User:Sonkiki/Hackathons/Definition

The Wikimedia Hackathon model
The 2015 Wikimedia Hackathon has become a reference:
 * Unconference model focused on hands-on work, training, and technical discussions.


 * Run in a different location every year, with different local organizers supported by the Wikimedia Foundation's Developer Relations team and experienced volunteers.


 * Lightweight organization focused on simplicity and effectiveness.


 * Budget for the organization approved by the Developer Relations and complemented by travel sponsorship support from the Wikimedia Foundation, the local organizers, and other organizations.


 * Local organizers focus on local work. Global aspects like travel sponsorships and the program can be delegated to the community. The WMF helps where is needed.


 * Goals are measured by participants' satisfaction, on-boarding of newcomers and tangible outcome. The number of attendees is not a goal.

Demo-able projects
We focus our hackathons on teaming, prototyping, and a showcase at the end of the event. A hackathon provides a good environment to accelerate the development of new ideas, to collaborate on tough problems, and to identify contributors capable of leading independent projects.

The Wikimedia Foundation will look at the projects showcased, seeking opportunities to support the productization of interesting concepts.

Welcoming newcomers
Hackathons are good opportunities to reach out to new contributors. Specific activities must be planned in order to introduce them to Wikimedia tech and the activities of the event. The registration form should help identifying newcomers and other participants welcoming an introduction, as well as more experienced contributors willing to help welcoming them. See phab:T89392.

Note that there are different types of newcomers: >> sources for this text
 * Junior developers interested in Wikimedia.
 * Not so junior developers interested in an international developer hackathon happening nearby.
 * Developer communities strong in technologies used in Wikimedia: PHP, JavaScript, Android, iOS... (phab:T76325)
 * Local or international contributors of upstream projects used in the Wikimedia stack. (phab:T76325)
 * Tech-curious contributors, not necessarily developers, but experts in some related area (web publishing, open data, geolocation, etc).
 * Hackathons#The Wikimedia Hackathon model

Typical Schedule
Day 0: Event organizers arrive and set up. Participants begin arriving in evening. Low key social event or organized group outings. Pre-registration and name badges

Day 1: Registration, All-hands/welcome/intro, Sessions start, hacking, mixer/social event, hack through the night option

Day 2: Sessions and hacking continue, hack through the night option, social event

Day 3: Sessions and hacking continue, wrap up, closing social event or dinner, some participants leave but most stay the night.

Day 4: Everyone heads home, organizers must still be onsite to help participants.

>> source: Typical Schedule

Explain the differences between the MediaWiki Hackathon and the Wikimania Hackathon?
The MediaWiki Hackathon and the Wikimania Hackathon are both yearly events run by the Wikimedia Foundation in partnership with a local chapter or group.

The MediaWiki Hackathon is generally a smaller and more focused event. Number of participants range between 150 - 250 people. We like integrating developers who are new to our projects, as well as 3rd party developers, however The MediaWiki Hackathon generally has a higher percentage of people who have been to previous Wikimedia Hackathons.

Locations of MediaWiki Hackathons: The Wikimania Hackathon is a hackathon that happens along side our yearly Wikimania Event. It usually takes place the two days in advance of Wikimania and, depending on the size of Wikimania, is ofter a larger event than the MediaWiki Hackathon but in some cases can be smaller. Number of participants has been as high as 400. While lots of returning developers attend the Wikimania and the Wikimania Hackathon, we often have a much higher percentage of newcomers and local developers. We put a lot more focus on on-boarding and newbie friendly tracks and projects. Anybody who wants to help and has a development background is welcome!
 * 2018 - Barcelona (coming soon)
 * 2017 - Vienna
 * 2016 - Jerusalem
 * 2015 - Lyon
 * 2014 - Zurich
 * 2013 - Amsterdam
 * 2012 - Berlin
 * 2011 - Berlin

Locations of Wikimania Hackathons: >> Source: Explain the differences between the MediaWiki Hackathon and the Wikimania Hackathon?
 * 2018 - Cape Town (coming soon!)
 * 2017 - Montreal (coming soon!)
 * 2016 - Esino Lario
 * 2015 - Mexico City
 * 2014 - London
 * 2013 - Hong Kong
 * 2012 - Washington DC