[cek]

But those 'almost-providers' knew they might not get the deal. They choose to participate knowing there was a risk.

They didn't "work for free", they made a decision that the risk/reward was worth it.

Oh, and if you down-vote someone on HN for asking a question the least you can do is fess up and explain why.

[kranner]

OK, I "confess" that I downvoted your post because I considered the question disingenuous. The risk/reward may not always be clear to all participants, and in a fairer world such choices might not have existed in the first place.

My vote is really against encouraging people to view design contests as fair enough, not you personally.

[cek]

Kudos for 'fessing up.