A "Find of the Month" is a telephone or a related item that you acquired during the month that you are particularly excited about either because of its rarity, the difficulty you had in trying to find it for your collection or the exceptional "deal" that you got on it. Other than that, any discussion of or comments about the nominated phone are not allowed, FOTM nominations only. As stated below, "Ideally your item would be (first) posted in its own thread elsewhere on the forum" and if so, "the forum link if discussed in another topic" is to be included in the nomination reply.
If a significant discussion of a nominated phone starts in a FOTM topic, it will be moved to a new "discussion" topic in the appropriate board and if not, then simply removed.
The "Find of the Month" contest is focused on the collection of telephones rather than on their sale for a profit. To be eligible for the "Find of the Month" contest:
- The finder must have personally acquired and actually own the item.
- The item can be acquired for free but it can not be a gift or present from anyone.
- The item (or any of its components) cannot be put up for sale during the contest period.
- Only one "Find" per owner can be in a "Find of the Month" contest.
A Nomination Shall Include:
1) where and/or how the item was found.
2) the price & shipping cost.
3) the forum link to the topic discussing the find.
4) the eBay link if won there.
5) other information of importance about the find (why the item is very important to you for any reason).
6) and one or two pictures of the item.
Ideally your item would be posted in its own thread elsewhere on the forum such as "Auction Talk", "Flea Market/Yard Sale Finds" or "Collectors Corner" Board. Then you or anyone else can nominate your "Find" to the Current "Find of the Month" thread by posting at least one picture and other details including the price paid, any shipping costs and a link to the original discussion on the forum. It is not a requirement that your find be posted elsewhere on the forum but the more details the better.
Nominations of phones listed in other forum discussion topics, by members that do not own the item but realize it is indeed a "find" worthy of being nominated as a "Find of the Month" candidate, are always welcome.
Please pick your best "Find" to submit for the month limiting your entry to one phone or one "Find" that might include limited multiple items. If you have already entered for the month and come up with something even better either submit your new find indicating that it replaces your previous entry OR you can enter your new Find in next months contest.
To check out a list of all past winners including the Find of the YEAR winners, click here:
--> Winner's List <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg67140#msg67140)
TelePlay has grabbed pictures of all of the "Find of the Month" winners since we started this back in 2010 and he has put them into albums on forum. Thanks John. To check them out, click here:
--> Photo Album <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg180376#msg180376)
Terry
A few notes on the "Find of the Month" for its first year October 2010 through September 2011:
With this month's voting underway for October 2011 we are starting the second year of the "Find of the Month." In the first year (October 2010 through September 2011) we voted on 53 phones and/or phone items in total over the 12 months and we had a total of 221 votes for these items. That is an average of 4 1/2 items per month and 18 1/2 votes per month.
Most ever items in a month is 9 in January 2011
Most ever votes (coincidentally the same month) is 27
Least ever number of items 2 in December 2010
Least ever votes (coincidentally the same month) is 9
There were some terrific finds for the start of our second year. Check out the October 2011 Find of the Month" and place your vote. Lets try to exceed the previous record number of 27 votes from January of this year.
Terry
--------------------------------------
Current "Find of the Month" summary from its inception (October 2010) through September 2014
(47 polls - no poll in May, 2012)
303 -- Total number of phones, phone items or groups of phones nominated
14 -- Highest number of nominations in any month (March 2013)
2 -- Lowest number of nomination in any month (December 2010)
6.45 -- Average number of nomination per month
1,160 -- Total number of members who voted
37 -- Highest number of voters in any month (March 2014)
7 -- Lowest number of voters in any month (November 2010)
24.68 -- Average number of voters per month
100.00% -- Highest voting percentage of total possible votes in any month (January 2011)
72.38% -- Lowest voting percentage of total possible votes in any month (March 2014)
2,072 -- Total possible number of votes that could have been cast
1,829 -- Total number of votes actually cast (some members did not vote all possible votes in a month)
88.27% -- Percentage of total possible votes cast
101 -- Highest number of votes in any month (March 2013)
7 -- Lowest number of votes in any month (November 2010)
38.91 -- Average number of votes per month
641 -- Total number of votes cast for the winner
24 -- Highest number of votes cast for the winner (March 2013)
6 -- Lowest number of votes cast for the winner (February 2011)
13.64 -- Average number of votes cast for the winner
100.00% -- Highest winning percentage in any month (November & December 2010)
22.60% -- Lowest winning percentage in any month (November 2013)
41.45% -- Average winning percentage in any month
365 -- Total number of votes cast for 2nd place
16 -- Highest number of votes cast for 2nd place (February 2014)
1 -- Lowest number of votes cast for 2nd place (May 2011)
7.77 -- Average number of votes cast for 2nd place
36.40% -- Highest 2nd place percentage in any month (February 2014)
7.77% -- Lowest 2nd place percentage in any month (May 2011)
21.38% -- Average 2nd place percentage in any month
Can the find of the month be a scarce phone but bought at the current price for such a phone? Thanks.
