CloudSpokes is the first development community focused exclusively on "the cloud".

 

Now that's a mouthful! First, let’s explain the concept of public cloud:

 

Historically business have installed, run, and managed software themselves in their own data centers.  The cloud allows them to access and use business systems and programs over the Internet - similar to the switch consumers made when the Internet arrived - moving from things like those AOL discs to websites like Gmail and Facebook.

 

Cloud computing development is when software is developed to run in this way over the Internet, instead of just locally at a programmer's desk.  Developers used to have to install a data center's worth of software on their system just to do development of business apps.  Now many companies offer a cloud platform that lets developers build and run apps all over the internet.

 

The second part of CloudSpokes is very similar to Tongal. With CloudSpokes, businesses can post software development contests as long as the development can be done on a publicly available cloud platform.

 

The goal is to connect aspiring or established cloud developers to companies that need development on the cloud. 

1. Companies post a software development competition 

2. Members register for the competition

3. Before the competition deadline, members submit their deliverables (typically in the form of software code, which provides the functionality requested in the contest)

4. Once the deliverables are received, the submissions are scored and a winner is determined

5. Competitors receive the following

* Money (if they win)

* Profile stats to show how good they are

* Feedback from enterprise cloud developers

* Badges for participating in the community (for example, for submitting or winning contests on certain technologies)

 

 

Create a 60-second promotional animation for the CloudSpokes Home Page. The videos should accomplish three things:

1. Introduce developers to CloudSpokes and crowdsourcing in an engaging way

 

2. Demonstrate the benefits of competing at CloudSpokes as illustrated in point 5 above and the Key Marketing Messages below

 

3. Convey how easy it is to build a profile and compete

--Target Audience: Target audience for CloudSpokes is aspiring or established cloud developers.  We also hope to attract college students, so the tone/thrust of animations should be livelier and more playful than you would expect from a “cross public cloud focused community platform” so have some fun with this. The target member base is 50% US 50% international.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

1. Participants improve their skills by participating even if they don't win money

2. Get exposure to new cloud-based technology, learn new programming platforms and languages

3. Meet and talk on forums with peers

4. Build a public resume which is great for job potential

5. Earn badges to show off what you have done in the cloud

6. Be introduced to great cloud companies

 

 

This project will be worth a total of $15,000 and consist of two phases. Also, this tournament style process will progress differently from previous projects, so be sure to read the following information carefully.

PHASE 1: PITCH – Using text (500 characters or less), images (storyboards), video, and/or external links (to other supporting assets, i.e., your reel, etc.), give us your Pitch for how YOU would go about producing an animated video that fulfills the Project Objective. The three most compelling Pitches will be selected and the creators of those Pitches will receive a $500 production budget to produce their Animation. Those winners will also be GUARANTEED to place in the subsequent Video Phase. So, if you’re Pitch is selected, you will earn a minimum of $2,000 with a 1-in-3 shot at the $5,000 first place video prize. Remember your Pitch can include any, and all, of the assets mentioned above, with storyboards being a particularly effective way of conveying your take.

PHASE 2: VIDEO – The Pitch winners of the previous phase will submit their fully-formed Animations to be evaluated by the Project Judges. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $2,000 and $1,500, respectively and the 1st place winner will receive a $5,000 grand prize. The first place winner will also be awarded an ADDITIONAL $5,000 to produce a 60 second companion piece targeted at business owners to live along side their promotional video on the CloudSpokes website. That’s $10,500 in potential earnings for the winner of this phase!

 

1. Videos MUST not exceed ninety (90) seconds in length.  Preferred format is HD 1280 X 720, 16x9.  Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv.  Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX.

 

2. All work must be your own and free of any copyrighted material.

 

3. Videos MUST show the CloudSpokes logo at least once for a minimum of three (3) seconds on screen. You may choose from any of the logos provided on the Project Files tab.

 

4. Videos cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Dialogue Earth.

 

5. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

 

6. Limit 2 submission(s) per member, per phase.

 

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

 

8. Minimum thirty (30) Pitches or the project will repost for seven (7) days.

 

9. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions.