Whoops! The contest site had been down for a little while due to some configuration problem on the server here.

This site will remain up for a while, and I definitely think we'll run another contest in the future. Share your ideas/suggestions!

link?

Alex Papadimoulis:

I definitely think we'll run another contest in the future. Share your ideas/suggestions!

how about a clock app? 

I would like to see a contest that requires the abuse of the web. Maybe a little web app that doesn't require a database like a calculator (I know it's been done) or word processor. Let people work in ASP or PHP. I think we all know the kinds of horrors that can result from web development...

What do you think of ASP.NET? Or, if not web, then just .NET?

My views depend on the application. The nice thing about using C++ for the last one was the ability to do wacky things with the language itself on top of bad design. Using .NET limits that particular aspect, but gives us other high-level things to abuse. .NET also potentially expands the "terrible UI" domain. .NET is also not platform independent, so if you wanted to have a contest that Linux users can participate in, it might be better to go with Java.

As for web, I was just suggesting ASP. ASP.NET, PHP, JSP, Perl - anything that can be made to use HTTP will do. The reason I suggested web development for the next contest is because it's sufficiently different from the last contest and is already a huge source of front-page material. I think that we could have a lot of fun with it.

Limiting to a specific language somewhat restricts creativity, allowing a few languages, like C and perl, or PHP and ASP, not a lot (three sould be nearing excessiveness), but enough for people to participate even when they don't have any prior experience.

As for applications doing a notepad like application would be cool, or a simple task-bar replacement, on web like ones a guest-book, user control panel (for managing user accounts only), should all be simple enough to implement in a few days/weeks.

Alex,

BRING IT ON! The last contest was one of the best programming fun I've had in a long time. Last year I was just a finalist. This year I wanna win, dammit! :D I still think I got a bum rap with those Coverity Prevent results.

Regarding language, I would suggest that you create a contest that can be written in any of the major languages, i.e. C++, C# (or any .NET flavor), Java, Ruby, Python. 

Regarding the contest itself, I think the previous contest was done properly; the target program should be simple (like, say, a Paint or Minesweeper replacement, or a simple Google Gadget), the software should  pass a very limited set of integration tests, and so forth, with the same original goal, i.e. "working" software that's just friggin' insane. 

 

Oh, and keep up the good work. Survey Taker #2883 is insane. 

Welbog:

 .NET is also not platform independent, so if you wanted to have a contest that Linux users can participate in, it might be better to go with Java.

 

Actually, .NET and Linux are friends nowadays. 

 

Edit: Wow, I didn't realize this post was so old, just saw it in "Posts you haven't read yet"