Modders Challenge Ideas

[Airbozo]

OK, I locked the last MC thread (#3) and wanted to open up a thread for ideas.

I was hoping this would go 2 ways;
1. Ideas for future challenges.
Keep in mind that it has to be fairly easy for _anyone_ to enter.
The challenge would also have to be easy to manage and verify.
Would it be feasible to charge a small entry fee to cover shipping costs?
???...

2. Prizes!
I know you would all like to win a decked out rig, but lets keep it realistic.
Most of the prizes would have to be something a company would WANT to give away.
How would a company benefit from sponsoring a contest?
???...

[calumc]

with the prizes you could try and make up a goodie bag of the smaller things that go into mods like leds, cold cathodes, fans, plexi. things like that.
And now that i think of it that cold be a contest idea, instead of giving a theme give a list of products to be used and see what people come up with. And if you could find a company launching a new modding product or a new shop opening it would be great for sponsorship

[elbarto241]

i agree w/ calumc. the winner should proably get something in the WC department, maybe a block or two with some hoses or a rad with a pump. anyone of those prizes would be great.

for contest ideas ummmmmm how about. ahh my mind is blank :( ill see what i can come up with later :D

[dgrmkrp]

Hmm.. I would think that charging an entry fee would take the contest to a higher level, but not in a good, accessible to everyone way.. Maybe later, a different challenge would be best fitted to the fee type, one with more hands-on factors (e.g. the cooler master contest, with the turn there are no tbcs products to score points with;)).. Till then, the fact that this is a contest that 'measures' creativity and the ability of one to stay in certain limitations while creating something unique should be kept as a priority :) in my opinion, of course.
If more companies are to offer sponsorship, maybe the way of the last MC should be taken, with the mod centered around the product: someone involved should ask for stuff from a company (with the accent on we chose you because you are popular and well known in our modding community) and either the prize itself is to be modded (although modding is improving something, so that means something lacks from it.. err.. not the best idea for marketing, unless dealt with a touch of genius) or integrated in a mod.

The small 'basket' of raw materials and smaller things with a punch (water blocks, rads, tubing, even a peltier element would make my day) is ideal because it doesn't have a big box nor lots of weight... so the main criteria of low shipping cost is checked. Some prizes also have a varying value: let's say you have a 20$ piece of hardware (even the common mesh - I've been rolling all over town to get a square meter or so. but couldn't find any even at the scrap yard.. all I'm left is a shop on the other side of town, that probably doesn't sell to regular human beings) that doesn't sell on that continent.. now, add to that a nice card saying congratulations and again that would make my day :) Because it comes from tbcs, it doesn't have to be something really expensive.. Even a piece of the doom case with an autograph from it's maker is a 'valuable' prize, although in a sacrilegious take-it-apart kinda way ;) Or a bunch of very bright leds.. 100 of them ;)

Aaanyways, seeing I'm ranting a lot (taking a breather from my reading), I should probably let others bring ideas for the challenge :D

[D1337]

Contests?
Best practical modding of a case
Strictly architecture case
Best non computer related mod
Under $xxx (users must provide invoices/receipts. Shipping isnt deducted from the amount)


Prizes.
custom work donated by the members would be cool, whether it be molding, painting, etching, or just pre-cut materials like plexi/aluminum etc.

IMO paying to enter the contest wouldn't bring alot of people in to try.
Shipping is gonna be a bitch though, since the community is pretty well spread out accross the world.

[Airbozo]

Hmm.. I would think that charging an entry fee would take the contest to a higher level, but not in a good, accessible to everyone way.. ... :D


...
IMO paying to enter the contest wouldn't bring alot of people in to try.
Shipping is gonna be a bitch though, since the community is pretty well spread out accross the world.

Yes, I pretty much agree about the fee thing. I threw it out there just because of the shipping costs for overseas. My company is picking up the shipping of the case to SabreNoose (more expensive than the case itself), but that was a fluke (and I caught my boss in a good mood), and otherwise the MC#3 would have been limited to us based entries (not fair in my opinion), so while I am contacting companies for prizes I am going to ask about them shipping it IF they would sponsor us. Big IF.

