Contest FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who will provide the computers for the contest?
2. What may the teams bring?
3. When can we use the computers before the contest?
4. What is the registration process?
5. Who do we make out the check or money order for the contest fee?
6. How do I get my receipt for the entrance fee?
7. How is the Hotel/Accomodations being handled? By whom? Are there special rates?
8. Can I bring my own computer, keyboard, mouse, ...?
9. What programming tools/languages can be used?

1) Who will provide the computers for the contest?

The hosting site will provide compter systems. The exact model, config and OS are up to each site. The Technical Regional Contest Director is suggesting a Fedora Core 5 system with both kde and gnome, gcc, g++, Java and Eclipse installed. Sites have the flexibility to do hard-disk based systems, CD-based systems or other comparable answers. Everyone should check their information and attempt to practice on an environment as close as possible to what they will provide.

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2) What may the teams bring?

Teams may bring in any reference materials they desire as long as:

• Materials can not be machine readable
• Materials may not be used to calculate (books of tables are okay)
• Materials may not produce irritation to other teams or disrupt the competition in any way

Please read the rules for more details.

Also note that individual sites may have additional rules (limit on stuff based on space, ...).

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3) When can we use the computers before the contest?

The answer to this will vary by site. Please check their information.

Please refer to the ACU, ECU, LSU, or TAMU for details.

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4) What is the registration process?

• Your coach will visit South Central Region Web Site and register you. The coach will need to register the school and then add the team. This will put the team in a "pending" state.
• When the coach sends the payment in and completes filling in all of the team information, the team will be moved to an "accepted" state.
• When you arrive at your site, go to the registration table. Here you will get your Registration Packets that will include copies of the rules, t-shirts, banquet tickets and all kinds of other stuff.

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5) Who do we make out the check or money order for the contest fee?

Please make all checks payable to Programming Contest. This is very important! You should send your check or money order to the following address:

Programming Contest
LSU USS
ATTN: - Kathy Traxler
200 Computing Services Center
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

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6) How do I get my receipt for the entrance fee?

If we receive your check before October 14, 2007, we will mail your receipt to you. After that, we will hold the receipt and give it to you at registration. (This year I will mail receipts to your contest site after October 14, 2007). If you pay at the contest (PLEASE try not to!) you will receive your receipt in the packet with your certificate of placement.

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7) How are the Hotel/Accomodations being handled? By whom? Are there special rates?

The answer to this will vary by site. Please check their information. Be aware that at many sites there will be so few people spending the night that the only special rate we will be able to get will be the "state" rate.

Please refer to the ACU, ECU, LSU, or TAMU for details.

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8) Can I bring my own computer, keyboard, mouse, ...?

Each site will provide equipment. Sites are HIGHLY discouraged from allowing substitutions. One reason is to keep the playing field level. If substitutions are allowed, someone must inspect everything (trivial to have a USB key built into a keyboard). There is also the problem of damage to the team supplied item(s), damage to site equipment, and accidental loss. These are all extra things that a site should not have to deal with.

International has allowed keyboard substitution at times in the past. The keyboard must be provided to them a week before the contest and is examined closely for any signs of tampering. And International makes no promise of return (and did not return them one year).

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9) What programming tools/languages can be used?

This will vary some from site to site. Languages used for judging will be c (gcc), c++ (g++), and Java (Sun Java 1.5). All sites are requested to provide Eclipse, a gui environment (KDE and/or Gnome), various editors. For more details, visit your sites web area.

Please refer to the ACU, ECU, LSU, or TAMU for details.

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