[EXPIRED] ‘Best Windows Customization Website’ Competition (Over $1,100 in Prizes!)

Update: The finals have started here

Windows Tools, Help & Guides and Windows Forums is running a competition to find the ‘Best Windows Customization website’. A few months ago, Winvistaclub held a competition to find the best Windows Vista site. This was a great opportunity to bring some good websites out of obscurity; this competition aims to do the same.

Enter Here to win the title of the ‘Best Windows Customization Website’ (or read on for more information)

Criteria

If you run a blog/website/forum, which focuses on Windows customization, you are eligible to participate. If you run a website that focuses on other areas, you will be eligible if your website has substantial content aimed at customizing Windows.

Meet the Judges

Judges for this competition have been carefully selected and include:

• Ajay Pathak MVP - ReadersZone
• Onuora Amobi - Windows Vista News and Information
• John Barnett MVP - Vista Support
• James Stables - Windows Vista: The Official Magazine
• Vishal Gupta MVP - Tweaking with Vishal
• Kevin - Helping you get the most out of Vista
• Milo Riano - Windows Vista Weblog | Techticles
• Rich - Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Judging Criteria

Each judge will choose four (4) websites to be entered into the final rounds by assessing the following criteria:

• Original content
• Quality content
• Consistent content
• Website design is not necessarily a factor in the competition

Final Public Vote

Each judge will rank their four choices in order. The top eight (8) overall sites, by points, will be entered into the final rounds.

The final rounds will begin with a random slot assignment (1-8.) Two sites will go head to head at a time (think of the world cup finals.) The public will vote for the best site in each ‘match’ and the winner will go on to the next round. Polls will be held here on the main website; you do not need to register to vote.

Key Dates

The competition has the following time schedule:

• Oct 27 - Nov 27 (7 P.M. MDT) - Application window open
• Nov 30 - Judges Make final decision and submit four (4) sites each
• Dec 1 (7 A.M. MDT) - 3 (7 P.M. MDT) - Final eight (8) go head to head in quarter finals
• Dec 4 (7 A.M. MDT) - 6 (7 P.M. MDT) - Final four (4) go head to head in semi finals
• Dec 8 (7 A.M. MDT) -13 (7 P.M. MDT) - Final two (2) go head to head in final for the title of ‘Best Windows Customization Website’

Competition Prizes

First Prize

• SnagIt ($49.95)
• MultiSet 6.1 ($99.95)
• StarBurn Network ($495)
• A Squared Anti-malware ($39.95)
• Mamutu ($29.95)
• DemoCreator ($99.95)
• 3 month link on the Windows Tools, Help & Guides homepage
• 2 month link on the ReadersZone homepage*
• Website review on ReadersZone*

Second Prize

• A Squared Anti-malware ($39.95)
• Mamutu ($29.95)
• DemoCreator ($99.95)
• 1 month link on the Windows Tools, Help & Guides homepage
• 2 month link on the ReadersZone homepage*
• Website review on ReadersZone*

Third Prize

• A Squared Anti-malware ($39.95)
• Mamutu ($29.95)
• 2 month link on the ReadersZone homepage*
• Website review on ReadersZone*

Fourth Prize

• A Squared Anti-malware ($39.95)
• Mamutu ($29.95)

* ReadersZone, maintained by Ajay Pathak MVP, is a PR5 website and is recognized by NTY, WSJ, and Mozilla.

Rules

• Only one entry per person (even if you have multiple sites)
• Judges cannot participate
• Your website must be in English or have an English translation

How to Enter

1. Enter Here
2. List the following:

• Website Title
• URL of homepage
• Short description

Good luck everyone! Questions? Please leave a comment.

Further Reading:

• Links
• Freeware Applications for Your Every Need
• Exploring the World of Light Painting [Part III]
• Best Windows Freebies and Guides 09 [December 2008]
• Best Windows Freebies and Guides 03 [June 2008]