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 30 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.

Return to Top of Page.

2) What may the teams bring?

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

• No electronic devices: watches, phones, mp3 players, etc.
• 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, ...).

Return to Top of Page.

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 site specific pages for more info:

• Baylor University
• Louisiana State University (administrative only)
• Southern Nazerene University/University of Oklahoma
• Southeastern Louisiana University
• University of Houston
• University of Texas at San Antonio

Return to Top of Page.

4) What is the registration process?

• Your coach will visit South Central Region Web Site and register you. The link for this year's regional is in the bottom left hand corner and had a header "Regionals 2019 Start Here". The coach will follow the "Coach" link to register the team. 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.

Return to Top of Page.

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

Please make all checks payable to LSU. This is very important!

You should send your check or money order to the following address:

ATTN:  Jennifer Fontenot
LSU Center for Computation & Technology
Digital Media Center, Room #1045
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

If you need to use a credit card to pay please visit Eventbrite and follow the instructions. Feel free to let Kathy know how it works for you.

Return to Top of Page.

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

If we receive your check before October 14, 2019, 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, 2019). If you pay at the contest (PLEASE try not to!) you will receive your receipt in the packet with your certificate of placement.

Return to Top of Page.

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 site specific information.

Return to Top of Page.

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).

They have since discontinued this policy. No keyboard substitution is allowed.

Return to Top of Page.

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++), Java (Oracle Java), python and Kotlin. All sites are requested to provide Eclipse, a gui environment, and various editors. For more details, visit your sites web area.

Return to Top of Page.