Proposed changes to the POTM "contest"

[on:]

POTM is outdated and terminally biased. It's a system for patting people on the back for no particular reason, and needs to be changed.

I beleive that I've come up with a better system of rules for POTM that will give it greater meaning and relevance to PEEL:

1. You get to nominate ONE person, and SECOND a previous nomination (at a later time if necessary). POTM nomination threads will be started three days before the end of the month, and closed at the end of the third day.

2. You can't nominate yourself, fake accounts, or anybody who is less than a Starship Captain in rank.

3. You are allowed to nominate past winners - if they deserve a nomination, then they deserve recognition. Having already won doesn't mean that they can no longer be honoured for being fantastic.

4. POTM polls must be created by the moderator who closes the POTM thread, in order to prevent "fake" polls.

5. POTM winners are required to give a short acceptance speech. If they are unable to deliver this speech to PEEL, then their immediate runner-up will be crowned POTM in their place.

6. Moderators, Administrators, and custom-rank holders cannot be POTM's.


I think that these are sensible, and worthy alterations to the contest, and will bring greater meaning to it, as well as prolong its lifespan. POTM can become something that we can be proud to do, rather than a farce that we propagate through force of habit!

[Reply #1 on:]

i do have a problem... what if the best poster isn't a starship captain, like, i think a new comer should be able to be nominated if they're really contributors, then there's spam monkeys at professor etc. and there's no point in nominating them altogether... i guess what i'm saying is rank shouldn't matter

as for the back patting, it'll always be that way, why would you vote for someone you don't know on the boars?

but i like the ammendments for the most part

[Reply #2 on:]

I don't know if you're joking or not, nor do I really care, but I agree with you on almost all points. On one hand, PotM in essence in just a menial internet "recognition", so it really doesn't need to be taken too seriously. On the other hand, if we're gonna have it every month, I'd rather there not be senseless bickering to scroll through.

I especially agree with past winners having another chance to win.

[Reply #3 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kloudes:
On one hand, PotM in essence in just a menial internet "recognition", so it really doesn't need to be taken too seriously...
On the other hand...
I especially agree with past winners having another chance to win.

If we're going to have POTM at all, I'd rather that it actually meant something, even if what it means is so trivial that nobody cares. I want it to be something that I can participate in without feeling like a dirty whore.

[Reply #4 on:]

I agree, trust me. If it's there, it should be there for a good reason, instead of a formality.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by cujoe169:
i do have a problem... what if the best poster isn't a starship captain

POTM shouldn't be something that you can win with less than 500 posts under your belt. It takes time to establish yourself on PEEL, and POTM is something that relies on an established persona for each nominee.

[Reply #6 on:]

If we have to keep POTM (I'm not a huge fan of it, but whatever floats your boat), these sound like pretty reasonable ideas.

[Reply #7 on:]

I honestly don't like the idea of past winners winning again.  Since one person wins each month (or however many those other times, whatev) there isn't a whole lot of chance for most people to be POTM.  And there are a lot of people whom I think are integral parts of PEEL and haven't quite gotten that recognition yet, if past winners have a chance again, then they take that thunder away from others who already have it. 

Some of those alterations are already unwritten rules of the ceremony anyways, people just don't follow them because they're assholes: ie, don't nominate/vote for yourself. 

I like the short acceptance speech idea myself, it would give the whole thing a little more significance and add an element of fun.  I don't have a huge problem with the nominating process now per se, but if you all really want only one nomination a month, that sounds fine by me.

[Reply #8 on:]

Note: much like Spiff I really don't care whether POTM lives or dies (after FC bags this one that is).

 

Originally posted by totalnerduk:
POTM is outdated and terminally biased. It's a system for patting people on the back for no particular reason,

What gave it away? The fact that people have been saying that for years? 

 

1. You get to nominate ONE person, and SECOND a previous nomination (at a later time if necessary). POTM nomination threads will be started three days before the end of the month, and closed at the end of the third day.

A bit too complicated, not only are you tallying who got a nom, who got a second, but also who made a nom and who made a second. Gald I'm not doing the counting.

 

6. Moderators, Administrators, and custom-rank holders cannot be POTM's.

Agree whole-heartedly! That'll keep me out of the quagmire.

Overall I would rate it a B, OK, not great. As a result, I will not destroy your country. But neither will I provide you with our recipe for quality beer.

