DHTML contests

What kinds of contests, and for what ?

All the DHTML contests I participated to where about size or line count optimization. Above all for fun, but some where also for fame and one for money ( US$ 51.20 which is a symbolic reward ). I've always had a crush for extreme size optimization. Trying to fit the most appealing things in a limited amount of bytes is an interresting challenge.

256b.htm Competition round 1

The 256b.htm Competition is the first DHTML contests I could enter. It was held in february 2002 and the rules were dead simple :

create a nice website in just 256 bytes, using HTML, JavaScript, CSS, GIF and so on
Total size of all files must NOT exceed 256 bytes.
The entry have to run offline in one of the commonly used browsers.
The code don't have to be valid, cross-browser or DOM compatible
Any plugin based technology is allowed.
It's not allowed to use the file name as source code.

The 1st round has had 62 entries, among which and I ranked #1, #10, #19 and #29 with :

256bytes Metaballs ( needs IE5.5.5+ ) | ranked #1/62

256bytes Bounce ( needs IE5+ ) | ranked #10/62

256bytes World Domination ( needs IE4+ ) | ranked #19/62

256bytes Rotozoom ( needs IE5.5+ ) | ranked #29/62

The reactions were enthousiast and encouraging to say the least.

MrMessiah: The full-frame effects, the mandelbrots, and whatever the hell Poi was doing (sneaky!) kicked ass.

MassaSnygga: Poi stop it! You are doing impossible things! What if reality find out?!

Iliks: Wow, guys, you have done really a great work, it probably is a most weird and maddest compo I've seen in my life :) I didn't suspect that one could SUCH in 256b!

The5k 2002

The5k is a popular contest with an important press coverage including some articles in Libération, the Guardian and the New York Times. Here the goal is to make a web site in a maximum of 5,120 bytes. This edition, held in june 2002, received 365 valid entries rated on one hand by the public and on the other hand by a jury. The public placed my two entries at the rank #10 and #62 :

3D TOMB ( needs IE5+ ) | ranked #10/365
This is DOOM-like in DHTML, with some (weirdly) textured and fogged walls.

PAINT GIFT ( needs IE5+ ) | ranked #62/365
This is little paint program with which you can send a link to your picture by eMail.

256b.htm Competition round 2

The 2nd round of the 256b.htm Competition was held in august 2002 and received 43 entries, among which and I ranked #1, #2 and #4 with :

256bytes Clouds ( needs IE5.5.5+ ) | ranked #1/43

256bytes Bricks ( needs IE5+ ) | ranked #2/43
Click on the background to summon a brick, then drag'n drop it to create a LEGO(tm)ish construction.

256bytes Ski ( needs IE5+ ) | ranked #4/43

Again, the reactions were warms.

Sdw: Poi rules again.

nowak: poi's bricks is my number 1 pick.

The5k/Siggraph 2004

Due to a lack of time and ressource the organization of the5k 2004 was handed to the Siggraph 2004. Unfortunately some problems of communications and schedule between the 2 organization teams led to the cancellation of what seemed like an awesome contest. Before this sad news, I worked like crazy on a single entry :

3D TOMB II : The tomb of the 5120 mummies

Technically speaking "3D TOMB II : The tomb of the 5120 mummies" is light-years ahead the first "3D TOMB". But in regard to the many, many, many hours I worked on it I'll keep it under the hoods until I can release it in some good conditions.

3D TOMB II : in game screenshots ( downsized by 2 )

Web-Graphics JavaScript Quine Contest

In august 2004, David "liorean" Andersson of Webgraphics has organized a JavaScript Quine Contest. One of the categories was about size optimization. At this occasion, I made a Quine in 57 bytes.

a='"a=%27"+a+"%27;"+unescape(a)';"a='"+a+"';"+unescape(a)

Ozone Asylum's 20 lines JavaScript monthly contests

The tradition wants that every month since april 2004, the Ozone Asylum has a friendly 20 lines Javascript contest on a topic given by the previous winner.