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0.25k program contest ***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Announcing...
The Usenet 256-byte Apple II program contest
--------------------------------------------
-*- Basic rules: -*-
(1) Contest not restricted to games: demos, utilities, etc. welcome
(2) Must run on an enhanced, 128k Apple //e.
(3) May call [Pro]DOS, Applesoft or Monitor routines.
(4) Must come with source code in text format.
(5) 256 bytes maximum object code size.
-*- Prizes Prizes Prizes -*-
(The PC contest had a 1st price of $5, a 2nd price of $2, and a 3rd
price of $1, FYI.)
First prize: Either The Complete Shareware Solutions II Collection
(Issues 1-12), a one year free renewal if the winner is already a
SSII subscriber, or a copy of Contacts GS. (Donated by Joe Kohn)
If other Apple II companies want to donate prizes, that would be great
(send me email). Otherwise, I'll offer these for 2nd and 3rd place.
It's not much but hey, I'm a StarvingGradStudent(tm).
Second prize: $2 (Canadian or American, your choice :-) ).
Third prize: $1 (ditto).
-*- Answers to some questions: -*-
Why no IIGS programs?
Because I don't have a IIGS. Besides, one cannot compare 256-byte
programs written for two different processors. If there's enough
interest, someone could volunteer to coordinate a IIGS-specific
contest.
Does the program have to be loadable at any particular address?
No.
Can my program use memory outside the 256 bytes?
Sure. For example, a program can create a 1k lookup table at run
time and refer to it. It could also copy itself to auxiliary
memory and jump to the copy. Basically, the only restriction is on
the static memory image that is loaded for execution. What the
program does at runtime is up to it. (Note that this is different
from the PC contest.)
Can I assume the Apple is in some state (e.g. 80-column, or empty HGR
screen) when the program starts?
You can, but be sure to mention it in the docs. Understand that
asking the user to manually clear the hi-res screen before running
your program is not as "impressive" as clearing it automatically,
so it might be a good idea to try squeezing it in anyway.
Can contestants enter more than once?
Sure.
What about previously written and previously published programs?
No previously published programs.
Other programs written before the start of the contest are
welcome.
Can I call "undocumented" Monitor/Basic/DOS routines?
Yes, provided they work on an enhanced Apple //e. It's better
to use standard entry points though, for your program will run
on more machines, which means more people will be able to vote
on your program.
-*- Entering -*-
The contest starts now, April 4th, and entries must reach me before
Monday, April 24th, 1995.
Entries must take the form of a binsciied ShrinkIt archive containing
all relevant files. File that must be present are:
- the executable (size <= 256 bytes),
- the source code in plain text format,
- some documentation with at least the name of the program and
the name and electronic address of the author. There's no
restriction on the size of the documentation. :-)
Email your entries to: guertinp@iro.umontreal.ca
-------------------------
I will post the entries to comp.binaries.apple2 as I receive them.
Starting April 24th, and ending April 30th, I will accept votes by
email (same address). NO VOTING before April 24th. Everyone can vote,
but you cannot vote for your own programs. In your vote, give me the
name of the top three programs. A first place vote is worth 5 points,
a second place 3 points, and a third place 1 point. The number with
the highest number of points will be the winner.
Only one vote per person. You may change your vote before the
deadline, but be sure to tell me you've voted before.
-*- Thanks -*-
Thanks to Sheldon Simms, Geoff Weiss, Chris Wicklein, and Paul Berry
for constructive comments. Thanks to Joe Kohn for the First Prize.
Paul Guertin
guertinp@iro.umontreal.ca