Are you a Structure user and an awesome developer? Do you ever wish Structure would do something that it doesn't? Have you ever wished you could just open up the hood and bolt on some new functionality without waiting for us to release it?

If you answered yes to any two of those questions, we have something for you that you just might like.

No, not a lightsaber. We know you'd like that, but it's not a lightsaber.

In just a few weeks, ALM Works will be launching an ongoing Structure Coding Contest in which developers can vie for bragging rights, kudos and even some real prizes. The contest is all about integrating with and extending our Structure plugin for JIRA using its various APIs while having some fun in the process.

For those of you who are already actively using Structure APIs to your own ends, the contest may be an opportunity to gain the widespread recognition and admiration you already deserve.

Even if you're not a developer but you have a fantastic idea for a Structure extension, there's nothing to stop you making friends with a developer and entering the contest together. The developer gets a friend, you get to enter the contest, everybody's a winner. But any prizes go to the developer, so the developer is more of a winner.

So, what must you do to enter this fabulous contest?

The Challenge: Create a new Structure column type

In Structure 2.5 we introduced a new set of APIs that allow you to build your own custom columns and add them to Structure's data grid.

The first challenge in our contest will invite you to do just that; build your own custom column for Structure.

Once you've built your column, all that's left is to package it up and send it to us for inclusion in the contest. We'll round up all the new entries every quarter and choose the best column according to some arbitrary criteria that we make up on the spot. The winners will be announced with all the pomp, ceremony and fanfare that we can muster.

We expect to finalize the rules and launch the contest officially before Christmas, just to make sure you have something to keep you occupied during the festivities.

Because listing unwanted presents on internet auctions is only so much fun

If you're interested in taking part, there's no reason not to get started before the official launch. We'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.

Follow us on Twitter or befriend us on Facebook to make sure you don't miss important announcements about the contest