As far as I know, anything can qualify.
Yes, anything. Especially rare, unusual or hard to find.
Even if it is just a plain phone you have been searching for to fill a hole in your collection.
I think the only rule is that you have to actually own the phone and not have it for sale or intend to sell it for at least a few weeks after the find of the month voting ends.
We ask for how/where did you get it, how much you paid for it and what, if any, was the shipping cost. That helps people in voting for the find of the month.
While the owner of a phone can submit an entry, we also encourage members to nominate phones they find listed and explained in a topic in another area of the forum. A lot of times the owner of a phone just received does not realize what a find it is and at that point, nomination by a member into the monthly contest works just fine.
The phone nominated should have been bought/found in the month entered into a contest or entered into the contest the following month, if not received until the following month.
AE_Collector, the topic moderator, spells out what a find of the month is at this link (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5699.0).
You can scroll through all of the contests to date at this link (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=19.0) or you can view all of the "Find of the Month" winners and the phones that won since we started this back in 2010 at this link:
--> Photo Album <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg180376#msg180376)
Good responses everyone. No hard and fast rules as to what qualifies. Likely the biggest clue is that you were excited to "Find" it!
Looks like some Stats updates are in order for the "Find of the Month" description at the link you posted John! Thanks again for looking after the controls while I am fighting this blizzard in the South Pacific!
Terry
Quote from: AE_Collector on October 31, 2014, 01:14:53 AM
- The item can be acquired for free but it can not be a gift or present from anyone.
I see a rule I was not aware.
What if my wife finds one and gives it to me? Does it still count?
Hi Russ:
Yes we have made a few adjustments to the rules and tried to clarify them a little more. As mentioned in the October 2014 contest, we attempt to keep the competition on a level playing field as much as possible while also trying to keep it primarily fun at the same time.
We have had "finds" that the forum member didn't actually own, "finds" that were free because they were gifts even though the actual item was purchased by someone else to be a gift etc. In the simplest definition a "find" would have been found by the forum member rather than having been "given to" the forum member.
The contest is based on how the items are presented on the forum so any situation can obviously be created to get around the rules.
We do welcome everyone's input on this and the rules in general. We want to try to keep the rules to a minimum while not allowing what could be seen as unfair situations within the competition.
Terry
This topic is being created for two reasons.
1) To move all of the comments posted in the March Find of the Month topic concerning the "rules" out of that topic.
and
2) To put all of those comments in one place so they can be discussed, opened for discussion, at some time in the future.
This is being created as a unique discussion of recent "rules" related comments rather than lose these comments at the end of the relatively long discussion of rules, or guidelines, controlling the Find of the Month contests. This topic will most likely remain dormant until AE_Collector returns from his sabbatical.
The last post left in the March 2015 Find of the Month topic is copied below provided as a reference point as to why the following replies were split out of that topic and moved into this one.
=================================
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13559.msg144951#msg144951
Quote
Quote from: TelePlay on March 05, 2015, 08:03:23 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on March 05, 2015, 11:36:29 AM
Hold on... ...does this entry still count? I just found the Rose 302 that Mark had bought in the lot for sale on ebay:
This is under consideration right now. More to come.
Okay, after consideration and discussion, given the rules put into place by AE_collector
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5699.msg67051#msg67051
and my reply last April in a topic discussion of what can be nominated under the rules,
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5699.msg124477#msg124477
in which I said "I think the only rule is that you have to actually own the phone and not have it for sale or intend to sell it for at least a few weeks after the find of the month voting ends."
