Help Yourself
Beating the system?42 total reviews
Comment from Gloria ....
Hi Shari, this is a good tip for folks who don't know about the blind contests not being that blind after all. It's fairly easy after awhile to know who the poster is. I don't blame Tom though because I can imagine it would involve a lot of coding to be able to keep the entries off profiles until the contest ends.
Good stuff. I've seen the hints but I have never seen a blacked out line. I shall be on the lookout from now on.
One nit:
But winning doens't (doesn't) hurt either.
Great job.
Gloria
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Hi Shari, this is a good tip for folks who don't know about the blind contests not being that blind after all. It's fairly easy after awhile to know who the poster is. I don't blame Tom though because I can imagine it would involve a lot of coding to be able to keep the entries off profiles until the contest ends.
Good stuff. I've seen the hints but I have never seen a blacked out line. I shall be on the lookout from now on.
One nit:
But winning doens't (doesn't) hurt either.
Great job.
Gloria
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Thanks, Gloria, for catching my error. I don't know if the black line was on purpose of just a gliche.
Comment from lancellot
Yes, We have talked about this in the forums for awhile and I have spoke to one of the Tom's about closing the loopholes in the system. But he hasn't. Why not. I think the contest are a big draw, just like the promoting on the front page. It brings in money and he doesn't want to touch that. I think the only way to get his attention is if we all take a stand and boycott the contests for a week and buying pumps.
What do you think?
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Yes, We have talked about this in the forums for awhile and I have spoke to one of the Tom's about closing the loopholes in the system. But he hasn't. Why not. I think the contest are a big draw, just like the promoting on the front page. It brings in money and he doesn't want to touch that. I think the only way to get his attention is if we all take a stand and boycott the contests for a week and buying pumps.
What do you think?
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I never buy pumps which I'm sure puts me on the shit list. And I rarely enter the contests as rumor has it that contestants bribe friends. The contests always have plenty of gamblers. On the bright side, it forces one of write a blasted piece that will count toward the six.
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I don't buy them either. It's a shame I will not entertain. I have no doubt some contestants have their friends vote for them. I have a plan to get Tom to at least acknowledge our concerns.
I just posted a little call to arms. Check it out and see if you are interested.
Comment from Titanx9
Shari, the more I learn about FanStory's management, the less impressed I am with it. Tom has always been courteous to me, and has responded quickly with answers to my questions, but it seems he does allow certain folks to do things that are outside of posted rules. Thanks for the heads up. I already have done some of the things you mentioned - LOL. It would be great to know the rules apply to everyone, and that some can't ingratiate themselves in with management and have things their way. Great job. I see you're on a mission - LOL!
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Shari, the more I learn about FanStory's management, the less impressed I am with it. Tom has always been courteous to me, and has responded quickly with answers to my questions, but it seems he does allow certain folks to do things that are outside of posted rules. Thanks for the heads up. I already have done some of the things you mentioned - LOL. It would be great to know the rules apply to everyone, and that some can't ingratiate themselves in with management and have things their way. Great job. I see you're on a mission - LOL!
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I reckon it costs big dollars to kiss a**. Wonder how long before Tom gives me notice. He has always been nice to me too and quick to help.
Comment from mermaids
I never thought of this before but I always wondered if there were truly blind entries. I can recognize the writing of some of my favorite writers on this site.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I never thought of this before but I always wondered if there were truly blind entries. I can recognize the writing of some of my favorite writers on this site.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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That's a gift. So many have the same style. Fonts can give a piece away sometimes. However, I seldom guess right.
Comment from Sasha
I hate blind contests...It is like going to a book store and buying a book without a cover and not knowing who wrote it. Your ideas sound interesting but a lot of work, especially since I never enter blind contests...lol
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I hate blind contests...It is like going to a book store and buying a book without a cover and not knowing who wrote it. Your ideas sound interesting but a lot of work, especially since I never enter blind contests...lol
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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After you get "cheated" on a few, you say forget it. Too many good entries in the one I entered. But at least I wrote one of my six prose pieces the will get me into the game.
Comment from humpwhistle
Shari, I'm having some trouble following this piece.
I think I understand, but your usual logical progression seems to be missing.
You 'click on their names and up pops a recent work'.
Not really, right? I think you've left out a step or two.
Maybe 'up pops a profile page, where I notice a recent post. And nine times out of ten, these posts are blind prompt entries.'--Shari, I'm not trying to rewrite, I'm just trying to make things more clear.
Are these people really reviewing you on the off-chance you'll look them up and reciprocate? And then do they expect you to take the extra step to place a vote? Seems arcane to me.
We all know that we can look at profile pages to see if an individual posted something blind. We also know we're not required to read all entries in order to vote.
Who, exactly, are you complaining about? New people who review you--and coincidently have entered a prompt?
Or Tom because there are loopholes in the 'blind' entry process?
Shari, I know you might think I'm coming down on you, but I actually agree with you. I'm wondering if you organized your thoughts.
Before you get pissed at me, please re-read this piece as if you'd never seen it before. If it still makes complete sense to you, I'll serve you breakfast for a month.
Peace, really, Lee
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Shari, I'm having some trouble following this piece.
I think I understand, but your usual logical progression seems to be missing.
You 'click on their names and up pops a recent work'.
