December post contest? November 28, 2014 6:28 PM Subscribe
Is there any interest in having another December posting contest (awesome example 1, awesome example 2)? It doesn't need huge prizes, and the community driven prize pool was really cool last time. Also, we're all understanding of the more limited staffing resources for something like this, so perhaps it would create more work than it's worth. But if there are the resources and the interest, I do think it's always been a great community building event and would like to throw it out there for consideration. This place rocks, and December is an awesome time to remind ourselves of what we do best as we wrap up the year. It's like icing on the holiday cake.
I wanna do it! I'll contribute a dopey prize.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:23 PM on November 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:23 PM on November 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
Even the remotest chance of winning an ipad (or similar tablet thingamajig) would motivate the hell out of me...
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:57 PM on November 28, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:57 PM on November 28, 2014
Oh, and I might be able to donate a prize - what kinds of prizes are you looking for? Can you provide some guidance (if this happens this year)?
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:00 PM on November 28, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:00 PM on November 28, 2014
Here are prize examples from 2013.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:59 PM on November 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:59 PM on November 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm in for a prize donation!
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 5:16 AM on November 29, 2014
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 5:16 AM on November 29, 2014
Here's the the MeFi Wiki of prior contests. Last year and the year before it was a MeFites' Choice award, where people offered up presents for certain categories each week. 2011 was a Big Prize year, with prizes from and winners selected by the mod team.
The MeFites' Choice awards are generally less expensive items (around $25 each), compared to the 2011 prizes of an iPad and $100 gifts to runner-ups.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:28 AM on November 29, 2014
The MeFites' Choice awards are generally less expensive items (around $25 each), compared to the 2011 prizes of an iPad and $100 gifts to runner-ups.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:28 AM on November 29, 2014
If there is also a podcast in December, the January one will be the 100th podcast. That seems a pretty cool time to talk about the "very favorites" of the contest.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:44 AM on November 29, 2014
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:44 AM on November 29, 2014
I'm in favor of anything promoting site engagement and gratitude for FPPs. The podcast does a good job of showing what three informed readers appreciated that month, and I enjoy reviewing the list, so I think it'd be neat to see even more people doing similar little roundups for the contest. For my part, I'll make a stronger effort in December to leave thank-you/squee comments on FPPs at least a few times per week, because I really should say those things as often as I think them.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 11:56 AM on November 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Monsieur Caution at 11:56 AM on November 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
This is a tradition which should be continued. Then I can have another prize.
Thank you. Memail is open for your bank details should you need a little "Christmas Cheer".
posted by adamvasco at 12:57 PM on November 29, 2014
Thank you. Memail is open for your bank details should you need a little "Christmas Cheer".
posted by adamvasco at 12:57 PM on November 29, 2014
I'm in for the same prize/category as last year!
posted by phunniemee at 1:53 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by phunniemee at 1:53 PM on November 29, 2014
*waves hand from back of room and points meaningfully at box's comment*
posted by infini at 2:02 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by infini at 2:02 PM on November 29, 2014
Wow, how did I miss all the category prizes last year? If that's happening again, I will offer a prize of two dozen holiday cookies mailed to the submitter or a recipient of the submitter's choice for the best post relating to holiday food (can be history, science, regional foodways, recipes/crafting, essays, whatever). Winner can specify yes/no to nuts and chocolate. Cookies will contain eggs, butter and gluten.
If the winner was determined by around Dec 15th, that'd match well with holiday baking and meal-planning timing (both from the post standpoint and me sending out said cookies).
posted by deludingmyself at 2:52 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
If the winner was determined by around Dec 15th, that'd match well with holiday baking and meal-planning timing (both from the post standpoint and me sending out said cookies).
posted by deludingmyself at 2:52 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
*glares at the rest who might be thinking of aiming for cookies*
posted by infini at 2:56 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by infini at 2:56 PM on November 29, 2014
That bounty is totally me crowdsourcing my standard holiday internetting. I have grad school apps due on the 15th, so not much time to check my usual food-related sites for inspiration and entertainment before it's time to break out the stand mixer.
