Roberts, have you reported these instances of abuse?
Drop me a PM and we can discuss it if you like, we don't tolerate people abusing other members on here, let alone members providing the forum with a cool service such as your competition.
I've never reported things - as it's there own opinion to something, they think there photo is worth a pick - fair enough, I can live with that.
Basically, the two F Off's have been after the votes are created - I occasionally get an email with a photo that wasn't selected attached and the photographer will simply ask "can I ask why my photo wasn't selected?".
Often the answer is simply either "your Mini is great, the angle and shot is great but it's parked on your drive, go take a drive to a nice location and remember you take your camera with you" or "your Mini is great, the angle is great but the lighting is bad so it won't print very well, next time make sure the camera isn't pointing at the sun (unless you know how to alter your shutter speed)".
Most people get back to me with a "thanks, I'll try that" - and in many cases re-submit photos a few months later. However two people obviously didn't want to take my advice and preferred to tell me where to shuv it - fair enough, whatever keeps them happy.
I stand by my decisions though & I think 99.9% off TMF members agree that the quality of images in the vote is always high. So a quick walk out side to where your Mini is parked with a mobile phone camera simply doesn't cut the mustard.
As for the other issues, as I said, already had one apology, since my initial post here the other member has admitted that his "message was written in haste and could of been phrased better".
So nothing needs to be done, simply for whatever reason some people are treating this calendar as if it's a matter of life and death - something I find hard to understand considering only 32 people purchased last years calendar!!
Roberts,
anyone who puts in the effort to produce a calendar (magazine, journal, newspaper...) has a complete right to "editorial control" - i.e. to choose which pics make it to the voting stage.
"the publishers decision is final..." and when you produce a calendar then the quality of the images is (let's face it) the all important factor.
You have an absolute right to say yes or no to any picture based solely on your own personal taste - (that's the fun part [and the responsibility]) and I'll drink to that because I know how much
effort is involved in producing a decent quality volume print product. So don't be daunted by the detractors - quite the opposite - publish and be damned.
It's a shame if a few idiots have sent hate mail but don't give up the calendar - it's a nice "bolt on" to TMF and a good ad for your company.
Stick with it - get onto the US and Jap forums and watch sales quadruple...
BUT - if you are honestly and really fed up of the whole enterprise PM me and I'll take it on. (you can buy ad space at a reduced rate for the first three months).
Seriously though - you've got the whole thing established and running well - don't let a couple of nutters knock you off course.
- - - - - - - -
As for the forum side of things (if it's written in php ???) it shouldn't be to difficult modify the standard voting function to include something like (off the top of my head
and having not written code for a living for a while....)
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT $id FROM members");
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)){
$uploaded = $row["CALENDAR_PIC && $month (use "getdate" or any other version- needs a get month function or maybe a get NEXT month function, could also limit to 1 per month and / or 12 per year here)
"];
$limited = $row["pic_uploaded"]; etc etc etc
and then....
PRINT (or echo into a blip box) "You have already entered a picture for the $month Calendar".- - - - - - - -
Note to self - must remind myself of php syntax before giving out advice in public when tipsy...
I'm off to write a function - Roberts - get yourself off and write
The publishers decision is final and more than one entry will disqualify you in your calendar posts...
Best wishes
Monty
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