. . . since at least one of the phones is now an active auction on eBay,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261801234038
that auction disqualifies all phones purchased, the group of phones, and as such, the nomination of the purchased group for the Find of the Month - March 2015 is hereby disqualified.
Note: The first ever run off along with a discussion of how to handle too many entries in a month and the rukes in general were discussed in the August 2013 Find of the Month.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=9944.0
I think this a good and fair decision.
We all have our opinions and I know rules are rules....but this was one hell of a find at a very reasonable price. Just my humble opinion...Doug
I can live with the decision. ;D
I think the "rules" ought to be changed. This should not have happened. Mark said he wants to sell SOME and keep others. Certainly not unreasonable. Who would not want to recover the cost of the acquisition. Not doing so, is unreasonable, given the size of the find.
He ought to be able to submit his favorite pieces of the find himself. After all it was not he who submitted the entry. He had no chance of doing so, as someone else jumped the gun. This should also be changed, IMHO.
But as Mark said in other words, there are more important things in life than winning this "competition".
I agree. Mark stated he was going to keep some and sell some. IF Mark wants to nominate one that he is keeping, why not?
I agree the find as a lot has to be disqualified but not every phone in the lot.
Quote from: HarrySmith on March 06, 2015, 09:47:30 AM
I agree. Mark stated he was going to keep some and sell some. IF Mark wants to nominate one that he is keeping, why not?
I agree the find as a lot has to be disqualified but not every phone in the lot.
The only issue I would find would be how much he paid for a particular phone. I'm not sure if it would be fair to divide the lot amount by the amount paid.
Ben
This ruling was put in place because some members were posting find of the months that were sold within the month and the fact they were nominated helped them advertise the item. This placed other members at a disadvantage, and their loved items wouldn't even be considered. It is a fair rule, and must be enforced universally to be fair to everyone. No rule is perfect. It helps to keep candidates on an even keel.
There is nothing to prevent all the kept items being nominated. As far as price, I see no reason one can't say they were part of a lot of XX phones which were purchased for $XX.
So, if Mark wished to renominate those phones he is keeping, all is well. There is no question it was a great find, and one we would all envy. Congratulations, Mark on a super find!
Dave
Well said, Dave. Thank you.
I call BS on that rule.
Guy finds dozens of phones for $300 and sells one and all of a sudden the whole lot is DQ'd.
If selling one is grounds for a DQing the lot, then keeping one is grounds for re-instatement.
Here's one for you all. Lets say a guy buys a phone and sell off the cords, or better still swaps the handset. According to these rules he did not keep the whole phone, so he's DQ.
I just want to throw in my two cents. I personally didn't enter this contest and not be be rude but I couldn't care less about it. If everyone is arguing on my behalf , thank you but not necessary. If you are arguing over the rules, then have at it. I purchased the phones for two reasons, to make some money and to get a couple keepers basically for free . I enjoy this site , just don't want to see people getting upset with each other over something that doesn't matter to me. :D
You're very humble Mark.
Let's not take away from the fantastic find Mark made. This is perhaps a once in lifetime find, maybe several lifetimes.
I do not think anyone is upset and I am glad you are not upset Mark. We all have good points and settling this will enable us to determine what to do if someone else has a similar great find.
Yes this supposed to be fun and it is still is a fun contest with the winner having bragging rights for the month, maybe for the year. Many had good points..
I suggest if Mark want to re-nominate the collection -as is - he should be able to. I do like the point that someone else nominated his find. One rule change I suggest, the nomination should only come from the owner. Others can encourage the owner to nominate himself but not do it for him. That would have eliminated all this discussion.
First of all, Mark that was a great find that you have there, congratulations. You took the high road with your post, Mark and I appreciate that.
There has been some discussions between a couple of the moderators and myself since this thread began. Over the years criterion had been established regarding the find of the month. I don't like to say "rules" but some guidelines. I think we should re-visit those guidelines so that everyone feels better about future nominations for this award that serve to give bragging rights to the person that is voted as having the Find of the Month, Year, whatever. Like the old saying goes...you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time...(paraphrasing) but I think we should try and do that...please everyone, if possible.