posted by deludingmyself at 2:59 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by deludingmyself at 2:59 PM on November 29, 2014
I've got a few signed books - think pop culture authors, not super collectible - and I would gladly donate one or two as a prize.
posted by lyssabee at 3:52 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by lyssabee at 3:52 PM on November 29, 2014
One thing regarding prizes: we may want to discuss some way to tie givers and recipients within regions/countries, due to shipping costs. For example, shipping blue corn pancake mix to the UK was cost prohibitive. (I still owe people gifts from last year, and for that I am mildly wracked with guilt. I also owe mix tapes and a Secret Quonsar Gift, so I am really terrible at sending gifts to people. I still have the items and everything! I'll stop now.)
posted by filthy light thief at 4:34 PM on November 29, 2014
posted by filthy light thief at 4:34 PM on November 29, 2014
As a former Director of Graduate Admissions I might ponder the feasibility of bribing you with an offer to look over your app for cookies. With chocolate.
posted by infini at 4:35 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 4:35 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
See what I am doing here? Corrupting young innocent cookie bakers. Yes.
posted by infini at 4:36 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 4:36 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
New tentative MeFites' Choice 2014 page on the wiki, because people have started throwing out suggestions. Look at 2013 and 2012 for ideas for gifts. Mind you, this isn't formally approved by the mods, but Matt sounded pretty supportive in the first comment.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:55 PM on November 29, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 4:55 PM on November 29, 2014 [2 favorites]
As a former Director of Graduate Admissions I might ponder the feasibility of bribing you with an offer to look over your app for cookies. With chocolate.
See what I am doing here? Corrupting young innocent cookie bakers. Yes.
That's okay, I have pretty good feedback on my app already.
And my cookies. :D
You'll just have to make an awesome post, infini. Start trawling Serious Eats and Chowhound and the Southern Foodways Alliance now. I need inspiration. And a bigger stockpile of butter.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:09 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
See what I am doing here? Corrupting young innocent cookie bakers. Yes.
That's okay, I have pretty good feedback on my app already.
And my cookies. :D
You'll just have to make an awesome post, infini. Start trawling Serious Eats and Chowhound and the Southern Foodways Alliance now. I need inspiration. And a bigger stockpile of butter.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:09 PM on November 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
filthylightthief: One thing regarding prizes: we may want to discuss some way to tie givers and recipients within regions/countries, due to shipping costs.
Yeah, I was thinking about that. North America's easy here, but sending beyond might make me consider ways of reducing cookie weight, which is hard or impossible to do with most other physical prizes.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:16 PM on November 29, 2014
Yeah, I was thinking about that. North America's easy here, but sending beyond might make me consider ways of reducing cookie weight, which is hard or impossible to do with most other physical prizes.
posted by deludingmyself at 5:16 PM on November 29, 2014
I can make a fountain pen a prize for realsies.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:06 PM on November 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:06 PM on November 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
deludingmyself the trawling has begun, but it'll be food from the fringes, if I stay true to posting history...
posted by infini at 1:29 AM on November 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by infini at 1:29 AM on November 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
but sending beyond might make me consider ways of reducing cookie weight
I know a fast and easy way to reduce cookie weight. Unfortunately it involves increasing my own weight!
I'm willing to contribute a prize.
posted by Kabanos at 5:55 AM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I know a fast and easy way to reduce cookie weight. Unfortunately it involves increasing my own weight!
I'm willing to contribute a prize.
posted by Kabanos at 5:55 AM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think I missed the past one or two, but I'm down for this, totally. Preferably if "acceptance speeches" could be limited to 100 words or less.
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:44 AM on November 30, 2014
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 7:44 AM on November 30, 2014
I won in 2012, without actually knowing it existed, and was hella confused when I got a memail asking for my address.
I won a digital camera that writes to floppy disks. IT STILL WORKS YOU GUYS
((yes I want this to happen again this year))
posted by FirstMateKate at 10:50 AM on November 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
I won a digital camera that writes to floppy disks. IT STILL WORKS YOU GUYS
((yes I want this to happen again this year))
posted by FirstMateKate at 10:50 AM on November 30, 2014 [4 favorites]
Mind you, this isn't formally approved by the mods, but Matt sounded pretty supportive in the first comment.
