Vote Now - FInal Poll - Parades!!

[andromedaslove]

Sorry everyone, but do to another bout of Strep Throat I am posting this final poll about an hour early. Hope you guys don't mind too much, but I need to get my sick behind to bed.



nkjzmom

Tuffcookie

TwoOldPoohs

Miller1412

0bli0

Pokprincess

Space Ranger

June0802

TheLionKing

EpcotKilterFan

disneyfreakjackie

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Sorry everyone, but do to another bout of Strep Throat I am posting this final poll about an hour early. Hope you guys don't mind too much, but I need to get my sick behind to bed.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Amy]

Hope you get some rest and feel better in the morning!

And I can't decide which photo to vote for - there are 4 that I really, really like and I just can't decide on one ....

 

[UKDEB]

Sorry guys - I know I haven't been posting on this forum for long, and I'm not usually one to rock the boat - but the voting system for this competition is flawed.

The groups for the original voting rounds depend purely on a photo's position in the original competition thread. It then goes to a 'knock-out', resulting in photos which scored lower than others ending up in the final. I understand that the limitations in the poll posting capability require that the photos are grouped initially, but at least then put the top 12 across all groups into the final.

The current system is unfair and will eventually discourage both entrants and voters from joining in.

 

[Anewman]

The current system is unfair and will eventually discourage both entrants and voters from joining in.

It is just for FUN, I was not aware that persons took it that seriously.

 

[rtphokie]

The current system is unfair and will eventually discourage both entrants and voters from joining in.

Looks to me to be due to a limitation in the board software that only allows a certain number of choices in the polls.

The way it ends up working with these photo contests ends up like a bracket system, not unlike the NCAA basketball tournaments. Just like in that tournament, any 1 entry can win the whole thing. Seems fair enough to me.

Besides, it's just for fun.

 

[andromedaslove]

Sorry guys - I know I haven't been posting on this forum for long, and I'm not usually one to rock the boat - but the voting system for this competition is flawed.

The groups for the original voting rounds depend purely on a photo's position in the original competition thread. It then goes to a 'knock-out', resulting in photos which scored lower than others ending up in the final. I understand that the limitations in the poll posting capability require that the photos are grouped initially, but at least then put the top 12 across all groups into the final.

The current system is unfair and will eventually discourage both entrants and voters from joining in.

They way the contest works, is fairly simple. At the end of the week I take all the entries and split them into groups. At the end of the 4 day voting period I take (depending on the number of groups) the top winners from each group. In this weeks case there were 5 groups, so I took the top two from each group with the exception of group 5 in which I took the top three because there was a tie.

Let's say I tried it your way and took the top 12 from the groups. It still wouldn't be fair, and to be honest would be REALLY hard on me and I am the one who spends hours every week getting this contest ready for everyone. If I took the top 12 from this past week's parade contest. This is what it would look like:
0bli0 48
TwoOldPoohs 42
nkjzmom 33
TheLionKing 30
Space Ranger 25
Tuffcookie 25
Pokprincess 23
Miller1412 18
June0802 17
CheshireVal 16
hlbtimes 16
daddyscooltv 15

But then what about campinggal who also had 15 points just like daddyscool tv? Other than that the only real difference in the finalist between this list (done the way your suggesting) and my list in the final poll is that instead of CheshireVal, hlbtimes, and daddyscooltv, we have EpcotKilterFan, and disneyfreakjackie.

To be honest I don't see what seems so unfair about the way the polls are set up. We have had numerous discussions on here about this contest, and this is the first time I have heard anything about this. If anyone else has a problem with the way the polls are set up please let me know and we can all get together and talk about it, the last thing I wanna do is be unfair, but to be honest I don't really see what the difference is.

Dana

 

[UKDEB]

Well I certainly don't want to cause a mutiny, but it is a competition, after all. My suggestion isn't perfect, either, but it just seems a little bit fairer to me. In theory, you could have a group where more than two entries score upwards of, say, 20 votes and another group which doesn't have an entry scoring higher than 3. In the final, you'd have 2 entries which didn't deserve to be there, IMHO.

I'm not criticising the effort which undoubtedly goes into it all, Dana, but I'll bet I'm not the only one thinking the same thing - maybe just the only one stupid enought to stick my neck out!

I do see the problem (again caused by the limitiations of poll posting) where you have more than one person in 12th place.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, it's just an observation and I do realise it's just for fun - honestly I do!

 

[Amy]

I think no matter how you break down the voting groups, somebody won't be happy. It's life and the luck of the draw: the groups are broken down by the order in which the photos are posted.

It's just for fun, no prizes are awarded, and when I post I certainly don't expect my photo to end up in the finals. I post MY best photo, realizing that I'm an amateur, and I enjoy seeing all the other photos. Plus, I get ideas to improve my own pictures. I'm sure there are plenty of "serious" contests out there for those who are focused on winning.

I just recently discovered this photography board and am really enjoying it. I don't want to see this contest ruined by disagreements. It's a lot of work for Dana to do this every week, and there are those of us who appreciate what she's doing.

 

[RadioNate]

The top vote getters overall also isn't 'fair' because not everyone who votes, votes in every poll. This week the votes ranged from 83 to 113 per poll. The poll that got 30 more voters will likely have entries with more votes.

IMO, the poll is fine the way it is.

 

[Anewman]

My suggestion isn't perfect, either, but it just seems a little bit fairer to me. In theory, you could have a group where more than two entries score upwards of, say, 20 votes and another group which doesn't have an entry scoring higher than 3. In the final, you'd have 2 entries which didn't deserve to be there, IMHO.

