Google needs no introduction, and I am almost sure that you no longer search for stuff online, you just Google! If you’re like me — and have read The Google Story — then you would be fascinated each time you hear the word, Google. Well, since I’m not being paid by Google for this blog post, the free ad will stop here But what I can’t keep from talking about is the code jam, which Google introduces on it’s codejam website with the following statement:

[t]hink you can compete with the world’s top programmers? Here’s your chance to prove it.

The code jam has been an interesting challenge for the world’s daring code-spinners, and has held in at least Ireland (for the European edition), India and China. On the press page, the codejam organizers said this much about the European jam: “After nearly 10,000 registrants and three intense online rounds, the top 50 finalists persevered and flew to Dublin for the final challenge. ACM members also joined the coding community fun, traveling from countries as far afield as Kazakhstan, Russia, Sweden, Egypt, Spain, France, Poland and Bulgaria to celebrate the success of the finalists. Several of the ACMers had qualified for the Code Jam Finals in their own right, and having them in Dublin added a real buzz to the proceedings”. This year, a global competition is being put together with the following agenda:

• Registration opens at 9am on Monday, August 14
• Registration Closes at 9am on Tuesday, September 5
• Qualification Round begins at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 5
• Qualification Round ends at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 6
• Round 1 - 1,000 participants at 10am on Thursday, September 14
• Round 2 - 500 participants at 10am on Tuesday, September 19
• Championship Round - 100 participants on Friday, October 27

The website notes that all times are denoted as EDT (GMT/UTC -4) and that the Championship Round date is subject to change with or without prior notice. If you’re wondering what you gain, then check this out:

• First Place: $10,000
• 2nd - 10th Place: $5,000
• 11th - 25th Place: $2,500
• 26th - 50th Place: $1000
• 51st - 100th Place: $750

… and of course, the pride of competing with the world’s best and possibly winning! And I’m just wondering, will we have anyone from Nigeria competing? Or win?

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I am presently involved in a research effort that focuses on the status of technology use for advocacy purposes by civil society in Nigeria. Doe to the broad definition of civil society, I have chosen to look at specific institutions, including community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, independent media, non-governmental organisatons, social enterprises, labour groups, student/youth groups, professional groups, women groups, special interest groups and political groups.

For the first phase of the research, I need to get some information about civil society organisations, and I have set up a questionnaire page that will only take 12 minutes to complete. Please visit www.gbengasesan.com/eadvocacy.htm to complete the questionnaire, as you contribute to the depth and accuracy of the research exercise. I will be glad to provide more information, should you require such. Please use the reply button (if you’re reading this via eMail), the comment link if you’re reading this on my blog, or use the guestbook if you’re reading this on my website.

Thank you!

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