The 2013 Amritapuri ACM-ICPC Onsite Experience: A Memorable Trip down South
I liked it ??, especially when they took us to the hill station!
My journey as a participant at the 2013 Amritapuri site regionals was a unique blend of technical challenges and memorable moments. This was our first ICPC Regional appearance, and despite our lackluster performance, our trip down south was unforgettable.
A Splendid Start
Our adventure began with a delayed flight, which landed us at the campus by 1 AM. We arrived to see volunteers waiting to help us with our lodgings. The hospitality was top-notch, and the campus was a short 5-minute walk from the beach, a place where you could forget your worries momentarily.
Hill Station Excursion
During a break in the onsite competition, the contest organizers arranged a trip to the beautiful hill station, Munnar, in mainland Kerala. It was indeed prettier than it looks in pictures, offering a haven from city life. This trip was a perfect way to unwind after the intense competition.
Positive Experience
While the problem set was challenging, with some teams facing technical glitches, the overall experience was positive. The problem set was as good as compared to other regionals like Kanpur and Karagpur. The hospitality and excellent tour organization added to the overall experience, making it a memorable event.
Practical Advice for Next Year
For anyone looking to participate in the ACM ICPC in 2014, the Amritapuri onsite is a strong contender. It offers a better problem set, friendly volunteers and staff, and an excellent after-event excursion. Just be prepared for an occasional sambhar vada—the vegetarian staples idli and dosa are also available.
Pitfalls to Be Aware Of
While the overall experience was positive, there were some technical issues that somewhat marred the event. Let's delve into the details of those issues and the impact they had.
Practical Round Issues
At the practice round, the organizers faced several technical issues. The planned 10-minute delay to allow teams to assemble turned into a 10-minute wait, causing confusion. Meanwhile, the practice rounds were ongoing at other campuses, leaving us in limbo.
Main Round Struggles
The main round was even more challenging. Teams were given different workstations, leading to confusion. Many envelopes containing login credentials and problem statements were missing, causing further delays. Once we found our credentials and statements, we encountered system issues where our system wasn't responding.
System Unresponsiveness
Around 0920 hrs, we had the initial breakthrough with solving a problem. However, we couldn't submit our solution due to system unresponsiveness. Multiple IT officials were approached, but the process was slow and frustrating. Eventually, another system was provided, but even this had issues with the submit button.
Excuse Game
One of the IT officials argued that the problem was at the host site, and they couldn't do much. However, they were still responsible for ensuring a smooth competition. The team's frustration was palpable, and trust in the organizers was low. After a series of conflicts and delays, we finally got our codes transferred to a new system. This delay, despite being minor for top contenders, is significant for teams that need every second of their 5 5 hour window.
Conclusion
Despite the initial hiccups, the Amritapuri site regionals provided a memorable experience. The hospitality and tour organization were outstanding, and the trip to Munnar was particularly enjoyable. If you're planning to participate in the ACM ICPC in 2014, don't miss out on the Amritapuri site. Just be prepared for some technical issues, but overall, it's an experience you'll remember fondly.
Happy Coding!
Note: The experience and feedback mentioned here can help potential participants prepare better and also suggest improvements to the organizers for future events.