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Maybe they should have created a competition for finished apps instead. If the app is as simple as it sounds (not sure what it actually does), maybe some high s

by Tichy 15y ago

Maybe they should have created a competition for finished apps instead. If the app is as simple as it sounds (not sure what it actually does), maybe some high school kids would have entered a better version and raked in 5000$ as the first price.

pavel_lishin 15y ago
What test would they use to check whether an app is simple or not? At a certain point, you put out a bid for a complicated monstrocity, and the only entrant is some RentACoder who claims he can re-write Windows in Python in two weeks for $50.
- Tichy 15y ago
  Since the competition would be for finished apps, it wouldn't matter.
  - pavel_lishin 15y ago
    Sure it would. If OSHA wants a new operating system, putting out an open call for a deliverable would be retarded. Absolutely nobody would be able to deliver such a thing on spec, and those that would be willing would be obvious scam artists. At best, it would cost someone a few weeks of time evaluating these bullshit submissions and realizing that they're a waste of time. At worst, they would be accepted, another $100k would be paid out, and we'd be worse off than when we began.
    - Tichy 15y ago
      We were talking about some temperature app, not a new operating system. I did not suggest such a competition would be a good idea for every kind of project. It's true that there would be overhead for running the competition and judging the entries, too.
      - pavel_lishin 15y ago
        > We were talking about some temperature app, not a new operating system. I did not suggest such a competition would be a good idea for every kind of project. Right, I was trying to raise the point that it's not always obvious where the line between "trivial app" and "major project" should be drawn.
gte910h 15y ago
This is an app to prevent heat death. That's completely inappropriate to have a contest for.
- Tichy 15y ago
  I didn't read too closely - isn't it basically an app that reminds you to drink water on a regular basis? Why not have a contest for that? In fact why not have contests about stuff that saves lives?

by Tichy 15y ago

pavel_lishin 15y ago

What test would they use to check whether an app is simple or not? At a certain point, you put out a bid for a complicated monstrocity, and the only entrant is some RentACoder who claims he can re-write Windows in Python in two weeks for $50.

Tichy 15y ago
Since the competition would be for finished apps, it wouldn't matter.
- pavel_lishin 15y ago
  Sure it would. If OSHA wants a new operating system, putting out an open call for a deliverable would be retarded. Absolutely nobody would be able to deliver such a thing on spec, and those that would be willing would be obvious scam artists. At best, it would cost someone a few weeks of time evaluating these bullshit submissions and realizing that they're a waste of time. At worst, they would be accepted, another $100k would be paid out, and we'd be worse off than when we began.
  - Tichy 15y ago
    We were talking about some temperature app, not a new operating system. I did not suggest such a competition would be a good idea for every kind of project. It's true that there would be overhead for running the competition and judging the entries, too.
    - pavel_lishin 15y ago
      > We were talking about some temperature app, not a new operating system. I did not suggest such a competition would be a good idea for every kind of project. Right, I was trying to raise the point that it's not always obvious where the line between "trivial app" and "major project" should be drawn.

gte910h 15y ago

This is an app to prevent heat death. That's completely inappropriate to have a contest for.

Tichy 15y ago
I didn't read too closely - isn't it basically an app that reminds you to drink water on a regular basis? Why not have a contest for that? In fact why not have contests about stuff that saves lives?