Win a registration for Liberty BASIC 3!
Have YOUR program featured in the ABC archives!
Be published in the Liberty BASIC Newsletter!
Enjoy Fame and Glory where ever you go – well, probably not...

...but the first three apply – and MORE!

Contest Website:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lbcontest

Starting Date: November 20, 2002
Ending Date: January 22, 2003
Polls Open: January 24, 2003
Polls Close: Feb 21, 2003

BACKGROUND:

Sometime during the year 1992 Carl Gundel, after working hard for many long months, released a fledgling little version of BASIC for the PC that allowed the user to easily create window based applications. This early version, a beta release ran on both the Microsoft Windows based systems and the IBM OS/2 based systems. It caught on with a few and soon the word spread. As more mature versions of the “Little BASIC that could” were released, more and more people came to use and enjoy it. Well that is the way it was told to me. I wasn’t there – I didn’t discover Liberty BASIC until 1994. – Brad Moore

CONTEST CATEGORY:
There is only one category for this contest: UTILITY SOFTWARE

Do not let the limitation cause you grief. This is a broad category which encompasses many things. Here is a brief list of ideas that you could work on, but it is only a suggestion, you are welcome to create any program that fills the role of a utility.

* Disk File Organizer * Disk File Cataloger * Multimedia Player * File Editor * File HexEditor * Code Formatter * Scheduled Events Manager for PC (Launches programs at x time or every y minutes, etc) * Contact Manager * Image Editor * HelpFile Creator (Even if it is a proprietary helpfile format that you have invented) * Alarm Clock * File Synchronizer ...You get the idea – choose something fun.

This contest has been specifically limited to not include games. Please do not be considered as any kind of a reproach on games. The goal is to try to push the boundary on applications which could find service in the business or development world. There will be a games based contest in 2003. If you are a skilled graphics manipulator, then apply your talent to creating a flashy and fun User Interface for your utility.

RULES:

This contest will last for nine weeks.

The category is: UTILITY SOFTWARE

Contestants must follow the rules provided to be eligible to enter. All code must be submitted in the form of source code (bas files). Supporting files (graphics and dll’s must also accompany the entry). Please include a TKN version of your program so that unregistered users can later judge your work. Please do not include any of the runtime dll files or run.exe.

Entries must be uploaded to the files area of lbcontest in the folder called Liberty BASIC 10 Year Contest. The files area will be closed on January 23, 2003, so all entries must be uploaded by January 22nd. The URL to upload your files to is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lbcontest/files

You must become a member of the lbcontest group to upload contest entries, download programs to be evaluated and to vote in the contest.

Goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lbcontest/ or email the following to join the group: lbcontest-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

At the top of the code, include the following information:

1) Your name 2) Your email address 3) The version of Liberty Basic 4) The terms of use for your program Polls will open on January 24th, and remain open until February 21st. During that time, vote here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lbnews/polls/

PRIZES:

Carl Gundel has graciously agreed to offer a registration to Liberty BASIC to the First and Second place winners. Each of the winners (First, Second and Runner Up) will have their program featured as a part of the ABC archives (requires express permission). Also we will be highlighting the winning entries in the LBNewsletter.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

1) Write clear, well formatted code.

2) Document your source code.

3) Debug you code – all entries should be as bug free as possible.

4) Structure your code so that it can be easily read.

5) Write a short essay that relates to your program. This is an important part of the entry requirements – This should be a publishable essay on some aspect of your project. Choose an overall description of your work, or your programming approach, or possible how you solved some tricky aspect of your project. Target 300 to 600 words. (This announcement is over 850 words.) The goal is to publish this with you program in an up coming newsletter. The essay will not be judged during voting, but failure to submit an essay will disqualify your entry.

6) The program must be generally original work. You are not permitted to download a mostly finished program, make a few changes and call this your submission.

7) Be sure to include the following at the top of the code:

1) Your name 2) Your email address 3) The version of Liberty Basic 4) The terms of use for your program

8) Keep an eye on the Judging Criteria to guide your work.

JUDGING CRITERIA

1. Programs should meet all guidelines as set forth in this file.

2. Programs should be as bug-free as possible.

3. Programs should have lots of comments.

4. Programs should be well-structured.

5. User interfaces should be attractive and easy to use.

6. Program should be easy to use without complicated instructions.

7. Programs should have unique and interesting elements provided by the programmer.

8. A sense of humor is important. This should be FUN!