PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Microsoft "MIX08 Flotzam Restyle" Contest (the "Contest") is a skill contest
in which participants are asked to restyle an application using eXtensible Application
Markup Language (XAML) and Microsoft Expression Blend for judging based on the criteria
listed below.
ENTRY PERIOD
The Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. (PT) on January 23, 2007, and ends at 11:59 p.m.
(PT) on February 8, 2008. (Entry Period). This skill contest is organized and administrated
in the United States of America, and all entry information will be collected on
servers in the U.S.A.
ELIGIBILITY
This Contest is open to both professional and amateur designers and developers 18
years or older; however, residents of the following countries are ineligible to
participate: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Residents of The Netherlands
and the Province of Quebec are also ineligible to participate. Void where prohibited
by law. Employees of Microsoft Corporation, and anyone working directly on Microsoft
programs and their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, prize
suppliers, promotion, advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family
members and persons living in the households of each are not eligible to enter.
HOW TO ENTER
Entrants should first download the Flotzam project from http://flotzam.com/blog/post/How-To-Remix-Flotzam.aspx
and follow the instructions therein. After creating their submission, they submit
a .zip file to http://visitmix.com/2008/flotzam/. The .zip file should contain a
XAML file at the root as well as any images or other XAML assets used in the solution
[ based on your conversation with Amanda I assume you’ll revise this section] .
The submitted XAML file may not contain content that Microsoft, in its sole discretion,
deems inappropriate for public display. Content deemed inappropriate includes, but
is not limited to, vulgarity, pornography or messaging that is overtly political
in nature. The Zip file should then be submitted via the submissions form to the
supplied email address. Once submitted, all eligible entries will be posted on a
publicly accessible website for viewing by website visitors.
An entrant may submit a total of 5 entries; however, each entry must be substantially
unique in content and appearance. Microsoft reserves the right to disqualify any
entry not meeting the above criteria. The website interface may be localized in
the entrant’s language; however, it must be accompanied by an English transcript
of the interface for English speaking judges.
Microsoft assume no responsibility for lost, late, illegible, garbled or misdirected
entries, or for any computer, online, telephone, human, or other error or for any
technical or other malfunctions that may occur. Proof of e-mailing submission does
not constitute proof of delivery. All information is collected in the United States.
Use of any personally identifiable information is subject to the terms set forth
in the Microsoft Statement of Privacy.
JUDGING CRITERIA
All eligible submissions will be judged and ranked by a panel of qualified experts
based on the following criteria, each of which is weighted equally:
- Quality: A professional and visually appealing design.
- Creativity: Creative and innovative of the design.
- Design Navigation: Clean, easy-to-understand and well designed navigation.
In the event of a tie during the winner selection process, all tied entries will
be re-judged by additional successive judges based on the criteria listed above
and that judge will break the tie. The Judges' decisions are final and binding in
all matters relating to this contest.
On or about February 15, 2008, three winners will be announced and notified via
email.
RIGHTS TO USE ENTRIES
By entering this Contest, you are granting to Microsoft an irrevocable, royalty
free, fully paid up, worldwide license to use, review, assess, test and otherwise
analyze your entry and all its content in connection with the Contest. You’re also
giving Microsoft permission to feature your entry and any associated materials,
and any medium including, but not limited to, website, television, radio and/or
printed materials to promote this Contest and Microsoft products.
Further, you understand that Microsoft cannot control the incoming information you
will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering, or what our representatives
will remember about your entry. You also understand that Microsoft will not restrict
work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering
this Contest, you agree that use of information in our representatives’ unaided
memories in the development or deployment of Microsoft products or services does
not create liability for Microsoft under this agreement or trade secret law. You
will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what
is described in these Official Rules.
Other than what is set forth above, Microsoft is not claiming any license or ownership
rights to your entry.
PRIZES
(1) One winner will receive an Xbox 360 video game system [what version? http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/compare101.htm]
(Estimated Retail Value, US$?? ) to be delivered by mail to the winner.
No substitution, transfer, or assignment of prize permitted, except that Sponsor
reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event
an offered prize is unavailable. If a winner cannot or will not accept a prize,
then prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Sponsor reserves
the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize or a portion
of the prize is unavailable. Specifics of prize package are subject to availability
and sponsor's sole discretion.
Should a potential winner decline the prize for any reason whatsoever, the next-eligible
highest ranking entry will be deemed the winner of that prize. All prize values
in U.S. Dollars. Any applicable taxes on the prize or expenses not listed herein
are the sole responsibility of the winner. Prizes may be subject to U.S. withholding
taxes and non-U.S. winners (if any) may be required to complete an IRS W8-BEN. Microsoft
reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize
or a portion of the advertised prize is unavailable for any reason. Prize awards
may be subject to country specific restrictions.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The entry must have been created solely by the entrant. The entry cannot defame
or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise
infringe upon any person's personal or proprietary rights. Modifying, enhancing
or altering a third party's pre-existing work, with the sole exception being the
Microsoft supplied base XAML, does not qualify as entrant's original creation. Entry
may not be offensive, as determined by judges in their sole discretion. Entries
not complying with all rules are subject to disqualification.
Entrants shall not receive any compensation or credit for use of entries, other
than that disclosed in these rules. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these
Official Rules.
In the event of a dispute, the laws of the State of Washington in the United States
govern this Contest. All federal, provincial, state, and local laws and regulations
apply. Potential winners will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of
Eligibility and Liability Release and where legal, Publicity Release, within 7 days
following the date of issuance of notification. Non-compliance within this time
period or return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in
disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Acceptance of prize constitutes
permission for Microsoft Corporation and its agents to use winner's name and likeness
for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation unless
prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Microsoft
Corporation and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotions
agencies, prize suppliers, and all of their employees, officers, directors, shareholder's
and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind
arising from or in connection with this Contest, the use of any entry, or the acceptance
or use of any prize won unless prohibited by law.
INTERNET
If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned due to infection
by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical
failures, uploads of malicious files or viruses, or any other causes beyond the
control of Microsoft Corporation which corrupt or affect the administration, security,
fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, Microsoft Corporation reserves
the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry or any individual who
tampers with the entry or voting process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend
the Contest and select winners using all eligible, non-suspect entries and/or votes
received as of the date of termination. Microsoft assumes no responsibility for
any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission,
communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or
alteration of, entries. Microsoft is not responsible for any problems or technical
malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems,
servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry
to be received on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion
on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury
or damage to participant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting
from participation in this contest or downloading any materials in this Contest.
CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE
OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH
AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, MICROSOFT CORPORATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR
OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner,
the winning entry will be declared made by the license holder of the Application
submitted.
WHO WON
A list of winners will be posed online after February 15, 2008 at www.visitmix.com/2008
SPONSOR
The Sponsor of this contest is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond,
Washington, 98052-6399