Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! -Part 2- [PLEASE READ!]
In addition to the new rule changes discussed in THIS post, this is a breakdown of the poll results and how the results will be implemented.
Which projects would you like to see SHC host?
The results (which can be viewed HERE are as follows:
Winner: 20in20 Challenge {5 Votes}
Runner-Up: LIMS {4 Votes}
Second Runner-Up: Icon Exchange {3 Votes}
Lastly: Weekly themes only {2 Votes}
Based on these results, which I am glad to see the majority is open to trying new things, we will of course be branching out and starting these new challenges. We will go through them in the order they won, so the 20in20 will be used first, then the LIMS. As for the Icon Exchange, I'm not yet sure how to best use it, but we will; don't worry. Since IE did receive less of the votes, I might do a trial run of it, like during the LIMS, open an IE and offer extra points to any member who completes icon requests.
And for the two that voted for only the weekly themes to remain, rest assured, they are not going anywhere. The new challenges are just to mix things up a bit. SHC is not going to become a 20in20 or LIMS only community. It wasn't built to be that, and I'm not going to change it to become that. Instead, the weekly themes will remain the focus of the community, but from time-to-time, we'll start a different challenge just to keep things fresh. :]
What changes would you like to see in SHC?
More challenging themes {4 Votes} vs. Less challenge themes {1 Vote}
With the introduction of the new theme system, where each week two themes will be presented (a concrete and an abstract theme, as discussed in the previous post HERE), I believe we have found a common ground between these two issues (or so I'm hopeful that we have).
Longer deadlines {2 Votes} vs. Shorter Deadlines {1 Vote}
I believe that the problem doesn't lie in the length of the deadline, but rather in the days the deadlines open and close. As of now, Submission posts are placed on Sunday night and closed on Friday night, meaning the only time for members to create icons is during the week. Well, what else falls during the week? Work? School? Life? Etc.?
So I think what we need is not longer deadlines but rather an altered schedule. For example, for me, my best days for free, creative time tend to fall on Friday and Saturday, which is either last-minute or too late a time to enter in SHC's weekly themes.
Instead, I propose that, from now on (meaning this new schedule will go into effect when we do the next weekly theme), the Submission post will open on Tuesday night and close on Sunday night, giving members the weekend to get things done. Then on Sunday night, after the submissions close, the voting poll will go up until its closing time on Tuesday night. Afterwards, the results will be posted and the next Submission post will go up.
To help it make more sense, here's the outline of the current schedule:
Sunday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Ends, Results, New Theme Submission Posted
Wednesday, 9:00 PM EST - Reminder, Banners
Friday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Begins
And here's the new schedule I am introducing:
Sunday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Begins
Tuesday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Ends, Results, New Theme Submission Posted
Friday, 9:00 PM EST - Reminder, Banners
It's basically the same, only the schedule is moved forward two days, which I think will help participation a lot, especially considering that the reminder will now be on Friday, giving members the full weekend to take part in the weekly challenge.
More Diversity in the challenges/schedule {3 Votes}
Again, I think this issue will be fixed with the introduction of different challenges from time-to-time, like the 20in20, LIMS, and IE.
Better Prizes {1 Vote}
For the 20in20 and LIMS challenges, the prizes will be different depending on what place you rank in. For example, in the LIMS, I'm thinking the first place winner (ergo, the Last Icon Maker Standing), will be given:
1. a customer LJ header w/ the SH character of his/her choice;
2. a custom icon w/ the SH character of his/her choice;
3. a banner featuring *all* of his/her winning icons though the challenge;
4. a winning banner w/ the SH character of their choosing to show off that he/she won the LIMS; and
5. a participation banner showcasing his/her top three icons (which will be a prize for all participating members in the LIMS, regardless of rank).
Sound good? :] Prizes for the 20in20 will be about the same, and for the weekly challenges, only the banners will remain (except I might do something special for the Special Category winner... we'll see.)
Questions? Concerns?
I want all members to feel like they have a voice in the community, and I know this is a LONG post, but please do read through all of it and if you dislike anything, comments are screened. Tell me below, and we'll sort it out.
Thank you for reading, and thank you all for helping in my polling/changes!
And of course, thanks for being a part of the SHC community!
