The level of contests in the forums is rising rapidly, but it can take days, maybe weeks, to notify a mod and ask for a merit prize, then it can take a few more weeks just to receive that prize. But that shouldn't be the way contests should be.
I think that there should be a seperate branch in the AG staff devoted completely to contest moderation, since we don't get very much of it.
Contest mods CAN: -Only moderate threads that they or other contest mods create. -Award merit prizes to winners of contests created by contest mods. -Only create contests that are worth the prize and actually take skill to win. -Type in a different color than green or blue or standard black. -Create contests in any section they like.
Contest Mods CANNOT: -Ban People. -Stick Threads. -Abuse their power. -Moderate in threads not made by other contest mods.
Just a little idea I came up with. I'm sure it's already been suggested, but I didn't really look. What do you guys think?
And feel free to alter any of the things I said if they don't seem right. Like I say, it's merely a thought.
Ah, and I bet Carlie has more important things to do than award merits to contest winners!
There isn't only Carlie there are other mods too. I don't think that having a contest mod would be a great improvement, it's not such a big deal if you don't get your merit right away.
But Carlie is usually the only one who agrees to giving out merits in contests. The other mods don't always find the contest to be "worthy" enough of a merit...
But then you win, and you get nothing. Is that depressing or what?
How is it depressing that you are entering a contest for fun and not entering.= a prize for winning? Goumas specifically stated that people unter entries for fun, then you state that it's depressing? WUT?
I agree with goumas, contests aren't always about merits.
It seems as though plokkey has fallen into the traps of the ignorant smiley face. Like most users, plokkey did not notice the smiley face at the end of Ernie's post, yet he quoted it any way, meaning that he interpreted what Ernie said in a completely different way. The smiley face, though small, can carry a lot of influence in posts, so when the ignorant smiley face makes an appearance, it can change the post completely. In this case, it meant that the post was not at all serious and should not be interpreted that way; next time you quote a post, plokkey, look for an ignorant smiley face!
But then you win, and you get nothing. Is that depressing or what?
It's not depressing you won, what more can you ask. I think that victory is enough satisfying. It's only an internet contest, merit or not you will be happy for 10 minutes and then you will forget it.
But remember, merit prizes also attract more contestants, and that makes the contests more interesting, no?
Tell me why a contest is so great anyway?
I would have taken your post seriously had it not been for that very last part.
I'm sorry, that smiley applied to itself. Am I breaking the rules by doing that? No. Because there are no smiley face rules and it doesn't always imply sarcasm.
You are trying to encourage contests in these ways which you have stated, but you aren't giving any reason for having contests in the first place. You are thinking about how great having these contests mods are, but you aren't realizing how it can be a benefit to the community.
Well, for one, contests increase the amount of diversity in the forums, and they infuence people to create intelligent and well-thought out posts rather than those quick little ones that most people post in 30 seconds.
I felt like I made that point before...
Why must it always be me who gives reasons?
Because I just gave some, and you haven't given any.
