T R Willmitch wrote:
Please Note

A new contest policy goes into effect beginning Monday, October 24:

If the Picture of the Day – Original Edition moderator sees an associated group of individuals voting together as a block for a “friend” then the moderator may disqualify the votes and suspend any or all of those individuals from the contest for ten days.  Repeat offenders will be permanently banned from the contest.

Thank you.

Also, for clarity's sake, may I ask how this will be determined?  I myself personally know Fredsfotos, CLH, Nodak, Stacie Brown, TR Wilmitch, Lusk, Origin Media, Deloris, and a few others who play on a daily basis like I do.  Am I allowed to vote for any of them?  Are they allowed to vote for me?  Are they allowed to vote for each other, because they do know each other?

If I feel like any of those people above have the best picture on any given day, or if they feel I or any other person I've listed has the best picture on any given day.... are we in danger of suspension or banning?

You say "if you see", how does that work?

K E E L I N G wrote:

Also, for clarity's sake, may I ask how this will be determined?  I myself personally know Fredsfotos, CLH, Nodak, Stacie Brown, TR Wilmitch, Lusk, Origin Media, Deloris, and a few others who play on a daily basis like I do.  Am I allowed to vote for any of them?  Are they allowed to vote for me?  Are they allowed to vote for each other, because they do know each other?

If I feel like any of those people above have the best picture on any given day, or if they feel I or any other person I've listed has the best picture on any given day.... are we in danger of suspension or banning?

You say "if you see", how does that work?

Seems to me this is a memo that the rules that already exist will be enforced. Fine

How about forcing people to stop all the comments w 'Vote'....seems to me everybody is adding 'awesome' etc when voting...maybe this is a secret code that cliques use to cheat ...j/k

K E E L I N G wrote:

Can I suggest a rule change that the person who drops the banner, whether it be the moderator or someone the moderator names in his stead to drop the banner not be allowed to vote within 5 hours of dropping the banner?  I feel since we are making a much needed move to stop people from voting for people they know in an effort to make this contest a better place, we should go all the way and remove any future opportunity for impropriety of any kind.

I applaud your latest move to clean the contest up TR, and hope that you understand the members desire to do that in all directions.  If the person dropping the banner votes in the 3pm time range that part of the contest is most assuredly a safe, happy, clean one, and the results of the contest will truly be in the hands of the voters.

Thanks for your consideration.

Wow, an interesting idea...  I know how much fair-play means to you. 

I think a two hour window would suffice at the end of the day.  This would give adequate time for all the day’s entries to be submitted.

Hand-in-hand with this, we could return to Craig Seay's original policy of giving the contest moderator an additional vote once the end of day banner drops so as to break ties.

Thanks for the suggestion, Chris!

K E E L I N G wrote:
...are we in danger of suspension or banning?

Don't worry, you'll be the first person that I ban!

Beautiful Sundays wrote:

Seems to me this is a memo that the rules that already exist will be enforced. Fine

How about forcing people to stop all the comments w 'Vote'....seems to me everybody is adding 'awesome' etc when voting...maybe this is a secret code that cliques use to cheat ...j/k

I've got no problem with the rules being enforced if they are enforced fairly.  The people I listed above and myself all play regularly and casually know each other, and at least half of the names I listed play regularly either directly or indirectly because of referrals to the contest by each other.  We referred each other because of our love for the contest, not so we could have a "voting block", and LoL there is no secret code amongst us.  In fact, we rarely vote for each other... but when one of us has a strong picture ourselves (and others we don't know) naturally vote for that picture.  When it happens we get accused.

That's unfair and inaccurate.  Do you agree or disagree?  If you disagree and think that we are coordinating our votes in any manner, I'll be glad to leave right now to put your mind at ease.  I'd like to say we'll leave, but there is no we despite the accusations.

As you can tell, I'm getting sick of the paranoia.

T R Willmitch wrote:

Wow, an interesting idea...  I know how much fair-play means to you. 

I think a two hour window would suffice at the end of the day.  This would give adequate time for all the day’s entries to be submitted.

Hand-in-hand with this, we could return to Craig Seay's original policy of giving the contest moderator an additional vote once the end of day banner drops so as to break ties.

Thanks for the suggestion, Chris!

Or you could vote in the 3pm time range and there's no issue.  It would give the contest back to the voters and let them decide the winner.  Or are you saying you are not in favor of that?

T R Willmitch wrote:

Don't worry, you'll be the first person that I ban!

Do it or don't do it.... it's up to you.  I just ask that you stop the campaign and innuendo.  I, like you, have no desire to be called a cheater and like you, I just want to play the game in the same fair manner I have for over 4 years.