Silent Hill: Where Nightmares Are Dreams Brought to Life!
Which projects would you like to see SHC host?
The results (which can be viewed HERE are as follows:
Winner: 20in20 Challenge {5 Votes}
Runner-Up: LIMS {4 Votes}
Second Runner-Up: Icon Exchange {3 Votes}
Lastly: Weekly themes only {2 Votes}
Based on these results, which I am glad to see the majority is open to trying new things, we will of course be branching out and starting these new challenges. We will go through them in the order they won, so the 20in20 will be used first, then the LIMS. As for the Icon Exchange, I'm not yet sure how to best use it, but we will; don't worry. Since IE did receive less of the votes, I might do a trial run of it, like during the LIMS, open an IE and offer extra points to any member who completes icon requests.
And for the two that voted for only the weekly themes to remain, rest assured, they are not going anywhere. The new challenges are just to mix things up a bit. SHC is not going to become a 20in20 or LIMS only community. It wasn't built to be that, and I'm not going to change it to become that. Instead, the weekly themes will remain the focus of the community, but from time-to-time, we'll start a different challenge just to keep things fresh. :]
What changes would you like to see in SHC?
More challenging themes {4 Votes} vs. Less challenge themes {1 Vote}
With the introduction of the new theme system, where each week two themes will be presented (a concrete and an abstract theme, as discussed in the previous post HERE), I believe we have found a common ground between these two issues (or so I'm hopeful that we have).
Longer deadlines {2 Votes} vs. Shorter Deadlines {1 Vote}
I believe that the problem doesn't lie in the length of the deadline, but rather in the days the deadlines open and close. As of now, Submission posts are placed on Sunday night and closed on Friday night, meaning the only time for members to create icons is during the week. Well, what else falls during the week? Work? School? Life? Etc.?
So I think what we need is not longer deadlines but rather an altered schedule. For example, for me, my best days for free, creative time tend to fall on Friday and Saturday, which is either last-minute or too late a time to enter in SHC's weekly themes.
Instead, I propose that, from now on (meaning this new schedule will go into effect when we do the next weekly theme), the Submission post will open on Tuesday night and close on Sunday night, giving members the weekend to get things done. Then on Sunday night, after the submissions close, the voting poll will go up until its closing time on Tuesday night. Afterwards, the results will be posted and the next Submission post will go up.
To help it make more sense, here's the outline of the current schedule:
Sunday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Ends, Results, New Theme Submission Posted
Wednesday, 9:00 PM EST - Reminder, Banners
Friday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Begins
And here's the new schedule I am introducing:
Sunday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Begins
Tuesday, 9:00 PM EST - Voting Ends, Results, New Theme Submission Posted
Friday, 9:00 PM EST - Reminder, Banners
It's basically the same, only the schedule is moved forward two days, which I think will help participation a lot, especially considering that the reminder will now be on Friday, giving members the full weekend to take part in the weekly challenge.
More Diversity in the challenges/schedule {3 Votes}
Again, I think this issue will be fixed with the introduction of different challenges from time-to-time, like the 20in20, LIMS, and IE.
Better Prizes {1 Vote}
For the 20in20 and LIMS challenges, the prizes will be different depending on what place you rank in. For example, in the LIMS, I'm thinking the first place winner (ergo, the Last Icon Maker Standing), will be given:
1. a customer LJ header w/ the SH character of his/her choice;
2. a custom icon w/ the SH character of his/her choice;
3. a banner featuring *all* of his/her winning icons though the challenge;
4. a winning banner w/ the SH character of their choosing to show off that he/she won the LIMS; and
5. a participation banner showcasing his/her top three icons (which will be a prize for all participating members in the LIMS, regardless of rank).
Sound good? :] Prizes for the 20in20 will be about the same, and for the weekly challenges, only the banners will remain (except I might do something special for the Special Category winner... we'll see.)
Questions? Concerns?
I want all members to feel like they have a voice in the community, and I know this is a LONG post, but please do read through all of it and if you dislike anything, comments are screened. Tell me below, and we'll sort it out.
Thank you for reading, and thank you all for helping in my polling/changes!
And of course, thanks for being a part of the SHC community!
Silent Hill: Where Nightmares Are Dreams Brought to Life!