[aab1d]

Well, what I meant is - this is not like I was sitting and hacking a network or something. This qualifies as a hack because I had to overcome a significant hurdle.

If you continue to imagine that hacks can be performed only on computers and networks. Then this may not make sense as a hack. Hacks can be social and/or real-world hacks too.

[_b8r0]

Well, hacks can be social too. I know quite a few social engineers, in fact I've had them speak at my security conference[1]. However, it seems that overcoming a significant hurdle (which isn't something to be sniffed at) isn't really a hack in the grand scheme of things. To put things into perspective, you've faced a pretty big challenge, but that's what it is - a challenge, not a hack. In fact I'd say to call it a hack is to undersell what you've overcome. I think some might underestimate how hard it is to get into CES. I understand that. I also think you calling getting in a hack demeans the concept of hacking not because it wasn't 'good enough' to qualify, but because your situation was so displaced from what would normally qualify as a hack. It doesn't mean you haven't made an effort - clearly a herculean effort was made, but does that constitute a hack? I'm not convinced.

I do think, "How I shipped a product from the far far FAR east of the (indus, not silicon) valley to CES for a demo" would've been a better title, but that's a job for marketing people IMHO. Hack, it is not, it underplays the effort you put in. Effort, it certainly is, for that you've given in spades and more.

[1] - http://www.44con.com/