animeshf's blog

ICPC World Finals 2020 8/17-8/18 Update
By animeshf, history, 3 years ago, In English

All teams received an email stating that only onsite teams attending World Finals in Russia would be eligible for medals. The remote teams would be placed in a separate "open division" that would not be eligible for medals but would get titles such as "high honors" and "honors". This last minute change has left us reconsidering our decision to compete remotely.

You also need to be fully vaccinated (with proof of vaccination) to be able to attend World Finals in Russia.

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +27 Vote: I do not like it

This last minute change has left us reconsidering our decision to compete remotely.

In Korean region, we selected 2 (or more), new teams, for World Finals 2020 in this month. I am not aware of any rationale for this. If this is a global phenomenon (which I am not sure), it is likely that the remote teams could not reconsider the decision as the onsite slots were already taken.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +72 Vote: I do not like it

    The weird part for me is that when we are asked to decide between remote/onsite participation, it wasn't made clear that the remote teams won't be eligible for medals. This is the reason why we chose to compete remotely at first. The "Open Division" now are almost the same as mirror participants in some sense.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

      The mail made it clear that ICPC committee does not regard remote participants eligible for contest benefits, as they are barred from awards and even full-time contest participation rights. In short, ICPC does not provide a virtual event option but posed that such things exist. As wildcard teams are invited, there is no turning back either. I don't understand why such things were not communicated: I don't even want to think deeper about that.

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3 years ago, # |
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Btw I also heard that open division teams will have 3 hours for the contest.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +202 Vote: I do not like it

    Apparently ICPC thinks that 3 keyboards means you can think 3 times faster. Do they also think 9 women can deliver a baby in 1 month?

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +37 Vote: I do not like it

      No that's just product management

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +36 Vote: I do not like it

      No, in 1 day

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it -21 Vote: I do not like it

      If they thought so, the contest duration will be 1.(6) hours instead of 3. But I agree that it's still not a greatest trade off.

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 4   Vote: I like it +86 Vote: I do not like it

Let me share this mail with you guys...I think this is just ridiculous

The content of that mail
What really matters
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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +176 Vote: I do not like it

ICPC is just a joke. Stop putting much time in it.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -21 Vote: I do not like it

Advice for Laggy to make again the blog "Teams not going to ICPC World Finals 2020 — WIP List"

I am happy the main final will be onsite, even I am not sure can I move to Russia at that time.

Probably, the organizer can give an opportunity for participating in 2021 WF final for online teams. Obviously, they do not expect many such teams.

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

meanwhile they are also sending invites for WF 2020 to new teams from 2020 regionals(which were not previously selected) while treating the already selected top teams like this.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +63 Vote: I do not like it

I wait this for two years and finally could only play 3 hours during World Finals. What a funny joke.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -109 Vote: I do not like it

    Get a visa and actually attend it.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

      I really wish I could. But some of us are living in countries with low vaccine supply where a ~23 year old can't get it.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it -32 Vote: I do not like it

        I am replying to him personally. Like he should really go if he waited for 2 years.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
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        Try writing to them about it, they promised to assist with requesting vaccinations, and if this won't work, this is more of their fault, rather than yours.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
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      My message is meant to encourage ones who can choose whether to go or not to actually go. I do not intend to spread any negative information.

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3 years ago, # |
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You also need to be fully vaccinated (with proof of vaccination) to be able to attend World Finals in Russia.

And that is "fully vaccinated" from the perspective of Russian authorities, right? I.e. if you got Pfizer or Moderna you can turn around and fly back home?

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
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    It looks the vaccination requirement is pure ICPC idea to ensure participants safety.

    On the other hand it's an important notice that western vaccines are not recognised in Russia, so another obvious question here.

    By Russian authorities requirements you still need to self-isolate upon arrival for 14 days from most countries if you are not vaccinated (somebody, correct if I'm wrong).

    As Pfizer/Moderna don't help, does it mean that you have to arrive 2 weeks before the event?

    In previous e-mails they promised some help with visas and arrival process(If I'm not mistaken), but now nothing about this (not surprised at all)

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
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      By Russian authorities requirements you still need to self-isolate upon arrival for 14 days from most countries if you are not vaccinated (somebody, correct if I'm wrong).

