BFA Rules and Policies Guideline Discussion Discussion Topic @ AdlandPro Community

BFA Rules and Policies Guideline Discussion

Tue, 01 May 2007 15:26:09 GMT

Recently there's been some discussion about the rules, guidlines, procedures, and policies governing the BFA. This forum has been created in order to facilitate discussion regarding the BFA policies and procedures. Several posts have been moved here to keep the all discussions relevant to the contest.

Created By: michaeldelacruz

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Tue, 01 May 2007 18:54:42 GMT

DON'T NOMINAME
Birthdays, Celebrations, Names
The forum was rated 16

CONGRATULATIONS
APRIL WINNERS
1) JILL BACHMAN, Attitude Is Everything at 14%
2) KATHLEEN VANBEEKOM, Whammy! at 15.7%
3) DAVE COTTRELL, Focus on Facts at 4.7%
4) JOHN SANCHEZ, (Person of the week) at 5.2%
5) MARILYN MARTIN, The Power of Positive Thinking! at 4.7%
------------------------------

I thought there would be five (5) winners to go to the final
Thank you for the rating. I completelly understand

1) Birthdays, Celebrations, Names at 23.3%
2) Whammy! at 15.7%
3) Attitude Is Everything at 14%
4) Pauline Raina's Forums at 5.2%
4) Feature Of The Week! (Person of the week) at 5.2%
----------------------------------
6) The Power of Positive Thinking! at 4.7%
6) Focus on Facts at 4.7%
6)The NEW Welcome Wagon at 4.7%

I did not know that the committee couldn't count to 5.

I wonder why my forum is not amongst the 5 best forums. It seems that 1/4 of the votes on its first version directly from the members with all forums and hardest competense is not enough to be among the 5 best. Don't count me in another competition.

Why I say that!!! The committee rated this forum with 16
That can not be change.

Georgios
Created By: Genesis

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Tue, 01 May 2007 19:33:15 GMT

Hi Georgios,

The rues about forum selections have been provided before any forum has been nominated when contest was announced.

There are here

http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/638258.aspx

The voting was used only to select top 5 forums which then judges graded based on 5 criteria. Your total score was 16.

In your case number 16 means that you scored 16 points out of 25.

Read the reviews to understand how you can improve your forum in the future and ask questions before so you can understand what you are trying to win.

Although popularity of forum has bearing on its chances to win, the judges are determining which forum fits the criteria best.

Bogdan

Created By: adland

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Tue, 01 May 2007 20:12:25 GMT

Dear Bogdan,

Thank you for the comming in to make things clear. I accept the result and the rating as there are criteria to follow.

I did not expect to win, but I thought that my forum qualified to be one of five.

You said it with a nice quote in your forum.
"You can't win unless you learn how to lose."
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball player

I maybe am to old to compete. I have a bad condition and my heart can not make another run. It is better to keep out and support my friends instead.

Therefore GOOD LUCK TO ALL Competing friends. and I wish this forum all the best.

HAPPY NEW MONTH
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Thu, 03 May 2007 17:25:30 GMT

Hi, Georgios,

I can understand why you are so upset about the placing of your forums but you must remember that this was a competition to find the best forum that was nominated.

You gave a good effort at collecting votes but one of the aspects about your forums that will have lost you votes is simply that most of your posts are not your own work - they are copied and pasted from other sites - some of which may be copywrited.

There is no doubt in my mind that the winning order was accurate and reflected the effort that the forum owners had put into them.

By the way, please do not use health as an excuse for withdrawing - it sets a bad tone. I have had cancer for 50 years but it doesn't stop me doing what I enjoy.

Regards
The Old Coot

Created By: AWebster1

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Thu, 03 May 2007 19:25:30 GMT

Georgios,

I commend you for speaking up about this because it was very confusing prior to everyone's post explanations. Even those who listed were surprised after the final results were published.

This was the first go round of a new 'contest' and it should be expected to have some misunderstandings. I too sensed from the judge's comments that they were not really looking for the 'best' forum, but rather a forum that fit a particular professional appeal. The flavor will change as the judges change.

