Suggestions group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Constructive criticism about the four awards of the month of October

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toribio Joined: Oct 05 Points: 528 Posts: 14 Posted: 2005-11-03 19:02:00    (This text was translated last night by my friend Paco, from the Barrio de Chueca, in Madrid, because my English does not go further than “My tailor is rich”, and such stereotyped phrases. I want to declare that this wording is only to understand the system to choose the four premiums of the month, and not a detraction of it. I accept the rules whichever they might be, and my aim is to understand them. I am aware of the fact that this section is just for that, and I hope that I will not make enemies and that the management will appreciate my constructive comments): Some days ago I proposed in the forum: “Contest of the Month” posted by member andreas the candidates for Member of the Month, Photo of the Month, Slide of the Month and Report of the Month for October 2005 and expected that some other members would also chose the four bests of that month, and then, the chief of Globo would calibrate and account the voting’s and would announce the four winners, but nobody seconded me. Out of my four proposals I only guessed eirekay, the rest three winners were somewhat an unexpected surprise for me. I will explain why: PHOTO OF THE MONTH in October (camp 1) is nice, but in the general list is in the ranking number 170 or so, while there are some other photos by the same author (kailas) such as incredible, unusual, spiritual and mystic “My aura near summit of Uhuru Peak”, which are within the first 20 best in the general list and, in my opinion are even better, or some other pictures by other members, for instance gloriajames about animals and willauer about the canyons of Arizona that are in the first page, within the first 20 best, because the members have so decided with their votes in a democratic way, and have sent to the ranking number 170 the picture “camp 1“ which has been chosen Photo of the month in October. MEMBER OF THE MONTH: eirekay is very nice member and I am happy for her (please, eirekay, do not be angry with me! I only want to be impartial, and I do not argue about your colossal contribution to globo) but the real traveller, the member that is “on the road” and writes very often his adventures about Africa in the last few past months (he never won nothing for that) and today 3rd November 2005 is in the risky Central Asia Republics and Azerbaijan under travels tips is wojtiech! That is why I voted him! And he is presently somewhere in the Caucasus writing about a part of the world where no other globo member has so far adventured to go because of its danger! Yes, eirekay is nice and active and always writing to everybody, she is a good member and her reports are so good!, but if this prize is for travelling people during a determinate month, then the brave wojtiech should deserve something more than to ignore him (Perhaps should be created a fifth premium for the most active globo member of the month writing from home nice mails to the companions, pictures, reports, etc., like eirekay, because she is unique, then one : TRAVELLER OF THE MONTH -for wojciech-, and another premium HOME MEMBER OF THE MONTH -for eirekay-). Sorry, but in spite of globo management decision my member (traveller) of the month of October for 2005 is wojtiech. REPORT OF THE MONTH: the undergal October reports about Cambodia are like the professional ones (and probably the best ones in globo of all times!), much more elaborated and exotic than davidx Cusco’, place from where there are already many reports and he did not ever reach Machu Picchu, which is like describing Paris without including Eiffel Tower. David’ Cusco report is OK but has only 8 parts filled (instead of nine as undergall Cambodia’s), one part less than half written and the last one he writes about his illness and not about “Other Recommendations” as the heading of the paragraph says (the paragraph “Clubs” is silly and should be “Pubs/Clubs” together, or changed in the future for “How to get there in an economic way” or “curiosities about the country”, or “museums not to be missed”, or “Fiestas and festival commemorations” or “What to buy especially”, or better could be left open, at the author discretion, but this is a matter for another forum). I have given 5 points to both members, to all seven October reports about Peru to davidx and to the 3 about Cambodia to downundergal (one in September and two in October), because the system to rate reports is very deficient and does not foresee more variants (again rangutan proposal in this respect in another forum is very accurate and if adopted would reflect better the objective value of the reports). I proposed for the Report of the Month vagamundos’ La Coruna because is so original and nobody has written about such a Galician festival before! But anyway I find that undergal October reports are much more elaborated that the fast written davidx seven’ about Peru. (David, please, por favor, no te enfades, do not get angry with me! I just write this to improve globo ratings in the future; you are a very valuable member, but tender Kerry must feel herself very disappointed these days