What is the Main Deterrent to Participation?

Feels like the community is turning more into a top member hang out then the wider community it used to be. Just my 2c

Sometimes this is the case. Initiatives like the recent Bit by the Bug generate a lot of fresh member activity, but how do we motivate new members to stick around and enjoy other benefits?

Hey, there's an idea!

Perhaps it is a little theoretical....

Has anybody invented a Skype pub yet?

Also as a side note, I stopped entering design competitions when I see some of the "Top Members" have applied because I know it is not possible for me to rank anywhere close to the top with the time I have and the skill level I am currently at. If I were allowed a partner I would definitely reconsider this thought.

Kas

That is an important point. Maybe collaboration would help. One area I think might work is to make a successful proposal - it might be useful for members who are keen to participate to have a brainstorming session with a member who is good at proposals on how to improve their chances. Once members get over the hurdle of writing a successful proposal, they may not win at the end of the project, but they will be having fun building with the kit and learning how to make better projects. In my first project, I didn't win the proposal phase but I bought the kit and built with it anyway.

A note to why I stopped entering Design Challenges:

Looking at the most recent challenge "Safe & Sound Wearables" there at least 3 contenders that are Top Members or are very well qualified making the chances of most other competitors of ranking in the top 3 very low.

Kas

I can definitely emphasize with the feeling of looking at the 15 challengers and seeing at least 3 being Top Members competing for only 2 prizes.  A little disheartening, a little discouraging, but not enough that I wouldn't still try.  I enjoy doing this for my ideas and own growth, winning would be incredible, but participating and actually having my idea make it from concept to actuality is what I am looking forward to.  Plus I look forward to sharing ideas and information with others.  But I can emphasize with the potential of a drop in participation in regards to concern of the high quality of competitors.

Maybe someday I will be one of the Top Members, maybe I won't.  Maybe I will win one of the Design Challenges, maybe I won't.  But I will have fun!

Out of curiosity, you had mentioned that you stopped entering when you see Top Members applying, how do you see this before the chosen 15 are publicized?  Or is it more that you guess due to comments/posts made be people?

Thanks for sharing your point on this, while I hope people will still want to participate just for the personal challenge and the participation,I can see where some would be discouraged and would not enter.

Good point Kas, but all members, including Top Members have the same sentiments - the competition can be daunting and it is rare for anyone to win the grand prize. I wasn't any kind of Top Member when I won my first challenge and I've enjoyed putting extensive efforts into design challenges where I didn't even get an honorable mention. Some members can compete effectively while they are still in school, others. like me, took decades to get to this level. I'm just tremendously enjoying the journey working in technology - the only thing that would make it better is being able to spend more time on challenging designs.

Kas Lewis wrote:

 

... making the chances of most other competitors of ranking in the top 3 very low.

 

Kas

not on my watch!

Douglas Wong wrote:

 

Good point Kas, ...

not a good point at all I think.

John Kutzschebauch wrote:

 

...

 

Out of curiosity, you had mentioned that you stopped entering when you see Top Members applying, how do you see this before the chosen 15 are publicized? Or is it more that you guess due to comments/posts made be people?

 

....

You can see participants for a road test, not for a design challenge. It doesn't even show a counter of how many have enrolled.

Winning a challenge is not about being a top member or not, it's about a combination of factors like time invested in the project, end result, usefulness, etc ... Being a top member doesn't mean you get a free pass on these criteria.

Winning a challenge is not about being a top member or not, it's about a combination of factors like time invested in the project, end result, usefulness, etc ... Being a top member doesn't mean you get a free pass on these criteria.

Obviously I can't speak for kas.lewis but I took his meaning to be more along the lines of when seeing multiple Top Members entering a contest that the level of technical competition just jumped from amateur/hobby to olympic level/professional.   Not that Top Members would get a free pass but that they would up the level of the game to a serious high point.  But that was just my read on it and one I can understand.

My wife and I spoke at length on this curious if perhaps the "Millennial Generation" (which we have some "adult" children of our own that fall in this) might be discouraged due to the level of competition that they would just refuse to participate and avoid any possible disappointment. 

We both volunteer for school activities and the "competitive" rules seemed to have changed quite a bit since we were students.  Where as both my wife and I would be challenged by the stiff competition we can recognize that some of our children would just not even try.  There is a humorous sitcom called "The Great Indoors" that hints at some of the challenges of working the newer generation into things.

both my wife and I would be challenged by the stiff competition we can recognize that some of our children would just not even try

I agree about your observations of some young people.

Sadly there has been a change in the life skills, so that participation is no longer the key reward.

I must admit I hadn't looked at the 'results' side of having a few TM's in a competition, BUT I've seen some really great results from others, and some less than expected results from TMs as well.

The criteria for joining the TM group is about participation, not their blogging skills, or even the technical abilities.

My take is (and I'm stating this to others), you should take it (Design Challenge) as an opportunity to learn and expand on your knowledge and skills.

I did say that quitting is the only way you don't complete the challenge.

Mark

I think you came the closest to understanding what I was getting at but still a bit off. You want people to participate and for that you dangle cool prizes for them to win. If there is no chance in wining why enter. You say to learn, to challenge yourself etc. etc. etc. While this all sounds good from your perspective turn it around a bit and think a bit differently if you want MORE participants and not just the ones you already have.

I can challenge myself on a project that is possibly more interesting to me, aimed at learning the skills I'm more interested in attaining on a schedule that is more fitting to my lifestyle and the final outcome is the same. Except for one thing, E14 has not gained any participants. So the younger folk, kids can't take a challenge etc. might help justify how the status quo works. Saying it's not about winning and all the rest just means you are looking at it through a very narrow lense.

If it's about the learning why not look at the model I previously suggested with collaboration. Where all team members do not have all the same gear and boards. Then learning really starts, challenges that need to be overcome when setups cannot fully be reproduced but workarounds need to be made.  A well versed member with a beginner working together just think of the possibilities in both learning and outcomes. Yes it takes time on BOTH parties and that is harder but hey is this not about learning and participation.

Challenges as they stand now are about have a shot at participants winning and achieving a standing if it was not that then they could just as easily do a project they want on their own time table and learn the skills they want. Sadly being the only one with a possibly broader perspective and not interested in the status quo I doubt anyone here will actually agree with me.

Kas

Well put. I agree with this analysis. There are other perspectives, but this is a common one and an important one - as the poll shows. One of the reasons for this poll is to air this type of perspective and explore ways to address the deterrents. Your collaboration idea is great, maybe all it needs is a method of administration that doesn't burden staff.

I'm not sure why it should burden staff. It could be the same as the current format, but the team choose who gets what part of the kit from E14 the rest goes as usual. The final product comes from one location if shipping is required (like safe wearables) and it should be a team effort to complete the project. I'm not saying this is the best solution but it's another solution.

Input from members was requested, I am therefore participating by giving my input.