The guidelines are well written now and there shouldn't be any confusion for the next months. I understand the purpose of this contest now and it will more than likely set a good standard to follow when creating a professional forum.

Bogdan and Michael, I thank you for explaining the issue.

Georgios, if this were the 'most exciting forum' contest, you would have it cinched at the start as the poll indicated. And, your concession to the results was also quite admirable:

"Thank you for the comming in to make things clear. I accept the result and the rating as there are criteria to follow."

I hope that your health improves quickly so that this community will again have the pleasure of your presence and friendly interactivities. Be well.

~~~~

Michael, I apologize for replying in the nomination forum. It seemed necessary considering the circumstances.

Created By: myGetX2ONow

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Thu, 03 May 2007 21:25:49 GMT

I nominate John Sanshez, Forum as I second Joe Downing's nomination. This will be the next winning forum. Go John

This forum had and has the best contributors as hosts.
Members as Kathy Hamlton, LaNell, Venerina and Pauline.

Feature Of The Week!

Once a week we will feature an active member of AdlandPro who has a positive influence on our community.

Forum Owner: John Sanchez
Forum Link: Feature Of The Week! POTW
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/5236/ShowForum.aspx

Oh Arthur and Joe!
You want to discuss. Well I will not come inn here for a month so I can give you my explanatiosn

There is no meaning to vote: The votes did not count at all. At least they had no value in the last contest. Therefore I will not vote.
I know about deadlines. April 23rd.

I can count 1 2 3 4 5 Where is my forum? hehe. Was my forum one of 5 that qualified. Well my forum wasn't at 5th place.
I am not disappointed for not winning. I knew that from the beggining. A severe friend n the competion, was told by me that I am nbot going to win.

About the copy past. There was no compeating forum without copy past.
Can you point out one forum? I can't . There have been threads deleted in some forums for copy past withour having acceptance from the author and there ahave been added copywrite signs after being mentioend. I have evidence for that. And the forums.

Since November last year I have not posted anything witout asking the owner: One of my thread this year named Is given to me by person I dedicated it to and it is from her WebSite. All the other threads made this year are my own Ideas.

Yes I used pictures without Liscence and YouTube video clips where
I am a member.

The mystery forum is was not in the competion here. There I have lots of information that is not mine. Arthur you are Right! The Atlantis theory is not mine. The Philosophy coordiantes are not mine. The legends are not mine, THe Tales are not mine. They are Global heritage belonging to everyone and no one have the right to Copywrite Native Americans, Aristotle, The ancient Greeks, Indians, nor the mythology and legends and the tales which are subject that some people still live with them.

Last Point
I am honoured and very proud for having
the Montain of LOVE and Jill the Winner of the first winning Forum and Topic in AdlandPro as it started in My Mystery-Untold Truth forum long before Jill started it.

Special thanks to Keith Rankin my Aussie friend who sent me the story that later became a SUPER TOPICin Jill's forum. I have not learned to lie.
Here is the Link
THE UNDERWORLD EMPIRES - TELOS
Link: http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/545997.aspx
or click here

TeamMystery: The underground Empires -TELOS
Posted: 2006-12-17 02:55 PM

TeamMystery: The underground Empires -TELOS

by Georgios P.

Page: 1, 2 ... 46, 47, 48

by Georgios P.
2007-03-15 6:26 PM

238

2,693

There are friends talking about statistics. Here are the statistcs for this above topic. 238 post in less than 50 days. I was deleted at 30th of January and that topic did not survive. I WAS ATTACKED IN MY FORUM some days after so I could not support my forum. I vas blocked for a week and a month later I had to leave after my own choise to leave AdLandPro.

Jills forum stats

A Journey to the Mountain of Love
Posted: 2007-01-14 08:46 PM

A Journey to the Mountain of Love

by Jill B.

Page: 1, 2 ... 372, 373, 374

by Allyson L.
Today At 2:04 PM

1,867

22,469

So I am very proud for an idea of mine and Keith's contribution giving you you all to the pleasure to joy 2100 posts 24000 visits. The IDea was mine in my own forum.

Check my Topic above and you will understand seing the members in te team Why that topci had to stop.
Everytime I am to popular something happens so better be out of the events.

Go Jill you are unbeatable.
You will win the Big Revard in January

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 04:22:41 GMT

Hi Georgios,

I know you are disappointed, but your last post leaves me a little confused.

My forum Attitude is Everything with 123 threads and 3384 posts is the forum that won the award.

The Journey to a Mountain of Love is only one thread of this forum. This thread is based on my own web site The Mountain of Love.....A Spiritual Journey . Telos is only a small part of this web site, it has never been the focal point.

