Fine Tuning the Monthly Photo Competition

[Dowser]

We are into our third month of the Monthly Photo Competition and we have already received some very nice entries for the "Landmark" theme.

As we are still trying to fine tune the selection process for the winner I would like to know your thoughts on the voting system.

The current format can be seen here: http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1730.0

For the first month we had a professional photographer pick the winner but now that we are getting more and more entries it's a big ask to have him do it every month.

The second month we ran a poll of NI Wild members and the ongoing vote count was visible.  We like the polling system, but are wondering should we have the running total visible.  Does this influence the voters selection by going for the entry that seems most popular, rather than the picture they really like?

What is everybodies thoughts on this?  Personally, I like being able to see the votes coming in and it makes it all quite exciting coming up the the final few days of voting.

Please post below saying if you would to see the votes as they come in or would you prefer the winner was just announced when the voting closes.

Thanks

[LennyJ1]

Take away the running votes.

[whoRya]

I think like most online polls you should only see the votes after you have cast yours.  It's better that people don't log on and just pick between the two or three entries that are jostling for first position.  You don't want people to think they'll only enter if they have a masterpiece.

[LandyLiam]

I think the fairest way is to hide the votes, but its fun seeing the running total, I vote for the fun way

[Dowser]

I think the fairest way is to hide the votes, but its fun seeing the running total, I vote for the fun way

I vote for the fun way too, so that's 2-all 

[twentyclicks]

If you can hide the total until after someone has placed a vote, it is probably fairest - they can still watch all the action after they have had their say.

[LandyLiam]

I like the sound of that, best of both worlds

[Dowser]

I like the sound of that, best of both worlds

Apparently, after an NI-Wild Board Meeting, it seems the voting system is set up that you can't see the running total till after you've voted.  The Mod who suggested otherwise must have been doing too much thinking/drinking on his/her last summit bivvy 

Sorry for wasting everybodies time.  Business as usual then 

[suspectmonkey]

I reckon we should take a vote on the voting system... or should we get an independent judge to decide?

I like the current system, and seeing you can't see the results until you've voted it's pretty fair.

[Kayakgirl]

Here, here.. I agree to whatever has been agreed!!

[big chris]

I agree with Shamara

[fourman]

dont think about it too much just stick up the running total sit back and enjoy its all in the eye of the beholder (unless your voting for yourself  )

[LandyLiam]

could we possibly have 2 or maybe even 3 votes each?

that way voting for oneself is less of an advantage and it also reduces the chance of me getting 0 next month 

[cerbera147]

I think that we should just state at the start of the thread that you must not vote for yourself. It's ungentlemanly, etc.
I'm pretty sure with the current forum software you can't see who does or doesn't but it defeats the purpose if you vote for yourself any way 

I also think hiding the results until the very end will add to the suspense    I was checking at least a few times a day and boring my wife with the latest result 

That said I do like the idea of a professional photographer giving his opinion and picking a winner although I appreciate it can be a lot to ask of someone 

Either way it's a fun way of showing off our favourite photos 

[LennyJ1]

What is the subject for April?