But you see not everyone would agree with you either.

Sometimes you have a very competitive group where the votes get really spread out.

EXAMPLE.

GROUP A = Kelly Grammall, Lion King, Epcot Kilter, Oblio, Dan Murphy, TwoOldPoohs, and 5 others(but you get the point) all with superb entries so the votes get spread out and there is no run away point leader but there are many very worthy images.

GROUP B = just three stand out entries that each get over 20 votes, but they may not have gotten ANY votes if they were in GROUP A. Just because they got 20 votes does not make them any more(or less) worthy than the Group A finalists, since they did not compete against the same images in the first place.
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For a fun in house contest andromedaslove could not do any better or be any fairer. I really doubt that the possible winner has been held out of the finals because of the current system.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Well I certainly don't want to cause a mutiny, but it is a competition, after all. My suggestion isn't perfect, either, but it just seems a little bit fairer to me. In theory, you could have a group where more than two entries score upwards of, say, 20 votes and another group which doesn't have an entry scoring higher than 3. In the final, you'd have 2 entries which didn't deserve to be there, IMHO.

I'm not criticising the effort which undoubtedly goes into it all, Dana, but I'll bet I'm not the only one thinking the same thing - maybe just the only one stupid enought to stick my neck out!

I do see the problem (again caused by the limitiations of poll posting) where you have more than one person in 12th place.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, it's just an observation and I do realise it's just for fun - honestly I do!

The only reason the later groups score lower is the laziness of the voters. If 20 people total voted for group one then there should also be 20 people total voting in the later groups. It is not an organizational problem.
It could be construed that the better photogs already have good pics of each category and can post them immediately. But as in all tournaments, someone will always have to play the best team first.

Mikeeee

 

[UKDEB]

Lots of good points being made. I would find it hard to form a valid argument in contradiction with anything Anewman has raised, for example.

I do feel compelled to stress again that I'm not criticising Dana - I do know how time-consuming such commitments can be. I think it's healthy to be able to make suggestions, though, and I've always felt comfortable doing so on the DIS.

 

[hmgolden]

The only reason the later groups score lower is the laziness of the voters. If 20 people total voted for group one then there should also be 20 people total voting in the later groups. It is not an organizational problem.
It could be construed that the better photogs already have good pics of each category and can post them immediately. But as in all tournaments, someone will always have to play the best team first.

Mikeeee

I dont think its laziness that would necessarily keep people from voting. Just this week there was a group that I didn't cast a vote in because I wasn't partial to any of the photos. Because of that, I understand what UKDEB is saying. But either way, I think the poll is fun, and I love seeing everyone's photos.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I dont think its laziness that would necessarily keep people from voting. Just this week there was a group that I didn't cast a vote in because I wasn't partial to any of the photos. Because of that, I understand what UKDEB is saying. But either way, I think the poll is fun, and I love seeing everyone's photos.

but seeing as there is no awards package your vote should not be likened to a life or death decision. Choose one of your favorites and reward at least one person.

I also love seeing all the photos.

Mikeeee

 

[CheshireVal]

Other than that the only real difference in the finalist between this list (done the way your suggesting) and my list in the final poll is that instead of CheshireVal, hlbtimes, and daddyscooltv, we have EpcotKilterFan, and disneyfreakjackie.

Well darn, I wouldn't have minded that.

Really, I don't have a problem with the way the polls are set up. You're going to get people crying unfair no matter how it's posted, and, really, it's all just for fun so it's not worth getting too upset about in the end.

 

[handicap18]

I've been involved with the contest since the beginning with both voting and submitting and have never once even thought about how the polls are done. You want to submit then you submit. Pictures are posted in order they are received. I have no problem with that.

Sure it is a "contest", but its all in good fun and a way to put this particular board to its true form,,, posting pictures. As far as I'm concerned, the contest part is just an extra bonus.

Dana, keep up the great work. Thank you again for taking the time to keep the 'contests' running week in and week out.

 

[hmgolden]

but seeing as there is no awards package your vote should not be likened to a life or death decision. Choose one of your favorites and reward at least one person.

I also love seeing all the photos.

Mikeeee

And seeing as how there is no awards package, and the contest is just for fun, I don't think that I should have to pick a favorite if I don't have one.

 

[andromedaslove]

Lots of good points being made. I would find it hard to form a valid argument in contradiction with anything Anewman has raised, for example.

I do feel compelled to stress again that I'm not criticising Dana - I do know how time-consuming such commitments can be. I think it's healthy to be able to make suggestions, though, and I've always felt comfortable doing so on the DIS.

Just so you know. I didn't think that you were trying to criticize (sp?). If I did come off a bit defensive I'm gonna blame that on being sick, because I didn't mean to be. You have every right to make your suggestions and state your opinion. I didn't mean to make you feel like your ideas and opinions weren't welcome. I think it is simply being caught in catch 22. No matter which way I do it someone is bound to think it isn't fair, and since this is the way I have been doing it for ever now I think I'll continue to do it this way!!

Dana

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

It is just for FUN, I was not aware that persons took it that seriously.

Me either?!? I also appreciate all your hard work, Dana!!

But then what about campinggal who also had 15 points just like daddyscool tv? Other than that the only real difference in the finalist between this list (done the way your suggesting) and my list in the final poll is that instead of CheshireVal, hlbtimes, and daddyscooltv, we have EpcotKilterFan, and disneyfreakjackie.

Dana

I guess I made out on this deal, huh!!?? If you think I'm "unworthy" don't vote for me!!