The focal point is about LOVE as Mt. Shasta is a sacred mountain that attracts worldwide pilgrimages and is known as a portal of the Christed energies.

Keith and I would have still been keeping your forum going, but it was taken down when you left Adland.

You may also recall emailing me saying that you and I were coming from two different perspectives.

Anyway, I just wanted to clarify this for our readers, and I very much enjoyed being active in your forum when it was alive.

Onward and upward..........your forums are great! Keep up the awesome work.

Cheers, Jill

Created By: pro3

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 16:31:41 GMT

Georgios,

I really cannot believe that you actually posted the following paragraph:-

The mystery forum is was not in the competion here. There I have lots of information that is not mine. Arthur you are Right! The Atlantis theory is not mine. The Philosophy coordiantes are not mine. The legends are not mine, THe Tales are not mine. They are Global heritage belonging to everyone and no one have the right to Copywrite Native Americans, Aristotle, The ancient Greeks, Indians, nor the mythology and legends and the tales which are subject that some people still live with them.

There is a huge difference between using reference works and web sites to create your own ideas and express them and taking what others have created, verbatim.

Many researchers allow their work to be used for other research and to be used by schools and other educational institutions and they trust, just like when they publish a book, that others will respect their ownership of that work.

Just becauses something is on a web site, and just because it is on a subject that you think might make a good forum, it does not entitle or licence you to steal that work (which is part of the owners intellectual capital) and present it as your own.

It is called plagiarism!

I don't know what the legalities are in the American system but there must be laws against 'knowingly or unwittingly' publishing copywrite material without the owners consent.

I'd hate to see Adland destroyed by such stupidity.

The Old Coot

Created By: AWebster1

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 17:51:53 GMT

To everyone,

AdlandPro member or not, in the US they have strict laws about plagiarism and we have seen evidence of the laws being used against offending college and university students, politicians, news reporters, and even high school students.

Some students have lost any chance to finish a college education by being expelled from a campus for plagiarism. Some have also had to pay hefty fines up to $150,000.00 per occurence.

Do a Google search for DMCA Notice and you'll see what is known as Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This is to serve as a helpful way to clean up plagiarism on the internet. Many companies, such as Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Paypal, MySpace, and maby others use this almost on a daily basis since they see so many cases of plagiarism with their intellectual property.

Here's a link to show a filing to Google from a company known as Kazaa.

http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi?NoticeID=789

The site, Chilling Effects, is like a library of cases of plagiarism being tracted by every possible source. They have more things than this but this is one catagory.

Chilling Effects Clearinghouse > DMCA Safe Harbor Provisions > Notices

If it is evident that plagiarism has occurred then there should be swift action to get rid of it. Those guilty should hang their head in shame and be gone.

It sets bad examples for others and some that see it think it's ok and they repeat what they see and they get burned they look at you, the example setter, as the culprit.

If you are guilty and get a notice act fast and remove it before you become a case in court and can lose everything you have.

Kenneth R Sword Jr

Created By: sword2drum

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 18:20:28 GMT

Hi Arthur and Kenneth,

This is quite awesome information. There is so much to learn
about what we can and can't post on public forums. Especially
when the case in most countries is that ignorance of the law is no
defence!

So does this mean that is ok to use a piece of another persons
work if you use it to illustrate a point and give the source? But
that is is not ok to do it without the source or back link - unless it
is expressly permitted or comes from something uncopyrightable
like the Bible?

When a site has a Copyright policy page - Does that override
everything? Even if you put the source.

For example, to use the point that Georgios raised earlier in his
link with reference to the Behind the Names site - if you copy
verbatim or nearly verbatim from another site without a source
credit, or in the case of that site's Copyright conditions a back
link, is that plagiarism? ( Irrespective of the quality of the
information copied.)

Having suffered from having some of my site used by others to benefit from our work - I would not wish to fall in the trap and do so to others!

Saludos
Jenny

Created By: 265830

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 18:38:05 GMT