      I think not. It mostly relies on local authorities and given that WF is an official competition I doubt that someone with negative test will be required to self-isolate.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
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        I doubt that someone with negative test will be required to self-isolate

        The agreement with authorities (or why participants are exempt from quarantine) must be explicitly wrote and updated requirements provided. Otherwise it's just a guess.

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
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          Yeah, you should ask from organizers. Situation may be different for participants from other countries.

          I see you're from Belarus, there shouldn't be problems for you.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
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            Yes, the information from organizers is required, but judging by how they communicate, one shouldn't expect much.

            Speaking of our team — none of us lives in Belarus anymore, so getting to Moscow is a problem for us too (because of the vaccinations issue above and other travel restrictions), but that's another story.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
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      You have outdated information on the quarantine — only people arriving from the UK need to quarantine (officially. it seem a lot of them manage to bypass this discrimination).

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
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        Haha, I knew quarantine is required if you arrive from the UK and it didn't change for a long time + I assumed "it's really unlikely the UK is the only country of the world, which required to quarantine". Looks that was a wrong assumption :)

        It's good to know some more accurate info, thanks. Anyway one should confirm this with official source before arranging trip.

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
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          It is really the only one. I think they forgot that they had issued a separate decree just for the uk, when they've cancelled all the entry restrictions except tests.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
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      Moreover, vaccination with a "Russian vaccine" (or any other vaccine) doesn't affect any rules or freedoms in Russia.

      Vaccination is purely ICPC HQ's initiative, and if you don't like it, consider complaining about it to them, because it's not required by russian government or other entities. Also, I think ICPC HQ will be completely happy with you having PFE/Moderna (and I'm personally going to exercise it).

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +145 Vote: I do not like it

So that’s what we get after 1.5 years of waiting. Especially after we already sent our decisions. Pretty disappointing (if not insulting).

Well, I hope we can change our options after these news. If someone was able to change them, please let us know.

If not, then we at least for sure will be boycotting the fake mirror that they propose.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +28 Vote: I do not like it

Lack of communication disappoints me the most. The beginning was the absence of date and progress with some rare deceptive "things will get better" emails which they cannot take responsibility for their words. Even though the headquarter mentioned on-site and remote, there weren't any additional messages about what they did and had in mind. Additional wildcard invitations followed by such an announcement really hits the nail on my head. I seriously doubt if the headquarters will guide on-site teams about vaccination, visa status, quarantine, oversea travel policies and much more. Not to mention the activities for the remote participants. My opinion might be harsh and impolite, sorry. Nonetheless, the given circumstance is too frustrating.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
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    What was the thing with wildcard invitations? I haven't heard of those.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

      In the past month, I believe a significantly larger amount of teams were invited (those who were previously not in the list) to participate in WF, which was called a "wildcard invitation". This could possibly be because many teams preferred virtual participation, so to fill onsite slots, they invited more teams (significantly more btw, I know like 5-6 teams more at least were invited from my region). Now, since onsite participation is compulsory for medals, possibly teams want to participate in-person, so I guess that's the concern for most people (will they allow so many teams to participate on-site?).

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

Is that open division going to be open for everyone?

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3 years ago, # |
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Though open divisions results concluding after 3 hours is a bad idea, I don't mind respecting the rule arranged by ICPC. But at least, pleaseeeeeeeeeeee, take the recorded result at 3:00:00 and let us finish the remaining 2 hours of the competition.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

Adding on to the concerns that have already been shared, I find this quote particularly worrying:

The Judges qualify teams for honors by confirming that teams met all qualification requirements throughout the competition including attendance and participation at all required events.

At this month's ICPC NAC, contestants were required to attend a total of around 16 hours of required sponsor events prior to competing; I'm not sure whether this phrasing refers to a more lightweight set of requirements (e.g. a dress rehearsal contest) or if there will be a similar set of mandatory events to those from the NAC. Given that one of my teammates and I are based in the US and that my college is in session during the contest period, we'll likely be forced to drop out of the competition if it requires attendance of events beyond the contest itself that are organized on Moscow time (and thus are in the middle of the night for us).

