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VMware's Ultimate Virtual Appliance Challenge

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the get-rich-quick-schemes dept.

Natales writes "VMware has announced that they will be supplying $200,000 in prizes for what they call The Ultimate Virtual Appliance Challenge. Big industry names such as Tim O'Reilly and Mark Shuttleworth are among the judges." From the article: "Using open source or freely distributable components and/or your own code, create the most inventive and useful virtual appliance and win the $100,000 first prize! The Challenge is open to anyone worldwide and will be judged by a panel of industry experts with input from the community."

12 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. So send in something that runs under Xen by Animats · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There's nothing in the rules that says the thing has to run under VMware. So send in something that runs under Xen.

    1. Re:So send in something that runs under Xen by Negatyfus · · Score: 2, Informative
      From a link in the article:

      Q: What is a Virtual Appliance?
      A: A Virtual Appliance is similar to a 'traditional' Computing Appliance and is designed with a specific function in mind. The major difference is that instead of being built on a physical computing device, a Virtual Appliance is built using virtual machine and can be run on VMware Player, VMware Workstation, VMware Server, or VMware ESX Server.

  2. Can't use Windows by angryargus · · Score: 3, Interesting

    One requirement is "royalty-free distribution", so it excludes Microsoft (I bet VMware doesn't mind that).

    I'm glad to see that VMware finally got an advertising budget, but looks like they blew it all in one promotion.

  3. Mark Shuttleworth by Tim+C · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, I can't say that I knew of him, big name or not, so for those of you who were similarly ignorant, here is a link to his biography.

    --
    It's official. Most of you are morons.
    1. Re:Mark Shuttleworth by kamerononfire · · Score: 2, Funny

      A little company called Canonical? A small Linux distro called Ubuntu? Trip to space? Not ringing any bells? You call yourself a /. reader.. :P

    2. Re:Mark Shuttleworth by Wonko · · Score: 2, Funny

      Now you're just envious of my UID ;p

      I know I sure am!

  4. In search of the next paradigm shift. by keilinw · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I applaud the application of "incentives" to promote enhancements in society. As the prize money is intended, the result should be a change in the way society works, or at least a change in perception. To date such prizes as the X-Prize and the DARPA grand challenge serve quite a compelling purpose... to enhance technolgy.

    Examining Open Source Software's track record we see that it has made quite an impact on society; even producing a few "kill apps." But, what I am waiting for is the next paradigm shift or revolution. When will it come? What will it be? Will it involve Open Source Software? Nobody knows the answer to such questions, but I have high hopes that such prize money / incentives are capable of producing the next revolution in technology advancements. If not, lets hope so!

    --Matthew Wong
    http://www.themindofmatthew.com

  5. VMWare-aware virus. by CCFreak2K · · Score: 3, Insightful

    After observing that W32.Mytob didn't run under Windows 95, I read up Symantec's page on it. Appearently, it can figure out if it's running in VMWare, and terminates if it does. I consider that inventive on the writer's part.

    --
    "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master."
  6. Slow down horsey! by GoMMiX · · Score: 3, Informative

    The documentation states you have to be a full time student.

    The article and most documentation fails to mention this piece of information.

  7. beowulf by muftak · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine a virtual beowulf cluster in vmware! How much faster would your pc be with 100 virtual CPUs...

  8. Appliances by Keruo · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Well, after using vmware for some time, networking infrastructure could use more work.
    The one built-in to vmware is awful.

    Few things comes in mind straight off:
    1. Virtual switch device for connecting workstations(think managed ports)
    2. Virtual router for creating networks
    3. Virtual cable to simulate line delay and perhaps errors between hosts
    4. Virtual PBX to simulate phones and modems (modified asterisk?)

    Also, the install scripts in linux version could use some work..
    Sometimes you might want to reconfigure devices without recompiling the network modules.
    --
    There are no atheists when recovering from tape backup.
  9. only 1 prize is student only by mincognito · · Score: 2, Informative

    From the site:

    First Prize $100,000 Second Prize $50,000 Third Prize $25,000 Five Best of Category Prizes -Best Consumer Appliance -Best Developer Appliance -Best Server Appliance -Best Collegiate Appliance * -VMTN Community Choice Appliance $5,000 Each

    * Participant must be a full-time student.

    See, the one asterix connects to the other asterix...makes sense that a collegiate appliance be written by a student, no?

    --

    Ludwig Wittgenstein