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Parallax SX Contest (ENDED) — Parallax Forums

Parallax SX Contest (ENDED)

Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
edited 2005-10-14 16:32 in General Discussion
SXers,

We've extended our contest due to feedback from participants. February 28th is the closing date for submittals.·People wanted more time than summer provided·to prepare their projects.

http://www.parallax.com/sx/sx_design_contest.asp·provides the details.

Sincerely,

Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.

Post Edited By Moderator (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 1/18/2006 3:47:37 PM GMT
«1

Comments

  • KenMKenM Posts: 657
    edited 2004-08-17 03:24
    Nice,

    Now I can procrastinate until January.
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2004-09-30 11:49
    This should be made a "sticky" to always be at the top of the forum.

    Bean.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2004-12-21 05:23
    Hey there!

    With the release of SX/B and the many on-line Help file examples, it's time to think about finalizing your entry for the SX Design Contest. I can tell you that the chances of winning the contest remain quite high due to the number of entries received.

    Information is here: http://www.parallax.com/sx/sx_design_contest_rules.asp

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2004-12-27 19:02
    Hi Ken!

    When we announced the SX Contest the SX/B compiler was in the works. In our design contest rules·we allowed all compilers provided the entrant provides the high-level and compiled code. Making the rules and awarding the prize money we were able to make the contest whatever we wanted it to be.

    You mention that using SX/B is cheating. I'm not sure about that. 30% of the criteria used to judge the submittal requires demonstrating the SX's high speed with efficient coding practices. SX/B will certainly get some people started, but assembly would likely have to creep in to optimize their code. Even though, I'm sure the judges - 3/4 of them who program in assembly - would appreciate assembly language submittals.

    So how about making a submittal? Some prizes just might be sitting on the table!

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-01-19 17:49
    Hello,

    I recently received inquiries about submitting more than one (two, three) projects to our SX Design Contest. You are welcome to submit as many projects as you desire. Each will be treated as a unique entry. The judges will not have the names of the project applicants, only I will (and I am not a judge). They will only receive your project submittal.

    By the way, project numbers for the contest will be submitted through the end of January.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-02-01 01:21
    SXers:

    Your last opportunity to obtain a project number for the contest is in six hours. Close is January 31, 2005 at midnight PST.

    - Ken
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-02-25 20:58
    Hello,

    There is some confusion about our SX Contest project submittal (Sunday night at midnight, or Monday midnight, or Monday noon). Because of this, the deadline is Monday at midnight (Pacific Time).

    Thanks,

    Ken
  • KenMKenM Posts: 657
    edited 2005-03-15 00:00
    Will the contest results be posted today?
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-03-15 04:56
    Well [noparse][[/noparse]kind of like the deadline we extended to our applicants], our judges need a bit more time. Perhaps in a week we'll have the results on the web. They're all volunteers so most of their review is happening at night.

    We received 16 entries and·more than·half of them are solid contenders.

    Ken Gracey
  • DWinchellDWinchell Posts: 60
    edited 2005-03-15 06:07
    WHAT ??

    We can't wait any longer :-)





    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Thank You

    David Winchell

    David@Winchell.com
  • KenMKenM Posts: 657
    edited 2005-03-15 15:15
    Yeah....the anticipation is killing me. However, I completely understand the situation and will impatiently wait.

    Thanks Ken

    Ken
  • SteveWSteveW Posts: 246
    edited 2005-03-15 15:36
    Same here [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    Still, the contest seems to have worked, even without releasing the results - half the kitcar people in Cambridge are waiting for their combined SX-kit order to make it across the Atlantic... Just need to replicate that a few hundred times, sell a bunch of chips (since I can't believe there's a lot of profit on the kit at that price), and the contest's paid for itself [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    (Th frustrating thing is that my contest entry project is much more developed than when I submitted it, so I'm being judged on obsolete stuff. Ah, well, that'll teach me to start earlier if there's a next time...)

    Steve
  • DWinchellDWinchell Posts: 60
    edited 2005-03-15 16:03
    Hello Steve

    There are to many mysteries here.

    What is a "kitcar"
    Where is Cambridge ?? US or UK ?? http://www.cam.ac.uk/ smile.gif
    What was your project ??

