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Keeping 'Anonymous' Contests Air-Tight


  • CookieZeal
    May 16 2:41 PM
    Reply
    Hi all:
    Unless this has been discussed, I've an idea to keep all contests as professionally anonymous without the slip-ups of finding the identity due to 'prewrites' and/or comments/references made to contest holders.

    A- On any contest, place a statement to prevent comments, thus, identifying the author's ID.
    "Please do not send me a Private Message when questioning any contest details or making special. Rather, go to the actual "Contest Page", and make a comment from there.

    B- If Prewrites are allowed, ask the contest entrants to post it a second time making a change to the title in some way.

    I think it will keep those of us who like it to be truly anonymous free of wondering and fair to those who enter.
    Ideas?

  • Nam
    May 17
    Reply
    You do know one can just log out, right?

    • CookieZeal
      May 17
      Reply
      log out? Hmmmmmm. Tell me more. Sounds too easy. Please? Thanks.

      • Nam
        May 17
        Reply
        Go to the contest, log out, hit the back button, refresh the page - there ya go. You can see every single person that's in your Contest, you can view every single entry (except those in Adult categories) etc.

        -Nam

        • Matt Holck
          May 18
          Reply
          Isn't it enough to worry over the poems entered?

          • CookieZeal
            May 18
            Reply
            Yep. Just discovering something, however, that I want to share with those who are struggling with the same kind of thing.


  • CookieZeal
    May 17
    Reply
    When you say "you can see every single person that's in your contest", are you saying that I can see Identity? That is exactly what I don't WANT to see, especially with the prewrites.

    And if that is a way to NOT SEE the identity, how would that differ if the contestant sends the contest holder an IM? Thanks

    • Nam
      May 18
      Reply
      Usually when someone sends me an IM, 5 minutes later they place me on their ignore list. I reckon I have that effect, also a good way to keep things "anonymous".


  • Legend
    May 18
    Reply
    It may not be everyones idea of running fair contests But with mine I give the votes to the poets who enter work, That way i am not influenced in anyway to whom will win.
    I have run 50+ contests this way and it seems to work well for me.
    As to keeping a contest fair, a good judge will select the best poem regardless of who the writer is, so personally i see no need for a contest to be anonymous
    Those who do not judge fair have simple ways to find out the author is.
    Judge what you consider the best work and your task is done Good luck

    • CookieZeal
      May 18
      Reply
      That's a terrific idea. I might try that if not get someone to collaborate. I am a fair judge, but also sensitive to those who are trying difficult forms and would like to not see even 'traces' of familiarity. I just plain don't want to know if at all possible. Nam said to try and log off. I'm waiting to see what he means.

      Thank you for the idea.
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