ReStyle contest on the MIX08 site

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ReStyle

Since MIX06, I have been involved with the development of the MIX site one way or another.  This year is no different, I'm just a sucker for conferences about the web, design and Microsoft technologies like, hmm let's see, Silverlight (among others).

Today we've re-launched the ReStyle contest (formerly known as REMIX) by modifying the HTML to be more restyling friendly and providing a Starter Kit with the default and a sample theme.  The sample theme is simply titled "gray", because that's what it does.  It just grays everything out and removes images providing some technical suggestions on how you might redesign the site yourself.  You can see the gray theme live on the MIX08 site.

Why would anyone want to spend the time redesigning a site using only CSS and the images they can create?  Besides being educational and fun, there are also prizes.

The designers of the top three entries judged to be the best will receive:

(3) Each winner will receive a trip to attend the MIX08 Conference in Las Vegas, NV, March 5-7, 2008. Trip includes entrance into the MIX08 Conference, 3 night standard hotel accommodations, and a $1000 cash travel allowance .

- official contest rules

There it is, the big prize to work towards.  A free trip to MIX08!

Now there is no time to waste.  MIX08 is in 55 days and the contest is over on Feb 1st.  You need to get cracking on a redesign, if you expect to win your way to MIX.

And if you want to hang out with other hopefuls, for the next 3 weeks, join the ReStyling the MIX site Facebook group.  Right now, I'm the only member, and I'm "hopeful" others will show up to the party.

To get the latest news about MIX08 and the ReStyle contest, follow the News blog.

posted on Jan 9th, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5)

5 Comments »

  1. Much better. The markup looks pretty good in the newer version. Unfortunately, the Facebook group is only open to Microsoft.

    Can I get an invite?

    Comment by Ian Muir - January 09, 2008 @ 12:08 PM

  2. Argh, oops. Unfortunately I accidentally made it Microsoft only and the only way to change group type is to delete the group. So here's the new url to the new duplicate group :)
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20407580744

    Comment by Adam Kinney - January 09, 2008 @ 2:28 PM

  3. Adam,

    Yes the markup is better. Will our submissions follow the same guidelines as last year meaning:

    1 css directory named css
    1 images directory named images
    1 html file named errrmm ? (index.hmtl or Mix08HomePage.html, or default.html)

    The starter kit repost has other directory structure than that listed above and on the legal page for the competition. This ambiguity could confuse some people.

    Additionally, are you a judge again this year?

    Comment by Richard J. Rothery Jr. - January 09, 2008 @ 4:40 PM

  4. I agree we need to make it clearer on the website what you need to submit. A ReStyle submission is only required to consist of a single CSS file. Multiple CSS files are optional and the location of accompanying images is up to you and how you reference them within your CSS.

    So that's what is technically needed, but I see according to the rules as you mentioned they have the structure laid out there which fits into the requirements I mentioned.

    Once the submission form is added we’ll ensure there’s very clear text there.

    Comment by Adam Kinney - January 09, 2008 @ 9:25 PM

  5. I was a bit tired last night when posting. I realized that my comment about the HTML is mute as we do not touch the markup.

    In any event thanks for the clarification and the Facebook space.

    You have actually forced my hand at joining Facebook, not that I object to social networks but some folks just do nothing but... well you know.

    See you at the social.

    Are you taking the 5th ammendment on the judging?
    I don't blame you if so; it was a leading question.

    Comment by Richard J. Rothery Jr. - January 10, 2008 @ 1:39 PM

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