Topic: Announcing Our First Contest

[Ben_S]

would you give good marks to a theme that <snip> doesn't work proerly in IE.<>

Assuming it was standards compliant yes, if it doesn't work in IE then the people to moan at are M$.

[M70]

I like it more minimalistic but I have no idea about how to do it, so I beg for a FAST and CLEAN template, even if it doesn't win.

[Ben_S]

I have a great idea for a theme, shame I can't enter .

Oh well.

[Burpee]

It certainly took the dev team more than 50 hours to create this wonderful forum, and you dont see the dev team moaning about about giving it away for free.

Hmm...
Well, $100 and a Charter Membership for something that is potentially 50+ hours of work isn't much...

frankly I think your taking the p*ss

I think $100 and a Charter Membership for first prize is actually quite generous.

It's a way to get more involved in the project, to show us your creative side, and to give us something to look at . Quite frankly, if you create a theme purely thinking about how many hours size up to the prize, then you shouldn't be participating in the contest.

I believe you can work in groups on a design.

I just personally think it doesn't feel like much... If I'm going to give my heart and soul in a project like this and I end up with $100 and a Charter Membership it just feels like relatively little to me...
Maybe next contest you guys can have a prize that will make people remember what they did... a tangible and symbolic thing... instead of seeing $100 added to your bank account...

But then again... you do also get the fame of having created the best theme...  which is a bigger award than that $100 and that Charter Membership...

[Jazhawk]

Why fight it?  A.M.A. got this in a walk.  Go get em A.M.A.

-Jazhawk

[PowerRomAttack]

Ohhhhhhh i w/ill try!!

[[MiNX]Tek]

Simple Machines isn't making big bucks (I assume) they spend all this time developing this forum, and then get donations. So $100 probably is alot. It's not like they're getting a salary with all the money their making.

[[Unknown]]

I just personally think it doesn't feel like much... If I'm going to give my heart and soul in a project like this and I end up with $100 and a Charter Membership it just feels like relatively little to me...
Maybe next contest you guys can have a prize that will make people remember what they did... a tangible and symbolic thing... instead of seeing $100 added to your bank account...

But then again... you do also get the fame of having created the best theme...  which is a bigger award than that $100 and that Charter Membership...

Well, perhaps that's true.  But, let's look at it another way - what about the people who have created themes, button sets, mods, and the like already?  Did they get even $50 for their work?  Did they get public recognition?

No.  They just made a good theme, for everyone.  For free.

The purpose of this contest is *not* to pay someone to make a theme.  If we wanted that, we'd go hire a professional design firm or something for a few hundred.  No, the purpose of this to to give people making themes a reward for their work - maybe not the hugest reward, but it's better than nothing.

Now, I don't know if you'd ever release a theme for free (no payment at all) but there are many people here who would.  And, for those people who don't win... it may be like they just did that.  But, for those who do win (or at least come close) there will be something more.  Something a little more official.  Something maybe they can even brag about - they won a contest and made the best theme.  Or maybe, they almost won - even though they didn't have as much as experience as the people who did as well as they did.

I'm happy to develop this software for free, but if some group came around and said they'd give $100 (which really isn't enough to cover the time I spend on this in even a day at what I'm regularly paid...) to the best free forum software they saw, and they picked SMF... it wouldn't hurt.

Of course, I wouldn't do it just for the $100.  After all, I'm doing it now and I don't even get anything - and many people in this community are like that.

-[Unknown]

[spaceant]

Speaking of chat/speech bubble theme,... they removed the signatures .... i tried that in my forum.... people liked it but they were complaining about their signatures being removed.... ii had no choice but to put back the default theme...hehehe

If you're referring to the chat bubble theme I made, the option for signatures is available (with a very simple modification to the code) in the latest version found here:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=16524.0

[Big P]

maybe not the hugest reward, but it's better than nothing.

lol. hugest!

[Unknown] is right, thousands of people design and develop Open Source projects for free, and they spend far more than a, meaningless by comparison, 50 hours on it.

I think this is a great idea, and a great way for the members of this forum to participate in showing their appreciation. The prize may be  more of a added bonus than anything else, so I would suggest not even thinking about it while designing your theme. It'll probably be better that way! 

[Tom]

There are many costs that you are not taking into account, such as lawayers.

But lets focus on the contest, shall we?

I can't make themes, but I look forward to seeing what people can pump out.

