Deep Inside a Facebook Hackathon, Where the Future of Social Media Begins

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Deep Inside a Facebook Hackathon, Where the Future of Social Media Begins

Posted by thexyz (#3) 303 days ago (http://www.wired.com)

Queen’s “Under Pressure” blasts from the speakers in Facebook’s Building 18 Cafe. A DJ spins on one side of the room, and on the other end there are two kegs of beer next to a rack of granola bars, chips, and snacks. It’s a set-up that would make total sense for a dance party, were it not for the clusters of engineers ripping up their laptops, fingers tapping away at code.

This is no casual Silicon Valley feel-good party. This is the scene at Facebook’s 32nd hackathon, where company engineers and even interns are hoping to create the next big product features for the world’s most popular social network.

Wired received an exclusive, inside look at the first few hours of Facebook’s first hackathon since the company went public in May. But what makes this hackathon especially unique is its extended, multi-day length. Dubbed Camp Hackathon, the event takes place across three days and two nights, which means employees literally set up camp (yes, with tents) at the Menlo Park campus. ‪

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