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Parallax SX Design Contest in 2006 - Setting up a Schedule! — Parallax Forums

Parallax SX Design Contest in 2006 - Setting up a Schedule!

Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
edited 2005-10-11 15:01 in General Discussion
Dear SXers:

The rest of 2005 and 2006 will be an exciting year for the SX, I assure you.

Once again, we are planning for a design contest. With the SX/B compiler, all the neat development tools (SX48/52 Proto Boards, Guenther's SX MultiBoard, low-cost SX Tech Tool Kits), and skilled participants on this forum it should be quite a success not to mention an increase in the prize money.

For our last contest we underestimated the amount of time you needed to design your proejcts. We initially provided four months but it was extended to seven months by the time·the contest·ended. Which brings me to the area where we request your input.

Is six months enough time for you to design another neat SX application, provided most of this time occurs in the middle of winter?

Sincerely,

Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
·

Comments

  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-08-15 18:15
    Ken,
    You know engineers... I don't think any of us like to be hurried, and there's always that "one more option" to needs to be design in. If you had an option for 12 months most of us would probably choose that [noparse];)[/noparse]
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "One experiment is worth a thousand theories"
    ·
  • pjvpjv Posts: 1,903
    edited 2005-08-15 18:50
    Hello Ken;

    While I agree with Bean that it's always nice to have more time for more features (really, software is NEVER "finished"), I believe his 12 month suggestion is one I would not choose.

    I believe 6 months should be enough to do any small, and many lager projects. If the time provided is too long, interest will fade, and that's not useful for those who choose smaller projects and have their work finished earlier.

    Also, if you have much time available, the projects chosen will likely tend toward the larger size, and that may preclude newer/beginner users from making an entry.

    If I had my way, I would suggest two simultaneous contest segments, each judged separately; one with a 3 or 4 month window, and the other with a 6 month window. That way newer participants will have more of an opportunity of making a decent showing, as the more experienced are more likely to chew off something bigger.

    As an even better idea, although it will be more up-front administrative work, perhaps you would consider a multi-category (3 or 4 ?)annual event with minimum requirements per category, and every subsequent year a participant enters, they are forced to move up one level of difficulty. That way you are not pitting experienced users against newbies, and still keep the whole thing challenging and informative (presumably the principal purpose) for every one.

    Perhaps the judges could set the expectations and standards, and manage this effort for you.

    Anyhow, just my thoughts.

    Peter (pjv)

    Post Edited (pjv) : 8/15/2005 6:51:10 PM GMT
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-08-15 19:04
    Peter,
    I wasn't suggesting that Ken make a 12 month contest. I was just pointing out that I think almost everyone is going to choose the longer lead time. You right 12 months is too long and interest will fade.
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "One experiment is worth a thousand theories"
    ·
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-08-15 19:34
    Now that you know another contest is coming, get crackin'! tongue.gif

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • Randy GlennRandy Glenn Posts: 25
    edited 2005-08-15 19:40
    I'll get cracking as soon as I get my SX52 boards (and as soon as we can get someone to excavate for a basement egress window - I never thought it would be so hard to offer to pay someone to do work. Stupid strong housing market...)

    I should get substantially closer to a result this time, now that I have working development tools [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Ultimate Dev'rUltimate Dev'r Posts: 8
    edited 2005-10-08 17:28
    All right! [noparse]:D[/noparse] So it seems everyone wants five to six months to work on their projects...I'd better get to work then! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • BongoBongo Posts: 65
    edited 2005-10-10 23:03
    A four week time limit will have a budget limiting effect. The last comp certainly yielded interesting projects, but what happens in a world where time is money? How about a cut and paste comp for the eternally frivolous

    bongo
  • John CoutureJohn Couture Posts: 370
    edited 2005-10-11 14:20
    I like pjv suggestion on a multi level with mandatory upgrade to the next level. That does level the playing field and keeps us all interested. Yes, it's a lot of work but this is about selling chips isn't it (grin).

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    John J. Couture

    San Diego Miramar College
  • Ryan ClarkeRyan Clarke Posts: 738
    edited 2005-10-11 15:01
    Wow, I'd better get working....er...wait...nevermind. [noparse];)[/noparse]

    Ryan

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    Ryan Clarke
    Parallax Tech Support

    RClarke@Parallax.com
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