Ideas for contest - Page 2

Green Ghost · #11 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 03:35 AM

Yup! I think the "best viv" think would pretty much be the first thing that comes to mind. Thing is what makes a viv the best? Best looking? (there's some pretty nice looking vivs out there dunno if I could decide who's better) Best construction? (how can you really tell who's built better?) Thinking out loud now but maybe "most automated" could be a category.....

That's why I didn't say anything, not for lack of interest but because I didn't think of anything that would be a "good" idea, if you see what I'm trying to say. Anyways if you guys think of something just throw your idea out here and then see who's willing to participate?

Marty · #12 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 11:00 AM

For starters, "My Viv" could be the contest. The top 3 with most votes win. I'm sure we'd get some nice entries here

Green Ghost · #13 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 09:57 PM

And if we win we get "your viv" as a prize?

froggsong · #14 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 09:21 AM

Jeez, I'm gone for like three days and there is a huge boom on the site and talk of contests... lol. I think "vive of the month" would be the best idea to start. It could be general, where vives and paludariums could be in the same category, or there could be a "paludarium of the month" and "vive of the month" contest. We could also do a "herp of the month" or possibly even one for various water creatures from paludaria (lol, did I make up a new word? or is that one in use already?). I think to start, it would be best to offer reputation points as a prize, that way we don't get a sponsor and no one sign up for the contest. We need to make sure that everyone understands the rep system though. I think it is a little better understood now, since we have been talking about it, but there are still some things that could be clarified. Maybe Athen or another mod could write up a thread about it that gives all the details of how the rep system works on this site and sticky it. I know we have a thread about it already, but I mean more of an instruction/information type thing, rather than questions and speculation.

Maybe later down the road, we could do a "plant of the month" contest as well. After all, we aren't just about animals, we are about the entire living environment.

I've noticed that there are tons of users, and lots of new ones all the time, but no one is very vocal. Maybe offering the contests will be a way to get people participating better. One other thing, I didn't even notice the Contests forum forever, because it is down at the bottom. Maybe we could move the "Other" section to the top, that way people would notice it a little better. And along those lines, why have separate "Vivarium", "Terrarium", and "Paludarium" sections if they all link to the same place (basically)? Seems like a waste of space. Why don't we put them together? Definitely should put "Other" at the top though. Maybe even move "Introductions" to "Other". Sorry to get off topic, I just think it would help people be more aware of contests and such if it were more "visible".

EDIT: For the "Vivarium of the Month" contest, if could have a different topic or whatever every month, or it could be more general. Or, there could be two "vive of the month" contests, one which is general, and one which is specific (i.e. "Background of the Month").

JohnEDove · #15 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:56 PM

I don't have much use for contests as they generally end up being contests between the most popular people or who can take the best pics, but if you really want to increase participation in this site it might be a good idea to start with the "Introductions forum". Look at how many people have introduced themselves here and had no response or those who I, as a new person, have been the first to respond to.
When a person's intro goes un-answered and/or the more knowledgeable people ignore a new comers intro it presents a less that welcoming image. Most people scope out a site for a while before joining and if they are ignored or treated as something less they move on.
Sorry if this ruffles any feathers but that is this old man’s observations base on personal experience as a site admin and a member of quite a number of sites.

Green Ghost · #16 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnEDove

...it might be a good idea to start with the "Introductions forum". Look at how many people have introduced themselves here and had no response or those who I, as a new person, have been the first to respond to.
When a person's intro goes un-answered and/or the more knowledgeable people ignore a new comers intro it presents a less that welcoming image. Most people scope out a site for a while before joining and if they are ignored or treated as something less they move on...

I don't know if it's off topic or not but I'll definitely agree on that.

Athen · #17 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 12:13 PM

this is true you do have a point as far as the amount of people who submit a post and get no replies and i try to make a reply to as many as i can but ill admit i miss them froggsong is very good at replying to all the new posts i cannot tell you howmany times i have logged on and seen 15-20 new posts and each and every one of them was replied to by her the purpose of the contest isnt for popularity nor is it to demean anyone it is an attempt to try and get alot of the people who just come and look but never post to get into the forum a little more and i like the vive of the month idea could also try herp of the month too and the rewards could be rep points that is a great idea. again it isnt intended to be a popularity contest simply a bit of self pride =)

Athen

jpstod · #18 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 12:31 PM

Sadly Thats the way it happens. Every Forum has a Core group that tends to dominate the Forums. Some people have alot of time on thier hands and select an area they feel is thier Area of Expertise.

Myself I tend to stay with Areas in the Making of Vivariums. I can build stuff. But I have little scientific Knowledge like Names and Breeding, so I tend to stay out those discussions.

I do look abit in other areas, because I love seeing pictures of Animals..rather see them in person.

I try to keep my stuff simple also..Many People are intimadated by Experts..Kinda like a high school kid making a Jewlery Box and showing it next to a Master Wood Worker's delicately inlaid carved Jewlery Box.

There needs to be more involvement to keep the Forums healthy and useful.
I found a Forum that looked interesting and useful..I stopped going because the Newest post was from 2006.

Athen · #19 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 02:42 PM

see that isnt the way all forums go there is one forum that i go to freaquently that has many people and is very active and everyone posts ive asked questions in the bearded dragon part and got an answer from a BP breeder. as far a s the whole experts thing goes that is the general purpose of a forum a place for someone who doesnt know how to do something or why something is happening... etc.. to go and ask someone who knows well. i think we just need to establish a tight knit group and present that to all the new active members if they see a group that is here to help and not slander then they will go along with all of that. as far as how you were saying that you stay in the areas that deal with making vivs that makes perfect sense afterll this is vivarium forums =) that is what this forum is about making vivs but also realize part of a viv is also what you put into it so then couldnt you consider that picking out and caring for the animal/ plants you will be placing in your viv is included in the making and maintaining of your viv? especially dealing with the living vivs where everything is a cycle and the plants rely on the poop of the herps and the herps are relying on the plants that are pulling the moisture up to raise humidity and allowing a hiding place for the crickets to breed and give the herp food =)... ok im sorry i kind of got on a rant totally unassociated with the OP

Green Ghost · #20 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008, 12:17 AM

[quote=Athen;8744] ... i think we just need to establish a tight knit group and present that to all the new active members if they see a group that is here to help and not slander then they will go along with all of that. ... /QUOTE]

That sounds like the right track to me

[quote=Athen;8744] ... especially dealing with the living vivs where everything is a cycle and the plants rely on the poop of the herps and the herps are relying on the plants that are pulling the moisture up to raise humidity and allowing a hiding place for the crickets to breed and give the herp food =)... ok im sorry i kind of got on a rant totally unassociated with the OP... /QUOTE]

LOL!