Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!portal!cup.portal.com!Classic_-_Concepts
From: Classic_-_Concepts@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: Educational software contest
Message-ID: <39350@cup.portal.com>
Date: 16 Feb 91 23:30:14 GMT
References: <494@bug.UUCP> <1991Feb14.235340.1631@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 44


    Re:  encouraging Commodore to sponsor an educational software contest
 
They just did.  The deadline for their AmigaVision script contest was in
mid January.  Apparently they were flooded with entries.  This would
indicate:
    -  There are people developing educational apps
    -  There is interest in educational apps
    -  Commodore IS interested in encouraging educational apps
 
So, from a diplomatic point of view--rather than suggest this as a *new*
idea, perhaps Commodore could be encouraged to repeat the contest, maybe
on an annual basis?  The reason I am in favor of annual contests is that
there are many activities competing for our time:  AmigaWorld Animation
Contest; AVVideo Amiga graphic contest; AmigaVision Contest, Italian
Animation Contest, Compute!'s programming contest.  Programming and
animating take LOTS of time.  Knowing WELL in advance helps you to choose
which ones to put your effort towards and gives you time to plan/execute
your entries.

So, if you plan to talk to Commodore, then express appreciation for them
having sponsored the contest which ended in January.  Encourage them to
work through users groups to help plan deadline dates (Christmas really is
NOT a good time, Commodore and AV Video ...) and to publish dates, etc. in
Users' group newsletters.  Encourage them to work WITH the other groups
sponsoring contests so we don't get conflicts or too many too close together.
And finally, indicate to them that there's enough interest that they should
probably do it again.  After all, judging the current entries is probably a
big learning experience which could be carried over into future planning.

                                           Julie Petersen
PS.  Hmm, perhaps we need a list of current contests and their dates ...
     This is purely from memory, but how's this for a start ...

     AmigaWorld Expo Art and Video Contest     March 1st?
     Badge Killer Demo Contest                 ca. Oct.
     AmigaWorld Animation Contest              ca. Nov.
     AV Video Amiga Graphics Contest           ca. Dec.
     Italian Animation Contest                 spring?
     Compute's programming contest             fall?
     ACM Siggraph                              anyone know?                 
     Commodore AmigaVision Contest             mid-Jan.
Looks like there are perhaps too many clustered around Christmas.  Perhaps th
organizers would like to think about this ...