If I create a project field that is a pick list and mark it as required, how can I make the user selet a value?  The first item in the list seems to show-up as the default no matter what I do.  Essentially, it doesn't matter if you make a pick list required or not-required. 

This is a hmmm, 'quirk' of our application that pick lists automatically satisfy their own Required condition.  This is something that would be perfect for the greenhouse or feedback links.  I usually encourage customers to set a "-" as the default top value so that at least it has visibility should a user forget to set the option correctly.

I aggree that required picklists should force a user select - maybe something like our Phase option where it starts as blank but upon using the form, can not be left blank.

 http://www.daptiv.com/support/product_feedback.asp

I had the same problem.  There is a work around but it requires some real estate.  Make your "required" fields radio buttons.  As one of your radio button choices have a blank entry (you can't have a blank entry for a drop-down).  Set the default to your blank entry.  When the project field is used none of the radio buttons will be selected and if the user tries to save the form (and you made the field required), Daptiv will balk and say an entry must be required for the field.