TOTM in Question

[carntz]

Why not create a poll and see what the results are?

Even if the results for keeping TOTM are low it would be a terrible shame to let it go. TOTM is one of the cornerstones of the TBN site, making the Home page attrative. Removing a cornerstone of anything usually weakens the whole structure.

I agree with Mike totally. I also would think that potential newbies could be viewing the site and see the TOTM pics and excite them to join up.

[007Cruiser]

This has been on life support for over a year. Every once in a while someone calls for the defibrillator paddles and it survives for a few months. Could just be that it has run out of steam. No shame in that. As Sgt. Friday would say, “just the facts”.

[EllisonCal]

I speak English only so that means nothing to me.

So sorry.

[EllisonCal]

I remember how excited I was to enter a winning photo of "Annie" when I first bought her in 2006, my one year old "first Thunderbird". I had lusted after one since the first issue of Motor trend in 1999 said a two seater Tbird was returning. I also remember when the Ford dealer wanted a blind auction on a new 2002 Thunderbird Blue model in the showroom, that I left in anger. So much so that I bought a new 2002 Avalon a month later. New owners will want to have a chance to have their Tbird win a TOTM, and we who have had that pleasure need to allow them the opportunity. It was a great feeling.

[2K2BIRD]

This has been on life support for over a year. Every once in a while someone calls for the defibrillator paddles and it survives for a few months. Could just be that it has run out of steam. No shame in that. As Sgt. Friday would say, “just the facts”.

I don't understand why this should be the case, Gene.

I'm not calling you out per se because there are several long time members, that use the site regularly, but rarely or never participate in TOTM. Voting is important but entering pictures is even more important. It doesn't bother me that much if only 70 out of hundreds vote, but it does bother me if folks are so apathetic about their cars and this site that only 2 out of hundreds will take time to send in a picture.

Those of us that spend hours and hours of our time (and money) working on events that dozens attend, have a hard time understanding why many of those dozens and the hundreds of others on the site regularly can't give 10 minutes of their time now and then to submit a picture.

[007Cruiser]

I get where you’re coming from, Paul. I admire the photos that others take but I really don’t have interest in photography. I must say that I am impressed with much of what I see.

[11TH GEN]

I speak English only so that means nothing to me.

I hear ya Spence. That must be a real handicap living in Florida.

[RBIRD]

Gosh, if Tommy T were still here, he would have a chance! (Well, a better chance.)

[5bird7]

My time to say something. I am the one that does the calendars. I keep the link to the calendar thread for the year, in my signature.

There was a surge of participants last year when some read this or another thread that everyone's photo entered would be in the calendar, whether they won or not. Just the non-winners will have a much smaller picture in the calendar. The only thing that I see happening this year is that extremely few are re-entering their photo that didn't win in any particular month and new members may not be participating because they don't know about the TOTM thread despite our repeated attempts to keep the thread visible in "new posts" or "daily posts" search.

New members don't seem to be aware that their photo entered will get in the calendar even if they don't win.

The 6 month rule only locks out the winner from entering a photo for 6 months, not the other entries.

Gobird sends me the list of entries for the past year, in December, while I keep a record of all the photos that have been entered up to that point.

btw, history lesson: I'm a record keeper. I have the photos of all entries ever posted right up to the first month that this contest started back in late 2002 but I didn't start putting them all in the calendars until the 2008 calendar year. The TOTM calendars really didn't start being made until 2005 though TBN had a couple of other calendars made for events before then.

sounds like I need to add a few more words to my signature again.

[Sealy]

As the individual that made the last comment on the August contest and who, apparently, poked the hornet's nest again - I feel I should add something. First - has anyone checked the names of the individuals that want the contest to continue against the names of the entrants? Just curious. Second - having its own heading may make it easy to overlook. Third - for everyone that does not enter because they are not a photo expert: It's a friggin' friendly, amateur contest. My last winner was taken with a cell phone. (With which, by the way, you can also do some basic editing.) The contest is a nice place to see what people think of their Birds. However, if it dies, there are other places to post pictures that you think are spiffy. And, for the record, Merlot cringes every time she sees me with a camera. Still, we do OK.

[007Cruiser]

Perhaps Merlot needs therapy. I would suggest a spin on a scenic drive.

[AZTB]

Have submitted many times over the years since TOTM's inception - I believe I've won only twice (not sure). That being said, I still enter at least once a year as it's fun. I just entered again - this thread prompted it - not a winning photo, but it's a "different" snap and seeing submissions is fun.

[Sealy]

Perhaps Merlot needs therapy. I would suggest a spin on a scenic drive.

She does, indeed. Maybe this weekend. Thanks!

Have submitted many times over the years since TOTM's inception - I believe I've won only twice (not sure). That being said, I still enter at least once a year as it's fun. I just entered again - this thread prompted it - not a winning photo, but it's a "different" snap and seeing submissions is fun.

I tried a couple of different photos and was thoroughly trounced by the voters. Still, it was fun and I may do it again.

[11TH GEN]

The contest is a nice place to see what people think of their Birds

That is true, but not allowed during the contest, only after the winner is announced and then usually only to the winner.

[2K2BIRD]

First - has anyone checked the names of the individuals that want the contest to continue against the names of the entrants? Just curious. Second - having its own heading may make it easy to overlook. Third - for everyone that does not enter because they are not a photo expert: It's a friggin' friendly, amateur contest. My last winner was taken with a cell phone. (With which, by the way, you can also do some basic editing.) The contest is a nice place to see what people think of their Birds. However, if it dies, there are other places to post pictures that you think are spiffy. And, for the record, Merlot cringes every time she sees me with a camera. Still, we do OK.

What difference does it make if the people that want the contest to continue have entered pictures in the past? We obviously think the activity has merit or we wouldn't do it in the first place. I certainly enjoy seeing other retrobirds out and about in the pictures that are submitted, so I always encourage folks to send their pictures in whether I am able to enter the contest or not. If the contest is getting good participation, if I have won once, I don't like to enter a second time in the calendar year, so others will have a chance to get their car featured on one of the months. If we aren't getting good participation, then I may enter a second time just to give people more choices. If I haven't won that calendar year then you can bet I'll be sending one in every month until I do.

I'm not sure what you mean about having it's own heading may make it easy to overlook. There is a picture of the TOTM on the homepage with a link to the rules. It might be nice to have a link to the current contest in that area as well. Other than that, good folks like Ron, Greg and others routinely move the contest to the top of the daily posts.

I agree 100% that in the end, it's an amateur contest that virtually anyone with a digital camera or cell phone could win any given month. If you don't win - try, try again. I'm willing to bet virtually everyone has taken a picture (and probably many) of their car during the time they have owned it. Enter it! What's the worst that could happen - you don't get a vote. If that's the case, so what - you try another picture next month. The only owner identified is the winner, so as long as you keep your mouth shut, no one knows who's cars are represented.

The picture challenge thread(s) was started to give folks a chance to post photos that they don't think are TOTM worthy, but they like none the less. The specific category part of the thread adds some fun, and keeps it from being a free for all.