[StuckInTraffic]

I would like to announce to everyone an important technology competition event, called Imagine Cup (http://www.imaginecup.com).

Here's the breakdown of what Imagine Cup is:
* A Microsoft sponsored event that's internationally held and in it's 3rd year running.
* Up to 9 categories college students can compete in. They are:

1. Software Design (teams of up to 4)
Design and develop new applications that dissolve boundaries using the .NET Framework and Windows platform.

2. Visual Gaming (teams of up to 2)
Combine coding skills and algorithmic ability to devise and then implement strategy for a multi-player head-to-head game.
(Simply download the SDK and begin)

3. Technology Business Plan (teams of up to 4)
Create a compelling, sustainable business model that uses technology to bridge the digital divide.

4. Rendering (teams of up to 4)
Tell a story about dissolving boundaries in 3D, using both artistic and algorithmic skills.

5. Web Development (teams of up to 4)
Create an innovative educational site for your peers using ASP.NET.

6. Information Technology (individual)
Demonstrate proficiency in the science of networks, databases, and servers, as well as analysis and decision-making.

7. Office Designer (teams of up to 4)
Develop Microsoft Office-based solutions/applications that creatively solve the practical problems around us.

8. Algorithm (individual)
Compete in a series of brainteasers, coding challenges, and algorithmic puzzles.

9. Short Film (Team of 3-4)
Share a perspective on “the boundaries between us” by working from abstract, to storyboard, to final product.

* Registration opens November 1st 2004. Judging of projects and competition begins March 1st, 2005, giving the teams at least 3 months to code and develop. (Information Technology is an online quiz that begins January 10th, 2005)

* Some competition are only 2 rounds, some are 3.
* Teams may be composed of a combination of high school, undergrad, and grad students and from other schools
* Teams may be eligible for free software to compete (Visual Studio 2004, Office 2003, Windows XP, etc.)
* Teams compete regionally, then nationally, and then finally internationally (in the case of Software Design category)
* Finals will be held in Japan this time around. Last year it was held in Brazil.

That's fine and dandy and all, but why should you, your club, and cal poly students be interested in competing?

* Instantly adds value to your resumes: Information that you put on your resume should be things that you can show off to employers and by competing it gives you something positive to talk about. You will have experience with technology trends such as mobile devices and web services.
* For the love of technology: Compete because you have the passion to learn new technology. Compete because it's fun andchallenging.
* Adds value to your student organization: It gives your organization goals, something to talk about during and after meetings, and adds more technical credibility to your club, your officers, and your members.
* For the glory: Win up to $25,000, meet with top technology students and industry professionals. I got a chance to see Bill Gates and the winning team in San Francisco last year got a chance to pitch their idea to him. Ultimately there are those who, after competing, are licensing their projects!
* Pride: Now only do students compete against one another, but schools compete against one another and nations compete against one another as well. We want to prove to everyone that Cal Poly Pomona is an excellent technical institution and this competition is one measure of that. Imagine Cup's site actually ranks schools depending on the number of registered
competitors.
* Because competition benefits everyone: It's a way of measuring where you stand, where the school stands, and where the countries stand.

Feel free to email me at dpham@csupomona.edu for any questions or comments. I will be conducting a presentation at SWIFT's next meeting (Tuesday, November 9th 2004 12PM 98C4-032). Thanks and have fun!