Hi, Jenny,

This is one of those times when you cannot protect yourself too much. As Kenneth has said, the penalties can be ruinous!

The problem with the theft of intellectual property is that nobody but the owner thinks anything of it - and even they might do nothing, initially, because it is too much trouble. If the problem and thefts continue, the owner of the property will then be forced to act and even those that have been ignored in the past could find themselves in receipt of a writ.

It is very easy to ask for permission to use a quotation out of a book or off a web site. I have never been refused and, indeed, it enhances my reputation if I quote a source and give a back link to it.

The wholesale plundering of a site is a different matter all together and I can't see any author allowing that to go on for any longer than it takes him to get papers issued.

If you can find the web site you want to copy something out of, you must be equally able to find out who to ask for permission to do it.

It is called 'good manners'.

The Old Coot

p.s. Even if you credit the source and have a back link, if you do not have the author's permission, it is still plagiarism.

Created By: AWebster1

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:38:01 GMT

Perfect and Immortal

Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Total Posts: 394

Re: BFA Results: July, 2007
Posted: 08-20-2007 01:57 AM

winner can win only once,not twice like J Sanchez. So other members can win too.

http://kingdomgrant.org/perfect for Christ http://lifeinst.com [please use 15614 as u referral,ty]

Perfect and Immortal, I completely agree with you. Each person should only be allowed to win once per year, as to make it fair and give others a chance.

BUT, As it is, the same 3-4 people are going to win continually through out the year.

And NOT because their forum is the BEST, but because of WHO they are...

The judges eyes get blurry when judging their friends forums..

This is why I will not allow my forum to be in the nominations at this forum again.

I am just glad to see that others out there realize that this forum needs improved Rules and Fairness..

~Monica

Created By: mrssto

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:56:40 GMT

Hi Monica,

Good for you girl, tell them how it is as there are just too many arse lickers about!

Best Wishes

John.

Created By: 114695

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:35:46 GMT

After reading the Rules:

Visual Appeal

How your forum appeals to the eye. Factors considered will be things like use (or overuse) and selection of color, type/font style and size, photos and their quality/placement, readability, and relevance.

Originality

How unique is your forum in relation to other forums already out there? Does its idea mimic that of another successful forum? Do other forums mimic yours? Forums that are unique will gain high marks here.

Organization

Is the information you present laid out in a clear and easily readable manner? Does the flow of information make sense? How easy is it to locate additional resources if necessary? Does the ensuing conversation relate directly to the main topic or does it weave in an out of different unrelated topics?

Owner Interaction/Involvement

Forum owners should be directly involved in the forums nominated. You should be actively encouraging relevant discussion with thought-provoking questions and ideas. At the very least we want to see you as the forum owner taking an active role in your forum's development by making regular posts.

Professionalism

How professional is your forum? Do people come there to discuss your topic in a civilized manner? If conflicts erupt, how effective and diplomatic were you at dealing with such situations? Do you address your posters with respect for their ideas, opinions, and views? Are your posts positive in tone?

I still feel the same, as Georgios, Monica & John P.

I mean, if a person truly reads these rules, there is definetly, somebody somewhere (judge/judges's), who is very very prejudice to certain people

I would say BFA needs some new judges, maybe, new judges nominated each and every month.

But, who am I to say how you run your/Adland/whoever's forum it is. By the way, who's forum is it?

Created By: 325161

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:52:54 GMT

Monica, John P & Bj,

Thank you for your posts. Bogdan is on a 2 week holiday and will be back end of this month. From what I now know the judges are changed every month, they are not the same.

About winning more than once. I think that has been solved already, John has declined any further nominations and so will I, even though I have not won even once.

However, Bogdan makes the rules, so we will see what he has to say in this regard when he gets back.

Please remember that there is always room for improvement, and there is no situation that is a 'do or die' one. Be assured that this will be the case, and may I request you all to please make your point known in the politest possible way, there is no need for antagonism. This will be much appreciated.

Pauline R
BFA Moderator

Created By: 301079

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:50:13 GMT

Hello Everybody,

