So, apparently, DARPA (Creator of our beloved, Internets) is doing this contest to whom ever finds the 10 locations of 10 weather balloons will win $40,000. You must register on the site and when you find the longitude and latitude of all 10 balloons then you win!
[QUOTE=DARPA]
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Internet, DARPA has announced the DARPA Network Challenge, a competition that will explore the roles the Internet and social networking play in the timely communication, wide-area team-building, and urgent mobilization required to solve broad-scope, time-critical problems.
The challenge is to be the first to submit the locations of 10 moored, 8-foot, red, weather balloons at 10 fixed locations in the continental United States. The balloons will be in readily accessible locations and visible from nearby roads.[/QUOTE]
The competition starts December 5th, which is right now since I am typing this at 12 in the morning. The balloons will be red and will be 8 foot in length. Unfortunately, the location of these balloons are in the continental US BUT people around the world can still enter, which I do not get but I think you'll be needing the Internet's help on this one. Here's the site for more details. Yeah it's kind of short notice since I just found out about this today. I dunno how Facepunch will react, we might help each other out but that's highly unlikely. Happy Hunting!
[b]READ THE FAQ IN THE WEBSITE[/b]
[url]https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/default.aspx[/url]
Keep your eyes peeled for these balloons:
[img]https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/images/balloon_small.jpg[/img]
[img]https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/Photos/balloon1.JPG[/img]
Oh god, I'm trying it.
[editline]11:21AM[/editline]
What do we do, shoot it down and catch it?
[editline]11:22AM[/editline]
Damn it. I just realized it is only in the US.
God damn them and their awesome challenges!
register on the site and email them all 10 locations.
Oh shit. I know people with shot guns. We'll be ready.
The point is to find the location and to email it to DARPA, not to shoot it down. Well you could shoot it to prevent any other people from seeing it but I'm pretty sure someone from DARPA would be looking over.
So, what's the point? To go driving around or something and physically see the balloons and get the coordinates?
[QUOTE=Spartan8907;18726809]Oh shit. I know people with shot guns. We'll be ready.[/QUOTE]
You'll need rifles if you want a chance at hitting them at the height weather balloons fly at.
[QUOTE=Spartan8907;18726841]So, what's the point? To go driving around or something and physically see the balloons and get the coordinates?[/QUOTE]
You need the internets to help you. All of the Americans in FP need to mobilize and get all the locations. Or use you friends on the internet to see if they found anything and maybe split it. It's all a team effort and I think FP can do it. But I dunno if anyone is trustful enough to cash in the money and not keep it for themselves.
no thank you.
Bit pointless for us non US to even bother since it's not like people on the internet'd tell you the correct location when there's 40k up for grabs.
One person can't possibly go all over America searching for all 10.
[QUOTE=Rammaster;18726702]
The competition starts December 5th, which is right now since I am typing this at 12 in the morning.[/QUOTE]
You're a day off, pal. At the time of this writing, it is Friday, Dec 4 everywhere in the world except for Hawaii, where it is still the 3rd.
[QUOTE=Cathbadh;18726958]You're a day off, pal. At the time of this writing, it is Friday, Dec 4 everywhere in the world except for Hawaii, where it is still the 3rd.[/QUOTE]
reporting in from hawaii.
it's currently 11:24pm.
time travel is amazing :science:
I thought the title said DHARMA and I was like :lost:
How often is Google Earth updated?
[QUOTE=Spartan8907;18726809]Oh shit. I know people with shot guns. We'll be ready.[/QUOTE]
You can't shoot swamp gas.
How high are these balloons moored?
Well, we can assume there is one in the LA and NYC area. Anyone from around those parts?
[QUOTE=Spartan8907;18726841]So, what's the point? To go driving around or something and physically see the balloons and get the coordinates?[/QUOTE]
The point is quick mass coordination. That's why it is called the DARPA [i]Network[/i] Challenge. (as opposed to the other DARPA challenges out there. The Grand Challenge with the autonomous vehicles comes to mind)
[editline]04:45AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Spartan8907;18727088]Well, we can assume there is one in the LA and NYC area. Anyone from around those parts?[/QUOTE]
How can you assume that?
Will I get a Metal Gear too?
Swamp gas.
No wait... Weather balloon?
[QUOTE=Cathbadh;18727091]The point is quick mass coordination. That's why it is called the DARPA [i]Network[/i] Challenge. (as opposed to the other DARPA challenges out there. The Grand Challenge with the autonomous vehicles comes to mind)
[editline]04:45AM[/editline]
How can you assume that?[/QUOTE]Based on the species of tree displyed in the photos and the weather conditions in the area?
I say we should form a Facepunch team, with people in each area where the balloons will be. I can cover the Boston area when the balloons launch tomorrow.
Reporting in from Minnesota. I'll keep an eye out.
[QUOTE=dryer-lint;18726855]You'll need rifles if you want a chance at hitting them at the height weather balloons fly at.[/QUOTE]
The people rating me dumb are correct, you wouldn't need any old hunting rifle, you'd probably need a 20mm AA gun.
[img]https://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/Photos/balloon1.JPG[/img] Found them
[QUOTE=Doug52392;18728241]Based on the species of tree displyed in the photos and the weather conditions in the area?
[/QUOTE]
You see a red oak in those photos, which aren't known to grow in LA. And most of those photos are the same tree. They aren't in their positions yet, as they have not been placed.
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