Dawn of the Geeks

The IDUG contest, The XML Challenge, is now open for registration. If you’re a student who wants something to put on their resume or a professional who wants a chance to show off your XML skills, this contest is for you. On top of the recognition there’s thousands of dollars worth of prizes from Wiis to technical conferences.

There are five contests you can participate in:

Video - Invent a creative use for XML, XQuery or DB2 and record a video of yourself doing it.
Gadget Contest - Create a downloadable gadget or widget making use of DB2
Query Content - Use XQuery to find five answers. The best queries will win the top prizes
Ported App Contest - Port or develop a new app for DB2. You can enter as an individual or as a team.
XML2 Contest - Build a useful, user-friendly XML app from scratch. You can enter as an individual or as a team.

You will earn participation points for every entry and a special prize will be given to the “XML Grand Master” - the person who earns the most points.

If you’re an aspiring developer then you should definitely take chances like this to enhance your skills in a competitive environment. It’s good practice to have your talents compared against others. This will help you learn where you excel and where you need to improve.