[Reply #9 on:]

As far as the count goes, I'm thinking that once the thread's closed, the Moderator who did it would have a fairly simple job - backtrack through it, and just copy+paste posts into notepad, then count the nominations, adding one to each nomination every time that it is seconded.

 

Example:

Teral nominates Chay's Head.
Chay's Head nominates Ninaka.
Nixorbo nominates Ben and seconds Ninaka.
Ninaka nominates Teral and seconds Chay's Head.
Teral seconds Ninaka.
Winna nominates JBERGES and seconds Ben.
Chay's Head seconds Teral.
Ben nominates Winna.

Results
Ninaka has 3 points.
Ben, Chay's Head and Teral have 2 points. Winna has one. JBERGES has one.

See? Simple. Ish.

[Reply #10 on:]

ok, so for example... dan1248, not picking on him is more qualified than shiny?  if you look at the posts, shiny's are, again no offense much more meaningful like paragraphs of discussion, but shiny's a bending unit...

[Reply #11 on:]

Yeah, that makes a bit more sense. I guess it's doable, however you're plan fall apart by the next condition:

 

Originally posted by totalnerduk:
As far as the count goes, I'm thinking that once the thread's closed, the Moderator who did it

I may be wrong, but I don't think you'll find a moderator interested enough in POTM to dot his.

mArc: no
Slimmy: if you offered him enough lesbian porn, no
VF: very, very doubtfull
Nix: Hell no!
Kryten: extremely doubtful
Jon/drippy: I'm thinking no
Tweek: maybe

Drop the Moderator point and you might be in for smoother sailing.

[Reply #12 on:]

 

Originally posted by totalnerduk:
1. You get to nominate ONE person, and SECOND a previous nomination (at a later time if necessary). POTM nomination threads will be started three days before the end of the month, and closed at the end of the third day.

2. You can't nominate yourself, fake accounts, or anybody who is less than a Starship Captain in rank.

3. You are allowed to nominate past winners - if they deserve a nomination, then they deserve recognition. Having already won doesn't mean that they can no longer be honoured for being fantastic.

4. POTM polls must be created by the moderator who closes the POTM thread, in order to prevent "fake" polls.

5. POTM winners are required to give a short acceptance speech. If they are unable to deliver this speech to PEEL, then their immediate runner-up will be crowned POTM in their place.

6. Moderators, Administrators, and custom-rank holders cannot be POTM's.

My thoughts by order of how you listed it...
1. Too confusing.
2. Get rid of the Starship Captain part. Also, the not-nomming-yourself part is an unwritten guideline that people usually listen to.
3. Hell no. Not fair for people who haven't won as previous winners will keep winning. I like our current system in this issue.
4. Sure, why not. Not that much of a problem to me.
5. One question with this idea: What if the winner is away or on vacation or something like this?
6. I think all mods, admins, and custom-rank holders have won POTM, though I may be wrong.

[Reply #13 on:]

 

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
 My thoughts by order of how you listed it...
1. Too confusing.

How is it confusing? You nominate one person, and once the thread is in full swing you get the chance to "second" one of the other nominations.

 

2. Get rid of the Starship Captain part.

Why? POTM isn't going to be won by any johnny-come-lately's in any case. This just cuts out some of the crap like voting for some poppler like Scarecrow because you've heard the name somewhere.

 

3. Hell no. Not fair for people who haven't won as previous winners will keep winning.

That's not too likely. Different people will hit the right note at different times. A new guy making a name for himself is sure to win by a landslide against a poll composed of nine same-old-faces, same-old-posts.

 

5. One question with this idea: What if the winner is away or on vacation or something like this?

Then in a cruel twist, they don't win. It's a sting in the tail, just what POTM needs.

[Reply #14 on:]

Also, I think it needs to be operated for more than 3 days. Often, people are busy? at work? Or whatever. 7 Days would be more feasible.

And, even though I have already won, and already gotten a custom rank, I think that's just unfair to not be able to nom mods or custom ranked people. That's statusism!

Also, lower Startship Captains to Bending Units  to be allowed for noms.

Yeah, that's about it for my input.

