Photo contest post mortem

[ManiacJoe]

Here is our chance to discuss what went well, what did not go well, and what we would like to change.

From the mechanical side, the new polling feature is really easy to use. (Having never setup a poll on DU2, I cannot compare them.) The auto-expire feature is really convenient.

The ability to see who voted for what is an intriguing feature. I looked once just to see. Viewing the long list of names was an interesting academic exercise but did not seem all that great. Maybe if I recognized more of the names....

I don't recall if previous contests included the artists' names in the polls. I purposely chose to not include them.

[Mira]

1. Considering that I was maybe the most vocal

in my objections to the new format and the new rules I chime in and say you ManiacJoe did what I could not have. You simply and easily ran what looks like a streamlined format for the contests.

Your presentations could be of great help in the future, I can see myself just cutting and pasting how you did it and have an easier time of it. Your simplicity was awesome.

I'm happy the new ways - the mechanical side - was easy. Very happy.

I still don't like the full transparency of the vote having now experienced it; I may have to go with and accept what seems to be the flow.
The previous contests have never in my 4 years of participation had the names of the entrants with the photos. Your choice not to include them made the contest less controversial and a little more real in my mind.

Thank you not only for taking over for me at this time, ManiacJoe, but also for this opportunity for us to give feedback.
I have a hunch this went so well little of it will be forthcoming.

to you all the way

[Behind the Aegis]

2. I think you did quite well.

Personally, I am not at all concerned about the transparency of the voters. I still like the idea of blind submissions. To me, it makes the contest more real and less of a popularity contest. I know that may sound snotty, but it isn't intended to be. This group seems pretty tight, but there are a number of us who pop in from time to time, who aren't very good, but enjoy having others see our work and enjoy the topic. I learn quite a bit from different posters in this group and it is one of the few where I don't seem to be a lightening rod (hopefully the above sentence will have made sense and not make me a lightening rod here).

I really think the new feature of the polls allowing for automatic closing will speed up the process as there won't be need for a mod to lock and extra votes can't slip in under the wire.

[bluesbassman]

3. Well it was certainly worth the wait. Turned out very well.

Thank you for taking on the contest ManiacJoe, it was flawless.

My vote is to keep the submissions nameless, I just think it's more neutral that way. The transparancy feature is fine.

And special thanks to you Mira for hanging in there through the wait and keeping your eye on the prize.

[Mira]

4. ...

[NV Whino]

5. I still don't like the transparency for the photo contests

I do like the automatic closing. And, you did a great job running the contest. Thanks.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. I don't like transparency in the polls, period.

I stand by my original opinion that polls should be anonymous.

[Mz Pip]

9. I really don't like it either.

I think voting should remain anonymous. I don't want to participate in a poll where others can see how I voted.

[CC]

6. It did not bother me

and I almost forgot about it. I noticed there were more comments in the thread on the photos and wonder if the transparency helped. Wonder if people tried to not influence voting by not saying anything about why they voted for a photo. Then again I might be seeing things and it was just that it has been so long since we had a contest. I am just glad you took the bull by the horns and ran the contest like you did. TY

[alfredo]

8. I forgot what I posted. When I finally noticed the contest it was well on its way. Still

it was a good contest.