So I am all for revising our criterion for these awards. I would like to have Terry's (AE_Collector) input on the issue. When Terry returns from his vacation we can have a public discussion about it and then ultimately the moderators and I will come up with guidelines. We want to keep it simple. As Doug has so aptly put it in the past....It's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun.
So for now, let's move forward as is until we can revisit the issue once and for all.
I think Mark would be a shoe-in anyway so why not just have the contest without his phones? That way it'll be interesting. Remember, there are no actual prizes awarded! I'm sure Mark will be able to console himself for the disqualification by polishing (and listing) his cache of colored 302s!
We've spared no expense hiring John to move all the "Find of the Month" and "Find if the YEAR" winners pictures from the old Photo Bucket location directly onto the CRPF forum. Then he merged them into the existing Winners list so you can see who won each contest and see a picture of the winning phone all in the same place. Then he made the winners list clickable so that it will take you directly to the associated pictures and probably some other Computer Geek stuff that I will never figure out.
Excellent job John, I think we will renew your contract for 2017 after all.
Click here to check it out:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.0
WOW! Thank you for all the work.
Quote from: Russ Kirk on October 31, 2014, 11:49:19 AM
What if my wife finds one and gives it to me? Does it still count?
I think you should disclose how much your wife paid for it, and that would cover it. The rule was meant for members who were receiving items on occasions such as Christmas or birthdays. For example, a recipient asked for an item and the gifter paid a substantial sum for the item, but the item was presented as a free "gift" because the member hadn't actually paid for it. Now if someone at wok knew you collected phones, and gave you an old phone they had in their basement, I believe that phone would be eligible.
Call it a gift with cost paid is good practice. If someone gave it to you because you collect telephones and they had it kicking around, then it is "Free"or "Lunch", or "beer" ect.
JMO,
Jim S.
<Split out of the February 2017 Find of the Month topic>
Well, I'm going to play the bad guy by saying, in the past, we have requested a member buying a collection of stuff to pick out the one phone to be nominated for the Find of the Month. This occurred in January 2015 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13371.msg141378#msg141378) when a group of phones was purchased and nominated. That group was paired down to one phone on advice of AE_Collector (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13371.msg141382#msg141382) to not only win the Find of the Month but to also go on and come in second place for Find of the Year.
Prior to January 2015, that there were six winning nominations for 2 or 3 phones, one for a lot of partial phones (parts phones) and one for a box of junk since the forum began.
The rules at the top of each months now state:
===================
The "Find of the Month" contest is focused on the collection of telephones rather than on their sale for a profit. To be eligible for the "Find of the Month" contest:
- The finder must have personally acquired and actually own the item.
- The item can be acquired for free but it can not be a gift or present from anyone.
- The item (or any of its components) cannot be put up for sale during the contest period.
- Only one "Find" per owner can be in a "Find of the Month" contest.
A Nomination Should Include:
1) where and/or how the item was found.
2) the price & shipping cost.
3) the forum link to the topic discussing the find.
4) the eBay link if won there.
5) and other information of importance about the find.
6) one or two pictures of the item.
===================
All reference to items (plural) was removed and over the past two full years now, more than one complete phone or phone item has not won. There have been a few multiple complete phone nominations that slipped by but did not win in the end. Those were oversights by a moderator.
Except for the box of junk that won in April 2011, all of the nominations have been for complete phones or phone items. There are several reasons for this one item rule. First, a find of the month is something to be restored and displayed with pride in the members collection of phones and phone items.
To that point, the very first line of each months Find topic starts with "A "Find of the Month" is a telephone or a related item that you acquired during the month that you are particularly excited about either because of its rarity, the difficulty you had in trying to find it for your collection or the exceptional "deal" that you got on it." Again, it says item, not items.
There was a lot of discussion about the Find of the Month rules 3 or so years ago and it was during that period that input was taken from any member who wanted to share their ideas in adjusting the rules to fit the intent of the topic. Words were chosen carefully to keep the Find topic on a narrow track, a track consistent with the intent of the Find of the Month topic overall.