    Excuse all the questions I am suffering from lack of information and
    need to be creative while being impatient smile.gif

    Dave & Hacker the Cat

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Thank You

    David Winchell

    David@Winchell.com
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-03-15 16:24
    I guess it's no secret that my entry was my SX-Video module.
    I can't wait either... I think Ken is just trying to build the excitement level [noparse];)[/noparse]
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Check out· the "SX-Video Display Module"

    www.sxvm.com
    ·
  • SteveWSteveW Posts: 246
    edited 2005-03-15 16:34
    Cambridge UK (the original [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    Kitcars are a bit of a Brit thing, most other contries seem to frown on people hurtling around in homedesigned cars, but we've got a long and honourable tradition of it over here, started by an odd tax situation post-war, where it was cheaper to assemble a car from parts than to buy a completed one. Add to that a country of irredeemable garage tinkerers, and an industry was born.
    The cars tend to be lightweight, overpowered, and driven by people who don't mind getting wet / gritty...
    I've been a customer of these guys http://www.sylva.co.uk/ for ages...
    and, later this year 50 of us will be sticking our cars in containers, shipping them over, and driving from Tx to Ca for no sane reason [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    http://www.badgerum.com/se7enstour/usa/ (We generally just mimble around Europe, but the USA has been appealing for a while)
    I'll be in my Striker - http://www.sylva.co.uk/striker.html - 420bhp, 650Kg, makes for a superb tourer, as long as I can stash a few sets of tires at waypoints before I get there [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    As for the project, I'll defer that until after the judging - but suffice it to say, it'll be on the car...

    Steve
  • DWinchellDWinchell Posts: 60
    edited 2005-03-15 16:50
    Hello Bean smile.gif

    The "SX-Video Display Module" is SUPER COOL !! A lot of stuff done in silicon and a proof that the SX chip is so fast it replaces hardware smile.gif The reliability of this video generator has got to be off the scale. 1 CHIP !! The Mil Spec DOD people should love it smile.gif

    Your contest entry should have been the SX/B compiler. What an impact it had on me. It finally got me into the SX uP world. I had a SX-Tech board for years and never got anything running. The SX/B worked in a different way for me. I learned assembly language to the point that my contest entry was developed in SX assembly language. After writing SX/B code and looking at the generated assembly code the light went on smile.gif

    I developed the 5by7 LED display based Award Medal the will be given to the winners of the 2005 RoboGames in SF this year. RTCC Interrupt Refresh, Message Scrolling & Graphic Animation. The whole works in BASIC !! I should have entered the Medal but I was to busy building it.

    I am still impressed that the SX/B Basic Compiler taught me how to write SX assembly code.



    My vote for #1 project goes to the SX/B COMPILER !! WELL DONE !!



    Dave & Hacker. ( Hacker voted for the SX/B compiler also )

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Thank You

    David Winchell

    David@Winchell.com
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-03-15 17:49
    Alas,
    The compiler is for the PC, NOT the SX so it is not qualified.

    I really enjoyed the award metal, I too think you should have entered it. You can enter more than one project.

    P.S. I did not pay Dave for the previous post...
    (pay ya later Dave).

    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Check out· the "SX-Video Display Module"

    www.sxvm.com
    ·
  • DWinchellDWinchell Posts: 60
    edited 2005-03-21 20:53
    Hello Bean smile.gif

    Well another week has gone by and your check for previous post has not gotten here yet smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Thank You

    David Winchell

    David@Winchell.com
  • Phil PembertonPhil Pemberton Posts: 16
    edited 2005-03-22 10:57
    Ken Gracey (Parallax) said...
    Well [noparse][[/noparse]kind of like the deadline we extended to our applicants], our judges need a bit more time. Perhaps in a week we'll have the results on the web. They're all volunteers so most of their review is happening at night.

    We received 16 entries and more than half of them are solid contenders.

    Still not decided who the winners are yet?
    Considering you said you "only just had enough entries for prizes", I think 16 entries is pretty good going [noparse]:D[/noparse]
  • PaulPaul Posts: 263
    edited 2005-03-30 16:07
    Bean, Congrats on the Honorable Mention! The SXVM is very cool..and Beau built a lite pen for it? (I smell a conspiracy..lol)
    All the entrys look amazing! I'm sure it was a challenge to decide the better project.
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-03-30 16:10
    Thanks Paul, conspiracy ??? I have no comment on that... [noparse];)[/noparse]
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video Display Module" Available Now.

    www.sxvm.com

    "A problem well defined, is a problem·half solved."
    ·
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2005-03-30 16:18
    Truth?