Just had a quick chat with other mods and we're on board, so we'll announce it tomorrow on the sideblog.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 4:53 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just had a quick chat with other mods and we're on board, so we'll announce it tomorrow on the sideblog.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 4:53 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
A prize from me for best post on American folkways (of the people, by the people, for the people -- food, song, art, what have you). Ships to the lower 48, preferably. Raspberry jam may be involved.
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:55 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:55 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
Awesome, thanks! I'm sure I'll contribute a video game related prize.
posted by SpacemanStix at 5:00 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by SpacemanStix at 5:00 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'll send the best post on wildlife during the month of December a framed photograph of one of my adorable baby mangabeys!
posted by ChuraChura at 6:31 PM on November 30, 2014
posted by ChuraChura at 6:31 PM on November 30, 2014
Matt, thanks for confirming. I'll strike the "tentative" language from the MeFi wiki once the sidebar announcement goes up.
posted by filthy light thief at 6:59 PM on November 30, 2014
posted by filthy light thief at 6:59 PM on November 30, 2014
I have an uneasy feeling I might owe somebody a museum catalog from that last contest. I'm having trouble searching my archives for any info.
I'd be in for another similar prize for "best history post" though.
posted by Miko at 7:35 PM on November 30, 2014
I'd be in for another similar prize for "best history post" though.
posted by Miko at 7:35 PM on November 30, 2014
Miko, I assume that's because those who cannot remember if they sent the prize are doomed to repeat it?
posted by deludingmyself at 9:28 PM on November 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by deludingmyself at 9:28 PM on November 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
For a best science post, I'm in for donating the prize of a fossil*, probably a fish or an ammonite. Added bonus: I'll pack it with homemade cookies shaped/decorated like fossil plankton. Or dinosaurs.
I can't guarantee museum quality, but I can guarantee they will have been collected with love by a fellow MeFite.
*If anybody would want one, that is.
posted by barchan at 10:03 PM on November 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I can't guarantee museum quality, but I can guarantee they will have been collected with love by a fellow MeFite.
*If anybody would want one, that is.
posted by barchan at 10:03 PM on November 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
Just (re)reading the various prizes offered in past years was pretty fun. Count me in for contributing a prize this time.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 11:18 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 11:18 PM on November 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
I will offer a prize of a ridiculously over-designed minimalist Swedish yo-yo for best post about fandoms or special/fringe interest groups.
Bonus points if it includes some element of obessive dedication to pointless, useless skills.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:36 AM on December 1, 2014
Bonus points if it includes some element of obessive dedication to pointless, useless skills.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 3:36 AM on December 1, 2014
For those who are offering prizes, here's the current contests page on the wiki. You'll need to make a new account there to edit the page, or you can MeMail me and I'll input the offers for you. Please clarify the week for your prize, or if it's an over-arching month-long theme prize.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:41 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by filthy light thief at 7:41 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Posted to the Wiki:
* [http://www.metafilter.com/user/26214 JulietBanana] will provide a sampler pack of 3 read-and-loved LGBT-themed paperbacks to the poster with the best post on a transgender person or topic during the month of December made by a poster with a US shipping address.
I have no idea how "best" is determined, but if you want a copy of Redefining Realness, get cracking on them posts. I would recommend not posting about Greer Lankton because I already did and barely anyone faved it or commented despite the fact Greer Lankton is awesome.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2014
* [http://www.metafilter.com/user/26214 JulietBanana] will provide a sampler pack of 3 read-and-loved LGBT-themed paperbacks to the poster with the best post on a transgender person or topic during the month of December made by a poster with a US shipping address.
I have no idea how "best" is determined, but if you want a copy of Redefining Realness, get cracking on them posts. I would recommend not posting about Greer Lankton because I already did and barely anyone faved it or commented despite the fact Greer Lankton is awesome.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:02 AM on December 1, 2014
I think in the past the mods have told us which posts were the most flagged-as-fantastic to decide the "best" post?
