Worth1000 Blog
Thanks to everyone who supported Worth1000!
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who pitched in during our recent fund drive.
You can find the completed list of all 600 Worth1000 supporters here, and in our site navigation on the bottom of every page on Worth1000 (in the community list). Gifts for the different levels are now being finalized.
Things are moving amazingly quick now and we have some very exciting things planned for this summer. We couldn't have done it without everyone's help.
We filled our quota with the help of you all. I can't thank each and everyone of you enough - you all rock and I'm humbled that you responded the way you did.
Fantasy Series: Warships!
Bring on the big guns, baby!
The Argo. The Nautilus. The Negh'Var. All great warships. All feared throughout the seven seas - or even throughout the vastness of space!
In this contest, we want you to depict a fantastic warship. It can be anything from a traditional ship with amazing ordnance to a spacefaring gunship. Your limit is your imagination!
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism", the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax.
Submissions begin on July 28!
June 20: Chop a Worth1000 Juror (PS)
We've been dropping a few hints but it's time to finally announce it: a week from now we'll have out first ever Chop a Worth1000 Juror PS contest!!
This will be pretty much the same as the CHop an Admin contest in most ways. We'll post a list of the jurors who have volunteered to take part in this and you will only be allowed to use those jurors in your entries. Do not use photos of any other jurors or your entry will be disqualified.
We will also post links to the photos the volunteering jurors have supplied for your use. Do not use any other photos except the ones linked.
The volunteer jurors can also request that certain things NOT be done in entries based on them. We will enforce those requests most stringently.
Okay, submissions open on June 20 so you've got a week to work on your entries. Have fun!!
It's perfect for butts of all sizes
I first had the opportunity to review Sumo's first offering, the Sumo Omni, back in 2006, with mixed results (I declared it uncomfortable for adults to sit on, but a wonderful playmat for kids). That review still stands - as does the Sumo Omni in my children's playroom. (My staff has since tripled from one 2-year-old testing assistant to an additional 2-year-old and 2-week old reviewer).
Given my original mixed review of the Omni, I never expected to hear back from Sumo. So imagine my surprise when a huge box showed up at my door from Sumo with their new product, the SumoSac, asking for another review. I was actually not that surprised, but it is a good literary device intended to increase the drama of this review.
The box was huge and heavy: weighing in apparently at 55 pounds. The UPS driver had lugged it up the steps and looked slightly annoyed, so I offered him some cookies. He accepted my signature instead.
The contents inside were packed tightly, with clear instructions on how to assemble the bag. It comes as tightly packed foam inside of a plastic sack. The instructions are quite fun: You are supposed to kick and punch the foam into little pieces, then leave it in a warm area for 24 hours to expand. Everyone in my office immediately got to work. Aside from the occasional "accidental" punch on our compatriots and an immediate counter-punch, the destruction process went very smooth and was quite cathartic.
By the time we were done, we had a nice pliable black sac full of chunky foam and only slight bruising. The instructions indicated that the foam would expand and soften over the next 24 hours so we let it sit.
The next day we came in and whoa: the SumoSac had become HUGE. It was approximately 6 feet in diameter; was round, firm and supple. The material was soft to the touch (kind of like a synthetic suede feel). Unlike the Omni, the SumoSac was really enjoyable to lie down on and sit in.
The SumoSac comes with 2 modes, both excellent: 'slouch-mode' and 'nap-mode.'
To turn on slouch-mode, you simply sit in the SumoSac and keep your eyes open. Slouch-mode is excellent for (but not limited to) the following scenarios:
- Sitting
- Shifting position
- Being comfortable
To turn on nap-mode, you simply sit in the SumoSac and close your eyes. Nap-mode is excellent for (but not limited to) the following scenarios:
- During conference calls.
- During meetings.
- During nights my new 2-week-old research assistant is conducting loud vocal research into the depths of parental sleep-deprivation levels. Every hour of the #
$ing night.
I give the SumoSac and hearty two feet up in the air and encourate everyone to head to their website to buy one now.
It's perfect for butts of all sizes. 
http://sumolounge.com
Fantasy Series: The Great Escape
Fantasy Series: The Great Escape
Abandoned on a penal colony on Rura Penthe. Trapped in a cave by an angry basilisk. Even stuck in a garbage compactor on the detention level. Somehow, in every adventure, the heroes seem to get themselves hopelessly trapped. But, just when things seem bleakest, they manage to make a great escape.
In this contest, we want you to depict such an escape. It can be a small prey dodging a fierce predator, a clever prisoner engineering a complex breakout, or a band of warriors avoiding an overpowering army.
