Hi all! It was brought to my attention a little while ago that maybe there should be more program specific Challenges, just as we have the Apo Tweak Fest. (Fractal Explorer was the one mentioned) I think more than two challenges in a month would be too much, but how about rotating the Apo Challenge with other program specific Challenges? The Themed Challenge will still be a regular monthly thing, as any fractal program can be used for it. Let me know your opinions and suggestions. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Nick

My first reaction: sure, every month another program. But there are a lot of fractal programs out there. So which programs are "big" enough to be involved in such a rotation challenge? Yvonne

I like the idea, Nick. Marion

oh me too, we could have one for (x)fractint. ;)

I think it's a cool idea too. Maybe limit the rotations to 5 or 6 of the most widely used programs though :)

" Maybe limit the rotations to 5 or 6 of the most widely used programs though :)" drats. :)

LOL!!! Sammi :)

So are you saying that with 5 or 6 rotations we would only get a specific programme once every 5 to 6 months? This is a long time to wait if you only use one or two specific programmes. It would be interesting to know how many people use that many different programmes that they would still get a challenge every month. I have always thought that the themed challenge covers the use of all programmes and therefore don't really see the need for programme specific challenges. Apo 'tweaking' is a slightly different concept and therefore should have a challenge of its own.

I love the idea, although maybe set the time at two weeks!? Any program should be considered for inclusion in my opinion. Or maybe the members could nominate or suggest favorites to choose from. Good beginning so far! -Treena

Great idea!

" Or maybe the members could nominate or suggest favorites to choose from" i nominate xfractint. :) seriously though i like the apo tweak challenge, i prefer that one to the themed challenge, perhaps we could have a third challenge specifically for the 3d fractal renderers, (or somthing similar) ?

Think of it this way... There are a LOT of Fractal progs out there. This might be a good way to learn something new, or really see what other progs are capable of :D As I said, the Themed Challenge will remain, as it allows all Fractal programs. And while the Apo Tweak Fest has been doing well, if we have more than two Challenges running in a month's time, the entries would most likely be fewer in each. We may do well to try and group certain progs, too, like sammi mentioned: "...specifically for the 3d fractal renderers" Let's get some more opinions and suggestions, and see what works :D In the meantime, hope everyone is having a great weekend! Nick

If things have to change - and I'm still not convinced that they should! - then I would support the idea of grouping certain programmes. As you say, there are a lot of programmes out there and I am still concerned about the time you would have to wait for your favourites to come round. Mags

How'bout if the winner of this months contest can choose what next months fractal program should be? That way popular programs will pop up more often, but even unpopular ones will show up in the rotation occasionally. Just an idea...

That is a nice idea, Lagardo. But we want to have some kind of order, so that everyone knows when to expect the next specific Challenge.

Great idea, Nick! How about getting a list up and letting us vote on them. Maybe pick the top twelve and use one for each month. William

Top twelve? Yikes! LOL Well, actually, I started this thread to see how much interest would be in it, and which progs would be best to go with. I'd rather start small, for a couple of reasons: 1)Depending on what programs we go with, we may need someone to help run the Challenge. Someone with more experience with the chosen programs (for entry approvals). 2)We would need to start with programs that most here are either familiar with, or would be interested in trying. It wouldn't be much fun if there were only a couple entries in a Challenge. Any suggestions? Nick

I think maybe top three would be best. That way we would have a challenge for those three progs four times a year. How about listing the most popular and voting on the top three? Barb