Please add to the wiki that I will send a flat plastic vase (that you put warm water in and squish into standing up) to the "best" post for one of the weeks that doesn't have a prize yet.
I will also send one to the person with the most interesting-to-me post about plants or agriculture or botany or similar, for the whole month.
In related news, I found a big stash of these vases while cleaning my closet.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:15 AM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
Please add to the wiki that I will send a flat plastic vase (that you put warm water in and squish into standing up) to the "best" post for one of the weeks that doesn't have a prize yet.
I will also send one to the person with the most interesting-to-me post about plants or agriculture or botany or similar, for the whole month.
In related news, I found a big stash of these vases while cleaning my closet.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:15 AM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
(Also I think there should be a category on the wiki for "whole month" prizes instead of sticking them all under week 4.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:16 AM on December 1, 2014
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:16 AM on December 1, 2014
It's on right? Is this on? Because I already have some drafts and cruft accumulating in my Gmail... pinging an Authority to Announce on Sidebar!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:40 AM on December 1, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:40 AM on December 1, 2014
Fair warning, I have a mega post ready to go about the history of brussel sprouts that is about ten pages single-spaced and a couple hundred links. Did you know when it was first cultivated, it came in multiple colors? Then they started breeding it green for William of Green around the 12th century to appeal to the royal family.
I have to fact check everything yet, but I think that's right.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:15 AM on December 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
I have to fact check everything yet, but I think that's right.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:15 AM on December 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
I have a three page megapost about the literary use of lamp standards. I EXPECT TO WIN A FLAT PLASTIC VASE.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:28 AM on December 1, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:28 AM on December 1, 2014
I'm going to blow everyone's mind by multi-linking in 3 dimensions thus effectively creating a whole new FPP user experience.
posted by infini at 10:40 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 10:40 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I added the month-wide category to the Wiki, for those who wish to offer a more theme-focused gift/prize that might not necessarily crop up in a given week.
In past years, people have offered a prize to the top two or three favorited/fantasticked posts, regardless of topic. Just FYI, for those who want to share gifts and aren't certain about categories or themes.
Also, for anyone thinking of sweeping All The Gifts, I don't think there's been a prohibition on winners from prior years winning again, but instead people can only win once in the month, and once they've won, they're out of the semi-competition.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:40 AM on December 1, 2014
In past years, people have offered a prize to the top two or three favorited/fantasticked posts, regardless of topic. Just FYI, for those who want to share gifts and aren't certain about categories or themes.
Also, for anyone thinking of sweeping All The Gifts, I don't think there's been a prohibition on winners from prior years winning again, but instead people can only win once in the month, and once they've won, they're out of the semi-competition.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:40 AM on December 1, 2014
joseph conrad is fully awesome: I have a three page megapost about the literary use of lamp standards. I EXPECT TO WIN A FLAT PLASTIC VASE.
How does one utilize a flat vase?
infini: I'm going to blow everyone's mind by multi-linking in 3 dimensions thus effectively creating a whole new FPP user experience.
Oh yeah, well I am going to harness HTML5 and render the first post to actually display squant, and/or bend the bits to generate a perception of forbidden colors or an invisible color. Yeah, that's the ticket.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:45 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
How does one utilize a flat vase?
infini: I'm going to blow everyone's mind by multi-linking in 3 dimensions thus effectively creating a whole new FPP user experience.
Oh yeah, well I am going to harness HTML5 and render the first post to actually display squant, and/or bend the bits to generate a perception of forbidden colors or an invisible color. Yeah, that's the ticket.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:45 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
How does one utilize a flat vase?
I have a smallish apt. so I'm looking for space-saving vases.
Would be surprised if someone is thinking of "sweeping all the gifts" - give benefit of the doubt, and all that.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:54 AM on December 1, 2014
I have a smallish apt. so I'm looking for space-saving vases.
Would be surprised if someone is thinking of "sweeping all the gifts" - give benefit of the doubt, and all that.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:54 AM on December 1, 2014
Ah, not truly flat. I was imagining those flattened wine bottles. (Speaking of which, time to find out how to do that, so I can make my own.)
