4 ms·

Hahha WTF? That is a very interesting... and head-scratching contest indeed.

by Readmore 17y ago

Estragon 17y ago
Yeah, why on earth are they interested in this?
- dschobel 17y ago
  My guess would be the that actual computation problem will be something suited to distributed computation as they tried (and failed) to do with their first contest. The twitter part is obviously for visibility. edit: sorry that sounded really cynical, it's obviously a fun project and miles ahead of most other forms of marketing.
- stjarnljuset 17y ago
  "they" as in Engine Yard? Promote Ruby development? Get publicity from #wa-ste if it trends, and get publicity anyways for running such an odd contest? I think the concept of using Twitter messages to create an app is hilarious and fascinating at the same time. Even if I don't participate, I'd love to see how the contest turns out. The thing that interests me the most is the 5-limit on WASTEpoint submissions, and the requirement to use at least 10 WASTEpoints from at least 4 different submitters, which will force contestants to rely on other people's submissions and not just their own. I wonder if this will cause potential contestants to delay building their own WASTEpoints, to wait and see what other WASTEpoints are available for use before supplementing with their own in order to complete the contest. -- On second thought, I guess that's why second and third prizes are for the WASTEpoints submissions. Hmm, now that I think about it, to win first prize, you don't even need to code anything; just create a program listing of WASTEpoints that other people build.
  - pyre 17y ago
    > now that I think about it, to win first prize, you don't even need to code anything True, but you also need to be the first to figure out the combination of pre-existing WASTEpoints. A 'funny' progression: 1. Contestant #1 figures out how to do the computation using 9 existing WASTEpoints and one personally created one. 2. Contestant #1 registers said WASTEpoint to use it to submit their program listing. 3. Contestant #2 figures out how to use Contestant #1's WASTEpoint + the 9 others, and submits the winning program listing before Contestant #1 does. Thereby winning the contest on the back of someone else that had already figured out how to win the contest.

Hahha WTF? That is a very interesting... and head-scratching contest indeed.

Estragon 17y ago

Yeah, why on earth are they interested in this?

dschobel 17y ago
My guess would be the that actual computation problem will be something suited to distributed computation as they tried (and failed) to do with their first contest. The twitter part is obviously for visibility. edit: sorry that sounded really cynical, it's obviously a fun project and miles ahead of most other forms of marketing.
stjarnljuset 17y ago
"they" as in Engine Yard? Promote Ruby development? Get publicity from #wa-ste if it trends, and get publicity anyways for running such an odd contest? I think the concept of using Twitter messages to create an app is hilarious and fascinating at the same time. Even if I don't participate, I'd love to see how the contest turns out. The thing that interests me the most is the 5-limit on WASTEpoint submissions, and the requirement to use at least 10 WASTEpoints from at least 4 different submitters, which will force contestants to rely on other people's submissions and not just their own. I wonder if this will cause potential contestants to delay building their own WASTEpoints, to wait and see what other WASTEpoints are available for use before supplementing with their own in order to complete the contest. -- On second thought, I guess that's why second and third prizes are for the WASTEpoints submissions. Hmm, now that I think about it, to win first prize, you don't even need to code anything; just create a program listing of WASTEpoints that other people build.
- pyre 17y ago
  > now that I think about it, to win first prize, you don't even need to code anything True, but you also need to be the first to figure out the combination of pre-existing WASTEpoints. A 'funny' progression: 1. Contestant #1 figures out how to do the computation using 9 existing WASTEpoints and one personally created one. 2. Contestant #1 registers said WASTEpoint to use it to submit their program listing. 3. Contestant #2 figures out how to use Contestant #1's WASTEpoint + the 9 others, and submits the winning program listing before Contestant #1 does. Thereby winning the contest on the back of someone else that had already figured out how to win the contest.