Wow, does time fly. The deadline for Degrafa Derby submissions is rapidly approaching with one week left on the board. We’ve seen a mix of uses of Degrafa and even more talks of ideas for submissions, so keep it going.

We know some people are waiting until the last minute to submit, which is fine. The submission cut off is February 22nd and since we’re scattered across the globe, you don’t have to worry about adhering to a particular time zone.

We’ll take late submissions, but we can’t guarantee it’ll get into judging. The more time we have to spend with a submission the better, and since a majority of the “judges” will be heading off to 360|Flex, we have a window of time to get all the judging in. Also, submissions from any country are accepted.

Send your Degrafa Derby submission to derby [at] degrafa [dot] com with:

• Your Submission: source files or a URL
• Title of Submission
• Name(s) of Developers
• Description
• Any unique challenges, approaches, etc.
• Contact Email
• Proof that submission uses Degrafa. We basically need to know you used Degrafa. This can be source files, a secret link to a submission with view source enabled, or an “I swear it’s Degrafa” statement.

Any questions, email derby [at] degrafa [dot] com.

We mentioned your entries might come in handy for something (besides the Degrafa Derby) being announced soon. Well, that something is the 360|Flex API Contest and you can use your Degrafa Derby entry for the Community category of the API contest.

The prize to the winner of the 360|Flex contest gets a PlayStation 3, which means you could really clean up if you win both contests. There are also prizes for usage of the Ribbit and Ebay APIs. The official contest site for the 360|Flex API contest will be up soon.

Get more info about the 360|Flex API Contest

The Degrafa Derby is out in full force and we’ve already started to see some really cool stuff being created. In many ways they’ve exceeded what we even thought the framework was capable of. As news of the Degrafa Derby has spread, some other supporters have offered to kick in some additional prizes, in addition to the initial Flex Builder 3 license.

Ryan Stewart is pitching in a choice of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium OR Web Premium out of his own pocket to support the contest. He likes where the framework is going and wanted to help out. Doug McCune has offered up a hand-bedazzled 360|Flex Shirt based on his “alternate” rendition of the 360|Flex badge. Who wouldn’t want that? Lastly, the winner of the Degrafa Derby will also receive a free ticket (or reimbursement) to 360|Flex Atlanta courtesy of John Wilker and Tom Ortega.

So, the final prize tally for the winner of the Degrafa Derby Contest:

• Flex Builder 3 License
• Choice of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium OR Web Premium
• A hand-bedazzled 360|Flex Shirt
• Ticket to 360|Flex Atlanta

By the way, you might find your entry useful for something else being announced very soon. Thanks everyone, for pitchin’ in the sweet prizes. The support has been amazing. You have until February 22nd to submit your entries. Get more information here.

On a side note, you can follow Degrafa on Twitter for updates and such.

With Degrafa at over 200 downloads in the first 24 hours we thought we’d propose a challenge for those of you beginning to get familiar with the framework. We’re opening up a contest for the coolest thing created in Degrafa.

The deadline is February 23rd. The prizes are listed below. Also, since there will be a session about Degrafa at 360|Flex Atlanta, the winning submission will be included as a part of the presentation (credits included of course).

ï¾ We understand the Degrafa framework is still in flux, so we’re giving a fair amount of time to compensate for the additions and refinements that are currently underway. The source will be up soon as well for those of you who’d like to get your hands dirty in the code.

ï¾ So what are we looking for? Well, anything. If you need some ideas, you might want to consider looking at the discussion board. Other than that, there’s plenty of things we’ve talked about doing, but we’re busy putting the finishing touches on the framework.

ï¾ Here’s some other ideas:

• Add to the library of static or dynamic shapesï¾ 
• Add or suggest a feature
• A Degrafa Explorer
• Creating a set of skins
• A series of gauges
• Data visualization
• Artistic Exploration
• Contributing to the project
• Tying into Kuler

ï¾ 
Although some of these ideas may be a bit more involved for a Flex license, we don’t want to hold anyone back . Go nuts! Oh, and if you’re the only one who submits, guess what? You win! Oh, and we’re working on getting some more prizes, so stay tuned!

Special thanks to Adobe, 360|Conferences, Ryan Stewart and Doug McCune for providing the prizes.

Prizes

The winning entry will receive:

• Flex Builder 3 License
• Choice of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium OR Web Premium
• A hand-bedazzled 360|Flex Shirt
• Ticket to 360|Flex Atlanta (or reimbursement)

“Terms”

Deadline: February 22nd

We would prefer that whatever is entered into the contest becomes open for others to learn from and see the power of Degrafa. If that is not possible, then the judges must have proof that the entry did indeed use Degrafa.

Entry Submission: Send a link or code of your entry to derby [at] degrafa [dot] com.

Questions: Any questions concerning the Degrafa Derby can be sent to derby [at] degrafa [dot] com.ï¾