because she made a lot of efforts and put tons of illusions in her October reports). SLIDE OF THE MONTH: the month of September was very well chosen sakkie, but again in October is a little repetition (same thematic, same author, same country), although the slide is superb. Nevertheless, some other slides, such as Machu Picchu by eirekay or Faces of Egypt, or International Balloon Festival, or The New Underwater album, I think would have been a better choice, just for a change, and give others an opportunity and happiness. I would suggest that he member given one month a determinate premium can’t compete for the same award the subsequent month (but he can compete for the other’s three). My question is: Is choosing the four premiums a democratic system as proposed by rangutan, or not? Somewhere I read that the first 20 or 50 (or maybe the first 100) members with more points and contributions in globo a given month can select the four winners (rangutan I think was again the author; he also deserves a special premium for his permanent dedication to globo). If the chief of Globo has the last word and is the only one to judge, then I beg your pardon for making lose your time reading this, then I understand that he is the boss and we all (including me) have to shut up and agree with his verdict, thanking him and say all together in chorus: “Hail, Ave Caesar andreas, Morituri te Salutant. You, who are so powerful!” Reply    Reply with quote    Contact toribio   andreas Joined: May 02 Points: 8309 Posts: 808 Posted: 2005-11-03 20:19:00    Hello Toribio, thank you for your opinion on the contest of the month. Picking the winners of each contest is not an easy task as there are more things to consider than for example which picture for example is the "best" uploaded in the previous month. For example the picture does have to meet criterias like size, and colors which do fit the main page. A picture which is horizontal can clearly not win this contest as it would not be possible to fit it into the main page. Same goes for extreme colors etc. The report of the month is somehow voted by the members, as I do have tool which helps me sort the new reports by votings and total number of voters. So the winning report is always one which does at least have a 4.7 on average. I do also believe that there should not always be the top members winning the contests. If there is a report which is of equal quality or a bit less from a member who is new, than he will be picked. This is a part of community building. You have to bring new mebers into the community. And I guess you are not interested to see the same members all the time in the hall of fame. It is diversity which helps a community to grow and develop. I know that Wojciech is traveling around the world and he is posting into his travel log. It is also great to see that he is traveling places where only litle people have been. However, it is the "member of the month" report, not the traveler of the month. What about the people who have invested hours of hours in writing reports, uploading pictures and more. Most people who come to globo are looking for pictures or reports. So picking a motm who has done most for the community is the choice I will be making now and in the future. And yes, you are right. My choice is final and I am the one who does pick the winners of the month. You do not have to sing in chorus or fall onto your knees. I could not see or hear it anyway :-) I do follow what is going on inside the community, read the comments by other members and their opinons. Their votings and so on. My job is just the one to bring all the info together and to make the final choice. I am aware of the fact that there will never be a choice which satisfies everybody. Besides, this is not the "nobel prize" (which choice for the winners is also controversial). We are talking about a "hand shake" a "thank you for such a great picture" and things on this level. So please do not take it that serious. Best regards, Andy Reply    Reply with quote    Contact andreas   toribio Joined: Oct 05 Points: 528 Posts: 14 Posted: 2005-11-03 20:42:00    THANKS YOU A LOT ANDREAS. I DONT UNDERSTAND, ONLY LITEL. I COPY TO MY FRIEND PACO AND READ TUMORRO. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact toribio   rangutan Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 34752 Posts: 1044 Posted: 2005-11-03 22:10:00    A very good reply Andreas and that is how we would all like GLOBO to work in the future. If we went pure "democratic" (which I never suggested, only ways of helping Staff to choose and members to rate properly!)we would then go political, and NO member wants that and I would not be active here! I understand some of toribio's (OBVIOUSLY A SECRET & POSSIBLE DOUBLE "GHOST" MEMBER ACCOUNT? :-)) we always need suggestions and discussion. With multi-member participation we can consider ways of improving GLOBO over a longer time period but the last improvements will be made by members that have joined just a month ago! SORRY TORIBIO MY FRIEND, YOU ARE OUT OF LINE HERE. THIS IS A TRAVEL COMMUNITY NOT AN ORGANISATION NEITHER AN INSTITUTION! Toribo, I disagree with some of your views and ratings above. Wojciech is only one of our main heroes on the road. You will discover MANY others in time. They have there OWN websites