’t know… we’ll see.

I hung up the phone with Agent Ben and glanced back at the details. Hmmm… “contribute”…. Whatever. I can go as an ideator, if all else fails. Hopefully, my cover won’t be blown…

[ "Secret Agent 79" image source: Toon Pool by mostro ]

NEXT –>

iPad: Rev-i-talizing The Economy?

Photo courtesy of DigitalTrends.com

A while back, I wrote about the iPad in “iPad, What Is It Good For, Absolutely… Nothing?” and how I really didn’t see it serving a greater purpose.  Well, yesterday, I was proven wrong.  According to the WSJ article, “iPad Fans Face New Dilemma With Tough-to-Tote Gadget,” the iPad has created a new medium for entrepreneurs to play with… not just in terms of technology but accessory.  Just look at how Kate Clark, the creator of iMaxi—the feminine hygiene looking bag that plays with the running joke on the Apple gadget’s name.  She’s selling tons of these bags ($30 a pop) and has a backlog of orders!  And even Louis Vuitton has gotten into the iPad accessories market!   For ~$350, almost the same cost as a non-3G iPad, you can get a traditional monogrammed case or a croc-skinned one in 2011.  So, instead of dissing the iPad for its un-originality, I should herald it for helping the economy recover!

•iPad, What Is It Good For, Absolutely… Nothing?

Apple iPad

Last Friday, Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPad, due to launch April 3, for $499 a pop (or $629 with 3G).

Since its announcement, I have tracked the reactions of my friends, colleagues and family for the device.  The result?  A mish-mash of eagerness and disappointment.  My colleagues with kids are excited to get their sons and daughters this device for interactive play.  They claim that this device will help them deal with the annoying “Are we there yet?” questions during long family trips.  (Good point.) My tech friends are ready and pumped to test out this “non-Kindle” touchscreen device. (Fine.)  My dad, being a tech geek at heart, wants to see it compare to other devices of its kind but would never pay money for it.  My mom wants to get it to watch movies and dramas wherever she goes.  And, I, of course, am just confused about why people are so gung-ho about this product.

I could be very biased because I recently bought an iPhone and I have to admit that paired with AT&T service… I’m not too thrilled about the device anymore. (Yes, I’ve got some cool apps, but I can live without all that.)  The iPad just reminds me of a giant iPhone but with no cell service.  Shuddddder.  And, if you want to have 3G service, you’re going to have to stick with AT&T.  Shudddddddddddddddddddddder.

Leaving my bias aside, I started to wonder about the iPad.  When the iPad first came to the public eye, everyone started comparing it to Kindle, the hand-held electronic e-book device.  However, Apple spokespeople continually reminded the public that the iPad is more than just another Kindle.  The iPad, they claim, is an all-purpose device for everything, including accessing the internet, playing apps, movies, music, etc…  So, it’s basically just a giant iTouch?  Hold on a minute…

No offense to all the people falling head-over-heels for the iPad… but why pay half a grand for a device that is probably no different from the devices you already own?  Okay, maybe, it’s worth it to have a flat, light, touch screen iPad for a monitor… or a portable laptop (without an actual keyboard)… yet, is it worth it?  Do you want carry that thing everywhere with you just so you can play on the internet or read a book or watch a movie?  I don’t know man…

Lenovo IdeaPad U1

Lenovo created a hybrid laptop with a detachable screen called the IdeaPad U1.  Although completely different from the iPad, this Lenovo device is an actual laptop!  That’s pretty cool to click out your monitor, which turns into a touchscreen device, take it with you on the subway, etc. and then click it back in at home and be able to use it as a laptop for work or leisure…

So, if the iPad isn’t a laptop… then what the hell is it good for?

Maybe I am being unfair to the iPad because of my non-techie background, so please let me know how you feel about this device.

•Top 10 Best Free iPhone Applications

Okay, there are over 85,000 iPhone applications out there… and there is no freaking way you can know exactly what’s out there.  So, through dedicated research and through my often perusal of top free applications in the App Store, here are the top 10 free iPhone apps that I think you should get:

#1: Scramble 2 – Within 2-3 minutes, link together letters to create as many words as you can possibly think of.  At the top of the screen, it tells you how many words are available in the set you’re playing.  I recommend playing the sets that have 1000+ words.  You’ll definitely get a higher score! Highly addictive.

#2: Unblock Me – Get the red block through the exit by moving the surrounding blocks strategically out of the way.  The Classic mode allows you to take as much time as necessary to beat the level, while Challenge mode challenges you to beat the level with the least amount of moves.  Highly addictive.

