IDUG, the International DB2 Users Group, reports that since the contest launch on October 1, more than 30,000 students, faculty and developers throughout North America have sought programming contest entry information in its first competition to award and recognize current and future software superstars.

"The Search for the XML Superstar" is a global contest that was launched earlier in 2008 in Europe, China, Southeast Asia and India. It is aimed at university students, faculty and professional developers of all skill and experience levels with XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and its related database technologies. The North American contest started on Oct. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2009.

"Valuable prizes along with broad personal and community recognition are coming to XML superstar contest winners in the U.S., Canada and globally after the competition closes," says Julian Stuhler, president of IDUG and also principal consultant, Triton Consulting, Norfolk, United Kingdom. "The upcoming holiday period is an ideal time for thousands of contestants to take time to complete and submit their entries."

More than 70,000 contestants are already entered globally, he adds. Prizes include laptop computers, GPS devices, iPod portable media players and PlayStation games. All who register at http://www.xmlchallenge.com and complete a short quiz receive free tee shirts. Individuals can join contest groups at Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Orkut. Contestants who invite a friend to enter earn points toward the XML Superstar Grand Master prize. The Grand Master prize is a Bose Wave Radio.

The contest is open to those with all levels of XML and database management experience, offering five competition categories: Video Mania, Gadget Challenge, Query Challenge, Ported Application Contest and XML programming. For those with no prior knowledge, "The Search for the XML Superstar" provides an opportunity to learn about these important technologies. Those with more experience will have a chance to show off their skills with porting applications to DB2, running XML queries on DB2, and more.

"XML is indeed the future for next generation enterprises because it's changing the way data is handled in every way," Stuhler says. "The programming contest is an excellent way contestants can get started here in North America. The XML revolution has begun. Now it's time to recognize the leaders."

The purpose of technology is to improve the human condition, says Inhi Cho Suh, vice president of IBM Data Management Marketing.

"Collaboration between the business community and our universities helps us nurture the next generation of skilled information technology leaders and we are looking to them to help create new opportunities, fuel economic growth and solve challenges. IDUG is truly a leader for spearheading this competition. It's time to place the spotlight on the next generation of XML developers to show all what can happen when innovative XML database technologies meet creative, motivated individuals."

The Search for the XML Superstar is spearheaded by IDUG, an independent, user-run organization of data management professionals who use DB2 and related technology. IDUG's mission is to support the information services community by providing education and services to utilize IBM's DB2 family of products.

To learn more about the competition and to enter, visit http://www.xmlchallenge.com.