Not really, right? I think you've left out a step or two.
Maybe 'up pops a profile page, where I notice a recent post. And nine times out of ten, these posts are blind prompt entries.'--Shari, I'm not trying to rewrite, I'm just trying to make things more clear.
Are these people really reviewing you on the off-chance you'll look them up and reciprocate? And then do they expect you to take the extra step to place a vote? Seems arcane to me.
We all know that we can look at profile pages to see if an individual posted something blind. We also know we're not required to read all entries in order to vote.
Who, exactly, are you complaining about? New people who review you--and coincidently have entered a prompt?
Or Tom because there are loopholes in the 'blind' entry process?
Shari, I know you might think I'm coming down on you, but I actually agree with you. I'm wondering if you organized your thoughts.
Before you get pissed at me, please re-read this piece as if you'd never seen it before. If it still makes complete sense to you, I'll serve you breakfast for a month.
Peace, really, Lee
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Lee, you are one hundred percent correct and I made the needed changes.
Are these people really reviewing you on the off-chance you'll look them up and reciprocate? And then do they expect you to take the extra step to place a vote? Seems arcane to me-- like I say, I'm a cynic. What better way to try to get your work noticed? Hey, at least I'm nice enough to reciprocate.
I'm not complaining. It's just an observation. I rarely enter, rarely vote. You don't get any pumps for it. LOL
Comment from judiverse
I don't think I'm ready to go to the trouble of finding out who has submitted a blind contest entry. Sometimes I've inadvertently found out who a submitted an entry. As to whether people read all the entries, sometimes I wonder and say that some do not, because of the way the voting goes. You've written about an interesting problem and made some good points. With all the prompt contests and the number of entrants, I doubt that Tom would have time to monitor everything. All I know is, I'm behind in reviewing. judi
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I don't think I'm ready to go to the trouble of finding out who has submitted a blind contest entry. Sometimes I've inadvertently found out who a submitted an entry. As to whether people read all the entries, sometimes I wonder and say that some do not, because of the way the voting goes. You've written about an interesting problem and made some good points. With all the prompt contests and the number of entrants, I doubt that Tom would have time to monitor everything. All I know is, I'm behind in reviewing. judi
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I'm behind in writing my play, answering reviews, and reading PM's sigh...
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Hi, Spitfire. I don't have time to sweat the blind contest problems. Can't do as much reviewing or writing as I'd like. I saw the Lancellot also had a post on this subject. judi
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
What do you mean by this?
Can you hint in a review? Just did that. The line was blacked out.
It's unfortunate that contest/prompt writing STILL shows up in the writer's profile, after Tom's been told about it many times. But we are just users. We can't change things that easily. But an essay like this one that calls attention to it might just help to get more folks to tug on Toms' shirt.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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What do you mean by this?
Can you hint in a review? Just did that. The line was blacked out.
It's unfortunate that contest/prompt writing STILL shows up in the writer's profile, after Tom's been told about it many times. But we are just users. We can't change things that easily. But an essay like this one that calls attention to it might just help to get more folks to tug on Toms' shirt.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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I didn't realize it was an ongoing issue. After all, it could appear on our profile page after the contest. Thanks for the info.
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Yes, it could. I've stumbled on names many times.. and it really isn't fair.
Comment from mountainwriter49
Hi, Shari
I enjoyed reading your short essay on things a'happ'nin' on-site. Interesting read and thanks for sharing. I refuse to enter blind contests and rarely enter any contests other than those site sponsored.
-Ray
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Hi, Shari
I enjoyed reading your short essay on things a'happ'nin' on-site. Interesting read and thanks for sharing. I refuse to enter blind contests and rarely enter any contests other than those site sponsored.
-Ray
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Same here. But if the price is right and I can afford to gamble, I'll play the game once in a while.
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You're the deal maker! I love that free spirit about you. And it is reflected in your writing, which is one reason why I love reading you.
Comment from Rosalyne
Hi, Shari.
You are very in-tune and have a sharp instinct for what's going on. If voting is based on popularity, again, what has happened to quality of work? You said it best. Were here to read and support one another.
Blind entries should be just that, not visible in any way. One way to control biased voting is to insure all are read. Make it mandatory to read each story or poem. Way to do this is require a comment and review for all. Only then can a person select the story of their choice. No names are to revealed on home pages or anywhere on the site until the contest has been won.
If only we lived in such an ideal world. Maybe it's time for management to read some of these articles and revamp the site. We've all seen how easy that is to do with this year's new six post rule. LOL
Bye
Rosalyne :)
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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Hi, Shari.
You are very in-tune and have a sharp instinct for what's going on. If voting is based on popularity, again, what has happened to quality of work? You said it best. Were here to read and support one another.
Blind entries should be just that, not visible in any way. One way to control biased voting is to insure all are read. Make it mandatory to read each story or poem. Way to do this is require a comment and review for all. Only then can a person select the story of their choice. No names are to revealed on home pages or anywhere on the site until the contest has been won.
If only we lived in such an ideal world. Maybe it's time for management to read some of these articles and revamp the site. We've all seen how easy that is to do with this year's new six post rule. LOL
Bye
Rosalyne :)
Comment Written 20-Jan-2014
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2014
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And Tom indicated that other changes would be there too. I'm waiting. :-)
