July 9th, 2009
Some Questions for the Peanut Gallery
So, we’ve been thinking about the actual competition part of this whole thing and a couple things have come up that we’d like to get your input on. The first is Flickr. I love it as a theory, but I’m not sure how it’s working out for everyone. One thing we’re especially concerned about is voting. Leaving comments will work, but I’m not sure that’s the best way to handle things.
So what are your thoughts on this?
I’d love to have something ala the Webby’s, but neither of us are programmers, so that might be wishful thinking. Anyway, here are my personal criteria for this system:
1. It should be easy to enter.
2. It should be easy for you promote your entry.
3. It should be easy to vote.
So let us know. Also, if you have insights into a system we should be using, let us know.
The second thing we’ve been thinking about is categories. Should we have them? I personally am leaning toward yes for this reason: is it fair to compare a poster to say, a website? It might be, but I’m not sure. And if we do need categories, should they be broad or focused? I have some thoughts on all this, but I want to hear what you think.
Also, check this out: I’m totally writing this from the car on my way to the beach! OMG! the fuuutttuurreee!!!
Good questions. I think it’s helpful to have categories since I think it is hard to compare a poster to a website. They have different purposes, lifespans, executions, etc.
I also think the categories should be so narrowly focused that there ends up being only one entry per category and everybody wins.
Okay, just kidding on that part. Just jazzed you guys are doing this. I’m sure whatever you do will be appropriate.
I haven’t worked out how exactly it should work technically, but I think the submission process should be separate from the voting process. Flickr works fine as a repository for now. Take maybe until mid-September to allow entries, then close submissions and open up a period where voting is allowed. That way people can’t vote before everyone has had a chance to enter. That also buys some time to work out a good voting system.
Kim – I agree, I think catagories are going to be the way to go here. As Dave and I try to sort out the voting, I think it’s the only way to make things clear and fair.
Megan – I really like the idea of compressing the voting into the last week or two.