As such, without going through a discussion of that discussion or even thinking of amending the rules now, I do believe this nomination of 2 boxes of phone parts does not qualify for a nomination.
If anyone else want to comment, please feel free to do so.
I agree with the ONE ITEM rules/guidelines. Dig into that sea of phones and come up with a gem!
I think we should split this hoard of phones out to its own topic and then persuade jrs1958 to post more pictures of what he has there. Those colored key sets will be quite interesting to see. Are there more housings there than phones to put them on?
Then one of these should come back here to the Find of the Month for February!
Meanwhile, we need some contestants for February!
Terry
I definitely DON'T agree that find of the month should be just one item. It should be a single purchase which may include many items. My logic is that treasure hunters finding a hoard of gold coins are considered to have made a much better find than someone finding a single gold coin, even though each coin individually has the same historical interest and monetary value.
Having said all that... Isn't any set of rule for something on a hobby forum that's just a bit of fun really a bit petty and pointless?
Just my thoughts.
Andy
No matter how we slice it, i think that we are proud of our hobby and our finds and love to share these discoveries with our fellows. A single phone or a box of them is a "discovery" either way and makes for variety. After all it is the members that vote for the FOTM, so it is really in their own opinions that make or break a selection. If you like a single piece only approach, then Im sure you vote that way, and likewise for those who see the joy of scoring a box of phones for next to nothing. All part of the CRPF fun.
Well, maybe it's time to re-visit the rules, for at least the 3rd time, IIRC. The rules or guidelines were discussed at length and the summary of all discussions and changes are presented in the first post of each month's topic. These were deliberative decisions that were made and changed over time based on issues that arose within the Find of the Months, not on a whim. The words that make up the guidelines/rules were carefully chosen to keep the Find within the boundaries of collecting telephones. The first paragraph of the guidelines/rules states:
"A "Find of the Month" is a telephone or a related item that you acquired during the month that you are particularly excited about either because of its rarity, the difficulty you had in trying to find it for your collection or the exceptional "deal" that you got on it."
Each of the guidelines or rules were not one person's idea. An open forum discussion allowed any and all interested members to present their thinking, their reasoning and their idea of what would work best for the Find of the Month, to keep the find nominations in line with the premise of this forum, the acquisition of a phone to be restored and become part of a members telephone collection. I have a hard time seeing a box of parts being displayed anywhere, no matter how good or how cheap the parts were. Now, one good phone found within a box of parts would be nominated, would fit the current guidelines/rules.
Now, if membership thinks the Find of the Month should be morphed into something other than that, then let's open up the rules discussion again and find out what members really want to consider as a find, something worthy of what to be restored how and displayed where - stuff like that. To me, snagging a 50AL with a #2 dial and matching subset for $15 is a find. Several boxes of parts are not. Two colored 302's for $30 is a find. A Contempra prototype speaker phone is a find. Any prototype is a find. A Model One Picture Phone is a find. These are items to be restored and displayed proudly in a collection. A box of parts is not the same, unless the members want to change the rules and add "parts" to "telephone or a related item" to make it "telephone or a related item or telephone parts" and change all singular word such as "item" to "items" allowing multiple whatever (100 dial screws for $1) to be nominated.
It's the members forum so it's up to all of them, not just the moderators or a few members. So, open up the guidelines/rules for change or leave them as they are? That's the question right now.
Think about it and reply accordingly.
While no one likes there to be rules and yes a find is a find is a find, we sort of wanted the finds to be either a telephone or at least a piece of telephone equipment of some sort. The problem with boxes of phones or parts is that almost always the nomination is for a box or boxes of stuff that hasn't even been gone through to see just what his there. It just looks like that most volume of stuff for the least amount of $$$ in most cases.
It is hard to draw the line but we have allowed a couple of phones to be entered together where they came as a pair though I am not certain that we would still do that unless they were say a blue AE 50 that came with a red AE 40. In other words, two great items that came together for one price. Now if a pink 500 mushroom phone happened to come with an everyday beige 500 it would be easy to toss the beige 500 in the corner and submit the pink 500 mushroom.
