Hackathons are quite popular here in Silicon Valley, but not everyone can make it to one.  Maybe you live too far away, or maybe you have family obligations on the weekend.  You’re in luck!  We’re running a virtual hackathon where everything takes place online.  Here are the details in a nutshell, and more details will be added as questions arise:

• Registration is open now.  Here’s the registration page: http://codercharts.com/hackathon/windows-8-online-app-a-thon/registration.  Register now to secure your spot.
• There are 3 categories, with a prize of $1000 in each category.
• Apps can be submitted from August 17 through August 26, 2012.
• You'll put your app on Skydrive and submit a URL to CoderCharts.com.  Also consider making a 3-5 minute screencast to demo your app.  SnagIt from TechSmith is simple to use, supports uploading to YouTube, and has a free 30 day trial.  Simply run your app in the simulator and capture only that portion of the screen.  Export to YouTube and submit the link on CoderCharts.
• You’ll submit your app on CoderCharts.com.  Also consider making a brief screencast using Jing. 
• You can enter as an individual or as a team.  Find teammates on the hackathon’s Facebook page.  If you have an idea for an app, post a note there asking for people to join you.  Maybe you’re an entrepreneur with a great idea, and need to find developers to bring it to life.  Maybe you’re a designer and want to share your skills with a developer.  The Facebook page is the place to make this happen.
• If you join a team, keep in touch with your teammates using tools like Skype or Trello.
• Prizes can only be awarded to US residents, but residents of other countries can still participate.  Winning a hackathon, even if you're not eligible for a prize, is still an honor.
• Categories:
• Utility apps – Productivity, Tools, Government, Business, Security, Finance
• Lifestyle apps – Social, Photo, Music & Video, News & Weather, Health & Fitness, Food & Dining, Shopping, Travel
• Edutainment apps – Games, Education, Entertainment, Sports, Books & Reference

Get started:

• Download Windows 8
• If you’re on a PC, it’s best to install Windows 8 directly on your machine.  Or, follow Scott Hanselman’s guide to installing on a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD).
• If you’re on a Mac, install Windows 8 using Boot Camp.
• If you insist, you can install into a virtual machine using 3rd party products, but the best Windows 8 experience comes from running directly on the hardware so you can take advantage of GPU hardware acceleration.
• Download Visual Studio 2012 Express Edition.  It’s free.
• Download the Sample App Pack to get over 300 MB of code samples.
• You can also view individual code samples on MSDN.
• Download the Windows 8 Camp in a Box.  Choose either JavaScript/HTML5 or C#/XAML.  This includes an 8 part hands-on lab which builds an app called Contoso Cookbook.  This is really the best way to learn Windows 8 development.  Trust me.

Questions?:

• Questions about Windows 8 development should be posted in the MSDN forums.  There are forums for JavaScript, C#/VB.NET, C++, DirectX, the Windows 8 design language, and more.  Microsoft staff monitor the forums to ensure that all questions are answered.
• StackOverflow is also a great place to post your Windows 8 question.
• Questions about the hackathon itself should be posted in the forums on CoderCharts.  You can also use the Facebook page.
• Our Twitter hashtag is #win8apphack.