Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/gallery.ez?ByArtist=Yes&Artist=Sir%5FMikal

Thank you, Mason for your post. After reading it, I damn near choked from spitting my drink all over my monitor and then I had to clean it up.. (Psst.. you owe me a Dr. Pepper for that).. :-) Before continuing, I ask those in the front row to refrain from throwing scones at me till I've finished.. I've been popping in and out of this site for a couple of years, finally getting the nerve to post something in the gallery. I may get a bunch of comments, I may not get any, I may get some constructive comments (which I'm hoping for) or I may get some yahoos just wanting to kiss my butt (I shower daily, just for that reason). If I don't get any comments, that's fine, as I do have a couple of people I do share with, but I know I can't get any better unless that group expands, and I'm hoping to add a few 'art crtics' to my list. If I get a lot of comments which include vigorus butt kissing, those immediately go in the garbage, I know I'm good, the point in posting is I want to be BETTER. I think it just might be a good idea to have seperate galleries for those who really DO want some constructive comments, or have a box you can check signifying constructive comments only, so those viewing your page will know what to post. Possibly set up an index listing (not a gallery, an index, like what's shown when you click on the member list) of those particular pictures, where people can browse through and post comments. For those who're just posting to post.. go for it, but don't waste my time if you're just wanting someone to fawn over you. I appreciate a good picture like everyone else, but I'm not going to comment on something where my comments aren't really wanted. I prefer to give my comments to those who really desire to become better. For those interested, I've placed the link to my gallery in here to my picture.. You all are welcome to bash me there. Before I finish, I just have one more thing to say... *Escapes before the furious onslaught of scones begins*

ACK!! I've been hit, I've been HIT!! limps away

~giggles mischieviously~ those scones can hurt I tell you. I love your post it is exactly what I have been thinking but then...I have been told that some are only "hobbists" and dont care for the constructive critism. that they post because they just like to...I guess my brain cells are missing because even if you are just playing with it...dont you still want to improve it? ~give Sir Mikal a sconeproof vest~

My HERO.. takes the scone proof vest graciously Well, that's why I was thinking of having another box you can check, for those who really would like some constructive comments, so that others who do happen to find your stuff, will know what kind of comments to leave. Anyways, it's just a suggestion..

Why not a scone-shaped icon?

:O omg I actually just got a vision of a lil scone in the selection box with a check box next to it! LOL

So did I.........lol 8)

Well, ok... how about a flame-proof vest? I do agree that a checkbox or icon would alert people that the artist is trying to improve and would welcome any tips or hints. And, of course, a spoonful of sugar with the medicine might make the comments go down easier. ;) Carolly

I found this thread after doing a brief search to post some previous threads complaining about the "Hot 20" onto a current post in the Poser forum about the Hot 20 and I jsut can't believe ppl have brought this issue to light well before I was even on this site and STILL the admins do nothing to change how the galleries and voting etc... works... Good for you DarkElegance!!! cara

The problems with the Hot 20 have been apparent for 4-5 YEARS (I'm pretty sure that the pink ponies were in 2000, and the HOT 20 issues of clone votes and vote-buying had been raised long before that)... and there are still enough influential people who desperately need the HOT 20 to stay to support their egos or their bottomline. Given the numerous problems, and the wars, the anger, the pain, the deceit, the hypocracy, the bribery, the threats and intimidation, the unfairness, and the extremely talented people who have left this site never to return because of this "feature", as well as the public outcry, you'd think that it could be replaced with something which would still allow warm fuzzies for the people who need all the comments, and with something that rewarded real talent, yet remove the battlefield from those infants who use the Hot 20 to wage war. Nope. I tried. I used my most persuasive arguments, as well as links to some of the heart-wrenching images and posts in the Poser Gallery. I failed. Unless there is an overwhelming movement by the membership, the Hot 20 will be here until the next Ice Age freezes the demons in their seats. Carolly

I jsut can't believe ppl have brought this issue to light well before I was even on this site and STILL the admins do nothing to change how the galleries and voting etc... works... Welcome to Renderosity! bonni

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12356&Form.ShowMessage=2029471

It's just so sad and stupid... I found this thread while looking up stuff to use to comment in this thread: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12356&Form.ShowMessage=2029471 cara

Since the C&D and OT forums are gone, you won't find the most involved threads on the subject. The admins made a small change back in 2001 (IIRC) which changed the ranking from number of views to number of votes. This was supposed to minimize the effect of showing boobs in the thumbnails (or other salacious come-ons). Unfortunately, the problem then veered to clones and solicitation in off-site chat areas and schools... and the HOT 20 became even more of a popularity contest. Various alternatives for counting the votes, such as only allowing 1 vote per day, or only 1 work by an artist in the HOT 20 at a time, have been proposed, but they don't solve the essential underlying problem: it is a popularity contest and merchant's bottom lines and artist's egos are too-deeply wrapped in the results. If a member can only vote once per day, the price of that vote will rise, and the problem will worsen. If only 1 work at a time can be included, the artists involved in the war will become even more desperate, and the problem will worsen. They will change strategies, but they will ensure that they and their products are in the spotlight. The simple statement which was just added to the effect that it is just for fun and just a popularity contest doesn't solve the problem either... that is like a school saying drugs are just for fun and part of being popular... while overlooking the bodies in the corridors. And yes, this analogy is more apt on more levels that you will want to accept. Carolly