MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => Site Related => Topic started by: leaf on May 21, 2009, 12:03

Title: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on May 21, 2009, 12:03
Microstockgroup is on the verge of topping 100,000 posts.  To commemorate this event I thought it would be great to try and give a thanks to everyone for contributing to a great community filled with helpful members and good conversation.

So to celebrate B&H photo (http://www.microstockgroup.com/link/go.php?url=txt-bhphoto.com) has very generously agreed to sponsor a small competition. 

This is how it will work.
Recently on microstock a 'helpful post' icon was installed.  If you feel someone has posted something helpful, or something you enjoyed reading you can click the heart icon beside the quote button.  That action will mark that post as helpful.  On June 15th the user who has the highest amount of helpful posts will be declared the winner of the competition with second and third place also being rewarded. 

How to win?  Make helpful posts and try to answer peoples questions.

Here are some more general rules, mostly in place to stop 'gaming of the system'. 

The competition will be fairly relaxed but certain rules will be enforced to keep things as fair as possible
.         The moderator / owners of the site cannot win (that's me)
.         Users cannot mark their own posts as helpful (automatically enforced)
.         Users may only mark a post as helpful once (automatically enforced)
.         Users must wait 15 minutes between marking posts as helpful (automatically enforced)
.         Users must have 10 posts of their own before they can mark other's posts as helpful (automatically enforced)
.         Users cannot mark the same users posts as helpful before marking 2 other users posts as helpful automatically enforced)
.         The competition will end at midnight on June 15th Norwegian Time (GMT +1)

Hopefully we can keep this 'light' and fun and give thanks to the people who are making this site a better place. May the most helpful member win :)

oh yes, and the prizes :)
Gift certificates from B&H Photo (http://www.microstockgroup.com/link/go.php?url=txt-bhphoto.com)
First place $100 gift
Second - $25
Third - $25


So a big thanks to B&H Photo for being supportive of our community
(http://www.microstockgroup.com/images/ads/bhphoto-camerabanner-170x142.jpg) (http://www.microstockgroup.com/link/go.php?url=txt-bhphoto.com)

----
unfortunately unnecessary additional comments aka. the small writting at the bottom
As with any sort of 'competition' with a prize, people like to try and game the system.  Please don't.  Gameing the system could include telling people to vote for you, telling people to sign up to the forum simply to vote for you, exchanging votes with other members as part of a 'deal'.  Once the competition is over I will look closely at the winners helpful post marks and check if they were all from a small group of individuals, from the same IP, exchanged with other etc. etc. and basically check to see if they were trying to cheat.  If cheating was part of the winning strategy the user will be disqualified and the next in line will be the winner.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: Allen on May 21, 2009, 12:18
Sounds good.  I am looking forward to the surge in useful posts!  ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: astrocady on May 21, 2009, 15:40
Can I help you in any way?

Just trying to be useful  ;) ;) ;)

Of course my wife would say that's impossible!
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on May 21, 2009, 16:58
How can I help you ?   ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: lisafx on May 21, 2009, 17:19
Congrats on the milestone Tyler!  This is a great site and a benefit to everyone who participates :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: RT on May 21, 2009, 17:25
Congrats on the milestone Tyler!  This is a great site and a benefit to everyone who participates :)

Ditto.

I'm against the whole popularity vote thingy, but if I have to I'll vote for Tyler (Leaf) 
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: takestock on May 21, 2009, 17:25
It's nice to be nice - but now it pays also!
Congrats on the milestone.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: null on May 21, 2009, 21:42
100,000 post with an average of 10/mins per post, included reading, that's 1,000,000 minutes or 16,666 hours, 694 days, almost 2 years, or 6 years if you assume a working day of 8 hours. Paid 35,000$ per year that means 210,000$.

Assuming the production of a photo for stock takes 1hr, included planning, taking, postprocessing, uploading and nagging about it when it doesn't sell well, that's a loss of over 16,000 photos for stock.

