On July 12, FileMaker, Inc. introduced a new element to their annual developer’s conference, and I’m thrilled to be participating.
The first annual FileMaker Development Challenge kicked off virtually on Tuesday and will lead into the four-day FileMaker Developer’s Conference (DevCon) in Las Vegas on July 18 through the 21.
Essentially, this challenge is an informal hack-a-thon in which small teams of developers cooperate to build a solution using FileMaker 15 for three Las Vegas nonprofit organizations. The competition provides a fun way to benefit the community and connect with other developers. Plus, with a wide range of developing experience, as well as the unparalleled, rapid application development capabilities of the FileMaker 15 platform, the competition has made it possible for a fully functional system to come together in just 10 days.
Choosing teams
Prior to the competition, developers were presented with the option to choose their cause, so I volunteered to be on a team that will build software for The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center). The Center, which is a community-based organization, supports and promotes activities inclined to improve the image, well-being and human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community, along with their allies and low-to-moderate income residents in southern Nevada.
Making a lasting impression
Just a few days ago, I started dusting off my coding fingers to begin work with my assigned team. Our plan is to deliver a system that will allow The Center to track participation in their programs and the community resources they refer people to, and then produce demographic reports about the population that they serve.
The FileMaker Developer Challenge is a welcomed addition to conference, and my hope is that it’ll be a lasting one. I appreciate the unique opportunity to contribute to the Las Vegas community, and I feel a sense of pride that so many others in the FileMaker developer community are pitching in as well.
Following DevCon 2016
Can’t make it to Las Vegas, but still want to receive updates? Use the following hashtags and/or handles on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on both the competition and the conference:
- #DeveloperChallenge
- #FileMakerDevCon
- #CustomApp
- @FileMakerDevCon
- @TheCenterLV
- @FosterKinship
- @NVHomelessYouth