Microsoft Launches First Shared Source Contest 170
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has launched its first-ever shared source programming contest. With several XBox 360's and an HDTV on the line, hackers will download 120-day trial versions of Windows CE and associated tools, and create 'cool, real-world' apps using designated shared source components. Judging criteria include originality, real-world practicality, feature-extension of the Shared Source components, project documentation, and a short video that demonstrates the successful operation of the project. The Grand Prize is a complete Xbox 360 dream setup consisting of the Xbox 360 console, a 34-inch HDTV, games, and accessories. Three other winners will be awarded Xbox 360 game consoles."
in other words (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:in other words (Score:4, Insightful)
Why not (Score:5, Insightful)
Wow... (Score:5, Insightful)
Who has the copyright? (Score:5, Insightful)
Playing catch-up again, and failing (Score:5, Insightful)
Google Summer of Code: practically any open source project, involving any components you choose, $4500
MS Summ3r 0f C0d3: their shared source project, involving components they choose, some electronics that don't pay rent or tuition.
Gee, what a deal.
Am I so out of touch... (Score:3, Insightful)
Seems that the prizes are kind of cheap. I'm pretty sure Microsoft will get some pretty decent code out of this (or, if not code, ideas), but is only going to give something away as a token gesture.
Just another step in the devauluation of programmers and IT folks, I guess.
How about sharing your source Microsoft? (Score:4, Insightful)
How about they "share the source" to the Xbox 360 filesystem, or publish an SDK or Linux distribution, jees even evil Sony managed that?
How about not trying to patent the FAT filesystem, or opening up the specs to NTFS?
How about giving us the source to WGA, or stop crippling your free Visual Studio Express?
Yeah, make us create stuff to help sell or fix your products, but don't give anything back.
Re:Wow... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:in other words (Score:4, Insightful)
Complaining that developers don't get paid for MS's shared source software while many FOSS developers also develop for no pay is obtuse.
Re:in other words (Score:5, Insightful)
If one were to have irrational biases, one could colorfully describe Open Source that way.
Oversimplifying everything always sucks.
Vide (Score:2, Insightful)
Why not share the tools? (Score:4, Insightful)
So, you complete a great cool project, everyone gets to use your code... and then! You Pay Microsoft for continued use of the tools used!
who is the target audience? (Score:4, Insightful)
On the other hand, Linux is free and there's stuff like the WRT54g to run it on. So who is the target audience for this contest? Do they just want to get professional set-top-box developers exposed to their DVR stuff?
This would actually make sense if they were targeting existing customers. But who do they expect (or hope) will spend 4 months coding furionsly on some cool project, only to lose access to the development tools when it's all over?
Re:in other words (Score:3, Insightful)
So what?
No-one is going to be forced to pay anything.
So what??? It doesn't drive up my juices to get my hands and brain cells working on CREATING SOMETHING, and PAYING for the privilege.. that's what! The tools are useless to Microsoft unless 'Developers, Developers and Developers' use them, and these developers would not be interested unless:
a. Sufficient profits can be made after paying for the tools. (AND)
b. Better tools are not available at lesser price-points, under less onerous conditions for hobbyists.
The MS model fails both these criteria... that's what!
Re:in other words (Score:3, Insightful)
Not true. The MS model, as the OP pointed out is like:
"Work for us without working for us"
Open Source projects are more like:
"It works for you, it works for us, it works for everyone else!"
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Re:in other words (Score:3, Insightful)
At least if the contest used a proper compiler [e.g. GCC] and development suite at the end of the contest you're still a-go for more development.
As many other posters said this is just MSFTs little "me too". Their marketdroids just don't get it. The appeal of OSS isn't just that it's free (as in cost) but accessible and distributable. If their "shared source" agreement amounts to basically an NDA and a free partnership then it doesn't even come close to addressing the goals of OSS.
Tom
Re:in other words (Score:2, Insightful)
Yeah, simplifying things suck.
Re:in other words (Score:3, Insightful)
Except in this Summer of Code, you're polluted (Score:3, Insightful)
If so, it's a pretty lousy deal. Give away your code for free to Microsoft. Make it unavailable for use in other contexts, and give up your freedom to contribute *other* code to other projects.
All for a chance at a free Xbox?