Online FAQ (updated 2/2/2021)

• What is the contest environment?
  • A virtual machine (VM) using Ubuntu will be provided that contains the contest image. This image includes all compilers, IDEs, tools, and PC^2.
  • The virtual machine will be hosted via Amazon Web Services (AWS). Each team will be assigned a single VM. To connect to the VM you will need a remote desktop cllient.
• Can the VM be installed locally?
  • Yes. Students may install the VM on their machine if they wish. Note that the machine needs to be capable of running the VM. If students choose to install the VM locally, it is up to them to figure out how to run it on their machine.
• Can a team compete without using the contest VM?
  • No. You must use the VM for the contest. This ensures all contestants have access to the same contest image and materials. Furthermore the image will contain software to monitor activity to ensure the integrity of the contest is maintained. More specifically there will be screen captures that occur periodically that can be reviewed post-contest as necessary. 
• How many students per team?
  • 3
• Does each team member get to work on their own machine?
  • Yes
• How will each team member submit solved problems?
  • Each team will be given a single PC^2 account. All three team members will login to this single account and submit accordingly. PC^2 supports multiple logins to the same account.
• Is internet access allowed during the contest?
  • Yes. You may use the internet to search, access files from Github, etc.
  • You are NOT allowed access to any 'sentient' help. This includes humans and any problem-solving programs/AI.
• How will students communicate with one another during the contest?
  • Each team may communicate in any fashion they wish. Discord, Zoom, Slack, or any other platform a team is comfortable with is acceptable.
• Is file sharing between team members allowed?
  • Absolutely. If a team uses the assigned VM in AWS file sharing will be relatively straightforward since all work will be done on the same VM/image. Teams are also welcome to use any file sharing tools they are familiar with.
• What security features will be in place for the contest?
  • The contest image will have screen capture software. These captures can be reviewed as necessary to ensure the work a team does is its own and not obtained from someone outside the team that is solving problems.
  • The PacNW contest reserves the right to interview teams about problems solved post-contest to ensure the problems were solved by the team and not someone outside the contest.