Re: The Prize #6

[Michael Koppelman <lolife@bitstream.net>]

Yup, I missed or forgot about this, Tom. My apologies.

I still think the contest should have everyone using the same data. 
Otherwise people can simply exclude noisier data. I think you should 
say that it must include all data between date X and date Y so we can 
compare apples to apples.

Cheers,
Michael Koppelman
http://www.lolife.com/astronomy/



> 1) There should be a significant improvement in the tass survey data.
> Something like that indicated in TN100 would be satisfactory to me.  I 
> will
> work this out in more detail later if some of you don't come up with a 
> good
> definition of success.
> 2) No improvement, no prize.  This is not a "best effort" prize.  You 
> have to
> achieve something.
> 3) Collaborations are allowed.  You enter as a single person and make 
> your own
> deals as to the division of the prize money.
> 4) I reserve the right to drop the contest up until the time the money 
> is put
> in escrow.  After that the contest is on.  I expect do this by the 
> first of
> the year.  
> 5) The probable period of the contest is Jan 1 to Dec 31 2005.
> 6) The improvement must be real.  We Will figure out a way to test the 
> result.  
> In other words, no hidden code that makes the result look good.
> 7) A description of the algorithm used is required.  Fully documented 
> code is
> not required.  This is supposed to be fun.  But documentation is 
> encouraged.  
> 8) A submission consists of the code, the result, and a procedure that 
> allows
> the entire tass survey to be processed in a reasonable time.  
> 9) We hope you will put your code under the gnu license but it is not
> required.  You just have to give permission to process the tass survey 
> with
> it.  
> 10) It has to be your code or stitched together public domain code.  
> 11) I will set up a way that you can verify that the prize is really 
> in escrow
> before you start work.  
> 12) I will send out data sets as needed.  The .cal files are widely 
> available.  
> The images will be made available as requested.  But within reason.  
> 13) The method can use either the .cal files (preferred because it is 
> easier)
> or the dark subtracted and flat fielded images.
> 14) The winner will have unrestricted bragging rights for their 
> result.  While
> it would be nice to put the result under the gnu license, if you 
> develop
> something that has commercial profit, you are welcome to it provided 
> tass
> gets the use the result.
> 15) I will set a deadline to enter.  Say 1 Dec. 2004.
> 16) Entry does not obligate you to do anything, but once you submit a 
> solution
> and win, tass has the right to use it.
> 17) The contest is open only to those who convince me that I want them 
> to be
> in it.  It is not open to the general public.