What Changes Would You Like to See Made to Project14?

Some great points about often seeing Top Members, high level and other familiar faces among the winners - although perhaps it's no surprise that people who create good quality entries become those things.

How about a Project 14 specifically for people who either haven't entered (or haven't won a prize) before? Previous winners can't enter but are asked to support the entries from those new to it or to judge the submissions.

If there were more entrants for each one I'd suggest a "new entrant" prize could be added to the regular monthly Project 14, but that might end up being given out by default.

Fred27  wrote:

 

Some great points about often seeing Top Members, high level and other familiar faces among the winners - although perhaps it's no surprise that people who create good quality entries become those things.

 

How about a Project 14 specifically for people who either haven't entered (or haven't won a prize) before? Previous winners can't enter but are asked to support the entries from those new to it or to judge the submissions.

 

If there were more entrants for each one I'd suggest a "new entrant" prize could be added to the regular monthly Project 14, but that might end up being given out by default.

I'm fed up with seeing this pop up again and again. I'm going to ask e14 to remove me from the Top Members. There's nothing to gain being in and out of it, but I don't have to deal with the drama and tears anymore.

Fred27  wrote:

 

Some great points about often seeing Top Members, high level and other familiar faces among the winners - although perhaps it's no surprise that people who create good quality entries become those things.

 

How about a Project 14 specifically for people who either haven't entered (or haven't won a prize) before? Previous winners can't enter but are asked to support the entries from those new to it or to judge the submissions.

 

If there were more entrants for each one I'd suggest a "new entrant" prize could be added to the regular monthly Project 14, but that might end up being given out by default.

I'm fed up with seeing this pop up again and again. I'm going to ask e14 to remove me from the Top Members. There's nothing to gain being in and out of it, but I don't have to deal with the drama and tears anymore.

I frankly don't think top member really shows anything, isn't it just a small badge next to your name and some better perks?

Whether you're in the group or not, I easily recognize the people who consistently write great roadtest reports, those that consistently make good Project14 projects, those that consistently make good design challenge ideas.

Just my two cents, kinda.

Now you are privy to the inner workings of E14 I'm not sure you are allowed to leave

Jan Cumps  wrote:

I'm fed up with seeing this pop up again and again. I'm going to ask e14 to remove me from the Top Members. There's nothing to gain being in and out of it, but I don't have to deal with the drama and tears anymore.

Don’t do that   I try to read pretty much everything you post.  Removing the badge might make it more difficult to spot your submissions. I agree having a badge does not change the quality of a submission or response to a discussion.  It doesn’t carry any tangible perks.

I can understand where  Jan Cumps is coming from.  I do think the term top member is a bit of a loaded term.   This is true anytime you introduce a new category.   Something similar happened when members who were the most active in posting Project14 projects began participating in the vcp program.   As for the Project14 program,  the program originated in a topic discussion in the top members and is now what it is today.   Without the support of the top members I can not imagine this program surviving to get us to this point.   From our perspective we will use the top member section to throw around ideas with members before launching a new program or initiative that we don't want to be generally known until its ready to be announced.   I did think about posting this thread in the top members section originally but looking at the people that wouldn't have been a part of this conversation,  I think too many good ideas would have been lost so I chose to start the thread in the Project14 section as people who participate,  whether its just viewing projects , voting in polls, picking winners, could have their voices heard to brainstorm ideas before considering any changes to the format of the program.

I'm sorry if I said anything to offend. I was just trying to explain that creating great community content is why people do well in Project 14 competitions and creating great content is also why people become a "top member". That's the only reason why you'll often see top members in the winners' circle.

Top Member or not, please keep up the great content which we all appreciate.

First off, if my mention of Top Members caused strife that was not the intent.  I was purely using that to show the quality of Winners and a tendency for that quality to come to light.  Taking off the little icon next to your name doesn't remove the fact that you are a level 10 contributor.  Considering I am level 8 and that required 50,000 points of contribution and level 10 requires 250,000 points is astounding!  Time and effort wise I can't even imagine what has been given for levels 9 and up.  Top Member to me and I am sure others as well, is a mark to look forward to reaching someday/year/century and something to be respected, not cause issue.  I could have stated instead that statistics show that level 9 and 10 members are in the top quite a bit instead of Top Members but I thought Top Members was more appropriate since it is something above just putting in the time to earn a high level but also recognition by E14 and the community for work done. 

My suggestion was merely that if the idea of bringing in more "new" entries, especially of less knowledge and possibly ready materials on hand, then perhaps having a minor Builder prize might help those people who enter and show promise.  A prize that most likely the more experienced people already have multiples in their builder stock.  I don't feel that I fall under new so this was not something to benefit myself, just a suggestion to assist the program if that was one of the goals.

The program is a great source for learning and I would hate to think that anyone of any level would feel that Not participating was suggested/desired. 

Who knows maybe once a year there can be a Highlander Contest where all of the Grand prize winners (or even Grand Prize and 1st Placers) are thrown onto a Poll and a Project 14 Highlander can be chosen. 

But bottom line, to me the Top Members are a recognition of such considerable work and time given that it should never be considered a drama and tears potential.  I honestly have no idea what you have been through in the past in regards to drama about the Top Members (please remember I have been gone for a couple of years and my ignorance is not deliberate), but I respect you and all of the others who have earned the badge.  The shared knowledge and comradery of E14 should never be darkened by having someone who has participated greatly, in turn be made to feel bad about that time given.  I apologize if my comments caused issue, and I salute those of you have earned the badge.