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +31 Vote: I do not like it

    At this month's ICPC NAC, contestants were required to attend a total of around 16 hours of required sponsor events prior to competing

    WTF? Is this common for USA ICPC regionals?

    For comparison, here in Europe, when I was at NWERC for ICPC 2018, there were like 2 hours of presentations, and you could choose not to attend.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +30 Vote: I do not like it

      NA ICPC regionals are typically one-day or two-day events — in the former, you show up in the morning and register, do a quick dress rehearsal, eat lunch, do the contest, then stick around for awards if you care.

      In the latter, you show up the afternoon/night before, do a quick dress rehearsal, stay the night in a hotel and start the contest in the morning after.

      In either case, there's not enough time in the day for that much sponsor presentations.

      NAC is supposed to emulate World Finals but for North American teams, which is why there's a big difference. NA ICPC has historically had a hard time getting sponsors, so this is how it works.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

    I think in the past ICPC WF they used to have a lot of "required" events of crappy sponsor talks. And while the rules say you must attend all required events, I haven't yet seen anyone getting in trouble for skipping some sponsor events. Not sure it'll be okay this time though.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +33 Vote: I do not like it

Can someone explain do teams in Championship Division use 1 computer per team or 3?

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
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    Yes, the email stated the Championship Division is following the traditional ICPC rules.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
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      No, it didn't. It used the word traditional, but I don't think it's enough.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +84 Vote: I do not like it

        According to the latest rules (as of 8/30), each team member will be provided with a computer.

        https://icpc.global/worldfinals/rules#heading-10

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
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          Thanks for ruining my day

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

            In addition, they’ve decided to make the contest 4 hours instead of the usual 5.

            https://icpc.global/worldfinals/rules#heading-8

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +37 Vote: I do not like it

              The PDF document on the ICPC dashboard specifically says 5 hours for in-person, lol.

              Why put in all the effort to keep the contest in-person if they're going to mess with the rules anyway? My team even substituted a member because it sounded like online teams aren't treated like legitimate contestants and have different rules. Great, now we know in-person teams have the bad rules too!

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +45 Vote: I do not like it

          Oh shit, so we won't even have WF after all.

          I wonder whether onsite teams will be interested in ignoring those "rules" and still using just one computer per team.

          I (and I think my team) would be willing to ignore the other two computers if most strong teams agree to do the same.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +90 Vote: I do not like it

            Onsite protests in Russia, now that's scary

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
              ← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +30 Vote: I do not like it

              What is the point of breaking this contest up into on-site and off-site divisions if the on-site division doesn't adhere to traditional on-site rules? I suppose the teams coming from outside of Russia get to experience Moscow in person...

              EDIT: Um_nik sniped me, but if we (my teammates and I) were already traveling together on a flight sitting next to each other...

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +53 Vote: I do not like it

            According to our (unofficial) sources "for safety measures" teammates will be separated from each other using some screens, so it might be actually impossible to write from one computer. Well, one physical machine. We can try to self-impose rule of using one computer at a time.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +37 Vote: I do not like it

            As a naturally protest-minded person, I too would join such movement. Can't say for my teammates.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +35 Vote: I do not like it

            He? You are going to limit yourself to one computer if you are given an option to code at three simultaneously? That's stupid. And surely not everybody will adhere to your suggestions, I wouldn't for example. Having some teams following official rules and some following your protest limitations would destroy competitive integrity. Whatever you choose — you will be subject to some social ostracism. If somebody chooses 3 computers — other competitors would accuse him of not adhering to "gentleman rules" and belittle his achievement. If you choose 1 then basically anybody who supported you (friends, family and in particular coaches and other people from uni that made your trip possible) would be pissed off because you consciously decided to destroy your chances of achieving anything

            Please don't do stupid stuff like this. Having three computers is definitely not usual ICPC format and the justification that it is for health safety is ridiculous as well. But it is still somehow valid format. Making a clown from yourself during the contest trying to protest something doesn't make this situation any better

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
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              That sounds like something Russian propaganda would say.

