[Linux] Re: [Flux-announce] Programming Contest Design Document!

[Leon Miller]

flux-announce-admin@mail.flux.org wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> First, please remember that this comes to you on a moderated list.  If
> you want to reply publicly, please post to linux@flux.org ... replies
> sent to the announce address are not posted.
>
> As mentioned previously, we are going to have a programming contest.
> Here is a brief spec/requirements document.  You may work alone or in
> a group.  In the event that more than one program is written by the
> deadline, a panel of distinguished experts will choose the winner.
>
> The judging will be done based upon conformance to this document,
> ease of use, and appearance (for the data collection part).
>
> The author(s) of the program retain copyright and agree to release the
> code as open source, conforming to some reasonably open-source license
> such as NPL (Netscape Public License).  Yeah, I know that's vague.  I
> trust you to Do The Right Thing  :)
>
> So, here we go...
>
> GOAL:
> The goal of this project is to collect e-mail addresses typed by a user,
> place them into a plain-text file, then use the file to send an e-mail
> message to each address in the file.  The list of addresses should be in
> the blind carbon copy field so that recipients of the message do not see
> the full list of addresses.
>
> The data entry portion should be simple and user friendly, so a visitor
> to a trade show booth can type his/her address and click a "Notify Me
> About The Next Meeting!" button.
>
> A feature to correct the most recent entry to the list is desirable, but
> not necessary.  Checking for a valid e-mail address is VERY desirable,
> along with a chance to re-type those which are not valid.  If these
> features are not possible, the e-mail-sending routines should check for
> invalid addresses instead.
>
> The e-mail sending portion should allow the user to specify a filename
> which contains the message body, as well as relevant e-mail header
> entries (From address, full name, reply-to name and address, TO address).
>
> The project may be split into two components or programs.  One can accept
> data from users while the other sends the e-mail.
>
> It should be possible to concatenate several text files of e-mail
> addresses together.  This will allow two or more computers to collect
> data, then one computer to send a message to all addresses with the
> concatenated file.  While the sending portion obviously requires network
> access, the data collection should be done without any network access.
>
> LANGUAGE/LIBRARIES/ETC:  The program(s) may be written in any language,
> but there should be a minimum of configuration necessary when starting
> from a "normal" Linux distribution installation.  Please no religious
> wars on the definition of a normal distribution :)
>
> GRAPHICAL:  If possible the program should be graphical (instead of
> running in text mode or from within an xterm window).  This can include
> the use of a web browser and forms, gtk, qt, Motif (it's free now), or
> other graphical toolkits.  It is more important for the data entry part
> to be graphical than for the list generation/e-mail sending part...
> though it would be even better for both to be graphical.
>
> FUTURE:  The program(s) should be written in a way that makes future
> expansion possible and easy.  For instance, future versions may collect
> additional data, ie name, mailing address, etc.  However, the data file
> will remain in plain text ... there is no need to attach SQL databases
> or any other fancy stuff.
>
> DOCUMENTATION:  The program must be accompanied by a set of step-by-step
> instructions so a beginning user can install, configure and run your
> program(s).  If possible this document should be distribution-neutral.
> The document should specify the name and location of the file containing
> e-mail addresses, and the file containing the message body to be sent.
>
> DEADLINE:  The deadline for a complete, working contest entry is NOVEMBER 1,
> 2000.  That is a Wednesday, one week before the ITEC show begins.
>
>              GENTLEMEN (AND LADIES), START YOUR KEYBOARDS!
>
> Again, please post comments and questions to linux@flux.org instead of
> replying here.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flux-announce mailing list
> Flux-announce@mail.flux.org
> http://www.flux.org/mailman/listinfo/flux-announce

This is different from the original post that you put up last week.  In that one
you wanted to have the persons sent a hard copy of a letter; not E-Mailed.


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