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism", the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax.
Submissions begin on June 28, so set your imaginations free!
It's a boy!
A few hours ago, Erica and I welcomed a new beautiful baby boy into the world. He's 7 lb 12 oz with curly blonde hair and blue eyes (subject to change). I'll get some pics up as soon as I get a spare second.
Fantasy Series: Treks and Voyages
The next Fantasy contest is going to be a good one!
Fantasy Series: Treks and Voyages
When a group of Hobbits are on the move, or when Jason boards the Argo, we know that we're in for fantasy adventure.
Show us a fantastic voyage. Travels by land, sea, air, vacuum or just about any other medium is allowed. You might want to show us an amazing vehicle, or show us the valiant and extraordinary crew that is preparing for their adventure. Your imagination is your themepost!
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism," the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax. Please, do not use existing fantasy art sources!
Submissions begin on May 28, so start your imaginations!
Problem with Automatic Site Emails: UPDATE: You've Got Mail!
Currently there are no automatic site emails being sent out. This includes notifications for jury picks, forum replies and dq's.
We are aware of the problem and are currently working to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.
Voting hiccup
Thank you to members who have pointed out a discrepancy in the voting tallies for some entries in recent contests.
The new voting system has been determined to have some hiccups and we're going to recalculate all contests since Thursday(4/17/2008), some medals may change hands as a result. - So please be prepared if you are currently a 'winner'. 
Any Jackpots/credits awarded will not be removed.
We know you'll understand the need to reward those who were voted the winners by the voters, not by the bugs.
Expect recalculations in the next couple of days as the hiccup is located and corrected.
Known contests affected: (Others are being checked to see if they need recalculations, updates will be posted here.)
Banana
Statues 9
Before and After 3
Questions or concerns, please contact an admin.
Addition to "What cannot be used in an entry?"
Addition to "What cannot be used in an entry?"
What cannot be used in an entry?
Located under: Lazy entries
Your entry is a re-creation (source for source) of an existing photoshopped image or tutorial, whether hosted by Worth1000.com or not.
Advanced PS Fantasy Series: Children's Stories
For the child in all of us. Submission begins Monday, April 28!
Forget the dystopias and nuclear wastelands. Skip past the lands filled with half-dressed damsels and blood-soaked warriors. This contest is strictly for the kids.
Some of the greatest fantasy worlds come to us from children's literature. From Narnia to Neverland, between Hogwarts and Oz, the coolest scenes seem to be where the Wild Things are. In this contest, we're asking you to construct a scene from children's fantasy -- it can be a recreation of your favorite bedtime story, or a new image of your own design. It can be realistic and evocative like the forests of the Dark Crystal, or wacky and whimsical like a Seuss scene.
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism," the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax. Please, do not use existing fantasy art sources!
Holy crap it's Multimedia!
It's a regular thing: multimedia contests in the multimedia section.
For all those of you who are too sissy prissy scaredy cat to draw, you can finally flaunt your creative skills in the arts-and-craftsy "true" Multimedia challenges.
Plushies showed the way, then people scanned their butts off (not literally unfortunately), the upcoming egg-athon should be a kicker, and we have a host of other fun contests coming up. It's like kindergarten all over again, but less eating glue and pushing beads up your nose (although that's still allowed if you absolutely have to).
Comments? Wishlist? Post'em here!
Advanced PS Fantasy Series: Steampunk
This could be the best one yet: Steampunk! Submission begins Friday, March 28.
For those of you living under a rock, the steampunk genre is a mix of fantasy and technology with a decidedly vintage flair. The idea involves taking old world technology (think steam-power, not electrical; wood and steel components instead of plastic or fiberglass), and turning it into something fantastical and futuristic.
It can have elements of science fiction and fantasy, like the fictional inventions in books by Jules Verne or H.G. Wells. Think robots, submarines, flying machines or rockets. It can also be a display of current technological advances having been invented in the 19th century (steam-powered computers built out of steel, for instance).
The rule of the game are thus: Create fantastical steampunk imagery.
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism," the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax. Please, do not use existing fantasy art sources!
Have fun, keep it clean, be creative. Don't forget the clichι list. As always, quality is a must. We will remove poor entries no matter how much we like you. You'll have 48 hours for this contest, so make your submission count.
Worth1000 nominated for Webware's Top 100!
Webware has nominated Worth1000 for Webware's Top 100!
It's a huge honor, especially as we're listed in fantastic company along with the likes of some other web apps and sites we personally love, like Picnik, Scrapblog, Flickr and Twitter (among many, many others).