So occasionally someone is going to feel hard done by when they have scored boxes of great parts for $40 and it can't be entered in the Find of the Month even though it just might be one, but there is usually no reason that something out of the box can't be entered. In this recent case, there appears to be some nice complete colored 564/5 key sets in there that any one of would make a very nice Find of the Month contestant.
Terry
The find of the month is a single Item. Boxes come under "Deal of the Month". Please post pictures of your box deals, and If you find something really cool in the box, you can submit it as a find.
Here is a "deal of the Month"
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2502.msg34179#msg34179
I would say the "find" in the boxes was the white 5302.
JMO,
Jim S.
Quote from: Jim S. on February 23, 2017, 06:08:51 PM
The find of the month is a single Item. Boxes come under "Deal of the Month". Please post pictures of your box deals, and If you find something really cool in the box, you can submit it as a find.
Here is a "deal of the Month"
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2502.msg34179#msg34179
I would say the "find" in the boxes was the white 5302.
Great idea Jim. So great there is now a child board under Collector's Corner titled "Deal of the Month" or week or day or year, doesn't matter other than give the board a catchy title.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=118.0
And the above "deal" has been moved into the child board.
So, thanks Jim for clearing up the distinction and offering that great idea. Anyone can post their "truck/trunk/box load" deals in that board.
How about "My killer deal" . We can add a vote later.
JMO,
Jim S.
I think the statute of limitations expired on that one!
Quote from: HarrySmith on February 23, 2017, 09:15:00 PM
I think the statute of limitations expired on that one!
Well okay, I guess you are right.
It is still a great name for the child board.
Jim S.
Quote from: Jim S. on February 23, 2017, 09:39:13 PM
It is still a great name for the child board.
Child board name changed to "My Killer Deal"
And it was a Killer Deal!
Quote from: TelePlay on February 23, 2017, 09:46:14 PM
Child board name changed to "My Killer Deal"
Thanks,
Jim S.
The rules seem to be consistent in using therms like "your item, the item, thus indicating one item. It's stretching the spirit of the rules to call a large group of phones an item.
I believe the "find of the month" threads may be a part of what made people arguing some months ago, the ratings are fun, but is also making discussions of whats right or wrong, may we make exact rules for what we should evaluate, or just stop it?
At least we could try to set up 5 simple rules. E.g. got it in my hands during the last 30 days. value and whats payed is of no importance. ...
What do you think?
dsk
I think that in the future we may need a separate category for finds involving groups of phones. This way, the single finds won't be competing against group finds.
The rules are for the poll. We could remove the poll and then It is an open topic.
Maybe I should run a poll to see the consensus.
I could rename the board to "My happy finds" and then any current or past finds (with photos) are eligible . This can be single items or quantity. past and present.
This changes it from a friendly monthly/yearly contest topic to a show and tell topic.
Feel free to post your thoughts on this post.
Jim
I've always felt that the find of the month was about two things:
1) Giving forum members a feel for what's still out there to find as an encouragement to keep hunting.
2) Giving recognition and an opportunity to share to those who have found something interesting or valuable recently.
I think the contest serves those purposes well, and I vote to keep it as is. Members are always free to post other items elsewhere here in the forum. I'd hate to lose that "pulse of the hobby" feel by changing this particular contest... Thanks to Jim for maintaining this thread!
This is not easy, and I used a lot of time before I did mention this at all. I love to see what people has. I have voted a lot of times, and I have even nominated some of my finds. Pretty often the phone/item I vote for is the winner, so many of us rate things equal. Still I feel that the results are not fair, and I am pretty sure that we have some who do not want to share a pretty good find in fear of loosing. As in every other contest its only one winner, and all the others are losers. Here are actually everybody winners, they have found something they are proud of, or someone is so impressed that they nominate someone else's item. I also have a feeling of that the costs get to much focus, that should by my opinion not be a part of the contest.
We shall not close the contest before we have anything better, maybe never! We need to think about our values and our hobby to not squeeze out members of the more modest kind. Maybe a focus on a share your finds thread, where we could see and show the finds without rating them in a contest.
At last thank you to Jim, you are doing a good job!
dsk
A little PS
E.g. if a member find a finger-stop he/she has been looking for in a long time, the member would be extremely happy, and want to share it. We do not have any thread I find natural to share this, but for the member it is a great find. It will never win, and does not fit into the contest, but i could be interesting to see what is important for others, whats making them happy etc...
