10 replies to this topic

[Taco Chopper]

Hi everyone, the new and improved Screenshot of the Week has been up and running for roughly three months now, and we're looking to hear your thoughts on the current contest schedule!

 

Currently, Screenshot of the Week happens fortnightly. This was decided upon initially to see if there was still interest in the contest - and to nobody's surprise, said interest has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Because of how things have progressed so far, we're considering changing Screenshot of the Week's schedule into a weekly format, as per the name.  

 

The contests would stay the same as they have been since Screenshot of the Week started again - the only difference is that contests would run for one week instead of two. 

Because of this, Screenshot of the Month would go from being bi-monthly, and back to a monthly format. This change may affect Screenshot of the Month, as well as any candidates for Screenshot of the Year positively as well - currently, the remaining four Screenshot of the Months contests are set to have either 5 or 4 entries each. It's a minor detail, but it could leave people feeling disadvantaged if they end up in a Screenshot of the Month contest with five contestants instead of a contest with four.

 

Anyway, please leave your thoughts down below, as well as any questions you might have around the current schedule! I've made a poll as well if you just want to give a yes or no answer.

 

If feedback is strongly in favour of it, we'll be looking to change the schedule to a weekly format starting with Screenshot of the Week 780.

[Colin]

Sounds good to me if there's enough engagement.

[Taco Chopper]

Sounds good to me if there's enough engagement.

That's been the biggest factor of all.

The screenshot banking has been used somewhat, but the bulk of the Screenshot of the Week submissions usually drop in the weekend prior to the next contest starting.
With that in mind, if that's the best way for people to submit screenshots, then that will probably work if the contest schedule changes back to weekly.

[Architect Abdiel]

Make it daily.

[Twilight Knight]

That's been the biggest factor of all.

The screenshot banking has been used somewhat, but the bulk of the Screenshot of the Week submissions usually drop in the weekend prior to the next contest starting.
With that in mind, if that's the best way for people to submit screenshots, then that will probably work if the contest schedule changes back to weekly.

I know it's not a difficult concept to grasp (bi-weekly), but still I have trouble remembering when the next SotW is. If it is weekly I know that I could submit something every week, as simple as that.

 

At least it's worth a shot to try the old-school weekly schedule again and we could always still go back to the bi-weekly format of course

[Anthus]

I feel like it can be weekly like it was, but if there aren't enough submissions, just delay it a week. SotM could be either the contest from that calendar month, or just every four SotWs imo.

[Twilight Knight]

I feel like it can be weekly like it was, but if there aren't enough submissions, just delay it a week. SotM could be either the contest from that calendar month, or just every four SotWs imo.

Hmm yes that is a clever idea as well

And perhaps we could still utilise a banking system of sorts? Then people with multiple screens to submit can just submit them in advance
I will try to make use of that a lot if that's going to be a thing

[Taco Chopper]

The banking system will remain even if we shift back to a weekly contest - and so will the limit on entries per week.

They haven't been utilised as much as I expected, but they're still good guidelines to have in place.

I have submissions from one user starting from Screenshot of the Week 774 all the way up to SotW 796. If people want to submit a heap of entries at once, then by all means you're welcome to - it's what the Dropbox is there for!

Another remark about the contest limits is that we may consider reducing the maximum entries per contest from six down to four or five - particularly if there's a consistent lack of entries other week. The reduced length of contests may mean that not everyone will have the time to make up a screen on a weekly basis, so it might be a good way to keep the contests happening on a regular basis.

This also means submissions won't be sitting in the Dropbox for a fortnight at minimum, and will be in a contest sooner rather than later too

SotM will definitely be a monthly contest again. If there are any SotWs delayed for whatever reason, the potential for it being the last four SotW winners makes sense too. It feels situational, and hopefully we don't need to go down that path yet

[Twilight Knight]

I have submissions from one user starting from Screenshot of the Week 774 all the way up to SotW 796

Trooper!

[Mitchfork]

Another remark about the contest limits is that we may consider reducing the maximum entries per contest from six down to four or five - particularly if there's a consistent lack of entries other week. The reduced length of contests may mean that not everyone will have the time to make up a screen on a weekly basis, so it might be a good way to keep the contests happening on a regular basis.

I think this makes sense. 

 

As above just echoing that this would be great if the activity supports it and I hope I can provide some screenage.

[Taco Chopper]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. For the foreseeable future, Screenshot of the Week will be returning to a weekly format!

 

I will look to update the SotW schedule and SotW rules and information threads accordingly, while I will make note of additional changes that are affected by this schedule change in the updates and announcements thread as well.

 

Because of the schedule change, the weekly format will start with Screenshot of the Week 779, and not 780 as previously suggested. This just makes more sense considering 778 is just about to finish, as well as the schedule change that will happen with Screenshot of the Month as a result of this as well.