I think the most fun way to get into TopCoder is to just start competing in live events, which (for the algorithm matches) usually occur three times a month (though some might be at impractical times).
You'll probably screw up the first few times you participate; that's pretty normal, so don't let that get you down!
Of course you can do the archived problems for practice, but starting with live matches is much more exciting.
You'll probably screw up the first few times you participate; that's pretty normal, so don't let that get you down!
Of course you can do the archived problems for practice, but starting with live matches is much more exciting.