notMac Challenge offers $10,000 for .Mac alternative
The notMac Challenge is offering a prize of $10,000 to the first developer to come up with an open-source dotMac replacement service.
Their manifesto states: “Since Apple decided to start charging for dotMac, I’ve spent $495 to keep some useful files remotely accessible on my iDisk and sync my bookmarks, address book and calendar between computers. While I find these features incredibly useful and convenient, I have no need for any of dotMac’s web-based services, and as a result, I don’t think I’ve been getting a good value from Apple.”
Donations are being accepted for the effort with a guarantee of their use in subsidizing an open source client tool. When the proceeds reach US$10,000, a benefactor will match them with an additional US$10,000.
To win it, you will need to come up with “a free replacement to dotMac’s client-based services that’s easy enough for a first-time Mac user to install and so fully and transparently integrated that a long-time dotMac user wouldn’t notice the difference.”
Visit notmacchallenge.com to read the rules or donate.
