Keeping a list of proposed new topics is a great idea. I will setup an easy accessible online spreadsheet via google. Back when I did have the chance to host, I created a top10 list of challenges I wanted to shoot for. I'll look it up and we can all share our ideas. I also have nothing against repeating topics that where done more than a year ago. I still vote to keep the time frame as it is. The two weekend timespan is very helpful to many.
I know the gallery setup issue has come up before Jano and it has
always been dismissed by you and Techo as no big deal
Indeed. Not only that, but honestly I was offended when one of the
mods brushed aside my suggestion about gallery setup as aam1234 being
silly. No hard feelings, though
Let's face it, this is a challenge run by all of us. No one has to setup the gallery perfectly , do what you can and I'll usually finish the rest or someone else might volunteer, and they have done so numerous times. Also, a little email explaining that you might need a hand in the setup, and no one needs to know
For the challenge's future. As a redundancy. I really mean it when I say it is better for the host to at least try and setup the gallery in any way they can. The more familiar you are with the galleries as a participant the better for the whole. Do it before people start posting, less nerves when moving shots around if you have to later on.
I honestly would not mind keeping at least 5 challenge templates ready but not comfortable with the idea. Whatever happens the participants should be able to take over that duty. It was a good thing that when the other 2 mods decided to move on they found someone who they can comfortably give the responsilibility to. As of now, there are a number of people who can setup the gallery which is great. If they haven't tried they'd never have learnt. If they always used the gallery template...
Rod is a great example. I mean this in the most positive way... He puts up the bare minimum for you to post your pics and announces all the new challenge topic details in a new thread. It's refreshing to see someone set more up but we already have an understanding.
The host's main and first responsibility lies in announcing the new topic in a thread, give people a heads up. Then there's an extra 24hours or so to setup the gallery. Participants can freak out and be a bully though
but tell them to go take more pics.
Just off the top of my head I can think of one person who came,
hosted, and then never was seen again.
Just one person? You are getting old, Brent
Seriously, I can think
of about half a dozen who either disappeared after winning, or left
after setting up their first gallery.
In all honesty, I personally don't think it was the gallery setup that turned them away. For those that disappeared, where they first time posters? I reckon it's the responsibility of leading in commenting (if they have the time) or answering people's questions about the topic at hand. Honestly if you've hosted more than once, please tell me, what took more time... Setting up the gallery or keeping an eye on things day after day?
I think you would be surprised at how many members start to cringe when > they see one of their images start to move into first place.
Heck, some people move their entries to exhibition when they think it
has a chance of winning come voting time. [Pure speculation] In this
very challenge, I think Tom first converted his excellent Mother &
Child photo back to color, hoping people will like it less. When that
didn't work, he moved it to exhibition all together. And it's not the
first time he did that [End of speculation].
Some people just don't have the time to host due to life outside the challenges.
I think me/us might be putting too much pressure and responsibility
on the mods. In my opinion, I think Jano and Techo are doing a great
job. Really, I mean it. I've been to few forums and I don't think
I've seen better mods than our guys (a clap sound in the background).
To help here, instead of just complaining, I propose this. I'm
willing to take over some of the mods' none gallery-related
responsibility if they want/wish to get more involved in the gallery
setup. For a start, I can handle the emails. Please let me know of
other things you want me to do.
Thanks for the pat on the back
The emails are taken care of, thanks. It would also be appreciated that since the so called mods don't always have the time to prowl through every post in the threads, if you can please email us and voice any concerns you might have, in addition to posting here if you like. At least , just email us the thread link please. It's CTF2009(-at-)grad.com
I don't want to come across as stubborn with the gallery template issue. I have put considerable thought into it. I will still do so, and post back any thoughts. Perhaps there might be a better solution. Perhaps there is some pbase api , in which I can program it to create a template with a single click. It will be open source and available to all. I'm still all for the participants to know the ins and outs of the gallery themselves but I like the above mentioned option a lot better than preset gallery templates.