[Reply #15 on:]

Let's take this point by point:

1. Why?
2. Agreed,  (though I prefer it being a matter of courtesy rather than rule), agreed, no.  That's biased against low-rate posters and even any spectacular newbies we might have.
3. Why?  They've already got the so-called "honor".  For another thing, the same people would win every month.
4. I'd agree with this, but I doubt they care enough.
5. That seems like an odd thing to put in writing.  Maybe just a new tradition we can encourage?
6. Why the fuck not?  Besides, most of them already won.  Although I didn't realize Teral didn't have one yet...*nominates*

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nerd-o-rama:
Let's take this point by point:

1. Why?

It'll make people think about who they really want to nominate. It's basically forcing people to put a little effort into their nominations. Under the current system, you've got a fairly easy choice. With only one nomination, and the chance to second somebody else's nomination, then you've really got to think about who you want to throw into the running, and why. Thus, your nomination means something more.

 

2. Agreed,  (though I prefer it being a matter of courtesy rather than rule), agreed, no.  That's biased against low-rate posters and even any spectacular newbies we might have.

Intentionally biased against people voting for some poppler who has a name that they like, rather than has made some good posts.

 

3. Why?  They've already got the so-called "honor".  For another thing, the same people would win every month.

I believe that I've addressed this one already. Look further up this page.

 

4. I'd agree with this, but I doubt they care enough.

Possibly right. Perhaps it ought to be the dedicated job of one particular poster.

 

5. That seems like an odd thing to put in writing.  Maybe just a new tradition we can encourage?

It would be fun, and also it would add to the "meaningfulness".


 

6. Why the fuck not?  Besides, most of them already won.  Although I didn't realize Teral didn't have one yet...*nominates*

They have all the recognition they'll ever need.

[Reply #17 on:]

The starship captain thing shouldnt be in place.  For example, mktai has now been here for a year, but has only in the last few months reached starship captain.  His posts generally had quality and he was well known and established, atleast amoung the #FC'ers.  But he should be excluded because he didnt that that rank?  Thats simply not fair.

As far as past people winning, thats not fair either.  First of all, there are some people who are "established" here, and some who are "kind of" and some who are not.  Now, I am using these people as examples, just to make my point.  JBerges is a well established peeler.  I am a "kind of" established one, and oh that girl Cinny is not one yet.  Now lets say JB is able to be nom'd again.  In the polls it comes down to JB, me, and Cinny.  No matter who has the best posting whatever that month, it is highly likely that JB would win everytime, simply because he is more established here than Cinny and I.  POTM seems to be a popularity contest.  Those who have won already, are, and will be, unless they leave, or start being jerks, will always stay popular above the rest of us.  So, as I said, JB would most likely win again and again, simply because people know him better, and even if they dont, its a user ID they recognize more so over the other nom's.  So if this started, the list thats already been made would probably just keep repeating its self, leaving a rare chance for anyone else to sneak in. 

[Reply #18 on:]

once again, the stars seem to dominate the voting...  thanks slackit02 for the reasoning on the starship captain rule... 

[Reply #19 on:]

well said amy. another example of someone that posts "quality" not "quantity" is edeltraut, unfortunately she hasn't been around much lately... 

it's a nice gesture TNUK, but overall i have a problem with rule #2, 5, 6. what the heck does a custom rank holder have to do with posting? are you saying i should have never won POTM in 2001 because I have my own special rank? I really don't see the logic in that. I don't consider the fact that I have my own "rank" that I am favored more by the mods and more people would vote for me - in fact I think I'm on e of the least favored people by the mods, and custom ranks really have nothing to do with overall popularity in the general public, it's just something fun that's done after you sleep with a admin

and going back to what Amy said, this is poster of the MONTH. true, lately the winners have been people who didn't really do anything special the certain month the won for, but rather for a certain posting style they've held since they became an active poster. With that said, if someone just joins PEEL and starts "wowing" everyone, don't they deserve POTM as much as the person who didn't do anything special this month, but has in the past? That's where I see the problems of requiring a cetain rank in order to be nommed.

Also, people shouldn't be allowed to win more than twice, it just isn't done and I wouldn't find it fair, if say, I won again and took the place of someone who has never won and deserved it more. There are still PLENTY of great posters who have yet to receive this recognition. I haven't even voted in this month's POTM yet for this very reason. Allowing old winners to come back into the mix again just wouldn't seem fair to those people.

As far as the specific days when a poll/thread is opened and when it should be closed, I think that is fine and should have been put into writing a long time ago. 1 week for a poll is adequate amount of time to cast your vote.

And that one-nomination rule seems a bit too strict for me. In theory it would make the POTM polls a lot easier to make; however, if I am forced to choose between 3 posters who I think are highly qualified, I would not want to hurt their feelings and instead would choose neither of them and nominate no one. So instead of 3 qualified people getting noms, no one gets one. I already have to pick and choose just 3 people now, I think the current system we have as far as that goes is fine.

