Dumitrache.net

Mountains, starry nights, bonfires, guitars, incredibly smart people, programming, design, innovation… these are the keywords that describe InfoEducatie, a national (in Romania) IT competition that takes place every year between the 4th and 10th of August, in the Carpathian Mountains at camp Galaciuc

In this competition, students from all over the country showcase their own personal projects which consist of software applications or web pages that they developed at home over the last year. I participated with Xpression News 3, the latest version of my news publishing script that was not yet officially launched.

This is the third time I participate at InfoEducatie. I also participated at the 2007 and 2008 editions but this edition was the most important for me.

I had my software evaluated by top professionists (doctors, professors, Google engineers, Microsoft representatives)

I had the chance to discuss everything IT related with lots of smart and enthusiastic people. I learnt a lot of things that will help me develop better products and I also made new friends that know how to have fun (yes, programmers).

I learnt how important it is to know how to sell your ideas.

I learnt how an AntiVirus works from a kid that’s 3 years younger than me.

I found out how some members of the jury got to be successful computer engineers at companies such as Google or Microsoft. I realized that if I’ll stay in Romania PUB is the university that I must go to.

I learnt a new song on guitar: “Falling Slowly” (Thanks to the Sanctus3D dude)

I learnt that the real poets are the ones that travel around the country or even around the world, with a guitar, a digital camera and a cheap car and not the ones that write childish poems about things that they never experienced (for those who know).

I remember the weak sound the guitar playing Hotel California, echoing in the dark, on the hills… she got the Mercedes Benz… such a lovely face bathing in the rays of the full moon, such a beautiful voice. I remember laying there just listening to her, watching her faint red light held between the guitar strings and the smoke that blew in the cold night.

Overall, this was an amazing experience, both professional and social. Also, it was the perfect way to unplug from the stress that surrounds me at home. I came in 7nth.