FYI - checking in with you about the December contest - which I cannot yet run

[Mira]

There have been two threads in the "Help and Meta discussion" forum concerning polls.
I'm linking you to show what's been said, and why I have not as promised been able to start the contest today.
As you know, the switchover to DU3 caught me in the middle of the contest preparations, and left us with no ability to poll.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12406733

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12406747

basically, I'm on it to the degree I can be.
I'm writing this post in order to report it to you.

I don't want to cave to a contrived alternative way of polling for two reasons:
1) I'm not savvy enough to pull it off in the first way suggested which is to find an outside polling place.
If I were, as I said, I would have made sure we have a calendar this year.
I also don't like the idea of running the contest in DU2. Though I love it, am comfortable in it, DU2 is our history, and we need to move on.

2) I am POed that I never got an official answer or nod about the contest and the timing of when we can poll again, because it makes me feel like our value is only in our heads, and I know it is not.
You gotta have art.

Bottom line: Indulge me while I make the decision for us to wait for having our polls restored and our normal way of running the contest enabled whenever that may be.

Anyone who wants to do it differently, creatively, NOW, can just say so and I'll turn it over.
If this offer does not come, let's just say I'm on top of it, and I'll do it ASAP

[bluesbassman]

1. You're doing a great job Mira. Things happen.

It'll happen when it happens. It's a great set of photos this time, so it'll be worth the wait!

[Mira]

2. Thanks for the support and thumbs up! n/t

[regnaD kciN]

14. You've got the full support of this host...

Let's let The Powers That Be get things running. No need to rush things.

(Now, if polls still aren't in place for the Winter Seasonal in February, I'll be truly ticked-off...)

[MerryBlooms]

9. Rec ^this^ Mira is doing a stellar job!

The bugs and kinks will get worked out. I looked at this month's submissions this morning and they are magnificent!

I haven't been able to participate in this group for a while now, but with the new DU3, I will be able to- I'm so excited!

My thanks to all of you for your amazing photos!

[Mira]

10. Thanks MerryBlooms, it's great to see you here

I remember you well, and I'm glad you plan to be part of us again!

[postatomic]

3. Why are contests so important?

Seriously.

What benefit do they serve? The voting is waaaay skewed and influenced by people 'playing the system' and a touch of nepotism. Many wonderful photos get screwed just by the 'group' of ten they happen to be in.

As I understand it the group is intended to be a venue to share photos and discuss photography. The only benefit I see from the contests is the lesson in human behavior. Every final is totally predictable. It always comes down to two photos being 'played' until the end.

There are 100's of ways this group can be useful as it relates to photography. If some people feel the need to have their ego stroked they can find all kinds of contests all over the web.

Just my opinion and it may or may not be influenced by the pain med high I'm on (don't ask).

It just seems that the contests are the only focus of this group. Can you cite three reasons the contests are important and benefit those that participate? There is little to no constructive critique of the photos. Nothing learned there.

If you're set on doing contests then setup a polldaddy account and have at it or take the suggestion from Skinner and just have people voice their pick in their reply.

[Mira]

5. I hope you are feeling better this morning.

I have good news. Since you have so many objections to the contests, you do not have to participate again.

[Richard D]

6. I think . . .

. . . that the contests are good fun. The purpose? It's been pushing me to be a better photographer. It's a funny contest too, cause the winner does all the work for the next contest (generally). I've taken photos of things I'd never have thought of as well. The topics stretch my creativity. And did I mention that they are good fun?

[csziggy]

7. If it weren't for the contests I would not have known DU had a Photography group!

If nothing else, it provides visibility and attracts new members.

Since i found the group, I've gotten lots of good information about photography, something I've missed since a previous photography ground at a different location became hostile to liberals.

I do appreciate your feeling that there should be some critique of the photos - something that could be provided by people as they vote on them but that does not happen. Maybe that could be added as a contest follow up so that we can all improve our pictures and our art.

Get to feeling better.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. You are of course entitled to your opinion

and free to make as many unsubstantiated accusations about the contests as you like.

[postatomic]

16. unsubstantiated accusations?

I would like to continue this discussion without the 'colony' weighing in. I'd also like to call a few people to the witness stand if they are still around. Starting with MsToad, maestro, and priller.

Found a poll on the dead DU that clearly shows that most people enter photos in a contest because they just happen to have a photo that 'fits' the current theme. Oh, and most people don't want to "win".

Point out an "unsubstantiated accusation" and I'd be happy to address it.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. I sent you a PM.

Tell me what you think. I missed this thread when I PM'ed you. Ooops.

PS...I will help you any way I can. Don't fret!

[Mira]

11. Reporting a bit of news = there has been a reply from EarlG telling us there is no time table yet

and below is my answer to him.

You will find that I'm encouraged to find a way to muddle through best way, and you will find my reasons for refusing to do so.
Anyone who thinks my reasons are not valid, I freely admit I'm a bit pig headed about it, and is willing to do it and take over for me, is free to do so. No hard feelings, just relief.

I'm still in favor of waiting, and then we will give DU3 a contest they will not soon forget.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12406733

[alfredo]

12. The transition has not been completely smooth. It appears we will have to cool our heels a bit until

they write and test the needed code for polls and other such features. I miss my home made avatars.

BTW, I couldn't post using the Chrome browser until just now. I don't know why, but it might have to do with the server crashing today.

[Mz Pip]

13. I'm all for waiting until the dust settles.

Can't quite figure out this whole DU2/3 thing. The old one still seems to be functioning so I guess there is some kind of transitiion period. I have only been paying about half attention.

So my opinion, for what it's worth is to wait until DU3 is fully funtional with polls. It will happen eventually. Polls seem to be an intergral part of DU for more than just the photo contests. How else would we know how many people think "Robb is a dingbat?"

[Callalily]

15. Mira you are a dear for

tackling this project. Just do what you have to do . . . we are a patient crowd.

And . . . I truly enjoy the photo contests. As stated above the themes push us in directions that we typically would not enter. I've become a much better photographer being in this group.