While most of you have heard of Open Source software at this point (I hope you have, anyway), you probably aren't aware that each year Packt Publishing puts on a contest to highlight the best and brightest Open Source projects across all platforms. The contest is currently in its voting stage, ends on October 31, 2011.
The contest features applications in six different categories, including Mobile Toolkits and Libraries, CMS, Most Promising Open Source Project, Business Applications, JavaScript Libraries, and Multimedia Software; with five contenders in each category.
The Giveaway
As such a big supporter of open source software, Packt Publishing has offered to let us give away three print books and three ebooks to six lucky Android Police readers, just for simply checking out the Open Source Awards. Even though it's not a requisite to enter the giveaway, we encourage each and every one of you to check out the applications involved and show some love to those that you find useful, well made, or just all around cool. Since voting ends on Monday, this is your homework for the weekend. Don't forget it!
What You Get
Like I said, we're giving away three print books and three ebooks to six AP readers -- here are just a few examples of all that Packt has to offer:
Android 3.0 Application Development Cookbook
As its name suggest, this book is all about application development for Android 3.0, but the code throughout the book is also applicable to lower versions, as well. The book covers all aspects of mobile app development, including application components, screen layout and design, sensor management, multimedia capabilities, and everything in between. Regardless of whether you're a newcomer to the Android apps scene or a seasoned veteran, this book should have something for everyone.
Android User Interface Development: Beginner's Guide
This one is designed to teach the user no frills interface designed, geared towards beginners. With a "learn by doing" approach, you'll learn all aspects of design theory, including themes and styling to make your app look as good as it possibly can.
Android Application Testing Guide
Touting itself as "the first and only book that focuses on testing Android applications," this is everything you need to know about how to make sure your app runs stable and efficiently. It offers tried-and-true approaches to testing, as well as explanations as to what each does and how it works, so, by the end of it, you have a thorough understanding of the entire process.
Keep in mind that there are several other books to choose from -- take a look here for the full list.
How to Win
This contest is now over. Here are our winners, selected at random:
- Tyler Lane
- HomerSp
- Johann Reyes
- Freak4Dell
- wirbly
- A Lee
Congratulations, guys - all of you will be contacted for your information in the near future!
Entering is easy (as always) -- just drop a comment and you're in. The contest begins immediately and ends on Monday, October 31st at 11:59 PM PT. After that, we'll randomly choose the winners and send out the notifications!
This contest is open to all users across the globe, but print copies are only available to residents of the US and Europe. Users from all other locales are limited to the eBook only.
Good luck, and remember to use a legit email address when you enter so we can get in touch if you win!