"I survived the 24 hour geek-a-thon! I was there from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Saturday and Midnight to 10:30 AM Sunday. If there had been room for me, I would have been there the entire time! It was interesting, amazing, exhilarating, exciting, exhausting, and successful. I watched and (occasionally) assisted as our assigned team of 10 incredible professional website designers and programmers completed above and beyond what we had ever wanted and hoped for.
Just imagine a crowded room full of nerds and "needies," countless tables & chairs, tipsy easels here and there with design dreams, at least 150 computers, cords everywhere, a big screen counting down the hours, the edges of the room full of bags, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, laptop computer cases, and miscellaneous stuff. Through it all, the Sierra Bravo staff was watching and encouraging every one of us.
About midnight the heat had increased to the point of a touch of BO and removed shoes added to the odor. Add the buzz of soft talking and the clicking of keys with the occasional victory hoot. Tons of bagels, chips, fruit and donated goodies. Plus many gallons of coffee, soft drinks, and a cooler full of Red Bull. I would do it all over again if I had the opportunity. I loved every moment of my allotted 17 hours!
I also observed and learned from the professional team about project organization and teamwork. They were a model of the consummate professionals who had learned how to work together. I noticed some sleepiness, but never a cross word or complaint. They didn't know which group would be assigned to them, but within 30 minutes they understood our mission and had roughed out exactly what we wanted and determined which projects could be completed in 24 hours -- which was really every dream we had requested plus a few more!
We may not have taken first place in “the contest,” but we were still winners!
I only wish I were a few years younger because I would love to be trained for a job like theirs! And then I would apply for a job at InternetBroadcasting!
Words cannot express our gratitude for being part and recipients of such an opportunity. Your gift to us will live on for many years!"
Carol Carlson
Data Base Manager
Rein in Sarcoma