If you love what we're doing here for artistic communities with Worth1000 and Aviary, then please show your support and vote for us!
You can vote here (Worth1000 is located alphabetically, at the bottom):
http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/vote_publish.html?compid=103451
You can cast up to three votes in each category.
Advanced PS Fantasy Series: Battleground
February is the shortest of months, even when it's a leap year. Therefore, don't waste a minute before starting your entry for the next Fantasy Series contest.
The theme: Battleground. Submission begins Tuesday, February 26. No need for a themepost, a great one is probably forming in your imagination right now!
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It's the climax of every fantasy movie or novel - the big fight scene. The invading army of orcs takes on the ragtag band of Spartans. Or the dashing hero confronts the angry dragon. Or the alien horde battles the fleet of starships in deep space.
Now we want you to show us your big confrontation. It can be epic in scale, or a one-on-one battle to the death. It can use swords and sorcery or futuristic weaponry, or just bare-handed (-clawed? -tentacled?) brawling. The possibilities are limitless, so use your creativity.
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism," the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax. Please, do not use existing fantasy art sources!
As always, have fun, be creative!, follow the guidelines please, and be careful to avoid using any cliches. You will have 48 hours to submit so make your entry count!
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Apple's Next Great Product contest
Attention all industrial designers, 2D artists, and 3D illustrators: Do you think you have an almost paranormal ability to predict the future of Apple product development? Now's your chance to show us what you've got!
...Whether your visions are imminently plausible or borderline absurd, we want to see how you interpret the future of Apple product design.
The best submissions will appear in Mac|Life magazine and on Maclife.com. Our grand prize winner will receive a scholarship for the Academy of Art University, and a boxed copy of Maxon Cinema 4D. Four runners-up, plus our grand prize winner, will each receive $100 gift cards for Newegg.com.
Remember Worth1000's contest series that showed what Apple's next great product would be? see here
Well MacLife magazine is running a similar contest of their own and has over $2,000 in prizes to give out.
Best of all, 50 runner ups will each receive Aviary Beta invitations. Aviary is Worth1000's suite of online editing tools.
Go check out the contest and share your entries with us!
http://www.maclife.com/3d_design_contest
Advanced PS Fantasy Series - UPDATE!
To help generate excitement for a potentially amazing contest series, we've decided to move the submission date up to Monday, January 28!
Since the date has been moved up a whole month, it's probably a good idea to start right now! No need for a themepost, a great one is probably in your imagination right now!
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Fantasy Series: Outer Space
My God... it's full of stars!
Whether you travel to Altair on the Bellerophon, to Planet X in the Martian Maggot, or just plain teleport to Barsoom, outer space is rich with opportunities for fantasy.
In this fantasy contest, we're asking you to depict a fantasy scene in outer space. This can mean in the vast interstellar void, amidst an asteroid belt, or underneath the triple moons of a steamy, primitive, tropical planet. Your limit is your imagination!
As fantasy art is rarely photographic in nature all images are "to be judged on consistent style not necessarily photorealism," the goal of the contest is to create cool art, not a hoax. Please, do not use existing fantasy art sources!
As always, have fun, be creative!, follow the guidelines please, and be careful to avoid using any cliches. You will have 48 hours to submit so make your entry count!
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Happy holidays!
Hey everyone - I hope you all have a really enjoyable holiday. We've got exciting things in store at the beginning of 2008, that I can't wait to share with all of you. It's a good time to be a member of the site.
- The launch of Aviary is imminent and with it a direct integration into Worth1000 contests for each of the tools.
- Worth1000's getting a much quicker interface that will make using it to enter contests, vote, comment and participate require less pageloads so it will feel more like a desktop application (think Gmail).
- The launch of a new form of voting: Photo Battles.
- A new worth1000 book!
Happy holidays and best wishes to all!
Aviary Holiday redesign spectacular
Fresh on the heels of Worth1000's redesign, we've just activated Aviary's special holiday redesign as well.
Check out the temporary skin design at http://a.viary.com
You can see the artwork it's based on here:
Of course, it's by the incredibly talented Meowza. 
Worth1000's redesign goes live Saturday night!
We've pretty much finished converting Worth1000 over to our new site design (you'll notice some areas aren't *quite* converted, but that can be done after the launch).
In the mean time, I'd love it if everyone could take a look at the new site and go through it to see if there are any bugs or if we overlooked things. You can report your findings here:
New Worth1000
Please note that this was a redesign of the look first - there are a lot more changes under the hood coming over the next few days.
And to any fans of the old site, don't worry. That will remain active and reachable for a while as well, linked off the new site design when you are logged in.