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The GUI Olympics begins MONDAY

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The GUI Olympics begins MONDAY

from WinCustomize Forums

This Monday, the GUI Olympics 2004 will begin. It's a contest to see who can create the world's best visual styles, icons, and Winamp 5 skins.  Sponsors include Stardock, Nullsoft, ATI, nVidia, and others.  Microsoft is also providing prizes to the contest.  In total, over $10,000 (closer to $15,000) in cash and prizes will be given out including ATI video cards, an Xbox, tons of software and probably some surprises.

You will be able to enter skins individually or as part of a team.  The top teams will get a big bonus prize.  Anyone can form a team and there are no restrictions on the size of team (though obviously the bigger the team, the bigger the split in the prize money). You could have a Team MyfavoriteWebsite or a Team "l33t". It's up to whoever starts the team (on Monday there will be a mechanism on www.guiolympics.com to create your own team).

The rules are fairly straight forward. You have to enter submissions that are NEW. They can't be things that already exist.  They also have to be in WindowBlinds visual style format. But if you've ever made a .msstyles visual style, it's pretty easy to make a WindowBlinds one and SkinStudio can convert a .msstyles file to WindowBlinds visual style format. And then from there add the missing features to make it competitive.

The contest begins on March 1 but JUDGING won't begin until April 5 so you'll have over a month to actually put together your stuff. And judging goes on during the entire month so you may potentially have nearly 2 months depending on what events you're concentrating on.

Here is the schedule of events:

April 5: Most minimalist visual style, Most creative Winamp skin, Most original icon package
April 8: Best Power user visual style, Most useable Winamp skin
April 12: Most usable visual style, Best power user Winamp skin, Best "themed" (icons go together the best) icon package
April 15: Most creative visual style
April 19: Best themed* visual style*, Best themed* Winamp skin, Best pseudo-OS icon package
April 22: Best Pseudo-OS visual style
April 26: Best overall visual style, Best overall Winamp skin, Best overall icon package
April 27: Top Team/Individual: WindowBlinds, Top Team/Individual: Winamp, Top Team/Individual: Icons
April 29: User's Choice: Best visual style, User's Choice: Best Winamp skin: User's Choice: Best icon package

*themed skin as in the whole skin keeps to a particular theme.

16 Events. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes. Anyone can enter.

The judges will be admins/employees from Stardock, Neowin, deviantART, and Nullsoft.

So there you have it.  WB visual styles, icon packages, and Winamp 5. For $10k to $15k in cash and prizes spread among 16 main events.


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49,887 views 191 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It was a little "out of the blue" Baker not to be taken as a slight. Felt more like a "face-rubbing" then a "and now a word from our sponsor" type post.

And of course there will be some amazing talent. I just don't subscribe to the blanket statement of "We will be able to see who really are the best skinners out there." As if this contest is the definitive proof of who the best skinners are.
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Baker: are you entering? If so well then let me be the first to say... It's about frikking time you started skinning again
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yep, I think I will try. I really wish there was a desktop theme category, since that is all I have really been pondering the last year or so. I'll probably just do winamp 5.

I have wanted to start skinning again. I can't get motivated, maybe this will do it. Graphically I am a lot better than before. Dunno about the scripting though. I'll muddle through I guess.



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Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Also, I wouldn't think of it as face-rubbing.

You guys are well-motivated, a lot of others aren't. I think Frogboy just means that this will give people an excuse to hop in and see how good they really are. A lot of us think that there are a lot of latent skinners that can do amazing work coasting through because they don't have the 'urge'.

You know what I mean. Like when you hear people say "Sure, that is great, but if [whoever] was still skinning, you'd see some really cool stuff". I think he just thinks this might get all the old [whoevers], and people that just skin for themselves to chime in.

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Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it was a defensive statement. It comes out of the blue after i said my comment about creating skins for charity was more important than some contest. All of a sudden here comes the hype machine... "it will be seen by more people than anywhere else" and blah blah blah. Typical. As if my statement was going to ruin this contest. Please.

