nominations

[Laurel]

All of the votes prior to the intalation of the scripts were in a format that couldn't be transferred to the new database. I'm not quite sure exactly why that is the case, but I'll take Laurel's statement that it is so.

This is how I understand it, though my tech knowledge is far from complete...The old story voting was done via a script in some language, and the voting info was recorded in a proprietary format (I think). The new voting script stores the voting information in a database. The two are not compatible enough to transfer the data over - it's two entirely different systems. And because the new voting is so secure, there isn't a way to manually "add votes" to a story, so I can't even move over the old votes totals by hand. We've spent the last few months trying to figure out workaround, but none exists. Ah, technology...

Neither of us are programmers. We're just two people trying to run a little site that isn't so little anymore. We've never been involved in the creation of anything like this new script, so there's bound to be hiccups, bugs, and errors. The good news is that we're learning as we go. The better news is that the new script will allow us to offer so many cool things.

We've only just begun - what you see now is the bare bones. As we speak, the three of us (me, Manu, and the programmer dude) are working out the bugs in the system and doing our best to make it faster and more sturdy. We're also putting into play the suggestions and ideas from all of you. Once the backbone is there, we can begin adding new features, such as additions to the profile areas and monthly contests with cash prizes. Because Manu and I don't have a large staff (or any staff, for that matter), things take longer than we'd like, but they do happen.

The loss of the vote totals is IMHO the saddest part of the switchover, but the advantages of the new system are so great that it makes up for that loss. This week I plan on posting a "Hall of Fame" listing the top 100 or so stories from before the changeover so that those will get their due.

Thanks a ton for all of your suggestions - keep em coming!

 

[Laurel]

Re: ok

thanks Weird Harold, I understand this better now. I does seem a shame about the old votes. In some way they may have been very accurate since not many people had been voting down the stories then. I remember the top twenty never seemed to change.

Nah...people are voting as they've always voted. The reason the top votes change so much now is that the system hasn't been in place very long. After a while, you'll start to notice that certain stories will hover at the top. Newer stories will pop up above them with 10 votes, then sink down the list. That's how it's always worked. It's easy to be in the top 10 with 10 votes. It's much harder to have 500 votes and will be there.

 

[Fred H.]

The loss of the vote totals is IMHO the saddest part of the switchover, but the advantages of the new system are so great that it makes up for that loss. This week I plan on posting a "Hall of Fame" listing the top 100 or so stories from before the changeover so that those will get their due.

that's a coool idea!

 

[Fred H.]

was just looking at the nomination forum and noticed many of the nominations have been made by names that have only 1 to 3 posts under that name. Does this suggest that these are duplicate nominations made by someone promoting their own stories? Would it not be best to remove all these type of nominations particularly when it is the same story over and over again?

When I see someone who has 50 to 1000 posts under a name I would consider that a valid nomination.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I would prefer to infer that the people with one or two posts under their names just clicked on the Nominate your favorites link on Lit's front page.

There are over 10,000 registered bulletin board posters. Most of them don't post. Very few of them have high totals. From what I understand from the things Laurel has let slip, she gets at least 3 times that number of hits every day.

 

[Weird Harold]

was just looking at the nomination forum and noticed many of the nominations have been made by names that have only 1 to 3 posts under that name. Does this suggest that these are duplicate nominations made by someone promoting their own stories?

That thought has crossed my mind also.

There is a more likely explanation, though. That forum is set so guests cannot post a nomination. The majority of nominations from "virgins" is because they felt strongly enough about what they wanted to nominate that they took the time to register.

 

[Fred H.]

There is a more likely explanation, though. That forum is set so guests cannot post a nomination. The majority of nominations from "virgins" is because they felt strongly enough about what they wanted to nominate that they took the time to register.

yes, this would be the best case, but after reading this whole thread from page one, the likelihood of best case occurring is small.

Also very few nominations are occurring, and I suspect the voting will generate less interest. Why not cut out the two step process and have the selections made directly. I still am of the opinion that the whole years voting should have been tallied and then the best selections made. This I understand is impossible due to technical problems, unless the site moderators do it manually at a great expense to their time.

Just being a fanatic here for fairness to all the authors that have submitted some very good works earlier in the year (99). Possibly a panel of senior members of Literotica including all the previous years winners and all editors should unbiased select the best works.

