I like hackathons. Lots of interaction that wasn't planned.  You get to see some really cool project.  And you get to code.

Hackathons are very simply an event where folks sit around and co-work on their projects with specific goals in mind.

I also love Windows Phone and Windows 8. So I thought to myself, hmmm, "have big meeting room", "have some Fridays open", why not runs some open hackathons!.

So with that, the esteemed Jim Blizzard and myself came up with the idea for METRO FRIDAY HACKATHONS.

What: Hackathon for Metro Styled Apps on Win8 or Windows Phone
When: 900AM to 800PM - all day, April 6, 20, and 27
What: Open format hackathon focused on Metro for Windows 8 or Windows Phone
Where: Microsoft Office, 5426 Bay Center Drive, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33609 - directions

Ideas on what you could do:
Publish your app during the hackathon! (this qualifies you for some special drawings!)
Evaluate your app for SDK 7.1.1 256mb emulator compatibility
Work on a project with experienced folks to help you.  Jim Blizzard for Windows 8, Joe Healy for Windows Phone
Jump start your Windows 8 or Windows Phone Developer Experience Cowork for a Day!

Who: Anyone. You've got the time, we will be there....  Note the late hours if you can't come by during the day
Registration: Just email jhealy@microsoft.com that you're in

This is a head down hackathon. Very few lectures. Bring a computer to work with. Powerstrips are a good idea as well.

INSTALL THE DEV TOOLS BEFORE YOU SHOW UP.
WIRELESS AT THE FACILITY IS MARGINAL
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD DEV TOOLS THE DAY OF THE HACKATHON
Windows Phone SDK
Win8 Consumer Preview
Azure SDK
Azure 90-day Trial
WebMatrix
VS11 Express Beta for Win8

Windows Phone Developer? Live in Florida? Join our special "Florida Residents Only" Windows Phone Developer discussion group at http://fla-wimo-dev.groups.live.com 

Win8 Dev? Live in Florida? Join our special "Florida Residents Only" Win8 developer discussion group at http://fla-windev.groups.live.com .

These are not tech support or 'give feedback to Microsoft' routes, but a way for Florida Microsoft Devs to connect with each other.