EDIT: OH and the main attraction of these MC's IS the accessibility by everyone and we would like to keep it that way.

[calumc]

i dont think it would be unreasonable for you to ask the winner for at least a contribution to the shipping costs

[jdbnsn]

Yes, I pretty much agree about the fee thing. I threw it out there just because of the shipping costs for overseas. My company is picking up the shipping of the case to SabreNoose (more expensive than the case itself), but that was a fluke (and I caught my boss in a good mood), and otherwise the MC#3 would have been limited to us based entries (not fair in my opinion), so while I am contacting companies for prizes I am going to ask about them shipping it IF they would sponsor us. Big IF.

EDIT: OH and the main attraction of these MC's IS the accessibility by everyone and we would like to keep it that way.

I agree on all points.

[UK-Blade]

Don't think an entry fee would be good, however, I don't think its unreasonable to ask the winner to contribute towards the shipping. Afterall they just won some nice goodies....

I like D1337's idea about custom parts,

Prizes.
custom work donated by the members would be cool, whether it be molding, painting, etching, or just pre-cut materials like plexi/aluminum etc.

I'm sure plenty of people would like to win something customer done by one of the members of the TBCS community. Who wouldn't like something done by one of the modding gods. Perhaps they could do some custom part/painting/etching for the winners next mod, or maybe a 'Winner TBCS Case Mod Contest' plaque or trophy. Even something small to bolt onto the winning case. Maybe a custom sig, done by one of the talented artists that frequent these pages. You gotta know the modders would like to help, plus they wouldn't mind the boost to the ego they'd get ;o)

As for themes,

any upcoming game or movie based theme, picking one of the biggies would be sure to get people interested.

What about some smaller contests - best mouse/keyboard mod, external hd box, best fan grill etc, best memory heatsinks. These could keep people going while your thinking up and getting sponsorship for the larger mods.

Most unusual external hdd box / usb hub etc. People like stuffing useful things into silly/strange objects.

One of my favourites would be 'Most stealthed/wirefree mod' get rid of all those unsightly wires / pipes / drives.

How about most Un-PC feature (we all like the cigarette lighter mod) so lets see what other Use-full/less (delete as appropriate) things we can stick in the PC.

Just some of my ideas....

[lukeisthecoolest]

i was thinking more along the ideas of costing of the mods

maybe the most ghetto mod ;)

[Scotty]

How about you guys think of a name for a mod(Thats you TBCS not the modders). The modders then have to design a PC around that name, if it doesn't fit the theme then obviosly they would have less chance even if it looked great.

Just to go along with the WC prizes as said before you could have a challenge for the best WC case, or something with watercooling included. I think that could have some sweet outcome. A CPU block,, Radiator, Reservior, Tubing or a Pump would be nice as a prize because they would be able to be used in 'most' PCs, a GOU block wouldn't work so well as there are too many types of card blocks. But a CPU block that fits AMD and Intel boards would be good, like a DangerDen or Swiftech block etc.

Maybe a 'clean' mod something where there is no messy wiring, no ugly colours, something that mixes well together. A few colours that make it look great and not over done.

A prize could be a top of the line CPU cooler and some fans. Then the modders have to build a case with the best air cooling properties, making sure airflow would be well controlled allowing components to have cooler air instead of warm air lingering inside the case.

A game maybe could be the prize, the modders then have to create a design around that game. So a racing game could have a case modded to resemble a car, or have something that makes it link in with the game. etc.

I can probably think of many more but i can't be bothered at this current time :)

[Scotty]

Another idea, don't know what the prize could be but you could say that a PC has to be modded into an everyday item, chair, tv, microwave, car, hot air balloon, swimming pool lol.

