It’s tricky to make a contest fair and fun, and all but impossible to align the rules up to everyone’s contradicting preferences. I think PP has done a commendable job with all his work running and organizing the contest this year and greatly appreciate the time and effort he has put into running this fun community building event.
There was a discussion thread regarding the contest’s rules this year, and there will likely be another chance to change things up next year.
I think it would be more inclusive to allow the outsourced printing of some components because this eliminates a barrier of entry for people who don’t own such machines. It does become a very difficult gray area to judge though. At what point does it become too much and give someone an unfair advantage vs just helping them out a little bit and opening the door to allow for more participation? We should keep in mind the ultimate purpose of this competition which seems to be community building inciting friendly competition and creativity. (Correct me if I’m wrong)
Joshk, while I understand your intentions of opening our eyes to the possibilities of printed metal parts, and like I the discoveries you’ve made, I don’t think it would be fair for others to allow you to outright ignore one of the listed rules for the purpose of getting your point across.
This year’s Old Lumen’s contest compared to the threads of years past has really been a wonderful success on the front of innovation and competition. The modified light section in particular is filled with so many unique and well executed designs.
Personally I think there are some inconsistencies with the categories which certain projects have been placed. Examples include djozz’s fantastic Vir-O-blast which I really think should be in the hand made category, along with MascaratumB‘s wooden box light since they’re essentially handmade except for one little component (battery tube/pill).
There is also that excellent entry by FearOfTheDark which I think is a really well made light-up sign that she did some commendable programming for on an Atiny. In my opinion it’s simply not a flashlight and I wonder what doors it opens for future entries that stretch the definition of what a flashlight is.
In the end, I think Joshk’s light should be placed into the modified lights category to stay in line with the rules of the contest this year.
I also wonder what prizing distribution will look like into the future. If we follow last year’s lead and take winners from each category based on their placing in each category, I think we could end up with some unfairness with the categories with fewer entries.
Hypothetically, let’s suppose there were 20 entries in the machine made category which had a lot of work put into them and were fantastic projects, while the handmade category had just two entries, one of which was incomplete and barely had any work put into it. If last year’s prizing distribution is followed, then the incomplete entry from the hypothetical handmade category with just two entries would get to select a prize before almost everyone in the other categories who put in a lot more work.
Then there’s also the fact that we want people to have a shot and feel like they’ve got a good shot with their projects regardless of their experience level with modding.
All in all, it’s a tricky balancing process where it’s impossible to make everyone happy. We just have to do the best job we can, and keep the ultimate purpose of the contest in mind.