And I was clarifying in half jest, because I was surprised to see so many joking claims to fame and fortune.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:02 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
And I was clarifying in half jest, because I was surprised to see so many joking claims to fame and fortune.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:02 AM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I was surprised to see so many joking claims to fame and fortune
tsk, if I wasn't so full of dinner, I'd stir myself to show you cites of the last FPP innovation
posted by infini at 12:01 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
tsk, if I wasn't so full of dinner, I'd stir myself to show you cites of the last FPP innovation
posted by infini at 12:01 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
*anticipation building*
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Another gift offering posted to the wiki, courtesy of His thoughts were red thoughts. I know stunt posts or similarly efforts are generally frowned upon, but part of me really likes the idea of the offer of weird gifts generating weirder posts.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:33 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by filthy light thief at 2:33 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
I know stunt posts or similarly efforts are generally frowned upon, but part of me really likes the idea of the offer of weird gifts generating weirder posts.
Yeah, I'm hoping we get something really odd and interesting out of that one. It will justify me having bought that yo yo, for one. I don't even know how to yo yo. Why did I buy it at all? Because reasons.
It was just so shiny...
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 2:56 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I'm hoping we get something really odd and interesting out of that one. It will justify me having bought that yo yo, for one. I don't even know how to yo yo. Why did I buy it at all? Because reasons.
It was just so shiny...
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 2:56 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Posted to the sideblog so it's on like Donkey Kong!
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:58 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:58 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Okay so, if you're looking for obsession over a kind of weird thing to be obsessed with, we may have a winner already.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:21 PM on December 1, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:21 PM on December 1, 2014
Okay so, if you're looking for obsession over a kind of weird thing to be obsessed with, we may have a winner already.
Yeah, I saw that. It certainly fits the bill.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:03 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I saw that. It certainly fits the bill.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:03 PM on December 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
filthy light thief: "How does one utilize a flat vase?"
Flat Plastic WONDERVASE!
Wonder no more. ;)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:09 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
Flat Plastic WONDERVASE!
Wonder no more. ;)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:09 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
How does one utilize a flat vase?
It's for pressed flowers, of course.
posted by Kabanos at 7:54 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
It's for pressed flowers, of course.
posted by Kabanos at 7:54 PM on December 1, 2014 [2 favorites]
How does one utilize a flat vase?
Flat water.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:34 PM on December 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
Flat water.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:34 PM on December 1, 2014 [4 favorites]
Pressed flowers.
Oh, heck, totally beaten to that joke.
As penance, I'll think of another prize and topic--I'm in for two.
posted by box at 8:36 PM on December 1, 2014
Oh, heck, totally beaten to that joke.
As penance, I'll think of another prize and topic--I'm in for two.
posted by box at 8:36 PM on December 1, 2014
The wiki is now up-to-date! And I added a themed prize offered by MonkeyToes.
To be thorough, I'll check in with folks who spoke up with interest upthread, and offer my extensive Wiki editing skills* to them should they like their offerings added to the list.
*Really, it's nothing special. There's a guide for how to add items hidden in the wiki page itself. Credit to jessamyn for doing that last year - I just copied your informational text and added a bit more on how to add bulleted items and numbered items, for the sake of thoroughness.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:50 PM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
To be thorough, I'll check in with folks who spoke up with interest upthread, and offer my extensive Wiki editing skills* to them should they like their offerings added to the list.
*Really, it's nothing special. There's a guide for how to add items hidden in the wiki page itself. Credit to jessamyn for doing that last year - I just copied your informational text and added a bit more on how to add bulleted items and numbered items, for the sake of thoroughness.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:50 PM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
Okay, I just added two prizes to the wiki page: one for the best photography-related post in Week 4 (since there wasn't a prize yet for that week), and one for the best post about a woman or women doing awesome things (continuing the same theme that ocherdraco introduced a couple of years ago -- if you're reading this, ocherdraco, hat tip to you! Hope you don't mind...).
