puzzler

Oh my, where is all this animosity coming from?!
Personally, the sense of pride I got from seeing my pics in the Top 5, is now being tainted, by all the heated discussions. As a non artist, I try really hard to copy things to the best of my ability and was over the moon when I got into 3 categories. But now, the shine is being taken off by the undercurrent that some of us don't deserve to be there, or shouldn't be in more than one category. There are many worthy artists on this site and we were all subject to the same rules. If and when the rules change, then that is acceptable for healthy debate, but let's not rake over the recent past.

Luna

puzzler, you clearly deserve to be there!

I don't think there should be a limit on how many pictures can be in the top 5. I think the problem is that we have the equivalent of kindergardeners having to compete with pros.
How about levels of top 5 from newbies and children, to those just having fun, to the people who are serious about doing great work.
Everyone could chose the level they wanted to compete in. Honors wouldn't be withheld from great pictures to give others a chance.
Oh, and vote, no vote.
Rachel, are you sick of us yet? You must be very patient (or amused).

Soda

I agree Luna... Though maybe instead of the artist choosing which category the voters choose...?

(Though you might want to say under the picture the choice of the Artist. . . which may be influenced only if enough people give a 5? in the higher category.)

However with the formula that they are trying to use... now hopefully all will be resolved.

And yes it would bug me if my fire eyes did not get in the top 5 and my practicing ocean shores did... I can understand your point Matthew completely...

Though personally I don't plan most of the pictures I make usually... for more then a day.

Also if an artist has a good picture.. I think it is the idea of the picture, and the drawing of it that is honored more so then the artist. Yes the artist made it and feels pride in the picture, but any creation usually has the pride of a creator. I feel that if a picture deserves to be honored then it should be weather or not it is made from the same artist as another.

autumn

I think that if everyone just settled down and gave Rachel time to resolve the problem you would all have more time to comment on my pictures...

matthew

I can't comment why I am ROFLMAO.... OMG!!! Autumn you are too funny...

grahame

To be honest, I just do the occasional picture because it's a unique medium and fun. I love the comments but can take or leave the ratings. On balance I think you should be able to rate 1-100 and then divide the cumulative total by the number of votes cast to get an average. In that way you could give yong talent an encouraging 60 or so, spoiling votes would have a more minimal impact and only really impressive pictures could get near 100. This would also encourage the '5 only' voters to give a realistic score and should result in the really good pictures getting prominence. Alternatively, just do the pictures for fun and not worry about the rating. I'd really lthink a top 5 category for under 16's should be introduced as well.

grahame

It should have read 'I really think a top 5 category fo the under 16's should be introduced as well'

grahame

It should have read 'for' - I'll give up commenting now!!!

autumn

I am a '5 only' voter and I'm pretty sure I would just turn into a '100 only' voter...so I vote for vote no vote....and maybe different levels, like beginner, intermediate, advanced....

and again feel free to go comment on my pictures cuz really after the satisfaction of seeing what you can do with what they give us to work with we all want the comments!!

grahame

It would be a shame to be a '100 only' voter, as you could save your 100 vote for truly outstanding work. I would hope that an average picture would gain 60% or so average and a really good picture would finish up around 85%. That would leave the 100s for the Tigers Eye type of exceptional image, and give encouragement to everyone (especially the younger members) to gradually improve their techniques and votes.

I also know 'young' has a 'u' in it!!!! (maybe a spellcheck on the post your message bit Rachel - only joking)

matthew

...Well said Grahame...

...We can't say it enough... Highest Rating doesn't work... it is unfair to anyone who submits their pic durring the 1st 3 weeks of the month...

...Do a pic on the 1st day of the mont & you have 30 days to get one 4 vote & be out of the top 5 running...

marg

..guess I've said it before (as most of us have), but.. can't we just get rid of 'highest rated' totally ? remove the whole idea from this website ?

matthew

...This drawing...
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=24250
...Beats this one...
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=22733
...Dmarla has done MUCH better pics like this one...
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=24784
...But TD's beloved "highest rating system" says otherwise...

...No offense, but...
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=25107
...Is not kmkagle's best work. Yet, in addition to beating out her other pics, it stands in front of the following pics...
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=23090
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=24234
... http://www.thinkdraw.com/picture.php?pictureId=23937

...Are we serious???

...No really...

...Are we???

marg

hmm.. does that mean that you agree with my suggestion of removing the 'highest rated' totally, matt ?

matthew

DUH!!! Have I not screamed enough about it???

Qsilv

(smiling slowwwly at you guys as I read these recent posts)
Personally, I've taken to clenching my teeth and reminding myself like a mantra that A- it's just for pleasure, and B- "humble" is an ..er.. interesting exercise for me...

BUT... when a single negative vote can have stronger apparent power than any single positive vote ...equivalent to veto power... that does bother me.

So, sigh... yes, I agree with Grahame, Matthew, Marg et al...

but I'm not willing to pay attention to it more often than, um, once a week or so... (rueful laugh) ...and I'm NOT going to let it spoil my joy here.