[whiterabbit]

Hey! sound good.
It will be a good kick start
So that means the template stuffs are pretty much settle.
well.. now I can do some messy things with my template without
having to concern much about any heavy changes in the next release, can't I

.....
umm.. I disagree with some people here.
The competition commonly is for anyone who are ready to enter
and/or want to enter.
If you think you're not ready or do not want to compete on this one
I believe in the future SMF team may have something else that might fit yours.

And I believe most of the people who work on open source or free software,
we work for pride not for prize (still good to get one,tho ).
If everything is for price, what do you think? how you can get SMF for free  

The donation, it almost follow its literal definition.
It's a way people can show their appreciation, and
the developers will be proud that their creation is appreciated.
.....

A little suggestion
Could you be a little more specific about the rules.
for example
Is it allow or not to use some graphics from SMF package such as those little icons?
(the button set should not count, since creator should create one for your own theme)

And it would be nice to give extra points for the theme that is a valid XHTML,
cross browser support, and/or something that will encourage the creator to
take the care to create an interoperable Web page.

[[Unknown]]

without having to concern much about any heavy changes in the next release, can't I

Basically; templates from RC1 will be compatible until 1.0.

The competition commonly is for anyone who are ready to enter and/or want to enter.

Another good point; I enjoy things more when there's competition.  But maybe that's just me.

Could you be a little more specific about the rules.
for example
Is it allow or not to use some graphics from SMF package such as those little icons?

That should be fine, although original graphics will be better - assuming the graphics are better too .

And it would be nice to give extra points for the theme that is a valid XHTML,
cross browser support, and/or something that will encourage the creator to
take the care to create an interoperable Web page.

Well, I thought it best to avoid making such clear-cut statements, but of course entries will do better if they address these concerns.

-[Unknown]

[Vinoth]

Lets see unknown.

[[MiNX]Tek]

Lets see unknown.

Anyway, if your going to complain about getting a $100 for creating somthing cool for the benifit of others and giving yourself some self achievment of somthing that people with appreciatem, then just don't bother entering! Simple.

[Bloc]

Can we use themes already posted - or do it have to be unpublished ones?

Not thinking about my own ( already got others in the works.. ) , but there are already some great themes, and I'm wondering if they can join the contest ( if the authors wish of course)...?

[Anguz]

I have a great idea for a theme, shame I can't enter .

Oh well.

Ditto. I'll still make it anyway though.

[CP]

*Rant Begins
I am sorry, but I am totally amazed how this thread has gone.
An offer for the members here that "wish" to contribute their work and "win" a Charter Membership = $50 and $100 US.
For what? Nothing.
Most people here are eager to contribute to this site that gives them this software and even more for those that choose to be members and pay the small fee. (Trust me, it is small compared to some boards)

What is with complaints about the finances and how they are attributed amongst the staff or not? I'm sorry but what does that have to do with the price of tea in China and why should this be your business to know? Do you have some small take in this company? I do not really think that is important nor the original intent of this thread.
Why do people choose to take things off of topic and pursue their own sense of gratification rather than sticking to topic at hand and opening another thread for their babble on the finances and their allocation?
*Rant Ends

Great idea here [unknown] and I am sorry this thread does not appear to be a more positive response to this contest.   

[Jazhawk]

*Rant Begins
I am sorry, but I am totally amazed how this thread has gone.
An offer for the members here that "wish" to contribute their work and "win" a Charter Membership = $50 and $100 US.
For what? Nothing.
Most people here are eager to contribute to this site that gives them this software and even more for those that choose to be members and pay the small fee. (Trust me, it is small compared to some boards)

What is with complaints about the finances and how they are attributed amongst the staff or not? I'm sorry but what does that have to do with the price of tea in China and why should this be your business to know? Do you have some small take in this company? I do not really think that is important nor the original intent of this thread.
Why do people choose to take things off of topic and pursue their own sense of gratification rather than sticking to topic at hand and opening another thread for their babble on the finances and their allocation?
*Rant Ends

Great idea here [unknown] and I am sorry this thread does not appear to be a more positive response to this contest.   

I join you in your rant.  

How in the world did we get here from there.  Like spoiled babies.  It's a token of appreciation guys.  It's a chance to show off your artistic abilities and not a shot to get on the Letterman show.  Sheesh.

-Jazhawk

[[Unknown]]

Can we use themes already posted - or do it have to be unpublished ones?

I see no reason why not.

-[Unknown]