IBM System i Innovation Challenge

In order to keep the Challenge as fair as possible, contestants' questions will be answered here in the System i Innovation Challenge FAQs. If you should get stuck or need other challenge-related assistance, please email Innovation Challenge Team. Questions will be answered in the order in which they are received.

1. Q: I entered my password incorrectly too many times and now I'm locked out. What do I do?
   A: Email Academic Initiative at academicinitiative@us.ibm.com. We'll get you set back up as quickly as possible. Be sure to include your appropriate access code or user ID in your email.


2. Q: The contest already started, but I haven't registered yet. Am I too late?
   A: No. Registration is open until 30th November and there are lots of prizes still available.


3. Q: I'm getting a late start. Are there any prizes left?
   A: There are still lots of prizes left, so get started today.


4. Q: I'm unable to access the system today. Am I doing something wrong?
   A: Contact us at we will help you out.


5. Q: Why is IBM sponsoring the Innovation Challenge?
   A: IBM is sponsoring the Innovation Challenge to help college and university students become more aware of the System i platform and the great job and career opportunities that are available to students with System i skills.


6. Q: How much knowledge of System i do I need to participate?
   A: No knowledge of System i is required. In fact, the competition is designed for students with no experience, increasing with difficulty as the contest progresses. Students just need to bring their creativity and a competitive spirit and they will be ready to compete and have some fun!


7. Q: Am I required to join/form a team if I want to participate in the competition?
   A: No, if you want to compete as an individual that is fine. The Challenge is designed for a mix of skills such as web research and application development, and you can certainly be successful as an individual with these skills.


8. Q: How can I find out more about studying System i courses?
   A: Talk to your professor who should send an email to Academic Initiative for further information on how to join the System i Academic Initiative Program.

1. Q: How long will it take me to complete Part 1?
   A: This depends on whether you do Part 1 in one sitting, but plan on about 1 hour.


2. Q: What if I don't pass Part 1 on my first try?
   A: You can take the quiz as many times as required until one member of your team gets 100%. Only one person on your team needs to get the quiz 100% for the team to be eligible for prizes.


3. Q: Do I need to score 100% on the quiz to be eligible for a prize?
   A: No. You simply need to complete the quiz to be eligible for a t-shirt. To be eligible for the $25(USD) Amazon.com gift card your team needs to correctly complete the quiz and be one of the first 25 teams to do so.


4. Q: If I complete Part 1, do I have to register for Part 2?
   A: No, you can stop after Part 1, but we hope that you will continue with Parts 2 and 3 as they are both fun and educational at the same time.


5. Q: How will I know if I've qualified to receive a t-shirt?
   A: Winners of Part 1 will be notified via email within fifteen business days of the time-stamp on the quiz. Once you have completed the questionnaire and all of your team members have registered for iSociety, we will notify you and your team members if your team qualifies for a t-shirt and/or a $25 gift.


6. Q: How long will it take for my t-shirt to arrive?
   A: T-shirts will be mailed out to eligible students every week starting about 12th November.

1. Q: How do I know if I’m eligible to participate in Part 2?
   A: After you have taken the quiz and each team member has signed up for iSociety, we will send you a note with instructions for Part 2 along with a user ID and password.


2. Q: How much experience do I need to participate in Part 2?
   A: No experience is required or necessary to participate in any parts of the Innovation Challenge.


3. Q: How will I be notified if I’m selected as a Part 2 winner?
   A: Part 2 winners will be notified by express mail and via e-mail on or about 15th January 2008.


4. Q: For the Task 2 poster where it says "non-title", does that mean we can't explicitly say one of the products?
   A: To clarify on the non-title, it means that you can't just mention one of the products in the title, we would like you to incorporate one or more product names into the content of your poster. The title of your poster should be your team name so we can match it up with your other entries.

1. Q: Must I complete Parts 1 and 2 participate in Part 3?
   A: You must participate in Parts 1 and 2, but you do not have to get all of the questions right in Part 1 to move on to Part 2. For clarification on this or if you still have questions, contact us.


2. Q: How much experience do I need to participate in Part 3?
   A: As mentioned earlier, no experience is required to participate in the Innovation Challenge.


3. Q: How will I be notified if I’m selected as a Part 3 winner?
   A: Part 3 winners will be notified by e-mail on or about 15th January 2008.


4. Q: If I win the trip do I need to make my own travel arrangements?
   A: IBM will assist with your travel arrangements.