Best Practices

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We're very excited about the upcoming release of Adobe Flex 2.0, an integrated set of tools and technology enabling developers to build and deploy scalable rich Internet applications, and hope that you as developers are too.

We just released Flex 2.0 beta 2, and, to celebrate, we're introducing the Flex Developer Derby with the opportunity for you to show off your killer apps and the chance to win great prizes.

Download the Adobe Flex 2.0 beta 2 (www.macromedia.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=labs) and see what you can build with Flex today. If you're new to Flex, see "Flex 2.0: Enabling the Next Generation of Rich Internet Applications" (www.macromedia.com/devnet/flex/articles/flex2_intro.html) and read more about the Flex 2.0 beta in Adobe Labs.

Categories and Judging Process
We've put together a great panel of judges from the developer community (these are not Adobe employees, though I'll be moderating) who will look at the applications and select one winner from each of the following categories:

• Product Configurators/Self-Service Guided Applications: Allow configuration or filtering of a service or product using the changes to the visual presentation and associated data to guide the user to a more informed decision.
• Components and Gadgets: Not all Flex and Flash sites are all Flex and Flash. Use components or user interface gadgets in an intuitive and appropriate way to increase usability of DHTML or standard Web applications.
• Data Dashboards: Provide a live visual window into business processes or snapshots of business intelligence that drive insight in a variety of configurations, potentially from multiple applications or databases. Ease of use and the ability to save or print views is also paramount since the target is usually a business user that has specific reporting milestones.
• Mashups: Combine content from more than one source to create new applications. Content often comes from public APIs or data feeds like RSS and Atom.
• Communication/Collaboration Applications: Allow two or more users to work together, in real time and in context, to achieve a specific objective. If communication between users is required, it uses some combination of audio, video, and text.
• Just Freakin' Cool (aka Wild Card): An application that doesn't fit into one of the other categories.

Using a points system, the judging panel will judge each submission on the following criteria:

• Originality
• Ease of use
• Design
• Use of Flex features

See the full Terms and Conditions (http://labs.adobe.com/showcase/special/flexderby/contest_terms.pdf) for more details on the judging process.

Prizes
The six winners, one from each category, will be selected. Each winner will receive:

• A 42-inch Samsung plasma TV and a Microsoft Xbox 360
• Your application showcased on the Adobe showcase Website (http://labs.macromedia.com/showcase/) along with the application name, description, and a link to your personal Website or blog (if applicable).
• Your application showcased in the Adobe booth at the JavaOne Conference, May 16-29, 2006, in San Francisco.

Early-Bird Submission Prizes
In addition, the first 25 developers who submit applications that are chosen to be posted in our online gallery showcase will receive a $50 electronic gift certificate to Amazon.com. Applications must meet eligibility requirements set by the Terms and Conditions.

How to Enter
Entering the contest is easy:

• Read the Official Contest Rules and Terms and Conditions (www.macromedia.com/devnet/logged_in/mchotin_flexderby.html#rules).
• Download the Adobe Flex 2.0 beta 2 (www.macromedia.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=labs) and develop an application that will blow away the judges.
• Host your application on a server. If you need server hosting, check out CFDynamics (www.cfdynamics.com/), which is providing limited-time free server hosting for the contest.
• Submit your application by 11:59 PM Pacific Time, May 31, 2006 (www.macromedia.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=flexderby_submission).

Official Contest Rules
Submission Guidelines
All applications must be hosted on a server and submitted to the Flex Developer Derby by providing a URL link to the hosted application. If you need free limited-time server hosting, please contact CFDynamics.

Official Contest Rules
Applications must be submitted by completing the form on Adobe's Website. All applications must be hosted on a server and submitted to the Flex Developer Derby by providing a URL link to the hosted application on the official submission form. No file attachments will be accepted. All submitted applications must be built with Flex Builder 2.0 beta 2 or 3 software from Adobe. Each submission is subject to the eligibility requirements, as listed in the Terms and Conditions.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA, EXCLUDING QUEBEC, WHO ARE AGE 18 YEARS OR OLDER. Void where prohibited by law. Limit one (1) submission per participant. The Flex Developer Derby Contest opens March 20, 2006, and closes at 11:59:00 PDT on May 31, 2006. Six (6) winners will receive one of six (6) 42-inch plasma TVs plus a Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming system, valued at US$4,080 each. No alternative prize, cash equivalent, or other substitution is permitted. Prize is nontransferable. Winner is responsible for all taxes. The winners will be selected by a panel of independent judges, who will use an objective points system to judge in six categories. Participants agree to hold Adobe and its agents/representatives harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind in connection with the Contest. Participation constitutes entrant's full unconditional agreement and acceptance of these Official Rules. Other limitations may apply. Contest is sponsored by ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED ("Adobe" or "Sponsor") at 345 Park Ave., San Jose CA 95110. See the full Terms and Conditions (PDF, 34K).

This contest is available to United States and Canada only, and residents of jurisdictions prohibiting such promotions should consider this program void (i.e., Quebec). While Adobe makes a great effort to accommodate the international community, we cannot always guarantee that our contests will be available in every country. Please note that although this contest is available only in the United States and Canada, there may be future opportunities to participate in international contests and promotions. The Labs Showcase Gallery (http://labs.macromedia.com/showcase/)is open to residents of all countries and we welcome your submissions ( http://labs.macromedia.com/wiki/index.php/showcase).

Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions: Free gift certificate offer available only to the first twenty-five (25) participants who submit applications that meet the following eligibility requirements: Application must be built with Flex 2.0, beta 2 or beta 3 version; application must include interactive elements; application must be virus-free; and application may not contain any unlawful, libelous, offensive, defamatory, obscene, or pornographic materials. Adobe reserves the right to verify that each submission meets eligibility requirements prior to offering gift certificates to participants and prior to posting submissions in the Showcase Gallery. Offer valid only to legal residents of the United States and Canada, excluding Quebec, who are age 18 years or older. Limit one (1) certificate per eligible submission. Applications must be received between March 20, 2006, and May 31, 2006, via the online submission form. The selected twenty-five participants will be notified within three to five days of submission by e-mail, which will detail the steps for redeeming the gift certificate. The first twenty-five eligible submissions will receive a gift certificate to Amazon.com, valued at US$50. Certificate is nontransferable. No alternative prize, cash equivalent, or other substitution is permitted. Offer subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Supplies are limited. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. For more information on the Flex Developer Derby Contest, see the full Terms and Conditions (http://labs.adobe.com/showcase/special/flexderby/contest_terms.pdf).

Questions? Contact us at: developerderby@adobe.com.