Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane
It would be really nice to see a return to the anonymous entry system as it just adds a little excitement and makes the challenge (bearing in mind that it is a fun little thing -- no prizes) a bit more credible. Not knowing who submitted what also ensures that one votes without prejudice.
I agree with Barry, though, that with the way things are people will vote for their friends. It's just the way it is.
I also would have figured that if the challenges were anonymous, it would encourage more people to enter as they have nothing to be afraid of. I know of other forums where they have a "picture a day" sub-forum and the entrants literally get torn new ones if their images look like snapshots and/or have absolutely no meaning whatsoever. Interestingly, though, the entrants generally smarten up and start submitting works of art quite quickly, which is pleasing, as the criticism actually works. It's not like that, here; on the whole, we're all pretty much a friendly happy bunch.
Just my two cents. I know these thoughts won't get anywhere as it seems the previous feedback has formed a consensus with no avenue for review. It's not an attack on anyone, and, not sour grapes, at all; just airing my own thoughts. However, at the same time, it is assuring to know I'm not alone as at least one other person seems to agree.
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You may like to know that I and some of the other members of the admin team first suggested the anonymous format to see if it would work.
We went to a lot of trouble and had to devise a way to submit the entries anonymously and I came up with the idea of sending them in via email and then the Photo Moderator would post each one.
It was more work for us but we were very happy to do it.
I also made it so that the votes were not viewable until the poll closed in case anyone suspected favoritism.
That was quickly rejected by the members as they preferred to see the progress as it added excitement.
The Challenge dwindled and at the end we were getting only a couple of entires. This went on for a long while but we were in the hope that things would improve.
Finally after discussions and listening to the feedback from members we reverted back to this format and the Monthly Challenge was once again well received by our members and has continued to attract good participation rates.
As I've said, people have told us they prefer it like this so we have changed it to what it is now.