The thing about the acceptance speech...I'd be surprised if you could force anyone to do that  this is just a message board, not some formal induction ceremony. In addition I would think that speeches would get old because people would basically be saying the same stuff month after month, and no offense, but who here would actually read their speech? I wouldn't, unless I really wanted them to win and was looking for a praise hehe.

[Reply #20 on:]

EDIT: Screw it. You're way too serious about this. It's a fucking website award thing for the love of God. Why is it so important? I mean I had my opinions but now I figure that this is just way to weird.

[Reply #21 on:]

   

Originally posted by futurefreak:

The thing about the acceptance speech...I'd be surprised if you could force anyone to do that      this is just a message board, not some formal induction ceremony. In addition I would think that speeches would get old because people would basically be saying the same stuff month after month, and no offense, but who here would actually read their speech? I wouldn't, unless I really wanted them to win and was looking for a praise hehe.

/me prepares her speech

"I have to thank Randi most of all.  Even though I didnt know her before, it must have been she giving me a drawing force to join this board.  She is the reason I am here, and continue to stay here, and certianly is the reason I am this months POTM
      "

Will you read that one?

EDIT:
   

Drippy Taco in the current POTM thread:
FilthyCrab gets my nickel for being an oldy.

That is exactly why people shouldnt be able to win twice.  They will be nom'd and voted for simply because they are an "oldy" regardless of posts and quality.

[Reply #22 on:]

 

Originally posted by totalnerduk:
POTM is outdated and terminally biased. It's a system for patting people on the back for no particular reason, and needs to be changed.

Do explain how these changes cure POTM of its terminal bias and outdatedness?

POTM wasn't supposed to be like this, it was a cynical joke started in reference to  meaningless Employee of the month awards. With all these complicated rules its simply making the contest even less fun, not to mention that this proposal is being driven by  resentment of the fun that was being had.

You can make up all the rules you want, but you cant change peoples motivations for voting and shouldnt those motivations also be respected in the rules instead of using them to restrict people?

[Reply #23 on:]

TNUK, stop being a nazi. Why the hell do you give a shit anyway? Mr. "Banned countless times" is suddenly Mr. "Enforce as many rules as possible." What the fuck?

[Reply #24 on:]

TNUK will do anything it takes to be an asshole, Beamer.  You should know this; it's how he gets attention.  Usually, it's funny.  Occasionally, it's offensive.  In this particular case, its mildly irritating, but unlikely to have any lasting effect simply because I don't think I've seen more than one person agree with more than a couple points.

No offense, Rob.  You know it's true though.

EDIT: Oh, and on at least one occasion, it was educational.

[Reply #25 on:]

 

Screw it. You're way too serious about this. It's a fucking website award thing for the love of God. Why is it so important? I mean I had my opinions but now I figure that this is just way to weird.

but it's TRADITION!  one i have never been aware of till now

[Reply #26 on:]

I apluade to your system, TNUK... sounds reasonable to me.. 

[Reply #27 on:]

Why don't we just forgo the nomination side of it and establish an unrepresentative clique to decide on a short list of monthly candidates and pass it down from on high for us plebs to vote on.

You know, like the PEELies.

[Reply #28 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
Nix: Hell no!People still care about this?  What for?

FIXED

[Reply #29 on:]

You're all forgetting the most important thing: there is no "This Is Your Life" montage at the end of each POTM thread, highlighting the best and worst of their PEELing history, presented by the previous month's winner. Under new laws proposed by government sponsors, this problem will be rectified.

Any previous winner refusing to present will be rewarded with a trip to the chair ban-city.   

EDIT:
Also there needs to be more dancing cactus avys. 

[Reply #30 on:]

I agree with M0le's proposed changes. But not TNUK's.

[Reply #31 on:]

 

Originally posted by Slackit02:
    That is exactly why people shouldnt be able to win twice.  They will be nom'd and voted for simply because they are an "oldy" regardless of posts and quality.

Good morning, young lady! Apparently you haven't noticed that POTM isn't only about posts and quality. Actually it's just a popularity contest.

Honestly, I'm kinda sick of all these "Oh, why was this PEELer or PEELette nominated? He/She didn't post anything last month." comments. I think I'm not the only one who tends to nominate someone until that person has become POTM.

And now let me quote the best post in this thread so far:

 

Originally posted by Spacedal11:
EDIT: Screw it. You're way too serious about this. It's a fucking website award thing for the love of God. Why is it so important? I mean I had my opinions but now I figure that this is just way to weird.

