I've been a member or 'rosity for probably two years now, and I remember the days when the hot 20 was strictly hit related. I do know the problems that incurred, and that forced them to go to the new system of voting. However as a person who doesn't have a lot of time to go searching thru the galleries, I like to use the hot 20 to catch up on what's causing a stir. However more times than not, I find the same images and the same people in there. This is most likely due to the fact that Voting takes time and it seems the only people doing it are the same ones that are always doing it. My solution is not using any one, but three different numbers to create the list, Votes, Hits, and Comments. Each would be an equal third, none more important than the other, to make up the whole. Hopefully it would be possible programming wise! In the next section, I'll outline the possitives and negatives of each, and hopefully it'll show why using this three pronged way of deciding the Hot 20 would be the most fair and balanced. ............................... Pros 1 - Votes - The current system is popular because some believe it to be the most acurate. If an image is excellent, or thought provoking, you vote for it, if not, you don't. 2 - Hits - Others like this system of deciding as it shows how many people were interested in an image enought to load it. 3 - Comments - While this system has never been used, it does exist as a way to sort galleries. Very similar to votes, it relies on people to work right, but can be very useful when used. ............................... Cons 1 - Votes - The problem with this is that it requires an extra effort and more download time to do. Many people, myself included, would rather move on to the next picture instead of voting. Many of the current Hot 20 regulars are part of a circle of friends who vote for one another and hence begin to take over. The problem with this is that when another artist does not have such a group, he/she may not get even one vote, even if the image is excellent, or more thought provoking. 2 - Hits - This was the way it was done in the past. Many objected to this as it was seen as more of a thumbnail contest than anything else. What you saw on the thumbnail may not have represented what the true image was. 3 - Comments - Leaving a comment takes time, and is subject to the same problems as the voting system. Not everyone uses this feature. ..................................... Again, I really think using a system that would utilize all three of these measuring techniques could really put together a fair and balanced system. For instance. Sally puts up an image. All her friends like like it, and comment and vote, puting it high in those two categories. However it doesn't get many more hits than that. Normally it would be put in the hot 20. However with this system, it would be equal to John's image that while didn't get many votes, got a bunch of comments and hits because it made people think, or was extraordinary in some way. -------- Thanks for listening and I hope I explained it the way I wanted to. While not quite as eloquent as I would have liked, I think it still explains the idea. Dragontales

Explained very well, I think it's a great idea. (not that, that fact will make it happen, lol)

Attached Link: Complaints about the Hot 20

That's why if you balance it out with all of the above, it becomes quite less of a popularity contest. It becomes "the images that are causing the most stir" Which is what the Hot 20 should be about.

VOTE

Regarding your cons list: Clicking "Vote" simply opens a pop up and therefore does not really distract by taking the user to a different page.

Yeah, I realize that, but it is one more step, and judging by the number of votes per voting period, which I think is two weeks, it shows that virtually no one uses the system. At any given time, there's usually above 1000 members logged on, and for the top image to only have 20 or so votes for a two week period shows how "broke" the system is. And that's just the Poser gallery. The other ones only get at the most like 4 for the top image. But the masses seem to have spoken and of course the attention starved artists out there need a place to shine, so forget the whole thing. I'm pretty much fed up with this site. It's no longer what it used to be. Dragontales BTW - No offense meant to you Grimtwist, I didn't want you to think I was upset with you.

Peace, Dragontales. I know what you mean; it's frustrating!

Being a 2d artist, I have noticed the stagnation of our voting system (I think the most votes I've ever seen on an image is about 7). I wonder if part of the problem arises with the unassuming placement of the Top 20 link in the sub navigation area on the respective gallery pages (I've heard complaints that navigation is pretty confusing here at 'rosity, especially for the newbies). So when people see a box that says "Vote for this Image", they might not have a clue as to why they are voting let alone what the Top 20 actually is, so they don't vote.

Anyway, I try to take it all on the cheek.

I have another good idea ... delete HOT 20 ;-)

Short but simple, andygraph!

"I'm pretty much fed up with this site. It's no longer what it used to be." Actually, it's exactly the way it's always been. As for deleting the Hot 20, don't you think it a bit unfair to take away something you don't use away from the people who do?

...

"don't you think it a bit unfair to take away something you don't use away from the people who do?" You just proved a point. The Hot 20 is not a tool for you to use. It's supposed to be a way for users to go and look at the top 20 images making a splash at the moment, good, bad, and indifferent. And that is what has changed!! This site is no longer just about the art, it's about people's egos and popularity contests.

i agree Dragontales.. i agree

There are 32 different pages on this site that are the various "Hot 20's". There are, most likely, thousands, yes thousands of other pages on this site. To say this site is no longer about art would be grossly incorrect. It's not that I don't see your idea as a good one anymore, it still is, definetly. AgentSmith