[jhherren]

I think it's inexcusable to cancel a contest, even if you only get a single entry. API providers can require registration to the contest, then monitor the usage metrics based on API keys. This would give an indication of how much development is happening before the contest deadline. If it's not much, extend the deadline, but don't cancel it. As far as quality of the submissions, it's not reasonable to expect polished, production quality work. The goal should be creative or novel prototypes that demonstrate a use case of the API. To me, a good entry would be one that clearly shows how the API is being utilized. Finally, if you've got good prizes(check), an iteresting API to play with(check), and a site to support the API(check), and you can't attract developers, you're doing something very wrong or not trying very hard.

[tibbon]

I'd agree. They definitely screwed up here, but I can imagine exactly what happened is all. They should just bite the bullet- or at least reopen and extend.