Reposting from previous thread:


We're officially throwing our hat into the ring for the DARPA Network Challenge and organizing a team in hopes of using the power of Fark for good. There are more details on the site, but the gist is this: on Saturday, Dec. 5, DARPA will be deploying 10 red weather balloons in different locations in the lower 48 states. They'll be tethered to the ground, within view of a roadway and accessible by pedestrians. As soon as you find one you report it with the geographical coordinates. The balloons will only be up for 6-9 hours (depending on location and time zone), and any "sightings" afterwards will need to come from social networking and internet searches. The contest will be open until Dec. 14.

The prize for the winning team is $40,000. If we manage to pull this off, Fark will donate the full amount to Toys for Tots. With so many Farkers spread across the country, we might actually stand a chance at winning this.

I will be the overall point person, entering any findings to the site on TeamFark's behalf, so all finders need to report the coordinates to me. If you're interested in joining a regional/state searching team, please email me (in profile) and I'll try to get you in touch with others in your area.

Worst case, it's a good excuse for a Sunday drive on a Saturday, or for searching/surfing the internet all day. Best case, lots of needy kids will get a visit from Santa this year.

Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

Barbigazi: Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

So much this. If not, I suggest giving the money to Toys For Todd.

There's an article about it on CNN.com: Nationwide balloon-hunt contest tests online networking (new window).

toddalmighty: Barbigazi: Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

So much this. If not, I suggest giving the money to Toys For Todd.

What about this "Todd", have we seen his papers?

Barbigazi: toddalmighty: Barbigazi: Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

So much this. If not, I suggest giving the money to Toys For Todd.

What about this "Todd", have we seen his papers?

I assure you they are all in order, citizen.

DARPA?
What are they REALLY trying to figure out?

IT'S A TRAP!

VvonderJesus: toddalmighty: Barbigazi: Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

So much this. If not, I suggest giving the money to Toys For Todd.

So, would you like the Jonas Brothers CD or the Hannah Montana doll?

Wait, is that the doll that drops f-bombs?

toddalmighty: Barbigazi: toddalmighty: Barbigazi: Will we be checking the citizenship of these "tots"?

So much this. If not, I suggest giving the money to Toys For Todd.

What about this "Todd", have we seen his papers?

I assure you they are all in order, citizen.

Then you won't mind posting your long form Todd certificate.

We need to make sure these American toys are going to American poor people.

s1ugg0: Good luck farkers who are doing this. I'm in the NYC area. I will report if I see any on the forums.

Yeah if I see one of these balloon things in Brooklyn I'm having the bomb squad blow it up.

How will I know what the coordinates of [for example] the intersection of Union and Carrol streets in Rock Rapids, Iowa are without one of them ol' wind-up big-city GPS Compass thingies?

I'm driving all over the Houston area tomorrow, although I doubt we're a site. I have a feeling this is not going to be showing up in the major metropolis' as it will cause a "too-quick" result. It will be fun looking, though - and a good way to introduce the kids to geocaching.

I'll keep an eye out. Would love to see us win this.

Between this and Fark Gives, we'd be doing SOOO much this year if we win this thing.

Only 10? [pops like a red balloon]

Seriously, I'll link to this tonight on the BA blog. Let's get the $40k for Drew, who will totally not blow it on beer and Duke tickets! I mean not Duke tickets!

TalkingBass: Anyone else up for randomly putting out 10 additional red weather balloons tomorrow?

That is anticipated, encouraged almost.
Go for it.

The Bad Astronomer: Only 10? [pops like a red balloon]

Seriously, I'll link to this tonight on the BA blog. Let's get the $40k for Drew, who will totally not blow it on beer and Duke tickets! I mean not Duke tickets!

Haha, thanks BA!

Genevieve Marie: I'll keep an eye out. Would love to see us win this.

Between this and Fark Gives, we'd be doing SOOO much this year if we win this thing.

We were hoping you'd get another bump from the followup yesterday, did it help?

punkrockgirl: We were hoping you'd get another bump from the followup yesterday, did it help?

It absolutely did- we're actually over the top and have presents for all the kids. It was so successful and so many people supported it that we're now compiling a second wishlist for the St. Bernard Project (www.stbernardproject.org) and Drew will greenlight it Monday. Another chance to bring a group of really needy kids who have had a hard time a nice Christmas.

So anyone interestesd- pay attention to the main page Monday for Fark Gives II: Electric Boogaloo

DARPA ballon sample pics are here.

Balloon 6 pic properties are:
File change date and time: 2009:11:24 11:19:42
Background tree looks like a red oak with lots of leaves, for what that's worth...