DS
Quote from: dsk on July 14, 2019, 12:52:13 AM
Maybe a focus on a share your finds thread, where we could see and show the finds without rating them in a contest.
Isn't this board exactly for that?
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=3.0
Why does the long tradition and history in the Find of the Month board have to be destroyed on a whim because someone doesn't like the long established rules?
Quote from: Western Bell on July 14, 2019, 02:02:52 AM
Why does the long tradition and history in the Find of the Month board have to be destroyed on a whim because someone doesn't like the long established rules?
I'm new here but I wondered the same thing.
There has been a discussion lately in which month an item should be nominated but Jim moderated this sensibly. The rules could be modified but sooner or later new cases of doubt would occur.
The gallery of "Finds of the Month" is a great showcase of the hobby where each item has been evaluated by experts. "My personal best find" would be another category.
For me 'Find of the Month' is a fun way for members to compare recent finds in one place.
The poll adds to that fun, and I find it a bit disappointing that we are getting too worried about the exact rules.
I've entered a few times and have managed to win once - it was a nice feeling I must admit, but I certainly don't worry about if I'll win when I enter. If I think an item is worthy of entering then I'll put it in and take my chance with the rest.
Please don't change or get rid of it.
:)
Quote from: tubaman on July 14, 2019, 05:07:23 AM
For me 'Find of the Month' is a fun way for members to compare recent finds in one place.
The poll adds to that fun, and I find it a bit disappointing that we are getting too worried about the exact rules.
I've entered a few times and have managed to win once - it was a nice feeling I must admit, but I certainly don't worry about if I'll win when I enter. If I think an item is worthy of entering then I'll put it in and take my chance with the rest.
Please don't change or get rid of it.
:)
The most important thing here is to discuss this, so we know what we are doing, and are prepared if we get signals that this may be an issue. Jim are doing a great job here, and will probably keep on developing this to be a good thing.
If we discuss this now before it is a problem, it will probably never be a problem. I was so extremely surprised last time a conflict escalated in this forum. This is not the best on the internet, it is even more :-) Let us work for keeping it that way, and get the passive members back in activity again. :-)
dsk
The FOTM is supposed to be a fun thing. Anyone who is happy with a phone they found is a winner. There are other topics on the forum where finds can be posted also.
Harry....agreed!.....Doug
Thank you all for considering around the cons, and pres with this. for me it looks like we can go on with this without hurting people.
We can argue with pointing to having discussed this, and why we keep it.
A great thank to the moderators, you are doing a great job.
dsk
A question was asked about what is seen in the polls and when (if logged in or out and after the poll ends) at this topic
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=24270.msg242688#msg242688
There are two viewing options available when setting up a poll:
1) to only let members see the poll voting after they have voted
and
2) to let everyone see the poll voting at anytime
I created 2 dummy polls and found out an interesting anomaly.
1) When setting up a poll and selecting the option to let members see the open poll results only after they have voted (the left side of the image below), if the member is not logged in, box #1 is seen. After logging in, box #2 is seen. They are the same but a bit different and neither shows the voting while the poll is open. After voting, box #3 is seen, the results of the poll at that point in time.
Once the poll is closed, this set up option shows the poll results whether logged in or not, boxes #4 and #5
2) When setting up a poll and selecting the option to let anyone see the open poll results (the right side of the image below), if the member is not logged in, box #11 is seen and it shows the current poll votes. After logging in, box #12 is seen, the current poll votes disappear and the boxes to vote are shown. After voting, box #13 is seen, the results of the poll as seen in box #11 (before logging in) plus the added votes.
Once the poll is closed, this set up option shows the poll results whether logged in or not, boxes #14 and #15
Conclusion, it is best to set up the poll with the "show results only after the member has voted" so the votes of an open poll are not shown until the member votes. That way, a member would not see the ongoing results before they have voted. That would produce the best, the most unbiased blind voting results in each month's FOTM contest. Members who want to vote would not be biased by knowing who is ahead or behind before they cast their votes.
After the poll closes, the final results can be seen by anyone whether they are logged in or not.