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 12:27 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 12:27 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
I've offered something for best (i.e. most-fantasticked) overall post in Week 4. rangefinder 1.4, if the best overall post is also photography-related, I can send my prize to the second best overall.
posted by capricorn at 7:04 AM on December 2, 2014
posted by capricorn at 7:04 AM on December 2, 2014
That's great, rangefinder!
posted by ocherdraco at 8:08 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 8:08 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
A little update: I pinged a few people who mentioned providing gifts upthread, so everyone who spoke up with interest is now aware of the official wiki list.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:55 AM on December 2, 2014
posted by filthy light thief at 9:55 AM on December 2, 2014
capricorn, that's cool -- I also don't mind adjusting my photography-related prize so that it takes the entire month into account, if folks think that works better.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 4:12 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 4:12 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I just posted my donation to the wiki - so anyone who wants some beautiful home canned jam and feral honey can get on their knitted horses and start writing.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:49 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Sophie1 at 7:49 AM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thanks again for your work, ffl.
I got my update to the wiki on, so I'm expecting some great things from all you science oriented people. Because who wouldn't want to wina kind of pretty magnificent fossil?
posted by barchan at 9:04 AM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I got my update to the wiki on, so I'm expecting some great things from all you science oriented people. Because who wouldn't want to win
posted by barchan at 9:04 AM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I just added mine: a signed copy of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower (small paperback, but in great condition) to the person who makes the best post that turns folks on to a neat science fiction book, story, author, film short or director that was created/who is creating in the 21st century. Turn us on to some good recent scifi writing or short films and it's yours, along with a signed/inscribed copy of Orson Scott Card's Monkey Sonatas.
(You have to deal with the karmic conflict of owning both of those at the same time, though. I've been.....conflicted.)
posted by mediareport at 3:30 PM on December 3, 2014
(You have to deal with the karmic conflict of owning both of those at the same time, though. I've been.....conflicted.)
posted by mediareport at 3:30 PM on December 3, 2014
barchan, my pleasure. It was pretty easy to copy the formatting from last year's contest page, and reminded some folks about the wiki page, helping where I could. The fossil hunt sounds awesome!
Thanks to everyone who has offered up prizes! Here's to an exciting month of posts!
One note on how this year's prizes are shaping up to be different from last year: people have been setting themes for individual weeks, versus last year where there were more weekly prizes without themes. It's not good or bad, just different.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:01 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thanks to everyone who has offered up prizes! Here's to an exciting month of posts!
One note on how this year's prizes are shaping up to be different from last year: people have been setting themes for individual weeks, versus last year where there were more weekly prizes without themes. It's not good or bad, just different.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:01 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Themes-for-weeks can be challenging because unless people are really aware of the themes you may get a week that has one or possibly no posts on that theme and then you have to be creative. "Best of the week" is often easier to determine and some categories (like video games or "funny videos") should be okay but more esoteric themes might be more challenging. I know we've already got the mall and the bundle in the banner but it might be nice to have another way to advertise the Best Post Contest to people who aren't really eying the sidebar.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 9:43 AM on December 4, 2014
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 9:43 AM on December 4, 2014
jessamyn, I agree with your view that getting any (or more than one, to facilitate a "competition") posts in certain topics will be tricky.
I realize the month is already underway, but the first week of December is not yet done. Perhaps the gift providers could revise their gifts and offer them for top posts, rated by favorites (because I don't think there are many people using Fantastic flags).
posted by filthy light thief at 12:16 PM on December 4, 2014
I realize the month is already underway, but the first week of December is not yet done. Perhaps the gift providers could revise their gifts and offer them for top posts, rated by favorites (because I don't think there are many people using Fantastic flags).
posted by filthy light thief at 12:16 PM on December 4, 2014
I'm offering a Disney DVD from ExtinctAttractions.com that I've got lying around the house.
