Competitions Discussion Thread Part 7

tinkerbe11

sorry if this has been mentioned before.
just thought i'd point out that it is near impossible to sort the 'game over' board by thread title. i'm entering comps that close today as i have not had time until now, so it would help if comps were not moved to game over until they really are finished.

and a big thank you to divadee for sorting out the thread titles in the main forum. makes things so much easier!

ginjim

tinkies i dont think that really is an issue because no doubt the newly moved comps would be at the start of the game over thread so search is pretty damned easy

Vercingetorix

The date format example given in the "Urgent" sticky is ambiguous, and may mean day-first or month-first. This may need clarification for future posters.

I've probably come a bit late to the conversation to say this, but I suggest that the date format should be month-first, (or even better, year-first, but I'm sure the number of competitions that are open for long enough for this to be an issue is minimal). If we use day-first, then sorting by title ascending will give an order like this:

first of January
first of February
first of March
second of January
second of February
...

This is OK if one is looking for today, and today only, but if (for example) a user wants to enter all the competitions for the coming weekend, because they will be without access, they will have to go through all the other months that have open competitions ending on (e.g.) the third of the month, before getting to the third of the current month.

Looking at the list, as is, it's probably overkill, as the 01-Oct section still starts on the first page, but this issue becomes significant as the year draws on, with more competitions due to end in early months next year, there will be more pages to scroll through until reaching the current month.

lilias

Vercingetorix wrote: »

The date format example given in the "Urgent" sticky is ambiguous, and may mean day-first or month-first. This may need clarification for future posters.

I've probably come a bit late to the conversation to say this, but I suggest that the date format should be month-first, (or even better, year-first, but I'm sure the number of competitions that are open for long enough for this to be an issue is minimal). If we use day-first, then sorting by title ascending will give an order like this:

first of January
first of February
first of March
second of January
second of February
...

This is OK if one is looking for today, and today only, but if (for example) a user wants to enter all the competitions for the coming weekend, because they will be without access, they will have to go through all the other months that have open competitions ending on (e.g.) the third of the month, before getting to the third of the current month.

Looking at the list, as is, it's probably overkill, as the 01-Oct section still starts on the first page, but this issue becomes significant as the year draws on, with more competitions due to end in early months next year, there will be more pages to scroll through until reaching the current month.

Well, if they really couldn't face that they would have to resort to google, using e.g

"E:01/02" site:moneysavingexpert.com

ginjim

Vercingetorix wrote: »

The date format example given in the "Urgent" sticky is ambiguous, and may mean day-first or month-first. This may need clarification for future posters.

I've probably come a bit late to the conversation to say this, but I suggest that the date format should be month-first, (or even better, year-first, but I'm sure the number of competitions that are open for long enough for this to be an issue is minimal). If we use day-first, then sorting by title ascending will give an order like this:

first of January
first of February
first of March
second of January
second of February
...

This is OK if one is looking for today, and today only, but if (for example) a user wants to enter all the competitions for the coming weekend, because they will be without access, they will have to go through all the other months that have open competitions ending on (e.g.) the third of the month, before getting to the third of the current month.

Looking at the list, as is, it's probably overkill, as the 01-Oct section still starts on the first page, but this issue becomes significant as the year draws on, with more competitions due to end in early months next year, there will be more pages to scroll through until reaching the current month.

whatever you look for there will be flaws
this method is only for use with those that are looking for comps ending tomorrow
nothing else
if however you want to look for others then a fine search wil ldo the trick

isitenough

I have to say that I tried the advice given here ( and in the wonderful sticky, thanks velvetglove!) and sorting by threat title, descending and from the beginning works a treat, all the 'coming days' comps were at the very end of the pages but that's all good, they were ordered and I just (using FF) opened new tabs within the original page (right clicking) them all to check what I had and hadn't entered. It's easy when you know how! It can be really very simple if you take the time to read, learn and experiment.
And as for the dates situation, since when do we put month first over here in good old blighty?

At the end of the day, if you want to enter a competition you'll make time and enter it. This is a forum for posting comps, not sorting through for people who can't be bothered to look themselves. (only a small proportion I understand, so no offence for the majority who work/very busy intended). An hour in the evening will sort out the comps for you that are soon to end. If you miss one, not the end of the world!
No system will work for everyone and make everyone happy so we tweak what we have and live with it. I, for one, am happy with it and love the work that all the BG's and everyone else does.

Just had to get that lot off my chest! (it's heavy enough already!! lol!)

Bygones and happy comping!

chocoholic123

josie301 wrote: »

I think it was Toni mentioned it previously, I have the updated FF 3.0.1 and couldn't get snap links to work, despite VG's help.

However my youngest brother (now known as god!! lol) was here today and has sorted it all out for me!

And snap links are pure genius!! I work through as comps are added, but missed 6pm-11pm but with snap links got through 6pages (25 threads per page) in about 45mins

I'm going to check what one he added to see if it helps you.

ok - it's this one http://uploaded.to/?id=oq30l8
snap links 0.0.5

I can't get this to work... is there an idiots guide to installing it please...?

kisto

Due to a number of posts recently I feel the need to post this. I hope that it does not offend (that is certainly not my intention).

Comping is meant to be a fun, hobby. It should be enjoyable. I feel that this forum has a really good friendly vibe (I know some other comping forums are far more regimented, restricted and definitely less welcoming).

Contributing to the community........

This forum only exists because of the generosity of those that use their own time voluntarily, to find comps, provide answers and generally get involved.

It takes a significant amount of time and effort to find competitions (especially ones that have not already been posted). On occasions I have spent an entire afternoon, painstakingly searching through hundreds and hundreds of google search results, only to find perhaps 5 comps to post. I willingly gave up my time to contribute back to this community. It's the least I can do, and it pleases me so much to read on the "I won forum", that someone has won from a competition I posted. Even now I don't feel I give enough back compared to some of the very generous members here and not forgetting the efforts of the board guides) .
Morally I just can't come in here, enter comps and win prizes without giving something back. That's how I am.

However, giving back to the community doesn't have to be about posting competitions, (I appreciate that it's hard going to find ones that haven't already been posted), but there is lots you can do quite easily and it costs you very little time:

- press the thanks button
- congratulate winners on the I won forum
- find winners lists and post them on the I won forum
- help with answers
- Help people that post asking questions in this thread
- Notify the BG's if a merge request is required for a duplicate competition
- notify the op if there is an problem with their link/post (e.g the comp has expired or the link is incorrect)
- Pop into the Compers Inn, say hi and have a chat (everyone is really friendly in there - Find out all about POLO-BINTS latest bowel movements....or lack of :rotfl: or ginjims ironing...or lack of :rotfl:).


....and I'm sure there's plenty more ways too (all of this is also probably mentioned throughout the comping guide brilliantly compiled by Velvet Glove ).

There is a lot more to this forum than the comps ending lists

If anyone wants to attempt searching via google for comps I'm quite happy to pass on how I go about searching (just drop me a PM or I'll reply here). I'm no expert and I'm not exactly this forums biggest competition poster but searching google is one way I have found comps to post!

So c'mon boost your comping karma and may the wins roll in.

sarahjanetandy

Well said Kisto! :T Totally in agreement. Took me a while to work out how to search for comps but i'm doing fine now and find it really easy. I must admit i prefered the comps ending list but if it doesn't come back then fair enough. I understand it's a big commitment to take on.
Thanks to everyone who contributes to this comps forum :beer: :j
It's really appreciated! :rolleyes:

princessmoneysaver

Here Here Kisto x