The fine folks at php|Architect are hosting a contest. A contest with a great prize. All you need to do is build a PHP application on the Windows platform, submit your application, and you will have a chance to win a complete 52" HDTV home entertainment system and have the opportunity to present your creation to the crowd at php|tek 2010 in Chicago with an all-expenses paid trip.
What? A free HDTV rig? What do I need to do?
It's pretty simple. All you need to do is create a PHP application optimized to run on Windows and the IIS platform from scratch – or leverage existing open-source libraries and applications – to create something new, unique, and useful. It can be anything from a new or enhanced blogs engine, forum, or photo gallery application to other platforms or componentizable parts. All you need to do is register for the contest and submit your application between by February 28th, 2010.
The best application, as selected jointly by a panel of experts and by the readers of php|Architect, will win a grand prize: a 52" Digital HD home entertainment system, as well as that all-expenses paid trip to php|tek 2010 next Spring. Runner-up prizes include Xbox 360s and subscriptions to php|architect.
What's the catch?
Good question, and there is a key catch. This contest is open to residents of the United States only. Read the full rules for the full spectrum of guidelines and legalese. The key one is this is only open to US residents.
Yeah, but how do I win???
Starting March 1, 2010, judges and readers of
php|Architect will be asked to judge your entry based on the following criteria (yes, I copied this from the site):
| Criterium | Maximum Points | Notes |
| Originality | 40 | Is the entry unique? How does it differentiate from other applications of the same kind? |
| Functionality | 40 | How well does the application work? Does it follow industry-standard best practices? Is it secure? How well does it take advantage of Windows? |
| Aesthetic and Presentation | 20 | How visually appealing is the application? How well designed is the user interface/experience? |
| Total Regular Points | 100 | |
| Storage Bonus | 10 | Does the application use SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 Express, Azure Blog Storage or Azure SQL Storage and, if so, how well? |
| Client Technology Bonus | 10 | Does the application use Silverlight, IE8 WebSlices, Accelerators and/or Search Providers and, if so, how well? |
| Maximum Points | 120 | |
So, that should help you steer your efforts. Maximize the points in each of the criterium – and snag some bonus points for clever use of storage or client technologies – and you will set yourself up to win. The contest offers free hosting (thank you, Applied Innovations).
What are you waiting for? Go give it a try.