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                3 years ago, # ^ |
                  Vote: I like it +34 Vote: I do not like it

                I'm not too surprised you would like to join the clown movement too :]

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

              You are going to limit yourself to one computer if you are given an option to code at three simultaneously? That's stupid.

              Well, this is what we did during all of the online training camps and OpenCups. And to be honest, "ICPC" with broken rules doesn't look much more credible than OpenCup.

              If you choose 1 then basically anybody who supported you (friends, family and in particular coaches and other people from uni that made your trip possible) would be pissed off because you consciously decided to destroy your chances of achieving anything

              I don't agree with this. We have trained for the one computer format only, and I don't think the one month we have left is enough to come up with a strategy for three computer format that works well for our team. So, if we use three computers during the contest, it will be a complete chaos for our team, as we will not be able to use any of the "team behavior" we have developed over the time. Overall, I see the option of using just one computer as being the least risky on average, as it will be an almost usual ICPC competition (modulo the 4 hour duration). Specifically for our team, I think we might be able to adjust our strategy to two computers, but blindly using three computers and turning the competition into three individual ones will very likely hurt our performance.

              Making a clown from yourself during the contest trying to protest something doesn't make this situation any better

              My intent was not to protest anything, but rather to make the situation slightly better for myself. In case other teams agree with me, this seems like a straightforward way to make the situation better for everyone. I would feel much more like a clown (and stressed out) being at the onsite finals of the most prestigious competitive programming event and having no idea what to do, because I have never competed in such a format before.

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                3 years ago, # ^ |
                  Vote: I like it +26 Vote: I do not like it

                It sounds perfectly reasonable that you won't be able to use your full potential when thrown into a new format as you would in case of the established one. However I strongly doubt that you would perform worse when you use 3 computers. If you choose to ignore 2 computers because you think it would enhances your performance — that is fine, your questionable choice that will drag you down and that's it. But you also encourage others to do the same. There is just one little step from this to saying "oh, team XYZ won, but they don't count because they used 3 computers". But even if you don't say this — making XYZ feel like they cheated or even if they don't get such an impression (cause they shouldn't), make them feel like it's not a true win cause half of the teams chose to cripple themselves (kinda like winning mirror of VK Cup round — it's a win, but not a true one cause half of your opponents did not participate).

                In case other teams agree with me,

                Spoiler alert: they won't. At least not all of them. Are you aware of this?

                and having no idea what to do, because I have never competed in such a format before.

                You have one more month. Use it wisely.

                straightforward way to make the situation better for everyone.

                No, what you suggest is a straightforward way to make the situation MUCH WORSE. If miraculously all teams would agree then I agree this would make matters better. But it is absolutely completely unrealistic

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                    Vote: I like it +101 Vote: I do not like it

                  No matter what happens with "protesting" the world champion title means nothing anymore, since countless people you should've been competing with cannot physically attend, and they are placed in a second-class online division.

                  I thought the debate last year was always about whether ICPC should be fair to online teams or respect the original format for the in-person teams. Now we find out it's neither.

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
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                  If miraculously all teams would agree then I agree this would make matters better.

                  I guess I am just too optimistic. I think "most strong teams" would be enough, not necessarily all of them. And this is a rather small group of people, mostly active here at CF. I also hope that stuff like crab mentality or prisoner's dilemma won't apply here.

                  Anyways, I understand that the idea will quite likely not get support from enough teams. But you know, "I like those odds".

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +35 Vote: I do not like it

              I just wonder, do you call this "being a clown" only because it is a form of protest? Is every protest in the world is "being clowns" to you, and if not, how is this particular case different?

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                3 years ago, # ^ |
                ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

                No, not at all. There is absolutely no chance that all strong teams follow this agreement, right? If rules are not consistent and some teams use 3 computers and some choose to cripple themselves severely then this semi-serious competition it is now would turn into a total parody of a contest

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                    Vote: I like it +19 Vote: I do not like it

                  So, the participants who are trying to make the competition fairer are the ones who should be accused of making this contest a parody. Right.

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                    Vote: I like it -37 Vote: I do not like it

                  Yes, you're right, you seem to finally understand this, I'm so proud of you!

