WHYcast history episode 26

Episode 26 – Stories from HIP ’97 and HAL 2001: Early Family Zones, Hack Me Machines, and Energy Drink Legends

This episode of WHYcast brings a rich tapestry of Dutch hacker camp history, focusing on memorable personal recollections and the evolution of traditions that have helped shape the community.

The Origins and Evolution of the Family Zone

A key thread running through this episode is the development of the Family Zone at Dutch hacker camps. Florian and Dex recount how, over recent editions of the camp, efforts have been made to ensure these gatherings are inclusive for all age groups. The Family Zone, as it’s now called, is a dedicated area where families and children can participate in activities tailored to younger hackers. This marks a significant shift from the early days, where such inclusivity was not as prominent.

Florian explains that the idea of the Family Zone really took root at SHA in 2009, which was the first time a “family village” was established to make the event more welcoming for children and their parents. Over the years, this zone has included sand pits, ball pits, bouncing castles, and hands-on hacker workshops for kids. The organizers have become increasingly attentive to the needs of families, including considerations for noise so that even the youngest attendees can get some rest away from the party zones. The tradition of encouraging children not only to attend but to participate—through volunteering alongside their parents or even proposing activities—reflects a conscious effort to cultivate the next generation of hacker camp organizers.

Hippies at “HIP ’97”: Early Hacker Camp Life and the “Hack Me” Machine

Florian’s first hacker camp experience dates back to Hacking in Progress (HIP) 1997. He attended with the Data and Adrenaline club, bringing along projects that would become part of the camp’s lore. One such project was the “Hack Me” machine—a server equipped with a flashing light and a siren. If a participant managed to elevate their privileges to admin on this server, they could trigger the device to perform stunts, such as activating the siren or flashing the light. The tent housing this machine was notoriously hot, with Dex humorously recalling how participants nearly fainted from the heat but persisted due to the excitement of the challenge. The “Hack Me” machine encapsulated the hands-on, playful, and competitive spirit that has always been central to these camps.

On the practical side, Florian also shares how his group funded their trip by selling surplus serial terminals from the university. They filled a van with these terminals, connected them to a Linux machine, and sold them for 25 guilders each. The demand was so high that they had to return for more mid-event, ultimately covering most of their costs and turning an otherwise mundane task into a community interaction.

Kuhn’s “Old-Fart” Memories: Beer, Badges, and Pesticides

Koen, another veteran, adds further color to the picture of HIP ’97 and subsequent camps. He recalls a time before “mate”—the now-ubiquitous hacker beverage—had entered the scene. Instead, crates of beer and the occasional bottle of Jolt Cola fueled participants. In a vivid anecdote, Koen describes the use of pesticide plugs in the corners of party tents to combat mosquitoes. The chemicals were so potent that insects would drop dead mid-flight as soon as they entered. These pesticide plugs were banned just weeks after the camp due to their toxicity, leading Kuhn to joke about their probable contribution to future health problems.

Another tradition Koen remembers is the humble badge. Unlike today’s elaborate electronic badges, HIP ’97 featured simple printed badges. Koen himself lost his badge multiple times and each time was made to pose anew for the camera, resulting in a collection of odd photo IDs. He still has the last one at home—a blue badge with a peculiar picture, a small artifact of the camp’s early culture.

HAL 2001: Monoliths and the Pan Galactic Garble Blaster

Koen also shares stories from Hackers at Large (HAL) 2001, held on a university campus that felt like home to many participants. He recalls the Datanet Drienelo group building a massive monolith—a wooden frame housing 16 by 8 terminals, which together created a large ASCII-art screen. This kind of ambitious, collective hacking project exemplifies the creativity and technical prowess that define these camps.

Another legendary element from HAL 2001 was the Pan Galactic Garble Blaster, an energy drink imported by the security team and distributed in small tins. The arrival of the Pan Galactic Bar was announced with fanfare, and the drink itself was so overwhelmingly sweet and packed with caffeine, guarana, and sugar that Kuhn describes it as a “direct attack on your aorta.” Despite—or perhaps because of—its intensity, it has become a part of camp legend, with Kuhn inviting listeners to send in photos if they still have a can.

Reflections and Continuity

Through these stories, a few key themes emerge. The camps have evolved from relatively rough-and-ready gatherings—where badges were simple, drinks were strong, and health and safety sometimes took a backseat—to more structured, inclusive, and family-friendly events. Yet, the playful, experimental, and communal spirit remains at the core. Projects like the “Hack Me” machine, the ASCII monolith, and the ongoing expansion of the Family Zone all testify to a culture that values both tradition and innovation.

The oral histories shared by Florian, and Koen not only preserve the memory of these early camps but also highlight the ways in which each new edition builds upon the last. Whether through the introduction of new activities for kids, the refinement of camp logistics, or the passing down of legendary stories about badge mishaps and hyper-caffeinated drinks, Dutch hacker camps continue to foster a vibrant, intergenerational community with a deep respect for its own evolving history.