Adding the indirect effect of unemployed girls with headsets, the lower sales of headsets as props, the CO2 footprint and the energy bill, it's clear who caused the economy crisis.  ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: Suljo on May 21, 2009, 22:03
While Im reading and see this hart I have hart attack  :)
I know my posts are puke to iStock and I am on list to ignore but Ignore list is more visible that this hearth sign beside Quote.
Why ignore mark beside guages anyhow???
Blahhhh
dont listen me any more, its real morning and I dont know what I am talking...
Surely not Cmon (moan) iStock lovers clik on my hearh symbol...
kh kh
Tomorow I must buy additional Omega 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 22 for my hearth, or lenses too....
 ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: Magnum on May 22, 2009, 03:17
While Im reading and see this hart I have hart attack  :)
I know my posts are puke to iStock and I am on list to ignore but Ignore list is more visible that this hearth sign beside Quote.
Why ignore mark beside guages anyhow???
Blahhhh
dont listen me any more, its real morning and I dont know what I am talking...
Surely not Cmon (moan) iStock lovers clik on my hearh symbol...
kh kh
Tomorow I must buy additional Omega 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 22 for my hearth, or lenses too....
 ;D


What ignore mark?    Try waking up and clear your cache ;)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: lephotography on May 25, 2009, 12:30
Congratulations Tyler! How exciting on getting a sponsorship. YEY!!!    ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on May 25, 2009, 14:40
Have we reached 100k already?
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on May 26, 2009, 06:18
we are at 99,288 posts
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: Peiling on May 26, 2009, 06:41
wah...that's nice ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 02, 2009, 07:10
Just thought i would give this a bump for anyone who hasn't seen it already.

There is still two weeks left, so anyone can still win.

And remember to give a blue heart as thanks to those who are posting helpful things.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on June 05, 2009, 15:05
I have only 9 useful posts.  I feel useless!   :'(
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 09, 2009, 14:39
6 days to go on this.  The results are still pretty close so anyone could win... and remember to vote for those who you think are making helpful posts.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 16, 2009, 04:54
Congrats to everyone who took part and especially to the winners who made some great posts.  Nice to see members who have contributed a lot to the site place well, and also great to see a new member steal third place :).  The winners are........

1st Place ($100): lisafx          
2nd Place ($25): Whitechild    
3rd Place ($25): Catastrophe    


The winners should be getting an email soon telling you how to claim your prize.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: gostwyck on June 16, 2009, 05:08
Well done Lisa! Very well deserved too, I also appreciate your input here.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on June 16, 2009, 05:32
My usefulness is still very low.

I will sue MSG to pay my therapist.   ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 16, 2009, 05:39
My usefulness is still very low.

I will sue MSG to pay my therapist.   ;D

well the max was only 39 so there wasn't too many people clicking on the blue hearts.  I think you should be happy for every one you got :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: sharply_done on June 16, 2009, 09:03
Congrats to everyone who took part and especially to the winners who made some great posts.  Nice to see members who have contributed a lot to the site place well, and also great to see a new member steal third place :).  The winners are........

1st Place ($100): lisafx          
2nd Place ($25): Whitechild    
3rd Place ($25): Catastrophe    


The winners should be getting an email soon telling you how to claim your prize.

Catastrophe? Are you serious?

Pardon me, but I've been around here for a while and have never heard of that person. Looking at his/her profile shows that (s)he's made only six posts over the course of four days and hasn't been on the forum since May 21. And for that a prize is awarded over others who are regular and long time contributors?
Sorry, leaf, but you gave third place to someone who clearly doesn't deserve it.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: runamock on June 16, 2009, 09:49
Nice to see that Lisa has been recognised for her valuable input  into this site. Well done!
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: bittersweet on June 16, 2009, 09:50
Pardon me, but I've been around here for a while and have never heard of that person.

I had the same thought. The first two were expected, but when I got to the third name, I said "huh? who?"

Congrats, Lisa...well deserved! :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with
Post by: astrocady on June 16, 2009, 10:07
Pardon me, but I've been around here for a while and have never heard of that person.

I had the same thought. The first two were expected, but when I got to the third name, I said "huh? who?"

Congrats, Lisa...well deserved! :)

Like they said --- especially about congrats to Lisa.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: Dreamframer on June 16, 2009, 10:35
Congratulations Lisa! :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on June 16, 2009, 18:56
Congrats to everyone who got some hearts, but especially of course to Lisafx and Whitechild.  I don't remember Catastrophe (what a nick...), but congrats anyway - some people must be grateful to him/her.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: m@m on June 16, 2009, 21:34
Congrats Lisa!, you too Whitechild, well deserved you guys...I've no idea who the other one is, but good for you anyhow.  ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: thomasw on June 16, 2009, 23:03
Congrats to Lisa and Whitchild but the third really I would have expected the Hippy ;D
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: goldenangel on June 17, 2009, 01:04
Congratulations to Lisa and Whitechild! Well deserved!

