Web Directions South is without doubt a conference worthy of your attention. If you’re itching to go but scratching around for funds, then oh boy do we have the challenge for you. Pull out your best mobile web development skills and you could get your ticket on merit, not credit.
Update
We’ve had a few questions regarding the definition of a button and we want you to know you can design and develop a button or a badge or a card, in no way is a <button> required. Shoot for the stars, be that a sherriff’s badge, a volume control set to 11, or a brilliant business card.
The Brief
Make a button using the web standards trifecta of HTML, CSS and Javascript. Only. We applaud the addition of numerals 5 to your HTML, and 3 to your CSS. Make your peers gasp with delight at the sheer good manners of your button, and make them wonder and marvel at its technical prowess.
Constraints
- Zero image tolerance
- Mandatory animation
- File size to a ruthless minimum
So what you are aiming for is a button of absolutely any kind, that does not use any images for its presentation but which absolutely must animate in some manner. All of this, whilst keeping the total size of your files down to a ruthless minimum.
Liberties
You are at liberty to include any of the open source Javascript libraries hosted by the Google Libraries API, or any combination thereof. Note, however, that the weight of inclusions will be counted. Also note an obvious exception, the use of “SWFObject” will, naturally, void a submission.
Submission
Email a zipped copy of your files to wds11@buildmobile.com before we close submissions at midnight on Saturday 1st October. This allows you a little finishing off time at the weekend, and allows us to finalise the judging in advance of the Web Directions South event.
Judging Criteria
- Visual Wonderance
- Technical Wizardry
- Minimal File Size
Score Calculation
Marks out of 200 (OK) will be awarded for each of the “Visual Wonderance” and “Technical Wizardy” criteria. Then, the weight of Javascript inclusions and our measure of load time will feed into a calculation reducing an initial score of 504 (Timeout) to a final contribution. Max score therefore 904.
Honourable Judges
Judges are currently being selected, and may or may not be part of the Web Directions South 2011 Speakers line up. At this stage, we are withholding the judges names to avoid any bribery or other such skullduggery ahead of submission deadline.
Rewards
- One Lucky Ticket to Web Directions South 2011
- The Complete Build Mobile Websites and Apps for Smart Devices Bundle
- A Signed Copy of Developing with Web Standards by John Allsopp
Once the judging has been finalised, the ultimate challenger will be awarded the ultimate rewards package described above. There will be a few more great items rewarded to honourable mentions, on a discretional basis according to the quality of the entries.
FAQ
0. Invent This? Absolutely not, most of the credit goes to the 10K Apart giants, and the shoulders of the giants they in turn stood upon, namely the 5K mob. Also, hats off to @Malarkey’s Dick from which a little inspiration was taken.
1. Taking Too Many Liberties? Certainly with regard to the above question. However, we will not limit your Javascript inclusions, but we will judge the common sense and sensibilities of your choices when it comes to weight, and the 504 (Timeout) contribution.
2. Third Parties? No, non permissable. Everything contributing to your submitted button must reside within your root folder. No externals besides the liberty libraries. Therefore third parties like Flickr and Twitter, and that Facebook thing, are excluded.
3. Legalese? Not really, but yes of course there is. Let’s keep it simple: we retain the right to exercise our discretion when it comes to judging. Submit your work at your own risk. The risk of being recognised for your awesomeness is real. No correspondence will be entered into.
4. Spec Work? Absolutely not. Enter the challenge if you want to, and understand this is not a competition in any legal sense. If somebody does want to pay you for your work, within the challenge or on general merit, we guarantee to pass on any enquiries we receive.
5. Multiples? Multiple entries by a single parties are allowed. Single entries by multiple parties are allowed. All fall under the status code 300 (Multiple Choices). A victorious submission by multiple parties will require the splitting of costs for the remaining multiple attendees.
Paul BridgestockPaul will suggest that it’s all about HTML5 & CSS3 to anybody who stands still for long enough, though he will defer to talking about building for mobile in the context of iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Paul offers all manner of web development services out of 3Easy Web Org and is the Editor in Chief of BuildMobile.com.
