Bot Contest

First there is a charter for how the contest should be held.. and it doesn't include a semi-finals. They've made it clear that they've done things that he didn't agree with.

And all competitions are for the participants.. and if the hosts don't even follow the guidelines that they setup and many people have extended efforts based on the guidelines set forth, there is absolutely nothing wrong with stating such.

I've heard that Hugh didnt like the semifinal idea. I think it's a great idea, but wasnt executed well at all. And I also know there isnt a committee anymore, that Mimetics volunteered to host the event. Hugh can influence the contest, but doesnt have direct say- the current year's hosts make the final decisions.

What I see is a lot of great ideas from the current hosts, but the ideas are having trouble coming to fruition. For example, including web-based bots is a great idea, and so is the ongoing exhibit at SciTrek (if it happens). If only there was some funding for the hosts. I also think having regular hosts would be a good idea, but then it might be difficult to move from city to city.

Anyways, I'm not sweating the contest any more. I've changed my whole attitude. I'm watching with a sort of detached fascination, sort of as if I was a witness to the Titanic hitting the iceberg. I'll do what I can to help, but it doesnt look good. Check out the latest:

19 hours until the contest begins:

I just got this message (quoted below) from Joe Amador from GSU saying that GSU is *not* going to provide a computer for me to set up the Personality Forge on, and that they wont allow me to install any software on the computers already there.

This puts Joy and I out of the competition unless the Turing Hub at SciTrek is used. With the rest of the problems at GSU, it appears to me that that is the way to go.

Begin message:
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The workstations in these rooms are locked down and will not allow you to install any applications due to workstaiton security. If you require a workstation with SQL and Cold Fusion installed, you will need to bring in your own equipment. I do have a technician that MAY help you but it would depend on his schedule. His name is Mick Chambers and he can be reached at 404-463-9748. He will only be available on Friday.
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Can you believe GSU is being so inflexible?

LOL I mean all they have to do after you're done is re-ghost them... it's not difficult to revert them

I know it. 18 hours till the finals:

From Tom Whalen (contact for GSU):
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"I have asked a coukle times what the "Turing Hub" is and not gotten an answer.

If it is a piece of hardware permanantly installed at Sci-Trek, I wonder why I was ever approached to try to host the event at GSU.

If it's mobile, I can offer Ethernet connections to the Interent here, plus workstations suitable for application-type software

I have now verified that it IS possible to run unsigned content outside the sandbox, for what it's weoth.

I am now at Sparks, where I had planned to meet with Niel and others, at 3:30, but it's 3:45 and just me and fifty computers in this bnig room.
====================

So they havent answered his questions, arent showing up for the meeting, and havent explained to him why not. Sound familiar? I had to tell him what the Turing Hub was.

And another from Tom, about 15 minutes later:
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"I just spoke to Neil. The Hub is in Duluth, and IF you can get your software installed there there should be no problem."
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So I'm to drive up to Duluth? There are no directions, no times, nothing. That's all I get. Drive up to Duluth somewhere and *try* to install it. In rush hour traffic.

Eugene, I think you can fairly judge people running a contest by such things as whether or not they alienate their contestants and affiliates, and whether or not the contest actually takes place. I dont think we're asking anything more than is reasonable under the circumstances.

Also, I'm getting reports that our host is experiencing some downed circuits and rerouting some web resources which should slow things down until its fixed. So if the Turing Hub IS used, the host may mess it up. Oh the drama.

15 hours to go, no response from anybody.

by what criteria do you judge whether or not they are doing things properly?

Eugene, oh please how about the criteria of common decency. Nobodyhere's list for the most part is an accurate portrayal of recent events.

Professor, please keep the updates coming on the continuing soap opera.

Chris

Well, it's 11pm the evening of the contest, and I have yet to hear a word from anybody. Thus I am given no opportunity to install the Forge on any computer for the contest. I'll be really interested to see if they proceed and how they deal with this issue. Will they say I should have tried harder (if so I'd like to hear their idea of what I should have done)? Will they use the hub (if so I hope our host fixes their problems)? Will they postpone the event (if so we likely wont know until afterwards)?

Should I even bother going to the final event? I dont know if it'll be at GSU or SciTrek. I dont know if it's even taking place.

It seems that they would either have to use the Hub or postpone this. Either of those options sounds pretty good right now. Yes, the site is running slow right now, but not THAT slow.

Either way, if they postpone, they probably won't tell anyone .. (?)