[Reply #32 on:]

I agree with TNUK's system... as long as he nominates me every month 

[Reply #33 on:]

I hate your ideas, and I hate you. Leave everything how it already was, there's no need to change it. I can't see why people are getting so worked up over it. Open your eyes, it's an internet award!

[Reply #34 on:]

Dan1248... talking... sense?

Me... agreeing... with Dan1248?

Dr Junk must be in the house.

[Reply #35 on:]

Yeah its that kind of maturity that deserves recognition. But Spacedal said it first.

[Reply #36 on:]

1. We did something similar before, it led to more disagreements than the current system.

2. I agree no self-nomination/fake accounts but don't think there should be a Starship Captain rule, if a person is new and makes a great impression or rarely posts but only posts quality posts they should be eligible.

3. I disagree, mainly as it is just a bit of fun and this gives more people a chance.

4. Good in theory, bad in practice as I don't think any of the mods want the hassle, "fake" polls will get closed anyway.

5. Doesn’t bother me either way

6. I think most have won already but I don't think having a custom title should bar a person from winning.

I do think that in the nominations thread people should only post their three nominations and no comments on other people’s nominations or campaigning, it would mean fewer arguments and make it clearer when it comes to the count.

----------------

That said if enough people want to change it I'm not going to worry unless it leads to excess spamming or flaming.

[Reply #37 on:]

     

Originally posted by Gocad:
  Good morning, young lady! Apparently you haven't noticed that POTM isn't only about posts and quality. Actually it's just a popularity contest.

   

Originally posted by me in this thread:
     POTM seems to be a popularity contest. Those who have won already, are, and will be, unless they leave, or start being jerks, will always stay popular above the rest of us. So, as I said, JB would most likely win again and again, simply because people know him better, and even if they dont, its a user ID they recognize more so over the other nom's.

Z0mg way to point out exactly what I said earlier!  Wake up?  Youre right, I thought this wasnt a popularity contest and that losers like me could actually stand a chance.  Thanks for pointing out my faults and breaking my heart.     

[Reply #38 on:]

Like Teral already pointed out, your "nóminating system" leads to more confusing situations than the one we already have tnuk.
I know that people (*cough* Jizzy *cough*) have tried to nominate 3 people twice within one thread. Now that you would allow it (different posts for 1st and 2nd nomination) it would get hard to keep track.

Beside that, the "rules" we already have aren't that bad, if only people would stick to it:

 

From the PEELers' FAQ

POTM, what is it and what are the rules?
POTM stands for "Poster Of The Month" and has been a PEEL tradition for many years. It has evolved to what it is today after we have found flaws and problems with the system and there are a few basic rules that should be followed:

• A thread called: POTM Nominations Month should be created at the very end (31st) of the month or the 1st of the next month.
  
• The creator must have the list of previous winners in the first post. This can normally be found in the previous POTM and then just add the last winner.
• You are allowed 3 nominations only (Not 4, 2 or 1 etc.). If you fail to have 3 then they will not be counted.
• You cannot nominate someone that has already won.
• Try and bold those you nominated (E.G. aslate), this makes it easier for the counters.
  
• Just nominations are to be posted in the thread, no comments.
• There are to be no talleys until the thread is closed, it is open for 3 days.
• If possible there should be 3 people that total the results and check it is correct.
• A thread is made called: POTM Poll Month. This will have the top 10 nominations in a poll. If there are ties for the lat place it is the first of those to get nominated that go though. Do not put the number of nominations on the poll.
  
• You can post what you want in this thread.

Please keep to these rules to keep the competition fair. Personally i suggest going for those who posted the best during that month, not your best friend or because someone has campainged to be the POTM. Lastly, this is all a bit of fun, don't get worked up about it.

What I tried from my first month here was to add as a rule that no fake accounts (or names that aren't accounts at all) should be counted. However when I suggested that back in May '04 (or more, I just didn't count these names) I was titled to a NaziFryFan by various members of this comunity.

[Reply #39 on:]

Keep it the way it is.  I agree with GFF, that fake accounts, when detected (ie Scarecrow, should be discounted.   

Poster Of The Month should be renamed Popular Of The Month as that's what it usually turns into, but then again, who can keep track of all the good posts, and in reality everyone's idea of good post is generally different from other peoples.

There mini-sort of-rant over.

Vote PaulM -- POTM May 2011