Hi Matt. As far as I'm aware, I'm not in any cliques :-), I don't comment on many images, and I do fight the temptation not to constructively criticise. I think the rankings as currently used are virtually meaningless, although the number of 'excellents' received is somewhat of an indicator as to how much an image affects people. I've frequently considered disallowing rankings on my own images. I for one am perfectly happy for you or anyone else to make suggestions about my images. Whether I agree with them or not, it will make no difference to my willingness to comment, rank or vote on the commentor's images. My one wish is that more people would vote for images, not because I'd like to see my images in the Hot 20, but because I'd like the Hot 20 to more accurately represent the best of recent posts. As it is, I get the impression that some of the cliques you talk about tend to dominate it, and stuff that really deserves to be there doesn't make it. It was only recently that there was a thread here in which people said they didn't have enough time to look at everything. Me too! I'd like to be able to use the Hot 20 knowing that I was less likely to miss anything worth seeing, but as it is, I can't honestly say I think it represents the best of what there is, not just my opinion of what the best is, but even the general consensus. So come on people, when you see something that you really think shouldn't be missed, vote for it. Commenting on it is less likely to attract attention to it, as it has to be found before your comment is seen. Best wishes, Simon.