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +32 Vote: I do not like it

              So the people trying to play by the rules they signed up for and practiced on are the clowns, and not ICPC for arbitrarily changing the whole format one month prior, after delaying the contest over a year?

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                3 years ago, # ^ |
                  Vote: I like it -14 Vote: I do not like it

                No, don't put words in my mouth if I didn't say them, especially if I said the exact opposite :p. ICPC organizers are definitely to blame, their constant changes in the format are ridiculous. But the best what competitors could do is to adhere to whatever nonsense they come up with

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                    Vote: I like it +151 Vote: I do not like it

                  Well, I guess you're right. But I just think being a clown is the correct thing to do when you go to the circus.

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +115 Vote: I do not like it

          Good thing we are having individual computers (i.e. 3 terminal contest) for "health safety purposes"! Using the same terminal does seem pretty risky, particularly when compared to forcing all teams to internationally travel and be in the same building in order to compete officially...

          But more seriously, we were told that one workstation per team member reduces physical interaction. To me, this seems absolutely ridiculous as the amount of physical interaction from sharing a terminal is more than an order of magnitude less than international travel (even just the flight will be longer than the contest, and we will be closer than we would when sharing a terminal). I wonder if there is anything we contestants could do to push for regular ICPC rules.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

            Oh come on guys, they change rules like every week or two, I'd suggest you to relax and wait for the next update

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
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              I wouldn't say they "change rules". Not like there were any rules a week ago.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +51 Vote: I do not like it

            sqrtdecompton, I think the obvious solution is to clone yourself and train for all possible formats of the contest

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

            On the other hand so many U.S. universities are pushing for in-person only instruction amid Delta variant outbreak :(

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +13 Vote: I do not like it

          What is written on the rules page alone does not necessarily imply that contestants will be able to use three keyboards at once. Some South Pacific teams have used environments in practice contests where three participants on three different computers are limited to the use of one keyboard between them at a time.

          Our coach thought for a while that that would be how the actual contest would be run, since apparently it's quite easy to set something like that up.

          However, I recently have heard from him that the committee's plan is indeed to allow all three team members to code simultaneously. I wonder what the reasoning for this is? It is obviously an enormous change to how the contest works.

          It is also strange that they don't clarify this point at all on the rules page... (maybe I missed something?)

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
            ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

            If that was the case, the contest would not last for 4 hours only.

            By the way, this huge change(3 computers) is well and truly a nightmare to me. I can't really code anything, and I believe I won't use my computer anyway.

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +18 Vote: I do not like it

          I am surprised no email from the organizers was sent about such an important issue! -- unless I missed it.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +33 Vote: I do not like it

Does anyone know how many WF teams decided to participate remotely?

I am wondering why the organizers did not simply go with the solution of having everyone participate remotely -- to me that seem as an equal treatment for all the teams.

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 4   Vote: I like it +60 Vote: I do not like it

We are the team from Taiwan.

Because of the limited number of vaccinate, we even do not get first shot from any vaccinate now. And the invitation letter published too close to the date of competition.

In Taiwan, we only have three type of vaccinate, AZ, Moderna, and High-end which is develop just in our country but not verify its effectiveness.

We also can not choose AZ, because the two shot for AZ should be separated at least 8 weeks. And we ask for the Moderna from government, but still no response.

And we ask the icpc team for help also no response.

If we can not get the first shot before 9/1, we can not got full vaccination in time. Unless we go aboard like the Palau to get the JoshonsonJohnson. But I think it do not make sense to do this just for vaccination.

And it seems that the COVID is not under control in Russian. I don't know why the they still consider to hold the on-site contest now. I think hold it full remote or postpone it maybe more better.

It also some region ICPC hold full remote last year like Jakarta. Or if they still want to hold on-site, why do not consider postpone it after the epidemic become more stable, at least not tens of thousands person one day in Russian. I think it is in danger even if we got full vaccination.

I think it is no fair to someone because of the decision in a hurry.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

    Don't you consider it will never be better in the foreseeable future?

    The latest time we've seen less than 10k cases was a year ago.