You might want to talk to R. Peter Clark about coding winamp. Not sure if Peter has the time or not but he's real good with WA5. If you haven't coded winamp 5 you'll need more than a month to learn that and to create all your graphics. Best to team up with someone so you can concentrate on the art.

And really Baker it's time to get into this again. If you're better than before then prove it. Yeh that's right i just challenged you. Put up or shut up baby. Show these newbies what you got. Take home the GOLD!!

Could you imagine Holmes sitting around saying "yeh i could solve that crime but i just can't get motivated to put down the pipe and actually do it." No he would go kick Moriarty's ass.

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Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think what Brad is just trying to do is create more enthusiasm into the skinning side get more people inspired into skinning of what can be done.

It's amazing the amount of people in Scotland that don't know about Desktop customization, there are some that know but to many that do not. If i ever speak to people about it they look at me like im some alien, apparently they think Graphic design is just pretty graphics for web sites.

I hate to say this but i may be receiving this wrong, certain ways im picking up on what you say Jesh sounds a bit arrogant at times.
Everything is all about Windows Media Player, but don't get me wrong your stuff is awesome just im picking it up like this is it, it cannot get any better Windows Media Player is da bomb!.

Your competition isn’t the gauge of who really are the best skinners out there. Because to be quite honest the best skinners are too busy earning a living to be worried about “getting the gold.” It will only show who the best skinners are who decided to enter your contest.


This is very true but alot (some other top guys) will enter, perhaps not as Professional as what The SkinsFactory or other top artists to name a few can pump out but perhaps close on other programs.

I think artists should enter this. Competition breeds creativity and something like this is a healthy, creative outlet. I think artists getting a chance to show their “stuff” and having a chance to compete strengthens the artistic community by fueling the desire to exceed expectations instead of rushing to release work just to garner a few comments and downloads.


Unfortunately over time i've seen this happen to much, rush as quick as possible to finnish it rather get the design as professional as it can be.
Really bugs me when people rush stuff for more downloads or comments, updated a pixel!!! another couple thousand downloads.
I just really hate rushing designs, it has to be perfection or atleast 98% if not it wont see the light of day.

It will be an excellent time to see what all these (new) designers are capable of producing, im sure it'll be a blast.
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Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Oh come on, guys...stop inferring what Brad might or might not have meant....I don't do that cos he'd have my short and curlies for doing so...and I've known him as long as most....

What this contest will do is put a rocket under typical ennui that creeps in from time to time....the woodwork will exude new skins.....this is a good thing [tm].

Jesh's gang is famous for getting it 'rightest' [new word] with WMP....Pixtudio is famous for being ripped and plagiarised [long story - mostly confidential]....all irrelevant.

What it's all about is fun, thrills, entertainment, recognition and [hopefully] some sexy new skins from 'God-knows-who' that will rock our collective socks.

Anything else is 'who cares diddly-squat?'....

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jesh, TSF, I don't think Brad was directly or indirectly trying to aim his comments towards you. My take is that he is trying to put a positive spin on the GUI contest, just like any other company would try to do. So there is no need to get paranoid. If your not entering, why make a post. Everyone will know your not entering if they don't see anything by you.

Jesh, TSF, I don't think Brad was directly or indirectly trying to aim his comments towards you. My take is that he is trying to put a positive spin on the GUI contest, just like any other company would try to do. So there is no need to get paranoid. If your not entering, why make a post. Everyone will know your not entering if they don't see anything by you.

Just like when Baseball calls it the World Series, hype as its only played in North America. At least when Brad says the best skinners in the world, there will be enteries from all over the world. So whether its from the old guard, the newer people or a mix of both,there will be some of the best entering.

.