K E E L I N G wrote:

I've got no problem with the rules being enforced if they are enforced fairly.  The people I listed above and myself all play regularly and casually know each other, and at least half of the names I listed play regularly either directly or indirectly because of referrals to the contest by each other.  We referred each other because of our love for the contest, not so we could have a "voting block", and LoL there is no secret code amongst us.  In fact, we rarely vote for each other... but when one of us has a strong picture ourselves (and others we don't know) naturally vote for that picture.  When it happens we get accused.

That's unfair and inaccurate.  Do you agree or disagree?  If you disagree and think that we are coordinating our votes in any manner, I'll be glad to leave right now to put your mind at ease.  I'd like to say we'll leave, but there is no we despite the accusations.

As you can tell, I'm getting sick of the paranoia.

I think TR and the others know when there is group voting...sometimes there are bunches of people (who never vote) showing up en masse for one image.

Re your comments of your large group of acquaintances....I doubt there is any real concern. I'm a regular voter (when I'm on line) but I've never noticed anything weird from you or the fine people you mention.

However....I would like the little 'gorgeous' etc comments banned from the vote response...when somebody says "Vote!!!! OMG this is GORGEOUS!!!" it does
seem to convey 'This vote is more special than my normal votes'...irritating.. 

T R Willmitch wrote:
I'm always glad to have my mind set at ease!

Yes Tom, you are the contest moderator.  Yes, you can set the rules the way you want and make fun of any other suggestions.  We all understand that.  And since you have no desire to give up your power to determine the days winner by voting midday, can you at least answer my original question?

K E E L I N G wrote:
Also, for clarity's sake, may I ask how this will be determined?  I myself personally know Fredsfotos, CLH, Nodak, Stacie Brown, TR Wilmitch, Lusk, Origin Media, Deloris, and a few others who play on a daily basis like I do.  Am I allowed to vote for any of them?  Are they allowed to vote for me?  Are they allowed to vote for each other, because they do know each other?

If I feel like any of those people above have the best picture on any given day, or if they feel I or any other person I've listed has the best picture on any given day.... are we in danger of suspension or banning?

You say "if you see", how does that work?

Beautiful Sundays wrote:
I think TR and the others know when there is group voting...sometimes there are bunches of people (who never vote) showing up en masse for one image.

Re your comments of your large group of acquaintances....I doubt there is any real concern. I'm a regular voter (when I'm on line) but I've never noticed anything weird from you or the fine people you mention.

However....I would like the little 'gorgeous' etc comments banned from the vote response...when somebody says "Vote!!!! OMG this is GORGEOUS!!!" it does
seem to convey 'This vote is more special than my normal votes'...irritating.. 

Honestly, I've always agreed with you about the extraneous comments.  And I appreciate your vote of confidence about us.  Unfortunately myself and Tom have had many discussions behind the scenes, and he doesn't share your confidence in us.  Also unfortunately, he is in a position of power.

I've taken year long sabbaticals from this place and I can disappear with no effect on me whatsoever, but I've got no desire to listen to the accusations that are being thrown around questioning mine or my friend's integrity.

Luminosity by Evelyn M wrote:
Sunday

Vote.

K E E L I N G wrote:
Honestly, I've always agreed with you about the extraneous comments.  And I appreciate your vote of confidence about us.  Unfortunately myself and Tom have had many discussions behind the scenes, and he doesn't share your confidence in us.  Also unfortunately, he is in a position of power.

I have no reason to doubt the integrity of most people; while I know from behind the scenes that a few individuals lack scruples of any kind.  I'm sure you agree we should do something about those folks, Chris.

Leo Creary wrote:

T R Willmitch wrote:
I have no reason to doubt the integrity of most people; while I know from behind the scenes that a few individuals lack scruples of any kind.  I'm sure you agree we should do something those folks, Chris.

Innuendo is beneath a contest moderator Tom, if you have anything to say say it.  I'm right here.  If you want to do something about me, do it.  Show reason to when you do though, because I've saved everything.  You have no proof of any wrongdoing by me whatsoever, simply because I haven't done anything wrong.  I play, I vote for the picture I think is best.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.. but neither result is ever a result of any coordination between me and anyone else.

And you know it.

K E E L I N G wrote:

Innuendo is beneath a contest moderator Tom, if you have anything to say say it.  I'm right here.  If you want to do something about me, do it.  Show reason to when you do though, because I've saved everything.  You have no proof of any wrongdoing by me whatsoever, simply because I haven't done anything wrong.  I play, I vote for the picture I think is best.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.. but neither result is ever a result of any coordination between me and anyone else.

And you know it.

Well I guess it's back to the original plan then...  But thanks for being such a shinning beacon of integrity and fair-play -- traits I'm sure you're noted for by everyone that personally knows you.

Mission Photography wrote:
For Monday

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