    It was no conspiracy... but more a coincidence. I was already building this
    project for my daughter to draw on the computer, when I saw Bean's tag
    about the "SX-Video Display Module" I contacted him in PM to collaborate
    a few ideas.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Beau Schwabe - Mask Designer III

    National Semiconductor Corporation
    Latest Company News
    (Communication Interface Division)
    500 Pinnacle Court, Suite 525
    Mail Stop GA1
    Norcross,GA 30071
  • Andrew G. MillerAndrew G. Miller Posts: 14
    edited 2005-03-31 01:13
    Congratulations to everyone who entered, and a big thank you to Parallax and Ubicom for the contest opportunity.· There was a lot of engineering talent in those entries.
    ·
    After Uncle Sam takes his share, I plan to cycle most of the prize loot back into my microcontroller hobby.··I'm anxiously awaiting the availability of Ken's new SX52 experimenter board, and I can't wait to get a hold of Bean's SX video gizmo.· I may use some of the funds to make·a small·batch of SX-Creeper·boards for those who are interested.
    ·
    But, the first purchase will be something nice for my wife, in appreciation·of her patience and support over the months of late-hour workshop sessions, and for her allowing boxes of robot parts to accumulate around the house.
    ·
    Again, Congratulations to all. Thank You to Parallax, to Ubicom, and to the contest judges.
    ·
    - Andrew Miller -
  • pjvpjv Posts: 1,903
    edited 2005-06-19 19:53
    Hello Ken Gracey;

    Now that the SX contest is well over, it would be interesting to find out the level of interest by the forum members in each of the entries. It would give the contest contributors some more feedback as to what is of interest to the group.

    Is there a way for you to track and disclose that information, perhaps by number of views and/or number of downloads for each entry? This could be quite interesting.

    Cheers,

    Peter (pjv)

    Post Edited (pjv) : 6/20/2005 5:46:19 AM GMT
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-06-19 20:38
    Peter,

    I agree. Since we put each project on individual pages, I should be able to assemble some web statistics on the projects. I'll get back to you shortly.

    Also, it could help guide us to run another contest.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-06-23 19:51
    PJV et al:

    Regarding your request about web statistics and the SX Design Contest projects, here is some additional data. I compiled the stats for the duration of the live SX contest pages.

    I have not taken the time to correlate these to the order in which we ranked the contest winners, but at least we can all take a look at the data.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=73783


    Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 6/23/2005 8:03:36 PM GMT
    p540521-1.gif
    682 x 485 - 58K
  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2005-06-23 20:54
    Any chance you guys are mulling over another SX design contest?

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  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2005-06-23 21:09
    Paul,

    We're in the midst of considering whether to run a sensor application contest. We're also considering another SX contest.

    Tell us what you would like to have in terms of a contest.

    Thanks,

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2005-06-23 22:45
    So I would assume that the sensor application contest would be judged on the best/most novel use of sensor(s) within an application? My vote would either be another straight up SX design contest, or a SX-based Stamp accessory design contest . The latter would have the following criteria:

    --The design must be based on the SX processor.

    --The design must either provide an interface to a component which a Stamp cannot directly interface with, or perform a function a Stamp cannot do (components which only require an ADC or DAC to interface with a stamp do not satisfy this criteria).

    --The design enables easy use of the component (or function) to a stamp.

    --Bonus points would be assigned to designs which can be interfaced with a BS-1 or Prop-1 in addition to a BS-2.

    --PBASIC interface code·demonstrating operation of the accessory is required. Perhaps·SX/B code that is easily ported to PBASIC could be allowed for those not wanting to purchase·a stamp if they do not already have one.

    A couple products that fit this criteria are Bean's SXVM and the CMUCam.

    Post Edited (Paul Baker) : 6/23/2005 10:57:49 PM GMT
  • James NewtonJames Newton Posts: 329
    edited 2005-06-24 18:36
    I would be interested in a contest that promotes the SX for signal generation / processing like video, audio, DSP, FFT, and other applications where speed is critical and much can be done with little memory. That is actually less of a restriction that it might appear at first glance, since lots of applications need some form of this. Almost any sensor you connect to can benifit or rely on signal conditioning and having the speed of the SX allows that to be done in software. There should be (and are not) some published projects for audio effects boxes or drum machines using the SX. Also, really top quality PID control is sadly lacking from the SX open source libraries. And while there is a lot of good code for video generation, there is nothing in the public eye about image recognition or video effects processing. The CMUCam is an exception but they have tried very hard to hide the source code despite the fact that they were given a C compiler with the restriction that the program produced with it must be in the public domain.

    Almost every entry in the prior contest would fit, but the DSP parts of them could be emphasized.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    ---
    James Newton, Host of SXList.com
    james at sxlist,com 1-619-652-0593 fax:1-208-279-8767
    SX FAQ / Code / Tutorials / Documentation:
    http://www.sxlist.com Pick faster!



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