I'm not sure. Raising the level for Photo and not others would open another issue... why would there be different standards for different categories? I don't know if that's bad or not... but it's basically saying it's easier to score (or some are easier) in some types than others. That alone could insult the people in the "easy" category.

The only problem with picking an arbitrary number like 60, 65 or 70 is that it does not allow for vote creep.
(Either up or down)

If there are a lot of entries like in the photography (as an example only) that score above the number, there could be a lot of what may be perceived of as lesser entries getting TP.

If you apply some form of the formula using the Top score and the 7th to arrive at a mean (as I suggested in a previous post) the issue of a great number of entries score above the picked number is taken into account. This would also mean that there would only be one value to use determined by the formula.

Having different cut off values in the various contest, in my mind can, only lead to a continuing argument on how the value is picked.

Personally I think that you are giving way too many talent points for an entry. Someone putting in 3 entries that score talent points would already be Level 7 and they may only just be Top 10 entries.
Lets look at the Focus Stacking Macro photography contest as an example. As it is now the talent points given were 140 between the top 7 entries. For the proposed system the top 16 entries would share talent points, first 3 entries alone would get 190+ between them. Without adding it all up properly, it would seem that 800 talent points will be given for that contest only.
In the Steam photography contest on the other hand only the Top 5 would have scored. The talent points "given away" would still have been 220+.
So much for earning points the hard way like before, now they are just being thrown at you. I agree to reward higher scoring entries but it has to be within reason.

I would halve (at least) what is being offered and add a bonus for finishing Top 3 (possibly 15 for first, 10 for second and 5 for third). It is a contest after all and the winners should be rewarded, otherwise we may as well just post images in albums and have members vote for them.

I think we shouldn't be too hasty at changing this until it is all worked out properly as once points are awarded they can't be taken back.

solkee wrote:I think we shouldn't be too hasty at changing this until it is all worked out properly as once points are awarded they can't be taken back.

I second that

wazowski wrote:

solkee wrote:I think we shouldn't be too hasty at changing this until it is all worked out properly as once points are awarded they can't be taken back.

I second that

I third that...

I guess I'll fourth that... but it's basically what some have been saying since the beginning of the thread

I'll fifth that

As well as retract anything I have said about a formula approch in any changes . Looking over the last set of contests it would not really work. As either there where too few entries or the range in the scores in the top 7 would result in too many extra points being given to entries that would not deserve them.

Using a set figure of say 70% to award some token talent points (something less than 7th place) would only have affected the Anything Goes contest and then only awarded points to about 10th or 11th place.

All other contests the 7th place entry was less than 70% so no addtional points would be given.

Perhaps adjusting the vote power as I said in this thread viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4515
is a place to start rather than messing with the status quo in TP

The more I think about the idea of giving TP on a sliding scale for entries 65% and over the more I like it. I feel we will not only get more entries, but in the long run better too. I'm sure many members look at contest and think, I have got a really good entry for this contest, but won't make the 1st 7, so will save it for an other time.
I'm sure it will also make people enter better entries,when they have a chance of gaining points even if they don't get in the top 7. Might even get them looking closer at winning entries and learn from them.
Vibeke

i like the idea of keeping the system as near as possible to what we have now. i would like to see (10) bonus points awarded to any member who finishes in the top 5 of a contest, with a score equal to or greater than their current average score.

MrM, have you made changes to the talent point system? Seems like I see a difference.