 

[Whispersecret]

You know, I thought that about the virgin nominators too. But some of them nominated my story, and I know I'm{/] not nominating myself.

Basically, this isn't the Oscars, and we don't have an accountant firm guarding the validity of the voting process. I'm not sure that a panel of readers is going to be feasible, even if it is a good idea. The volume of stories is so great that I doubt anyone has the time or inclination to read all the '99 stories. I'd sort of have trouble with that anyway. Who would be on the panel? What would qualify them as judges? I think the appeal of the Lit Awards is that it's decided by the readers. Voting gives them a sense of ownership of the site. I could be wrong, but I think that's what Laurel and Manu are going for here.

 

[WriterDom]

It seems kinds snobbish to me to question a voter's validity on the number of posts on the discussion boards. I was a reader of the stories long before I began posting stories and poems, and even later I got drawn to the boards. I've introduced two people to this site that contribute, but have shown no interest in becoming active readers or posters on the board. I know of two people that joined just to nominate me. One was the subject of my trail of roses story, and the other is my current muse I would hope no one would stoop so low to nominate themselves.

 

[HSWriter]

From what I've seen so far guys, the nominations are valid. My only problem is that there are some categories in the nominations that are getting little to no attention. I see the "Sexiest Author" threads have boomed, as have the top categories, such as "Story of the Year", "Best Incest Story", and a select few others; while some categories, such as "Best Mature Story", "Best Erotic Review", and numerous others, have maybe 1 to 5 nominations in them. And the real problem is that these nominations are all for the same story. I think that we should not just be looking at the main categories. I know people read this stories, and I think that if you read these stories, then you should take the time to nominate your favorites..


Thats all I got..

 

[Weird Harold]

...and numerous others, have maybe 1 to 5 nominations in them. And the real problem is that these nominations are all for the same story.

Laurel explained that the top four stories in each category would be voted on when nominations end. What happens to categories with fewer than four nominations?

Will the sole niminee win by default, or will there be no award in that category?

 

[HSWriter]

... What happens to categories with fewer than four nominations?

Will the sole niminee win by default, or will there be no award in that category?

If I remember correctly from last year, if a category didn't get enough nominations, then no award was given.. but, as I remember it, every category had enough last year, so that did not cause a problem...

Don't quote me on that... we'll have to get Laurel's final say because that issue is yet to be addressed...

 

[Laurel]

If a category receives less than 4 nominations, then those nominations are what are voted on. If there's only one story or author nominated, then that nomination will probably stand a good chance of winning.

 

[HSWriter]

The great Laurel has spoken... let us all fall to our knees and kiss her feet... then her calves... then her thighs.. then... um... oh... gotta go...

 

[Fred H.]

It seems kinds snobbish to me to question a voter's validity on the number of posts on the discussion boards.

It seems kinds snobbish to me to question a voter's validity on the number of posts on the discussion boards.

Not snobby, but the number of posts over a span of time do indicate that the "screen identity" is a valid person. Forgive me -- but I see several ID's with only 1 to 3 posts under their name, for the same story in several categories that look to be one person re-nominating their own work.

Also why is there so little interest from the more active posters on the forums for the stories? With a larger participation the error or corruption in voting would not make a difference.

One way to get more voting done is to close all but the nomination forum for a day and then you might see more action on voting.

 

[Fred H.]

It seems kinds snobbish to me to question a voter's validity on the number of posts on the discussion boards.

It seems kinds snobbish to me to question a voter's validity on the number of posts on the discussion boards.

Not snobby, but the number of posts over a span of time do indicate that the "screen identity" is a valid person. Forgive me -- but I see several ID's with only 1 to 3 posts under their name, for the same story in several categories that look to be one person re-nominating their own work.

Also why is there so little interest from the more active posters on the forums for the stories? With a larger participation the error or corruption in voting would not make a difference.

One way to get more voting done is to close all but the nomination forum for a day and then you might see more action on voting.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Also why is there so little interest from the more active posters on the forums for the stories?

Unfortunately, many of us active posters don't regularly read the stories. There was a thread awhile back where several people said something like: it was the stories that brought me here, but the bulletin boards that keep me coming back. I only read the stories sporadically, myself, so I don't feel qualified to vote.

One way to get more voting done is to close all but the nomination forum for a day and then you might see more action on voting.