[DaveW]

You know what could be fun? The hazard mod. You've to make a computer as dangerous as possible without actually making anything outright dangerous. So no finger guards on the fans, the reservoir above the CPU, exposed wiring, etc.

you gain points for well thought out hazards, and lose points for stupidly obvious attempts to kill the user, such as spinning razor blades on the fans...

Let me know what you think of this, it could be a good laugh.

-Dave

[D1337]

Its interesting but you have to keep in mind I dont think many people will actually build it, designing it would be better.

[calumc]

you gain points for well thought out hazards, and lose points for stupidly obvious attempts to kill the user, such as spinning razor blades on the fans...
gZA0jpArzxw
my entry ^^

[DaveW]

...that's the point of the modder's Challenge. You design it. You don't build it. Look in my sig.

-Dave

[Scotty]

You know what could be fun? The hazard mod. You've to make a computer as dangerous as possible without actually making anything outright dangerous. So no finger guards on the fans, the reservoir above the CPU, exposed wiring, etc.

you gain points for well thought out hazards, and lose points for stupidly obvious attempts to kill the user, such as spinning razor blades on the fans...

Let me know what you think of this, it could be a good laugh.

-Dave

That would be a good laugh you're right, i can see some damn funny things coming out of that. But it would require some serious thinking and that makes my brain hurt.

[DaveW]

C'mon, you guys hurt yourself all the time without even trying. Just think of what you could achieve when you put your mind to it!

Think of the possibilities!

-Dave

[Bucko]

Ooooooohhh! I Like this idea Dave!

Mindless destruction is so pointless, but pointed destruction is very mindful!

[Scotty]

Mindless destruction is so pointless, but pointed destruction is very mindful!

Comments like that also make my brain hurt. lol.

A case that could blow up at any minute could be fun.

[Bucko]

Hmmm, I wonder how a blue screen of death could be made to be a REAL blue screen of death?

[Scotty]

I was thinking of that :( idea theif. I was thinking some ACSII art ;)

[slytherock]

When I moved to my new appartment, the guy next door was moving out. That day he made the most explosive mod on a imac I saw with my own eyes:
He trow it out of the third floor. I almost cried of joy that day

[Eclecticos]

I dunno . .this may sound dumb. .
How about a Robotic or Remote Control Pet PC Challenge?
I'm sure there would be allot of crazy entries for that.

[Luke122]

Cheapskate mod comp!

Fastest PC (by way of benchmarks) for the least $$$. Have a ratio of $/performance, and the best "bang for the buck" system wins!

Bonus points for visual appeal! :D

I think that this could be a good draw for WAAAY more people to enter, since they could actually build their entries for dirt cheap.

[Bucko]

The whole point of the Modder's challenge is you don't actually have to spend any money or actually build a computer.

I know there are some people on the forums that simply don't have the spare cash to go and buy even cheap components for something like that.

[Spacehonkey]

I think a good challenge would be to make an "Environmental PC". Make a PC that blends into nature. For example something like the Project L'Amour (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7915&highlight=tree) case. I'm not a big nature lover but I've always liked the blend of wood and metal if down correctly. Hell, maybe even incorporate some air/water filtering system as one of the bonus features of the case. I think the basic idea of this challenge could go in a bunch of different directions.

[Scotty]

Lower your carbon footprint with lower power consumption too. Make it Energy friendly, a nice efficient computer. Less fans but still good airflow, less power same cooling etc.

[DaveW]

That's a good idea too...

-Dave

[Luke122]

I agree with the eco-computer idea too. "Project Greenbox" or something like that.. the lowest eco footprint computer possible.

Power management, efficient components, bonus points for components from responsible manufacturers, etc.

[DaveW]

bonus points for components from responsible manufacturers, etc.

That would make judging a pain in the ass...it would have to be a part of the presentation.

-Dave

[Scotty]

That would make judging a pain in the ass...it would have to be a part of the presentation.

-Dave


Yea but then all you would have to say is.

'All the best components from the top manufactures' :p

[DaveW]

I'm not going to do research on every entry to find out if they've used Carbon Neutral manufacturers or whatever. It would have to be a part of your submission.

-Dave