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Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM...that's one bad stutter you got there....
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

#34 by Admin Jafo - 2/28/2004 8:40:44 AM

What it's all about is fun, thrills, entertainment, recognition and [hopefully] some sexy new skins from 'God-knows-who' that will rock our collective socks.


Indeed, the thing most people forget now a days FUN!!!
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As one of the graphically impaired fellows of this community, I will not be participating because I cannot even begin to comprehend which end of a crayon to use. I am still, none the less looking forward, with much vivacity, to the beneficial influence it will have for me. And to any conflagrations my fellows may purport to have with this contest, its sponsors, its participants and yes, its purpose, I too say it is of a diddly-squat nature. Sally forth noble artisans.

In closing, I am basically of the following mindset....

Sweet! Dope skins for my PC
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
damn, I should get working a bit harder to get my stuff done in time
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Te hehe!!

I can't wait! This will be the first contest I have entered for skinning (and actually enter).

To bad there won't be a place where you can see the skin production progress like when SkinIt.net had a contest.





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Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM...that's one bad stutter you got there....


now that was funny.

I think (and i said this) that the contest is a great idea. Looking forward to seeing the new blood.

Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Voodoo_FreaK: I didn't even bring up Windows Media Player except to ask why Winamp was chosen (which koasati pointed out) but other than that i haven't brought WMP up. So not sure where that came from.

As far as the arrogance i've been accused of that before, a little true? Maybe, mostly confidence stemming from the fact that we've done nothing but grow as a company since inception and produce imo some of the best work in our industry (that was a little arrogant). Actually i would say i'm cocky not so much arrogant. The cockiness usually comes out when i feel like i'm being attacked. And we all know that never happens to me here at Wincusto
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Unfortunately Jesh, the majority of people (myself included) find arrogance (or cockiness if you prefer to put a softer edge on the concept) by those who are clearly ahead in their game to be a little offensive and downright distasteful. We all know you're good at what you do, so there's really no need to keep stating the fact like you're some modern-day Mohammed Ali. Your constant boasting does nothing to strengthen your image, but rather creates a rift between you and the rest of the skinning community.

This community isn't about who's 'the best', it's about doing something we love and a mutual appreciation for the work that comes out of that. The GUI Olympics are intended as an incentive for skinners to put their hearts into creating the absolute best work they can achieve, for the betterment of both themselves(perhaps leading to commercial work of the type you enjoy) and the community by providing some high quality skins to download.

I really like the work TSF produce, and I'm happy that you've reached a point in your craft where you can make a decent living from it. Just because a skinner choses not to go the commercial route, that doesn't mean they are necessarily lower-grade than those who do.

I personally have been offered commercial work in the past, only to turn it down because skinning is nothing more than a hobby to me. I consider my work to be of a high standard, and when I hear someone being condescending about the non-commercial skinning work that goes on, I tend to get more than a little angry.

As I hinted before, modesty is usually the best policy. Let your work speak for itself, and leave the Don King promotion for the boardroom.
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
btw: why shouldn´t the people you hire to design for your company, William Bart or Winamp skinners as Kriptoner for example, not compete at this contest? personally i don´t think they will, but you can´t rule out that "TSF skinners" will compete (of course not under that label).

of course that "best skinners" thing is not something i would agree. i expect the best iconists rather to enter Pixelpalooza especially when entries for the GUI Olympics have to be exclusive.

but hey: that doesn´t really matter. it´s advertisement ... it doesn´t have to be true )

important is the fun factor
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Considerating i didn't mention we were the best how do you figure i come into play in this? I just said the best skinners are busy earning a living at skinning and that was after Brad made his comment. If you take that to mean whatever that's your problem. I find it funny that everyone feels the need to defend the GUI Olympics when all i initally said was "we're too busy and when we aren't we'd prefer to do the skins for charity which we all ready committed ourselves to doing.

Maybe if i stopped getting attacked everytime i post something in this place i wouldn't feel the need to cop an attitude. I mean i'm the only one who catches s**t for posting an article to help save seals. How f**king ridiculous is that??