#3: Yelp – GPS tracker pinpoints your exact location and can tell you exactly what restaurants, bars, or stores are around you.  AND, when you touch “Monocle” and point to a certain direction, screen will show you the restaurants, banks, etc. in front of you.  Highly useful.

#4: Finger Physics Free – Tests your finger dexterity as well as your basic understanding of physics by building structures using various shapes, weights, magnetism, etc. or guiding an egg into the basket by taking away structures.  Very addictive and quite fun for the brain.

#5: Traffic Rush – Direct traffic by moving the cars coming from all directions safely past the intersection.  Depending on how fast you move your finger across the screen, the car either speeds past or stops.  Mindless but very addictive.

#6: Paper Toss – Flick the crumpled paper into the waste basket while there is a fan blowing at different speeds.  The goal is to make as many consecutive scores as possible.  Addictive.

#7: Toobz-Free – Build pipes from a particular starting point to all around the patches of grass.  The goal is to 1) connect as many pipes together and cover as much space as possible and 2) last as long as possible when the pipe is filled with water.  Addictive.

#8: Chess Free – No need to expound here.  It’s chess for free.   Always good to use your brain once a while.

#9: Google Mobile – All the Google sites you need are just one touch away.  Through this app, the portal opens to Google Reader, Google Talk, etc.  Best part of this app is that you can do search by voice. Useful.

#10: Facebook / Twitterific – Who doesn’t have Facebook or Twitter these days?  With these apps, it’s simple to update, upload, and upgrade your social network. Useful.

Here are a few I actually purchased because I just couldn’t resist the temptation anymore:

Doodle Jump ($0.99) – Guide the Doodler on an upwards journey bouncing on green bricks, burning bricks, and moving bricks while dodging black holes and monsters.  Extremely addictive.
Pocket God ($0.99) – Dominate over an island of pygmies.  You can flick them into volcanoes, feed them to sharks, blow them up by heating them with a magnifying glass, etc.  Highly addictive.
Red Laser ($1.99) – Scan any merchandise with a barcode and find prices online.  Great for comparing goods you are about to buy in a store that could be 10x cheaper online.  Very useful.

•Reflections 1/22/10: 3 Interesting NYT Articles This Week

1. If Your Password Is 123456, Just Make It HackMe - top passwords these days happens to be “123456″.  Okay people, I understand laziness (trust me, I’m quite lazy), but “123456″???  Even a child knows not to use that line of thinking… at least go with the digits backwards, “654321″! 

2. Chilled by Choice - Justen Ladda (a sculptor in LES) and some others prefer to live in a house with no heat.  Apparentely, all over America, certain people have opted to sacrifice “normal” comfort for… well… “thrift, environmentalism and a commitment to unique real estate.”  Could I do it?  Never.  I am a mild-temperate creature that needs lives around ~70°F.  I can’t stand heat and I can’t stand cold.  Though I might be “economical” with my money, freezing my butt off in the middle of winter to maintain the “acoustics” of a real estate is just not in my blood.

3. The Balkan Burger Unites All Factions - For all you vegetarians out there, sorry, for this part of the post.  For all you meat lovers, like me, this RIDICULOUSLY large (the size of a birthday cake) burger sounds AMAZING!  This Balkan Burger, named “Pljeskavica”, is ”formed from ground meat and minced onion, pounded thin, then grilled on both sides to a smoky brown. The word pljeskavica comes from pljesak, a regional word for clapping the hands, the motion used to press the burger into a thin round.” Such a burger is found all over the Balkans. ”Depending on where you are in the Balkans, and the taste of the locals, the meat mixtures might be ruddy with paprika and served with fresh minced onions or cucumbers for crunch.”  Where can you find them in NYC?

For ~$10:

• BOSNA EXPRESS 791 Fairview Avenue (Forest Avenue), Ridgewood, Queens, (718) 497-7577.
• BROTHERS PIZZERIA 30-50 14th Street (30th Drive), Astoria, Queens, (718) 777-1111.
• CEVABDZINICA SARAJEVO 37-18 34th Avenue (38th Street), Astoria, (718) 752-9528.
• KAFANA 116 Avenue C (Seventh Street), East Village, (212) 353-8000, kafananyc.com.
• PASHA 31-01 31st Street (31st Avenue), Astoria, (718) 726-0230.
• STARI MOST (OLD BRIDGE) 28-51 42nd Street (28th Avenue), Astoria, (718) 932-7683, oldbridgeny.com.
• EMPLOYEES ONLY 510 Hudson Street (Christopher Street), West Village, (212) 242-3021, employeesonlynyc.com. The restaurant has an untraditional (but delicious) “Balkan burger” on the late-night menu.