That wouldn't work. People who are interested in voting have done so. You can't force people to vote. Closing the other forums would just piss everyone off and probably result in some extra messing around with the nominations out of pure boredom and frustration.

 

[Fred H.]

Opps I sent that last message twice... sorry.

Yes I agree, closing the forums would anger the members. It's a bit like closing the bars on election day. Mind you it would get their attention.

I think you are fully qualified to vote, even if you have read only a few stories. If you like the story then nominate it. You might make some poor writers day.

I wonder if some members are waiting to the last minute to vote?

 

[WriterDom]

Fred, 11,400 of the 12,600 members have less than 7 posts on the discussion boards.

You have posts 9 all on this thread. Why haven't we seen you nominate anyone? or are you doing it under your other names?

If you have specific concerns about someone cheating, than why not get it out in the open. We are adults here.

 

[Lil-Brandi]

My 2¢ worth!

I just want to say, it would be nice to receive an award, but, the emails of compliments that I receive daily, are all the award I ever need. My award is just the simple fact of knowing, that folks are reading my stories. Thank you!!!

 

[Fred H.]

Fred, 11,400 of the 12,600 members have less than 7 posts on the discussion boards.

You have posts 9 all on this thread. Why haven't we seen you nominate anyone? or are you doing it under your other names?

If you have specific concerns about someone cheating, than why not get it out in the open. We are adults here.

understand the 7 posts idea.

yes, this is the only thread I post on and I'm not interested in general interaction on the forum. I did post under my name unregistered and then registered all on this heading. I was going to post under the nomination forum but did not understand that you had to be registered. So I posted here as a guest.
yes, I will vote near the closing date. No I have not post under a different name. Yes I have concerns about the whole process being as fair as possible. That's what I have been discussing here.

 

[Madame Pandora]

Dom...by posting on a BB, isn't Fred bringing it right into the open? I don't feel there's any need to be snooty. If you didn't mean to be snooty, I'm sorry, but it sure reads that way.

I am sure that many people feel protective of Literotica and want to defend its integrity. Nothing I've seen in this thread threatens that. It just discusses possibilities and ways to improve, and things to be wary of. I don’t see any cause for defensiveness about it.

I, for one, was glad that Fred brought this thread up. It made me keep a closer eye on my story ratings and totals. Granted, I only have a few submissions, but I like to gauge my stories reception not only on emails, but also on the numbers. I don't care what ranking it is, but I do like to know what people are voting and, if possible, why they are voting that way. Now, once I get my other stories published, I’ll be able to keep a close eye on the numbers from day one, and I’ll have some idea of what I’m keeping track of.

I think this is a good thing to talk about, without accusations or such. Hell, the best way to learn about how to protect your site is to brainstorm about how/why people are cheating.

And Fred, whether you vote or register or not, your input is valid. Unless I am much mistaken, there is no prerequisite for posting an idea, issue, or concern, on the board.

MP

 

[WriterDom]

MP, what an honor to be called snooty by someone who wrote an essay on losing .03 points over night
just kidding, and I know you said I only sounded snooty

Fred made the same point 4 or 5 times. By getting it out in the open, I mean, lets name names.

I'm sure by the end of the month there will be enough nominations in each category that even if someone cheated to get nominated, their story would get judged own it's merits. Last time I looked the highest Big Dick story was 300 and something and remember all the paranoia about the series taking over the top 20 list?

 

[Madame Pandora]

Dom ;-) Oh, Bite me (but gently) I can take any shot followed by a smile. I will retort with a cyber raspberry if your don't mind, though, so pfffffffffffffffft.
;P

Anyway, I guess my thing is that naming names isn't important to me. I'm not so concerned with if it's happening NOW. But, certainly it is interesting that it COULD happen and discuss ways to prevent it.

I don't think that looking for "holes in the armor" of things is necessarily a focus on the negative. Could some people be registering fake names to nominate, SURE. So, talking about how to prevent it in the future (not necessarily this year) is worth a go to me. Naming names...eehhh, you get into an ulgy area there.

Wait...did you call ME snooty for counting? Hey...I was an English major, baby, I have to use my toes to get to twenty, so when I am working with numbers, I'm just damn proud to be able to sound like I know what I'm talking about

MP

 

[Whispersecret]

Last time I looked the highest Big Dick story was 300 and something and remember all the paranoia about the series taking over the top 20 list?

I don't think it was paranoia. Someone was clearly manipulating the votes.