Catastrophe was the person who wrote the funny text describing every single post on the IS forum.  At least almost everybody agreed it was funny :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 17, 2009, 01:23
Congrats to everyone who took part and especially to the winners who made some great posts.  Nice to see members who have contributed a lot to the site place well, and also great to see a new member steal third place :).  The winners are........

1st Place ($100): lisafx          
2nd Place ($25): Whitechild    
3rd Place ($25): Catastrophe    


The winners should be getting an email soon telling you how to claim your prize.


Catastrophe? Are you serious?

Pardon me, but I've been around here for a while and have never heard of that person. Looking at his/her profile shows that (s)he's made only six posts over the course of four days and hasn't been on the forum since May 21. And for that a prize is awarded over others who are regular and long time contributors?
Sorry, leaf, but you gave third place to someone who clearly doesn't deserve it.



I didn't choose anyone.  The winners were determined by how many people clicked their posts as helpful.  I just accepted the results that came in.  I checked Castatrophe's reputation and the clicks were all from different people most of which have been around here a long time.  He got his clicks from a very popular post in this thread
http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/every-single-post-on-the-istock-forum/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/every-single-post-on-the-istock-forum/)

Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: sharply_done on June 17, 2009, 01:41
Yes, that joke post was so much more helpful than the 4000+ posts madelaide has made.
You were absolutely right in not exercising common sense to overrule Catastrophe's third place finish. I'm sure most people feel the same way.

And yes, I agree - you didn't choose anyone. But perhaps you should have.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: Dreamframer on June 17, 2009, 04:43
Thank you people!

Catastrophe is probably just one of the several nicknames of the same person, who didn't want to post about IS using his usual nickname. I personally think his post was interesting and funny, but it wasn't really useful. On the other side, we didn't have to click on hearts if we don't think his post is useful. So, it's not his fault and probably Leaf can't take the prize from him just like that.
Anyway, I think that person who took 4. place should take the price instead of him. If that's Adelaide, even better. (Sorry Catastrophe, but I am sure you will agree with me that your post WAS funny, but not very helpful).
Maybe Leaf could check IP address of Catastrophe, and determine who is he anyway.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: leaf on June 17, 2009, 04:51
Yes, that joke post was so much more helpful than the 4000+ posts madelaide has made.
You were absolutely right in not exercising common sense to overrule Catastrophe's third place finish. I'm sure most people feel the same way.

And yes, I agree - you didn't choose anyone. But perhaps you should have.



The prize won't be taken away from Catasrophe just so that is clear.  Perhaps another time we can make a competition where a user must have a minimum amount of posts or something. 

It is a shame more people didn't vote on which posts they thought were helpful, that was perhaps the real problem.  I also think it would have been nice if madelaide could have won something as she has given a lot to the community.  She was given a total of 11 useful post marks - 4 of those votes from me.  If you thought madelaide made useful posts, why didn't you vote any of her comments as useful sharply?

you can see the results here
http://www.microstockgroup.com/stats/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/stats/)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: fotografer on June 17, 2009, 05:50
Lol just looked at the stats and I'm the 3rd in the list for most time spent on line.  My computer is always on and I have all my stock sites and microstock group open constantly in tabs.
Ok so I'm obsessed :)
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: astrocady on June 17, 2009, 09:31
It is a shame more people didn't vote on which posts they thought were helpful, that was perhaps the real problem.  I also think it would have been nice if madelaide could have won something as she has given a lot to the community.  She was given a total of 11 useful post marks - 4 of those votes from me.  If you thought madelaide made useful posts, why didn't you vote any of her comments as useful sharply?

I agree 100%, Tyler.  We can only blame ourselves for not voting.  I know that I should have voted more. 
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: sharply_done on June 17, 2009, 10:06
... If you thought madelaide made useful posts, why didn't you vote any of her comments as useful sharply? ...
I tried, but every time I did I wasn't allowed to because I had to wait 15 minutes. After only a few votes I stopped clicking on the heart.
Title: Re: Microstockgroup reaches 100,000 posts -> B&Hphoto sponsors celebration with $150
Post by: madelaide on June 17, 2009, 16:21
Wow, guys, I'm flattered that you thought of me, but although I do write a lot (too much?) my posts aren't necessarily helpful (and if 4 of my 11 votes came from Leaf, it only adds to this conclusion). And if people voted for Catastrophe for just a single thread, it means that thread was appreciated by many - even if not actually helpful business-wise, it was something people liked, and therefore people clicked the heart. 

But don't worry, I will keep on posting too much.   ;D