What should you use for creative work?

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/5518/

I love it..

Hi,
I've posted this on C9 before (http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=62647), but I thought I'd post it here aswell.

First of all, I think it is a great idea. Let the real world users design stuff. They're after all the only people, knowing what they would buy.

But: I was thinking about entering the competition, but probably won't.

Why not?

I have to get the facts straight before answering that:
1. As far as I understand it, there are three prizes in each category. Two times $50,000 and one time $25,000.
Assuming this is right, if I should win, I can get a maximum of $50,000 out of it. (unless more than 1 "jury" likes my design best, which I think is highly unlikely)

2. By entering the competition I sign over all exploitation rights to MS.

Well, there you have it. I basicly "give" my ideas to Microsoft and they can make millions with it, while I'm stuck with peanuts.

I have read this opinion on several comments on sites reporting on startsomethingpc.com.

The problem is really simple, the prizes are too low.
I can't imagine any serious industrial designer giving away any ideas under these circumstances!