With the year closing out under a new SotW schedule, we'd like to get some feedback from you all and pin down the ideal schedule for the contest going forward. How do you think this current schedule is working out? Would you like to see anything done differently? If you like, you can use this as an opportunity to give general feedback on how the contest could be run more smoothly. But please vote for your preferred schedule from the following options.
Twice Monthly Schedule
This is the schedule we're currently using. Under this schedule, there are two contests every month, which take place on the first and third full weekends of each month. This means that if a weekend is split between two months, such as the 31st on Saturday and the 1st on Sunday, we'll skip that week and do the next one. Effectively, this means that contests are usually every two weeks, but there will sometimes be a three week gap. One advantage to this is that it ensures a regular amount of entries in Screenshot of the Month contests, which translates to fair and organized monthly and yearly contests.
Bi-weekly Schedule
Under this schedule, contests would take place every two weeks, regardless of where that weekend falls. Some have suggested they prefer this schedule because the twice monthly schedule can be confusing, and sometimes lead to too large a gap between contests.
Weekly Schedule
This is the old style, where contests take place every Sunday. I'm including this here in case people strongly prefer it, but my personal observation is that we don't have the entries to support it, and contests are more active and exciting when we wait at least two weeks. Because of a lack of entries, this often resulted in waits of at least two weeks anyway, so this schedule could really mean "as soon as we have enough entries." Personally, I'd like to avoid this one, but if a strong majority thinks this is still the best way, then it's still an option.
If we go with the twice monthly schedule, Screenshot of the Month would take place regularly every two months, with an even four entries, resulting in six shots for Screenshot of the Year. If we go with either of the other two, we'll likely need to make some judgment calls on when to run these contests, which may result in uneven monthly contests or SotY brackets. It's hardly the biggest deal, but it could mean that some contestants are at a disadvantage if they're placed in a bracket with five people instead of four, or something.
Anyway, please give this a vote and leave your thoughts.