Do you work for a company or project that makes software tools? Now's the time to check out, and consider a nomination for, the 19th annual Jolt Awards for software-development product excellence.

I judge the database and enterprise tools categories. I'm definitely on the look-out myself for "Joltworthy" data management and analysis and application-deployment tools, products that provide an SDK, components, languages or APIs, and/or back-end capabilities for developers. There are 13 categories total. They accommodate a spectrum of software and software-related products.I and the other Jolt judges are volunteers. We look at both emerging products and significant update releases from long-established vendors. Per the Jolt Web site, "We recognize the most innovative, trend-making, ahead-of-the-curve products. Jolt Award winners are the software products, books, and Web sites that developers should be using today." Past winners are posted on the Jolt Awards site.

We do rely on self-nominations by both commercial developers and the principals of open-source projects. (Occasionally a judge will nominate a product.) Please visit the Jolt Awards Web site to learn more, or ask your favorite vendors or projects to check it out. Nominations close November 12, 2008.Do you work for a company or project that makes software tools? Check out the 19th annual Jolt Awards for software-development product excellence. We're on the look-out for "Joltworthy" products that provide an SDK, components, languages or APIs, and/or back-end capabilities for developers. There are 13 categories total. They accommodate a spectrum of software and software-related products.