As promised here's a thread to discuss ideas relating to the site's largest contest, the Halloween Costume Contest. No idea is stupid and we want to hear them all however please let this be a RESPECTFUL and CONSTRUCTIVE conversation. It's my hope that we can all be friendly here.
Keep in mind that although I have taken on the task of running the contest I am not a moderator on the site. In the end it's their rules and their objectives. I have found however that they've been very open to my advice.
So with that out of the way here are a few thoughts that people have mentioned so far that have resonated with me:
Votes from the same IP address should be restricted.
Personally I agree. This would cut down some of the accusations of cheating while only "hurting" a few votes. There are legitimate reasons to have an IP conflict, registering from a workplace or your spouse registering from your computer at home for instance. However I think that the positive outweighs the negative on this one.
There should be no photoshop allowed in gallery pics.
I completely agree and I had meant this to be in the rules language. Next year I don't think there should be any photoshop permitted in the final gallery photos. Post as many as you like in your build thread though.
New members should not be allowed to enter/vote.
I can see why people would ask for this but I think this is one that won't change. So far as the RPF is concerned contests are a great way to attract people to the site. Some noted that 99% of people that visit to vote likely never come back, that still leaves 1% that stick around and could potentially become contributing members.
Entrants should not be allowed to change their gallery pic after the deadline has closed.
I agree fully. This is something I would like to see happen next year.
The entry rules were too strict, lighten up. OR I saw you let "so and so" get away with something but not "so and so".
We required three things: A build thread, a gallery pic, and a proof pic. I did my absolute best to chase around and remind folks of the requirements throughout the contest and I was lenient on quite a few entries (particularly the proof pics). The purpose of the proof pic is to ensure that the person entering is the person who made the costume. In some situations a proof pic without the exact wording or without the exact setup requested was accepted because it fulfilled the "proof" aspect and I wanted as many people to be included as possible. I don't see my handling of it changing, as long as I'm satisfied that the person submitting is the one in the costume I'll accept it on a case by case basis. That said the best way to ensure that is to do exactly what is stated in the rules.
Entrants shouldn't be allowed to solicit votes on other sites.
I honestly don't see this one changing either. The whole idea is to get the word out and establish a presence where otherwise we might not have one. This is free advertising whether the solicited vote or not.
And now I leave it to you guys to continue the conversation. Let's keep it civil! Feel free to agree or disagree with anything I've said here.
Keep in mind that although I have taken on the task of running the contest I am not a moderator on the site. In the end it's their rules and their objectives. I have found however that they've been very open to my advice.
So with that out of the way here are a few thoughts that people have mentioned so far that have resonated with me:
Votes from the same IP address should be restricted.
Personally I agree. This would cut down some of the accusations of cheating while only "hurting" a few votes. There are legitimate reasons to have an IP conflict, registering from a workplace or your spouse registering from your computer at home for instance. However I think that the positive outweighs the negative on this one.
There should be no photoshop allowed in gallery pics.
I completely agree and I had meant this to be in the rules language. Next year I don't think there should be any photoshop permitted in the final gallery photos. Post as many as you like in your build thread though.
New members should not be allowed to enter/vote.
I can see why people would ask for this but I think this is one that won't change. So far as the RPF is concerned contests are a great way to attract people to the site. Some noted that 99% of people that visit to vote likely never come back, that still leaves 1% that stick around and could potentially become contributing members.
Entrants should not be allowed to change their gallery pic after the deadline has closed.
I agree fully. This is something I would like to see happen next year.
The entry rules were too strict, lighten up. OR I saw you let "so and so" get away with something but not "so and so".
We required three things: A build thread, a gallery pic, and a proof pic. I did my absolute best to chase around and remind folks of the requirements throughout the contest and I was lenient on quite a few entries (particularly the proof pics). The purpose of the proof pic is to ensure that the person entering is the person who made the costume. In some situations a proof pic without the exact wording or without the exact setup requested was accepted because it fulfilled the "proof" aspect and I wanted as many people to be included as possible. I don't see my handling of it changing, as long as I'm satisfied that the person submitting is the one in the costume I'll accept it on a case by case basis. That said the best way to ensure that is to do exactly what is stated in the rules.
Entrants shouldn't be allowed to solicit votes on other sites.
I honestly don't see this one changing either. The whole idea is to get the word out and establish a presence where otherwise we might not have one. This is free advertising whether the solicited vote or not.
And now I leave it to you guys to continue the conversation. Let's keep it civil! Feel free to agree or disagree with anything I've said here.
Last edited: