Microsoft Launches First Shared Source Contest

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has launched its first-ever shared source programming contest. With several XBox 360's and an HDTV on the line, hackers will download 120-day trial versions of Windows CE and associated tools, and create 'cool, real-world' apps using designated shared source components. Judging criteria include originality, real-world practicality, feature-extension of the Shared Source components, project documentation, and a short video that demonstrates the successful operation of the project. The Grand Prize is a complete Xbox 360 dream setup consisting of the Xbox 360 console, a 34-inch HDTV, games, and accessories. Three other winners will be awarded Xbox 360 game consoles."

Comments

in other words

[Rooked_One]

work for us without working for us

Re:in other words

[HillBilly]

Other companies such as Google have done the same.

Re:in other words

[Bacon Bits]

What do you think SourceForge is?

Complaining that developers don't get paid for MS's shared source software while many FOSS developers also develop for no pay is obtuse.

Re:in other words

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

"work for us without working for us"

If one were to have irrational biases, one could colorfully describe Open Source that way.

Oversimplifying everything always sucks.

Re:in other words

[jkrise]

You pay MS if you wish to continue using the tool after the trial period expires.

So what?

No-one is going to be forced to pay anything.

So what??? It doesn't drive up my juices to get my hands and brain cells working on CREATING SOMETHING, and PAYING for the privilege.. that's what! The tools are useless to Microsoft unless 'Developers, Developers and Developers' use them, and these developers would not be interested unless:
a. Sufficient profits can be made after paying for the tools. (AND)
b. Better tools are not available at lesser price-points, under less onerous conditions for hobbyists.

The MS model fails both these criteria... that's what!

Re:in other words

[jkrise]

If one were to have irrational biases, one could colorfully describe Open Source that way.

Not true. The MS model, as the OP pointed out is like:

"Work for us without working for us"

Open Source projects are more like:

"It works for you, it works for us, it works for everyone else!"
-

Re:in other words

[tomstdenis]

The point is why spend time learning and investing in their tools if at the end of this thought experiment you'll just have to throw away what you learned.

At least if the contest used a proper compiler [e.g. GCC] and development suite at the end of the contest you're still a-go for more development.

As many other posters said this is just MSFTs little "me too". Their marketdroids just don't get it. The appeal of OSS isn't just that it's free (as in cost) but accessible and distributable. If their "shared source" agreement amounts to basically an NDA and a free partnership then it doesn't even come close to addressing the goals of OSS.

Tom

Re:in other words

[mqj]

Oversimplifying everything always sucks.

Yeah, simplifying things suck.

Re:in other words

[Trejkaz]

But with open source, once you contribute code, you are part of "us".

Why not

[grahamsz]

Give out development kits for the XBox 360. That would spur a lot more cool shared-source development.

Wow...

[BrainInAJar]

They've invented the Summer of Code but without all that, you know... money

Re:Wow...

[GeorgeMcBay]

Or, you know, the requirement that you be a student, which shuts most people out of Summer of Code participation.

Who has the copyright?

[JanMark]

Who has the copyright of the applications?

Playing catch-up again, and failing

[agent dero]

This seems like another bad-copy of something Google is doing.

Google Summer of Code: practically any open source project, involving any components you choose, $4500

MS Summ3r 0f C0d3: their shared source project, involving components they choose, some electronics that don't pay rent or tuition.

Gee, what a deal.

Am I so out of touch...

[loraksus]

That a "Xbox 360 console, a 34-inch HDTV, games, and accessories" is closer to "okay (or even feh)" than a "dream setup"?
Seems that the prizes are kind of cheap. I'm pretty sure Microsoft will get some pretty decent code out of this (or, if not code, ideas), but is only going to give something away as a token gesture.
Just another step in the devauluation of programmers and IT folks, I guess.

How about sharing your source Microsoft?

[BestNicksRTaken]

All of this Microsoft opensource stuff is hollow.

How about they "share the source" to the Xbox 360 filesystem, or publish an SDK or Linux distribution, jees even evil Sony managed that?

How about not trying to patent the FAT filesystem, or opening up the specs to NTFS?

How about giving us the source to WGA, or stop crippling your free Visual Studio Express?

Yeah, make us create stuff to help sell or fix your products, but don't give anything back.

Vide

[Halo1]

a short video that demonstrates the successful operation of the project.

Are you allowed to doctor the video?

Why not share the tools?

[jkrise]

From TFA: "Create your cool Windows CE project using 120-day free evaluation versions of Windows CE and its development tools, either or both of the designated Microsoft Shared Source components, and your own programming ingenuity".

So, you complete a great cool project, everyone gets to use your code... and then! You Pay Microsoft for continued use of the tools used!

who is the target audience?

[Captain Entendre]

The 120-day trial version has been around forever, it's only the contest that's new. The CE dev tools cost around $1k/seat. No slashdotter is going to fork over that kind of cash to do OS development on the weekends. And what would develop against? Most phones and PDAs are locked up tight.

On the other hand, Linux is free and there's stuff like the WRT54g to run it on. So who is the target audience for this contest? Do they just want to get professional set-top-box developers exposed to their DVR stuff?

This would actually make sense if they were targeting existing customers. But who do they expect (or hope) will spend 4 months coding furionsly on some cool project, only to lose access to the development tools when it's all over?

Except in this Summer of Code, you're polluted

[Rob Y.]

Does someone who works on 'shared source' end up polluted by their access to MS source code? Can they no longer contribute to competing open source projects without being accused of stealing MS IP?

If so, it's a pretty lousy deal. Give away your code for free to Microsoft. Make it unavailable for use in other contexts, and give up your freedom to contribute *other* code to other projects.

All for a chance at a free Xbox?