too to promote there journies there, just like I (small traveller) do too. Your website? Eirekay if you noticed the last four months has INCREASINGLY become loved by many members. Check her guestbook entries last month and compare that with those for wojciech or your and you will understand the time and effort she has invested here!!! I would like you to apoligise to Eire, her destinations are not "home", some thousands of miles away from her family and NOT in easy regions, like Belize - MY BROTHER NEARLY DIED IN BELIZE IN JULY, the diver boat sank! Read eirekay's new report, its not exactly a homely metropole, neither her other destinations! See also Forum http://www.globosapiens.net/topic-nominations_36_1559_0000.html where staff ASKED for help in choosing the best picture or member. See how many members used that- members had option then and rather trusted staffs discretion - WE all trust Andy and his Staff! Regards Rangutan Rudi Political Footnote (sorry): If great nations like the USA (last two elections) and Germany (recently) cannot choose a leader easily democratically quickly and properly, AND THAT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT, how do you get a small communinty like GLOBO then to agree with everything??? Added: http://www.globosapiens.net/topic-contests-of-the-month_29_1894_0000.html We can use this rather than http://www.globosapiens.net/topic-nominations_36_1559_0000.html if members like. The alternative is to send nominations to staff via "contact" (also anonymous when not logged in).<p>[ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2005-11-03 23:51 ] [ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2005-11-03 23:58 ] --- Rudolf "Rangutan" Graspointner Reply    Reply with quote    Contact rangutan   eirekay Premium account Joined: Aug 03 Points: 19539 Posts: 214 Posted: 2005-11-04 02:14:00    First off - Rudi, thank you so much for your comments. I am so touched! Globo is my Oasis on many days and it has been a DELIGHT to be a part of this site! That said, Toribio has no need to apologize. I always respect someone who has the courage of their convictions and will openl;y state them. I take no offense at his comments. He has always rated my reports well and I have no doubt of his regard. I have a greater concern for the difficulty that Jorge has experienced with members animousely down grading reports. Looking at the top 20, that appears to have possibly happened again. I always come back to the quality of material that is on this site. Knowing how much time it takes to write a report well, the fact that we have so many ***** reports is a tribute to what Andy has created and how deeply the members care about maintaining that. Andy's role can't be an easy one, but for myself, I have never been disappointed in his decisions. The two times I was recognized, I was stunned and surprised. I see so many others, such as Rudi that make this site exceptional! Eire --- Life is not measured by the breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away. Profile Pic: Tikal, Guatemala Reply    Reply with quote    Contact eirekay   toribio Joined: Oct 05 Points: 528 Posts: 14 Posted: 2005-11-04 10:30:00    THANJS AND SORRY. NO PROBLEM, I ACEPT. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact toribio   davidx Premium account Joined: Dec 04 Points: 34719 Posts: 440 Posted: 2005-11-25 11:36:00    Hi Toribio and others I should like to express particular support for two of the views expressed. Like Eire, I am so often impressed by the quality of the material submitted. Secondly I think Andy's views on encouraging new members are of fundamental importance in this kind of community. Cheers David --- Grieve not for that which you cannot do but rejoice in that which you can. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact davidx   ravinderkumarsi Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 14003 Posts: 451 Posted: 2005-11-25 11:44:00    WELL I WILL NOT SAY MORE ,BUT IN SHORT AFTER A LONG TIME I REALLY GOT SOMETHING EXTREMELY GOOD TO READ AND THINK RAVI --- at bangalore /back 2 globo after a long Reply    Reply with quote    Contact ravinderkumarsi   rangutan Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 34752 Posts: 1044 Posted: 2005-11-26 07:56:00    For members that are online almost every day or at least once a week i'll confirm that staff have always chosen within parameters of the best contributions from members. Thanks! MY CRITISISM: not enough categories of awards! I wish staff would award much more titles every month, also: - Best Closeup (picture other than landscape: nature, people, structure) - Best Chatter (Number of lines achieved) - Best Profile Picture (Member Pic) - Best Newcommer ("Newbee" by various contributions) - Best Guestbook (# different recievers) I wish staff would also award YEARLY with us members as the judges, nominations being automatically the previous monthly awards. Serious Members (with more than 1000 points) then choose winners! While we all imagine a golden "GLOBE" statue or cash as prize, that's not possible yet, perhaps way in the future, but as winner at GLOBOsapiens I can say the prestige and recognition, the inner reward and joy is grandeous! "Rangutan" RR Rudi --- Rudolf "Rangutan" Graspointner Reply    Reply with quote    Contact rangutan