Grayhaze: feel free to skip over my comments if you don't like what i write. I'm not editing how i speak or comment because of you. I'm not here to please you. And don't speak for the majority - speak for yourself. Who are you to speak for the "majority" anyway. Are you their self-appointed spokesmodel?

Anyone else choose to rag on me save it. I'm not getting into a flame war with anyone anymore. Done with this petty crap.
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
moshi: If you knew our workload you would know odds are they won't have time. But they are certainly free to compete if they want. I wouldn't hold your breath though. We get around 15-20 job inquiries every month - sometimes more. It's just too much money to pass up to compete in such a short time frame for what amounts to be "bragging rights" that you won a contest. These guys have families to feed. And like i said our free time will be creating the skins for the 2 animal/environmental organizations - something the guys find personally more fulfilling then a contest. Is that to say the contest is a bad thing? Of course not. Just no time for it.
Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hi, sure i don´t know your workload. how could i?

i also don´t know if Kriptoner works for you on a regular basis or if you hired him only for one project. but what i know is that he is still doing "skins for fun", and he is a lot better than the pay-suite skinners (imho). this preview looks great and could for sure win the gold medal, don´t you think? http://www.ida.his.se/~a02linbr/wasabi/misc/d-reliction.png

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top
He doesn't. But i think that stuff is amazing!! We've talked about working together again in the past. I just contacted him so we'll see what happens. He's always been a great artist but his stuff wasn't commercial enough for what we do. But i think you'll see him working with TSF soon.
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Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I say I am gonna enter, and Jesha responds well, he gets it. Then a bunch of people come and grump at Jesha. Frankly I am glad none of your are journalists, because you have no concept of how to rate the importance of news.

Hey, hey, let's here some "Woo hoo, [God, Buddha, Allah, Nature, the Goddess Spirits, Liberalism, etc.} is going to bless us again with the work of Bakerstreet!!"

When are you fellows going to learn that your lives aren't about your silly egos and disagreements. It is about my ego.

Now come on, let's all unite in the joy that is me.
Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jesh, you will need to get used to the idea that:

1) You're NOT a skinner. You're a skin merchant. Nothing wrong with that (so am I) but that leads to #2.

2) Not every post written everywhere is about you. )

There maybe basketball players out there who are better than anyone playing in the NBA. But you know what? Nobody cares. For the general public, when it comes to talking about the best at something it is usually those whose works are available for others to determine for themselves.

That is what makes the GUI Olympics so compelling, I think. It lets both those who make skins for fun and those who make skins professionally both able to submit things under the same rules and circumstances. I'm sure there will be some good skinners that don't participate for whatever reason, but to the general public, it won't matter. Any claims of "Well I could have beaten them" will sound as hollow as some guy who says they're really good at basketball who doesn't play in the NBA or any other public forum.

Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I never said "we could beat anyone." Show me that post where i said that Brad? All i said is we don't have time. Then you come on with "well now we'll really see who the best skinners are." Sorry but that seemed like an attack and your post came out of the blue. There is always someone better than the best. And frankly i don't think we're the best. I think we're damn good at what we do. But let's face it the best skinners are too busy making money to worry about a contest. And you're dead wrong about me not being a skinner - i may not push the pixels but my hand and eye guide the work. If a coder of a skin is considered a skinner then so should the art director. Canvas any of the TSF artists and ask them how much i am part of the skin process and you'll hear the same thing. So sorry i'm not just a "skin merchant" i'm part of the design team. Something i take very seriously.

Like i said show me where i said we could beat everyone? You don't get it - i personally don't care about competing in something like this. I don't feel the need to "win a gold." I have other priorities like earning a living and doing some charity work. The only competition i've ever entered us in is the I.D. Design Review for I.D. Magazine. That's something i want to win going up against the best International design firms in the world. And i didn't have to create anything new for that. Just had to submit work from 2003.
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