To be awarded to the best post, as I see it, for the week of December 15-21. (Does NOT have to be a Disney-themed post.) The DVD titles will be listed on the Wiki.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:16 PM on December 4, 2014
To be awarded to the best post, as I see it, for the week of December 15-21. (Does NOT have to be a Disney-themed post.) The DVD titles will be listed on the Wiki.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:16 PM on December 4, 2014
This is the Wiki entry for the other prize I'm putting on offer:
"joseph conrad is fully awesome is offering a fancy pen for the best purse or satchel related fashion post. (For 'satchel', examples include but are not limited to: The Cambridge Satchel Company, Zatchels, Leather Satchel Company.) * If no such post emerges, the prize will have to go to the best overall fashion post for that week."
As you can see, this is an extremely narrow interest of mine and I don't expect someone to really come through - if they do, that's great! But I've broadened the award to include "fashion post" so that it may receive more entrants.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:19 PM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
"joseph conrad is fully awesome is offering a fancy pen for the best purse or satchel related fashion post. (For 'satchel', examples include but are not limited to: The Cambridge Satchel Company, Zatchels, Leather Satchel Company.) * If no such post emerges, the prize will have to go to the best overall fashion post for that week."
As you can see, this is an extremely narrow interest of mine and I don't expect someone to really come through - if they do, that's great! But I've broadened the award to include "fashion post" so that it may receive more entrants.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:19 PM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
"joseph conrad is fully awesome is offering a fancy pen for the best purse or satchel related fashion post.
Too bad my recent post about mechanical pencils isn't eligible for the fancy pen prize!
posted by Room 641-A at 5:49 PM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Too bad my recent post about mechanical pencils isn't eligible for the fancy pen prize!
posted by Room 641-A at 5:49 PM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
rated by favorites (because I don't think there are many people using Fantastic flags).
filthy light thief, your comment made me realize...it's not obvious how people should vote for this contest. I mean, I remember from before that I had to flag a post as Fantastic, but it would help to publicize how to vote and if there are any rules (e.g. IIRC, no flagging your own post? Or, can't use a bunch of sockpuppets to flag something, etc).
Maybe we could add the rules (whatever they are, as decided by the mods) to the top of the wiki page? And/or maybe the mods could add something to the sidebar that says you have to flag a post as Fantastic to vote for it?
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 8:09 PM on December 4, 2014
filthy light thief, your comment made me realize...it's not obvious how people should vote for this contest. I mean, I remember from before that I had to flag a post as Fantastic, but it would help to publicize how to vote and if there are any rules (e.g. IIRC, no flagging your own post? Or, can't use a bunch of sockpuppets to flag something, etc).
Maybe we could add the rules (whatever they are, as decided by the mods) to the top of the wiki page? And/or maybe the mods could add something to the sidebar that says you have to flag a post as Fantastic to vote for it?
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 8:09 PM on December 4, 2014
That was an awesome post, Room 641-A. Flagged as both fantastic and favorited to cover all bases.
I'm sorry I just now saw that and can't really swim around in the nerd froth of the discussion.
posted by barchan at 8:16 PM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm sorry I just now saw that and can't really swim around in the nerd froth of the discussion.
posted by barchan at 8:16 PM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
the nerd froth of the discussion.
Holy shit I just found my sockpuppet name!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:27 PM on December 4, 2014
Holy shit I just found my sockpuppet name!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:27 PM on December 4, 2014
That was a superb post, Room 641-A. Really good!
I thought it was up to the person offering the award to determine who has "won" - am I misunderstanding it?
I really have no idea what's going on. I tend to skim "rules" and just learn the minimum to operate. (But I'm a Mefite, there are *rules* for Mefites...)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:32 PM on December 4, 2014
I thought it was up to the person offering the award to determine who has "won" - am I misunderstanding it?