I just need to address some of the comments in this thread.

Regarding the same person having option to win more than once.
The gaol of the BFA is to motivate our members to produce quality, original and interesting forums.

If one person spends lots of time on community and produces several forums in different topic, why should this person be not allowed to participate every month. The good forum is good one no matter if this comes from the same person or not.

In fact in live certain people always produce best pieces in certain areas. Should they be denied recognition because other people need to be recognized.
Look at sport. Is the fastest runner denied to run again because he/she won last time?

Is the person denied to participate in several sports at the same time?

Regarding judging.

Every month we had one new judge added to the team and one replaced. This month we had two new judges replaced. In addition we have added additional criteria which is most voted forum.

This new criteria has 15% influence on the final mark so the voting can help now as much as 15%.

If your forum was voted as top 5 last month, you need to re-apply next month because the ones which were ahead of you, are becoming winners as we go.
Also judges are changing, thus they might have different look at the forum. Also your forum might improve.

If your forum wasn't in the top 5, you need to start working on it, if you care about being voted as top forum of the month.
Complaining at judges doesn't get anybody anywhere, at least in my world.
Nobody gets paid for it. Even their names are not mentioned.

Bogdan

Created By: adland

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 18:16:11 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Great attractive subject for a discussion. Reminds me a little of a 'Yarn Market' - they still have one in Dunster in Somerset UK - You know the sort of thing ~ Generally old men gathering together in a huddle sheltering from the weather and swopping tales of the unexpected gossip. "My story is better than yours" he said. "So there!"

I am truly delighted that this has not been banned because of the outright dissension that it contains. Is the unknown censor committee AWOL?

Speaking for myself I find the getting involved with adland forums of late is something that does not appeal to the busy debater when so many members 'take the hump'and rush off to complain when others disagree with them.

Still available for a good debate. (besides my own forum. )

Have a Great Day!

Peter aka The Old Duck.

PS: May the best forum win.

PPS: Just a minor technical point. Why am I getting mailed about a members forum threads when he is no longer on my friends list? A real P in the A that is.

Created By: 292553

Re: Best Forum Award Nomination: May 2007

Fri, 04 May 2007 15:52:52 GMT

Hi Joe:

Thanks for your post here and it's no problem posting in the nominees forum. We decided that there should be a dedicated thread for this topic so we moved all related discussion into here.

You are correct that with the first round of most anything, misunderstandings are bound to occurr. I've taken every measure I could think of and then some in order to keep confusion to a minimum but as you say, misunderstandings do occur. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

The BFA Policies and Procedures page has been revamped to be a little clearer in terms of how the contest is judged and the process that people will follow as contestants, nominees, top 5'ers, and winners.

I'm looking forward to the May round being much smoother and even more exciting. By the way, thanks for renominating your forum and good luck!

Regards,

Michael

Created By: michaeldelacruz

Re: BFA Rules and Policies Guideline Discussion

Fri, 04 May 2007 16:00:37 GMT

Hi Micheal,

As far as I am concerned justice was done and the winners rightfully deserved to win.

The only reason there has been dissension with some comments bordering on the childish is because of the members being allowed to cast a vote.

The original notice never mentioned members voting It said clearly that judging would be done by a team of un named people.

This is the ONLY fair way to prevent the common ( and unacceptable ) practice of vote manipulation that goes on in the awards given here in Adland.

You may feel this is a harsh comment but what else do you call it when there are people that activly go all out to have everyone vote for the person THEY want to win, and in the case of the BFA, irrelevant of if the forum meets the criterior required or not to be even entered.

Today is the start of a new year for me and I have been sitting on my hands for the last couple of weeks to prevent myself from posting but enough is enough and I know I am not the only one that has had enough of it. I only hope more will now speak out.

Am I going to endear my self to certain members? No but then again those members really don't give a rats rear about anyone else but them selves anyway so I couldn't care less. Yes I will be attacked again and I am sure people will be "activly encouraged" to remove me from their friends list, but its time members opened their eyes to what has been going on for some time and to clean up Adlandpro and get it back on track.

Created By: 151376