Dave Bryant wrote:
> In what I am sure was a simple oversight, Ross forgot to mention that
> DesignBais was also signed up to take part in the database challenge.
>As a matter of interest, how many contestants were there last year?
 
Last year I believe there were 13 contestants representing 8 teams of 1 or
2 people.

Ross Ferris wrote
> Alas there was no database challenge this year. I think it died
> through "lack of interest" - as nearly as I can make out there were
> only 5 confirmed starters - Kevin (the King & Winner last year with
> SB+), Stamina (Visage - 2nd last year & looking for Kevin's
> scalp!!:-), Cache (CSP?), Revelation (OpenInsight) & Binary Star
> (Nucleus) 

As is evident by these notes, it would seem that the challenge was all
about tools, but the opposite is true.  The challenge was originally
intended to profile the MV platform, how individuals got the most out of
it, and how well people responded to common end-user development scenarios
- it had nothing to do with GUI or technology and someone with AE/ED and a
greenscreen could have won.  Tools can certainly help, but last year we saw
that the tools actually got in the way when they became the focus.  The
event seems to have turned into a marketing opportunity for toolmaker
one-upmanship.  Let's say it probably died (this year) through "lack of
interest from real MV users".  Kevin King (last year's winner) may have
been the only end-user signed up this year, and credit to him, notice it
was a "real" developer who won over the people who focus on tools rather
than day to day application work.

Assuming there will be another challenge, next year may be different if a
more clear message can be established about what is expected.  And remember
- it's all for fun and prizes and profiling our DBMS of choice, not to show
how great one's products are.

Regards,
T
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