I really have no idea what's going on. I tend to skim "rules" and just learn the minimum to operate. (But I'm a Mefite, there are *rules* for Mefites...)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:32 PM on December 4, 2014
I just added the rules from the 2013 contest to the wiki page for the 2014 contest, with a note that they're pending mod approval for this year.
joseph conrad is fully awesome, there were definitely some years where the mods picked their favorite posts as winners -- in the post for 2011, mathowie says "We'll mostly be picking the winners based on our gut reactions though we will often use posts with high numbers of favorites as a guide to choosing, so feel free to use favorites to help us sort and filter out the best posts of the month." The prizes for the last couple of MeFites Choice contests were given out to the posts with the most Fantastic flags.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 8:57 PM on December 4, 2014
joseph conrad is fully awesome, there were definitely some years where the mods picked their favorite posts as winners -- in the post for 2011, mathowie says "We'll mostly be picking the winners based on our gut reactions though we will often use posts with high numbers of favorites as a guide to choosing, so feel free to use favorites to help us sort and filter out the best posts of the month." The prizes for the last couple of MeFites Choice contests were given out to the posts with the most Fantastic flags.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 8:57 PM on December 4, 2014
Oh, okay. I'm not so concerned about guiding the mod choices, but on individual offers of awards, this sounds like:
"4. Mods and other MeFites will sign up to offer prizes for top vote-getters or other topic-specific criteria."
"or other topic-specific criteria". So, let's say I see two purse-related posts in the week I've volunteered an award for. I pick the one that I think is best? Or I am contacted by the mods as to which purse FPP received the most "votes" (fantastic flags)?
Sorry to belabor the point. I think it's much easier if I just look at stuff and decide (I AM THE DECIDER! :D), this also frees up mods' time.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:05 PM on December 4, 2014
"4. Mods and other MeFites will sign up to offer prizes for top vote-getters or other topic-specific criteria."
"or other topic-specific criteria". So, let's say I see two purse-related posts in the week I've volunteered an award for. I pick the one that I think is best? Or I am contacted by the mods as to which purse FPP received the most "votes" (fantastic flags)?
Sorry to belabor the point. I think it's much easier if I just look at stuff and decide (I AM THE DECIDER! :D), this also frees up mods' time.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:05 PM on December 4, 2014
Good question; I wasn't sure either, so I dug around and here's what I found from jessamyn's post announcing the last year's topic-specific winners:
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 9:38 PM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Category PostsSo if that's still the case, then you'd be able to choose your favorite of the two-purse-related posts (from your example).
Members offering these posts were given the choice to pick their own winner or have us pick it using our complex pb-enhanced scoring matrix and rubric. Most chose the latter.
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 9:38 PM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hooray! Thank you, rangefinder 1.4. All is clear.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:11 PM on December 4, 2014
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:11 PM on December 4, 2014
Inspired by this I will give a $50 Amazon book token (can I do that?) to whatever I decide is best post december 2014. This will be completely arbitrary and my own personal like.
I can´t send anything from where I am as it probably won´t get there so this is it.
posted by adamvasco at 6:08 AM on December 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
I can´t send anything from where I am as it probably won´t get there so this is it.
posted by adamvasco at 6:08 AM on December 5, 2014 [1 favorite]
I don't know if you can send shop/section-specific gifts for Amazon, or just a general "Amazon Gift Card." Either way, I've added your prize to the month-wide section of the Dec. 2014 wiki page.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:17 AM on December 7, 2014
posted by filthy light thief at 7:17 AM on December 7, 2014
You know what? We're getting much better data going off the fantastic flag vs. favorites. It didn't really tease out until after the first week, but the top three are fairly different when you go with favorites vs. fantastic flags.
Given favorites can be used as bookmarks, I tend to think the fantastic flag should be adopted from here on out. Sorry to change gears mid-campaign but strictly favorites is highlighting all the outrageous huge news stories, fantastic flags are uncovering the well-crafted, amazing posts that people think of as MetaFilter's best and are long remembered as ones they love.
I'll make the week 2 post soon, and explain more there.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:52 AM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Given favorites can be used as bookmarks, I tend to think the fantastic flag should be adopted from here on out. Sorry to change gears mid-campaign but strictly favorites is highlighting all the outrageous huge news stories, fantastic flags are uncovering the well-crafted, amazing posts that people think of as MetaFilter's best and are long remembered as ones they love.
I'll make the week 2 post soon, and explain more there.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:52 AM on December 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by mathowie (staff) at 6:31 PM on November 28, 2014 [2 favorites]