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

      But the data on Google say that the case is just around 8k in early June. It seems that it is relatively danger than two months ago.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

        There is the HUGEST difference between 8k and 10k!!! It will be never a good situation in the near future and postponing is just silly and just lying to yourself(like organizers did that silly postpone at IOI 2020 and CEOI 2021, but they are/were online as well). So, there are just two choices: Having online competition this year and for many years before corona die(if it will ever), or understand that there is nothing Apocalyptic with corona and continue holding onsite competitions as they were in the great past. I admire ICPC organizers for choosing second variant and hope that other Olympiads organizers will also do that choice in the near future.

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        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +36 Vote: I do not like it

        The official covid statistics in Russia are as fake as the elections' statistics, I wonder why you even look at it.

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

          Sorry, I do not know that. But I think the ratio between the actually statistics and official statistics will still in a range, is it right?

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          3 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

          Are there any facts or articles that cast doubt on the Russian official COVID statistics or is it just a general distrust in it?

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
            ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

            As I remember, 2020 excess deaths released by Russian gov agencies are 1.5-2x times higher than official covid death statistics.

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            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

            To warm-up your appetite (Russian-only, as you can expect, but probably google-translate will help).

            https://zona.media/article/2021/07/20/29mln

            https://theins.ru/news/243863

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

              Regarding (2) there was a notable scandal when some people noticed that the government reports figures like "799 deaths per day" for weeks, without crossing 800, and without weekday factors that are present in the other countries.

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              3 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

              Thanks :) The first article about the records in database doesn't look very convincing and shows only an upper bound. Still, reading further articles from the same investigation, combined with excess deaths and the information about hospitalization, really shows that the official statistics are significantly smaller than the real numbers.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +64 Vote: I do not like it

At this point, I won't be surprised if they say "three computers per team but only one keyboard". It's all ridiculous.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

    Or "three computers per one person".

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3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +83 Vote: I do not like it

Okay, so it appears that you can find precise technical information on the workstations... in the "Schedule" tab in the sidebar on the webpage (as one would obviously expect).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jeNQGVaRBB9soajuRP0Z5bf7XjfLAHGfU09v5lj-LmM/edit

It would confirm that the team members will be physically separated during the competition... Yup. I probably want to have some questions about that, but I'm not sure what the questions are.

Also, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s_J_MiSimkvCQACb7tGr9TIIimkeORkMxx7nwYevk8Y/edit, they say that the Invitational/"unofficial?" division teams have their contest on 30 September, so a few days before the main competition. Wh-what? So the unofficial division writes an entirely different contest than the official teams? But... why?

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +48 Vote: I do not like it

    Jesus Christ, are the weird tables some kind of weird money laundering scheme?

    Well, I am joking, but with the mock-ups of the tables looking possibly custom ordered, it seems rather clear that they will not be changing the format back to the one-pc-per-team.

    The whole thing is incredibly stupid. Especially because they seem to be also planning an excursion of some kind. Why???

    But really, the worst thing about all this is the lack of communication and the short notice on everything. First the difference between online and offline participation, then the mandatory vaccination, and now the 3 workstations. The dumbest thing is that, if communicated clearly and early, none of these things would have caused quite the commotion they have.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

    It would confirm that the team members will be physically separated during the competition... Yup. I probably want to have some questions about that, but I'm not sure what the questions are.

    I have some ideas! It's about as effective as separating swimming pools into "peeing allowed" and "peeing not allowed" sections.

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +88 Vote: I do not like it

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +18 Vote: I do not like it

They have Kotlin 1.4 on the judges machines and 1.3 on contestants computers.

On judges machines Version 1.4.21-release-351 (JRE 11.0.9.1+1-Ubuntu-0ubuntu1.20.04) and IDEA Community Edition version 2020.3
On contestants computers IDEA Community Edition version 2020.3 and Kotlin plugin 1.3.41-release-IJ2019.2 with Kotlin as listed above

Not saying that JetBrains is the official sponsor and they've released Kotlin 1.5 some time ago, ICPC still uses 1.3 for some reasons, really?

elizarov, sorry for pinging, but can you say anything about this?

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +68 Vote: I do not like it

tl;dr ICPC makes shit decisions?

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