Startup Weekend Damascus

http://damascus.startupweekend.org/

by TamerShlash • 13 years ago

38 26 13 years ago

damascus.startupweekend.org

Winning entry: an app to detect if the next checkpoint is manned by the Army, the Free Syrian Army, or foreign jihadists so you don't say the wrong thing and get disappeared.

mortyseinfeld3• 13 years ago

Hah, "get disappeared"

dkuntz2• 13 years ago

It's a real term...

kika• 13 years ago

App name: iED

bsaul2• 13 years ago

Is this a joke ? Isn't there supposed to be a full all out war happening right now in that city ?

TamerShlash6• 13 years ago

There is a war happening all over the country, but the event WILL take place with any circumstance, nothing will stop us from making it happen.

corford• 13 years ago

I've tried and failed to come up with a single explanation for why this might be a good idea (from a security point of view and also from a "is this really the best thing you can do with your time if you're going to be in Damascus" point of view).

So, what's the rationale (I'd genuinely like to know as I assume it's being organised with good intentions)?

david_ring• 13 years ago

Syria is a country full of talented youth especially in the IT field. Most of them are expats living in the UK or here in the US. I hope that this talented youth could progress despite the chaotic context Syria is facing it now.

brianbreslin• 13 years ago

I think this is incredible. Kudos to @tamershlash for organizing this. I hope we see a number of innovations coming out of this weekend, and actual products. I would love it if you could post a followup after the event or during so we can stay up to date on this.

Is there any way those of us in the United States can help you guys with this?

TamerShlash6• 13 years ago

Thanks for your appreciation brianbreslin, we manage to help our community spark its innovation as well.

Surely I'll tell you if any help is needed from people in the U.S, thanks in advance for your willing to help.

Stay tuned for followup posts we'll post during and after the event :)

mortyseinfeld3• 13 years ago

This might sound like a weird question that I don't expect to be answered, but I was wondering "what side" these guys are on? I'm not making a judgement for one side or the other, because I think there are bad actors on at least two of the sides.

iraq• 13 years ago

Based on the choice of venue, and the fact that it's been posted openly on the internet, I think the best assessment one can estimate is "superficially loyalist; respectfully apolitical."

The location:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=33.4918,36.236713

Note the proximity to the presidential palace:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=33.518374,36.252866

maximgsaini• 13 years ago

Progress should continue despite the negative events around you!! With technology you have the potential to not just help your country, but also change the world. Keep working hard man and inspire the world. I wait for the day when I see Syria making headlines for the work of its entrepreneurs.

DanI-S2• 13 years ago

Hey there - I'm a software engineer and web developer based in California. I write web apps and infrastructure for a living, and I teach basic web programming concepts at a local hacker space.

It's really inspiring to see this happening. I'd be more than happy to donate my time over the weekend of Feb 22nd-23rd, as a remote engineer, for any/all of the teams taking part in this event. Drop me an email at dan@situnayake.com if you think I could be useful!

TamerShlash6• 13 years ago

Thanks very much DanI-S, I'll mostly ask you for help when the time comes, lots of thanks :) (And BTW we have a Hackerspace in Damascus as well https://www.facebook.com/WikilogiaHackerspace, it belongs to Wikilogia - the community partner of SWDamascus, and I teach web programming there as well :D ).

DanI-S2• 13 years ago

Very cool, looking forward to hearing from you!

amasad• 13 years ago

Hey TamerShlash, I'm a hacker from Jordan but now based in New York. I'll be more than happy to help with your event in any way I can. Let me know amjad.masad@gmail.com

TamerShlash6• 13 years ago

Thansk very much Amjad, it's still a bit early (the event will occur after two months). I'll contact you once he need your help, big appreciates :)

hajderr• 13 years ago

Respect!

beshrkayali• 13 years ago

Hey Tamer, Great work! I'm a Syrian developer based in Sweden. Hit me up if I can help in any way :) %username%@gmail.com

TamerShlash6• 13 years ago

Thanks Beshr, we'll surely do if we need any help, lots of appreciations :)

Startup Weekend Damascus

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