After some discussion we decided to remove the HTML skin requirement.
For all categories HTML and ASCX skins are allowed now.

If you have any other questions regarding the contest, please post them here...

• 50% Design / Creativity
• 20% Use of the Framework
• 15% Technical implementation
• 5% Educational value

Ya, ok... So the math doesn't add up, but on a whole other level as well...

I fear that in an effort to sex up the DNN framework to resemble the slickness of others like (* erm, cough, cough *) WordPress and Joomla that perhaps too much emphasis will be placed on the Design / Creativity in judging. To date, the basic Extropy Skin has been simple and neat in order to be Educational. People (and I include myself in this when I was first learning the framework) should learn from this skin...

I would hate to put a percentage on each of the criteria - doing this only loads the emphasis on one rather than another. I would prefer that all entries be judged on the merits of all the technical aspects after a first impression, i.e.:

1. Is this a well-designed, "generic" (i.e. can be adapted by any user for any company / website), creative skin? (The skin should not be flavour-of-the-month, nor should it be something that is easily found / purchased on template sites.)
   
   • If NO, then stop right there...
   • If YES, then let's look at its technical aspects:
2. Valid XHTML?
   
   • Lean, Div-based layout?
   • Semantic markup using W3C recommended tags?
   • Is the HTML cleverly used to execute the creative skin design?
3. Valid CSS 2.1 Styling?
   
   • Clearly named classes? (i.e. you can tell what it's for and re-use it?)
   • Well-commented for educational value?
   • Is the CSS cleverly used to execute the creative skin design?
4. Browser Accuracy?
   
   • Does the design and subsequent XHTML and CSS work accross all major browsers? - Mozilla Firefox / Safari / Opera / Google Chrome / IE6 (hate it) / IE7 / IE8 (a bit of a tough one...)
5. Use of DNN Framework?
   
   • Use of ASCX Controls?
   • Creative use of controls and asp.net tags / functions?
   • Use of DNN widgets / controls - text resizers, search, etc?
6. Use of other, custom functionality?
   
   • Use of jQuery or other scripts?
   • Use of XML-Flash widgets?
   • Customised navigation? Solid implementation of the core DNN menu? (Though IMO DNN Nav Menu lacks somewhat...)

The problem, nowadays, is that other CMS frameworks and engines offer default skins / templates that "look" sexier and easier to customize than DNN. And, though I understand the want for creative use of the framework, there's no substitute for execution. I have seen far too many skins on Snowcovered (and other CMS Framework template sites for that matter) that look good, but don't validate, or use tables, or don't work cross-browser, or all of the aforementioned.

The other thing that I'd like to add - having discussed this with Timo over email already - is the timing and incentive for this competition.

1. The timing is way, way off. Everyone down south (South Africa, Australia, etc) is definitely on skeleton staff over the festive season as our economies are driven by industry (automotive, etc). I'm not sure up North, but I'd imagine its the same...
2. The lack of replies and response is indicative of this...
3. This next comment is very "devil's advocate" and I hope that it's taken as constructive rather than destructive criticism:

Though the prizes are good (Worldwide Recognition, XBox 360 Console, Microsoft Expression Studio, Windows 7 Netbook), why would anyone go through all the effort of designing a rock-solid, award-winning skin for a once-off prize when they could sell it several times over on Snowcovered at close to $100 a pop? - Especially after the last year we've all had. Doing stuff for free in this economy doesn't do much for people's bottom-line.

I mean, the only thing that's vaguely appealing is the Netbook. I'm not a gamer so the console would be wasted and would keep me from doing work to earn moeny, Worldwide Recognition is a bit of an abstract concept, and I get the Expression Studio as part of my MS Partner package...

I would have preferred putting the prize options up to a public vote and suggestions first... My suggestion for one of the prizes in the bundle would be to have a free DNN Enterprise Solution (maybe for like 2 years or so), or some server space, or like $5000 credit on Snowcovered... Those are prizes with real value in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong. If I had the time, and the energy, I would enter. I just think this one has been a bit rushed and not really thought through properly... Have you guys received any entries yet..?

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