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I'm only doing this because Chanku has stated that "anyone may host another one". My intention is to fill the apparent demand for a longer running event.

I have drafted the details and they can be seen here: Google Docs

TL;DR
- event lasts for about a month
- no council or other dedicated event organizer
- semi-random theme
- strict yet flexible schedule for everyone's benefit

I reckon this kind of event, if successful, could be held every second or third month.

I'm open to suggestions / happy to answer any questions. If someone feels like this couldn't be further from how this should be done, I welcome people to use the same freedom I used and propose entirely new event.

Obviously I'm looking for feedback especially from @Wintermoot as he holds the power to allow/deny events. My request would be a dedicated subforum. I'm also open to sharing one with Chanku, but that might not be ideal for either of us.

About this part:

Rules
1. Choice of programming language(s) is free.
2. All relevant code has to be done during the competition and by you alone.
3. Libraries and APIs are allowed, but need to be listed and explained in entry post.
4. Late entries/entries without source get discarded.

2 and 3 kind of contradict each other, 2 saying that you must code everything by yourself and 3 saying that you can use external libraries. As for #4, you could perhaps clarify that everyone has to provide the source code for their program.

Otherwise, it looks good. A longer timeframe is definitely better for most people.

With regards to 2 and 3, I think what's trying to be said is that you must write the program yourself, including your use of libraries/APIs. That's the 'relevant' part of rule 2. You can't just ship a program of libraries

Then, for every library/API that you use to help code your 'relevant code', you need to list that with a detailed description as to what it's for.

Not sure what the best way to rephrase rules 2 and 3 so that it works.

The only main issue is that no one is actually RUNNING this...so is the outcome going to have a winner, or would it be a programming challenge or more like a 'Mini Ludum Dare'?

If it is we could just put Mini before the name of our programming competition

The only main issue is that no one is actually RUNNING this...so is the outcome going to have a winner, or would it be a programming challenge or more like a 'Mini Ludum Dare'?

If it is we could just put Mini before the name of our programming competition

No one was running yours either and it turned out to have a winner. For what would there have to be a constant, bored babysitter? And no, no mini. It's bigger than yours. I'm not familiar with Ludum Dare so that's not what I'm even trying to emulate here.

Hugsim & Wuufu, I'll try to rephrase those parts today.

Sounds great! My only concern is that if you run a contest in February and Chanku runs one in March, people might start getting burned out on programming competitions. Preferably the two of you would get together on a schedule for programming competitions, but if not I suspect the community will lean toward the one that's best-ran.

Also, if you want to do this in February you'll want to start promoting it this week, especially if you want something to go out to foreign regions about it.

I have revised the draft.

I addressed the pointed issues including Chanku's concern for it practically being un-run. To clarify this further, I will be taking care of formal things like putting up necessary topics and answering any questions.

Scheduling two programming events is tricky, but if people just keep in mind that despite of the greater length the goal here is not to create the next operating system. I hope participants will take it easy and save the hardcore efforts for Chanku's sprints.

I have revised the draft.

I addressed the pointed issues including Chanku's concern for it practically being un-run. To clarify this further, I will be taking care of formal things like putting up necessary topics and answering any questions.

Scheduling two programming events is tricky, but if people just keep in mind that despite of the greater length the goal here is not to create the next operating system. I hope participants will take it easy and save the hardcore efforts for Chanku's sprints.

Firstly, congrats to @tatte for his 1,000th post!

Secondly, programming competitions should be fun, not feel like an assignment or a chore.

Thirdly, there should be a theme and type for each competition IMO.

Fourthly, I would suggest mandating that people comment their code so people can understand what's intended in each section.  From a programming standpoint, it is very important to have comments in your code that are just as understandable as the code itself!

Thank you!

I have intentionally avoided specifying requirements regarding coding habits. Things like commenting code fall under the common sense part. Having such specific rules would push the event towards the assignment/choice category you mentioned.

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to with assignment/chore part? This event certainly isn't too strict and Chanku is basing his on established and liked competition.

There will be a theme but what do you mean by type?

Thank you!

I have intentionally avoided specifying requirements regarding coding habits. Things like commenting code fall under the common sense part. Having such specific rules would push the event towards the assignment/choice category you mentioned.

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to with assignment/chore part? This event certainly isn't too strict and Chanku is basing his on established and liked competition.

There will be a theme but what do you mean by type?

It should be specified.  As far as I can tell no one commented their code last time.

I guess your last post came off differently to me when you mentioned "hardcore" about Chanku's competition.  Not everyone is hardcore on programming and treats its casually.

By type I mean game versus useful programming application like a calculator or something.

Also we should have a judging panel decide this. I would suggest you pick myself, yourself, and @Wintermoot to do this since we all have decent coding experience and you're suggesting this competition.

Judging panel or council is one of the fundamental things I wanted to do different compared to Chanku's event. This is casual and relaxed event. Long list of rules and judging based on that is not something I want to do with this. I'm not saying there wouldn't be merits to taking that road, but it's not for me.

We could try having a type instead of theme, but I don't see using both at the same time (especially with this random nature of selection).

And about requiring commented code, I unfortunately have to stick with my decision. I don't want to tell people how to code. I have trust in voters.