Two topics and only being able to enter one is a great idea. It would also be beneficial to look at the two topics coming up and try to make sure they would have equal levels of appeal, or try to anyway. It would help balance the number of entrants in those two challenges.
For the experiment period, at least, we're going to try a few different things in that regard. This week, for example, we're running an object challenge and a technique challenge. Many people like one type and not the other, so this will hopefully increase the overall appeal.
We also went with two topics with widely differing popularity. I'm personally interested to see how the community handles that. I expect that a bit of strategy will come into play, and that a certain segment of the community will gravitate to the less popular challenge where they will face a smaller competitive field and more opportunity for comments. We'll know soon enough, I guess.
I think you may also want to include a quarterly or monthly free study and/or masters challenges (exception for masters - open to any who have ribboned).
I'm new here, but that sounds like a great idea, if it's over 300 entries, I personally find it difficult to find the time to appropriately critique where I can in addition to evaluation and voting.
Funny, I've been thinking about this sort of thing a lot lately. This definitely seems like the most peaceable solution to me. Here's to its effectiveness.
I'm wondering if there's gonna be a problem with premature "outtakes" threads from people who choose not to enter the challenge they are showing outtakes on? It could be sort of frustrating; "I'm entering "thirds" but this would have been my "bubbles" entry, what do you think?" This might have the effect of discouraging or annoying people entering the "other" challenge...
Can we have a moratorium on premature outtake threads for the duration of this experiment? Or is that a bad idea? Just thinking out loud...
Can we have a moratorium on premature outtake threads for the duration of this experiment? Or is that a bad idea? Just thinking out loud...
Robt.
A permanent moratorium on premature outtake threads has been near the top of my list for site improvements for about three years. With all the recent hoopla about posting challenge images elsewhere, I'd think this would be an obvious corollary.
Is there any chance we can move the poll down the page somewhat...very annoying hitting the update button and having to scroll down each time too....pretty please?
Awesome idea. Haven't entered in a challenge for a while, be great to have more options. I think one of the best changes to the site (in addition to the experiment) is to add that you can't vote on the open challenge that you took part in. Stops people trying to vote down good entries (if this is happening as people keep whinging about). Still end up with members having two challenges to vote in and registered users having one to vote. Plus makes the voting and commenting more meaningful.
Could I suggest that the information about only being able to enter one Open Challenge at a time be put in the challenge description(s)? Once this thread is off the home page, and for those who don't spend all day every day here (yes, there are such people) it'll be confusing.
Here's another thought. since there is 2 open challenges running at the same time, why not make it rolling so we can maybe plan for a better shot or have more time. ie.
This week:
Bubbles AND Rules Of Thirds.
Next week:
Rules of thirds ANDinsert that challenge here
This would allow for people to have more time to think about what they are gonna enter instead of having no time to plan, set up and shoot for a challenge with such a busy schedule. This would also give the users that would like to enter both the option of being able to shoot for both without missing it(or waiting until it came back around).
