Players Learn About Web Services, .NET and Windows XP
By Creating Dueling Software Robots
SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /PRNewswire/ --
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT WEST CONFERENCE -- DevX.com, Inc. (http://www.devx.com),
the leading provider of information and services for the corporate IT
development community, today announced from SD West (Booth # 940) the launch
of its Prisoner's Dilemma contest, hosted on the DevX Windows XP Developer
Center (http://windowsxp.devx.com). Based on the classic game-theory
exercise, Prisoner's Dilemma provides developers with a fun way to compete for
prizes from Microsoft and Compaq while learning about building Web Services
within the Microsoft .NET framework and hosting them on Microsoft Windows XP.
Prisoner's Dilemma involves two newly apprehended partners in crime trying
to outsmart one another in order to minimize their own jail time. In DevX's
adaptation, entrants create software robots that will play the game on their
behalf, winning and losing points depending on how their strategies play out
in competition. The running game is similar to a business exchange: Various
independent agents communicating, cooperating and competing with each other to
further their individual goals. Both the infrastructure of the game and the
player robots themselves are implemented as "Web Services," an important part
of the Microsoft .NET Framework.
"We continually look for ways to connect with our developer audience, and
as we roll-out .NET and its components, we want to provide them with
innovative and meaningful ways to learn about the products and the strategy
behind them," said Joe Ternasky, Software Architect for Microsoft. "Now,
developers can learn how easily Web Services can be built and consumed within
the .NET framework, and how reliably they can be hosted on Windows XP in an
environment that mirrors how they actually work and simulates the challenges
of implementation."
"Our goal in hosting this game is to give developers a fun and easy way to
learn about Web Services and Microsoft's .NET strategy," said Peter Horan, CEO
of DevX.com, Inc. "We believe that a head start in understanding how to
leverage new technology is critical in the fast-paced world of application
development. Prisoner's Dilemma illustrates our continued commitment to
providing corporate application developers with the crucial information and
cutting-edge tools needed to lead technology innovation."
As developers build their robots, they can utilize the resources on the
site, which include articles, strategies, downloadable sample robots, links
and other tools.
DevX launched the Windows XP Developer Center (http://windowsxp.devx.com)
for Microsoft in November 2000 to meet the needs of both Microsoft and the
beta testers of the new operating system during the beta phase of the product.
The center provides developers with a place to download related software and
documentation, access expert tips and advice, and discuss their experiences
with the program. The Prisoner's Dilemma game expands the site's offerings
and provides developers with an innovative way to learn about Windows XP and
the .NET strategy.
Prisoner's Dilemma Background
Prisoner's Dilemma is a simple exercise employed by game theorists to
illustrate concepts ranging from price wars to arms races. The game is
centered around cooperation and competition and is personified by two
criminals who have been apprehended by the authorities, leaving each with only
two choices: to cooperate with the police, or to remain silent. Each
prisoner's objective is to minimize his jail sentence. If both confess, each
will go to prison for five years; if neither confesses, both go to jail for
one year; and if one confesses and the other remains silent, the confessor
retains his freedom and his accomplice goes to jail for the maximum sentence.
About DevX.com, Inc.
DevX.com, Inc. is the leading provider of technical information and
services that enable corporate IT development teams to efficiently conquer
development challenges and keep projects moving. DevX resources are available
through three main channels: the category-leading public Website,
http://www.devx.com; custom-built DevX Corporate Development Portals for
corporate IT departments; and DevX Vendor Development Portals, which enable
leading IT vendors to reach a large, influential audience seeking product and
vendor-specific technical information. Each Portal offering is comprised of a
tailored mix of "just in time" e-Learning, expert tips, code libraries,
collaboration tools, and premium content and services.
DevX.com Inc. (http://www.devx.com ), based in Palo Alto, CA, was formed
as a spin-off of Fawcette Technical Publications, Inc.
(http://www.fawcette.com), a publisher of software-development magazines.
DevX raised initial investment equity in January 2000 from Hummer Winblad
Venture Partners (http://www.humwin.com), a San Francisco venture capital
firm.
SOURCE DevX.com, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.devx.com
http://windowsxp.devx.com
CONTACT:
Ginger Moore of Schneider-Shapiro
Communications, 212-402-5455, ginger@schneidershapiro.com, for
DevX.com, Inc.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Prisoner's Dilemma FAQ available upon request.
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