Jive Software has unveiled Jivespace, an online community where developers can share knowledge and develop extensions for Jive's collaboration applications, including Clearspace, Clearspace X and Jive Forums.

Jivespace is built using Jive Software’s own product, Clearspace X, and includes discussion forums, wiki documents, sharing of plug-ins, plug-in wish lists and blogs. Additional developer documentation, tutorials and video podcasts will also be available in Jivespace.

Along with Jivespace, the company has also announced a three-month, nationwide contest that recognizes developers who create original and innovative open source plug-ins for Clearspace. The first place winner in the contest will be awarded $5,000 cash, with second place receiving $2,500 and third place receiving $1,500. The plug-ins developed for this contest will benefit all Clearspace users, says Jive, as they will be available free of charge and will extend the already feature-rich solution.

Jive is also providing open source and software user groups with complimentary licenses of Clearspace X or Jive Forums to further encourage collaboration. Developers can apply for the free licenses on the Jivespace Developer Community Web site.