GUI Championships - Participation..
Want to hear from you..
Thursday, March 16, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Every two years now for the past 6 years we've done the GUI Championships (formerly GUI Olympics but the US Olympic Committee sent the lawyers after us).
We've tried different types of judging over the years and had different rules. But one of the bummers has been that Stardock people can't participate since, well, we run the thing so obviously you can't have Stardock people participating.
So this time, we are asking you - users, skinners, and everyone else, under what circumstances, if any, could we let people like Mike Bryant (MikeB), Paul Boyer (Mormegil), and other Stardock artists particpiate? I think the contest overall would be better served if they could be in it but we would need to not have Stardock involved in the judging then.
Imagine how much better the contest would be with icons from Paul Boyer? Or skins from Mike Bryant? Not to mention other stuff from other Stardock artists. But we want to do things the way you want them so let us know.
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kith
Reply #23 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:49 AM
Reply #23 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:49 AM
I don't think that they should be banned from competing soley based on their employment. The main reason is that there is already so much interaction between the top skinning artists that "everyone is a friend of someone".
I think they should decide to either be a judge or a participant, but not both. I think it would cause resentment if you allowed any participant, Stardock employee or not, to judge a category that he/she was not participating in.
Try to get a judging panel that is represenative of the entire skinning community, of the app in question.
Tightly define the rules, and qualifications for winning. Everyone should know exactly what the judges will be looking for in a winning skin. Do everything in your power to avoid changing the rules midway through the contest.
I think they should decide to either be a judge or a participant, but not both. I think it would cause resentment if you allowed any participant, Stardock employee or not, to judge a category that he/she was not participating in.
Try to get a judging panel that is represenative of the entire skinning community, of the app in question.
Tightly define the rules, and qualifications for winning. Everyone should know exactly what the judges will be looking for in a winning skin. Do everything in your power to avoid changing the rules midway through the contest.
Island Dog
Reply #24 Friday, March 17, 2006 7:06 AM
Reply #24 Friday, March 17, 2006 7:06 AM
I say go for it. And as always I can help in any way.
ShelbyGT_The_Car
Reply #25 Friday, March 17, 2006 7:32 AM
Reply #25 Friday, March 17, 2006 7:32 AM
Come one and come all ... let The Championship begin~!!
If they are an artist - no matter where from, they should be allowed to participate.
As far as judges - that should not matter as much either...
Like NT has said "If your good - your good - no matter what~!"...
Very glad to see WC still doing this and hope it will continue every year.
SGT
If they are an artist - no matter where from, they should be allowed to participate.
As far as judges - that should not matter as much either...
Like NT has said "If your good - your good - no matter what~!"...
Very glad to see WC still doing this and hope it will continue every year.
SGT
victorshackapopolas
Reply #26 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:10 AM
Reply #26 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:10 AM
let them in and let them judge as well, as matter of fact let them be the only judges in this championship. 
Kevin_C
Reply #27 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:45 AM
Reply #27 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:45 AM
Seeing as my artistic ability is about on par with that of a rock I speak only for myself and don't expect that anyone will agree with what I am about to say but that's never stopped me before so here goes...
It seems there are people saying they should separate the competitors into advanced and intermediate and beginner but what does that really solve? It lets someone who's perhaps not really a beginner enter in that category so they can win against less skilled skinners. Who determines who's advanced and who's intermediate? As a skinner, why wouldn't you want your work to be compared to work that is considered as good as it gets? Don't you think that more competition is a good thing? Yes, it will mean that you have to work a little (perhaps a lot) harder than you might have had you been in an intermediate category but isn't it worth it to try and match your skills against the *heavy hitters* in the field? It seems to me that people as a whole are getting to the point where competing only means winning at all costs, and it no longer means testing your skills against other competitors in an attempt to improve yourself. Competition isn't just about winning a prize, it should also be about doing something you enjoy.
OK, I'm done babbling, but I say let them compete and let them judge just not the categories they have entered skins in. Not that I think either would try and cheat, if anything I think they would judge themselves more strictly in an attempt to show the whiners that the judging was fair. In the process making the judging unfair but only to themselves.
Bring on the skins!!
It seems there are people saying they should separate the competitors into advanced and intermediate and beginner but what does that really solve? It lets someone who's perhaps not really a beginner enter in that category so they can win against less skilled skinners. Who determines who's advanced and who's intermediate? As a skinner, why wouldn't you want your work to be compared to work that is considered as good as it gets? Don't you think that more competition is a good thing? Yes, it will mean that you have to work a little (perhaps a lot) harder than you might have had you been in an intermediate category but isn't it worth it to try and match your skills against the *heavy hitters* in the field? It seems to me that people as a whole are getting to the point where competing only means winning at all costs, and it no longer means testing your skills against other competitors in an attempt to improve yourself. Competition isn't just about winning a prize, it should also be about doing something you enjoy.
OK, I'm done babbling, but I say let them compete and let them judge just not the categories they have entered skins in. Not that I think either would try and cheat, if anything I think they would judge themselves more strictly in an attempt to show the whiners that the judging was fair. In the process making the judging unfair but only to themselves.
Bring on the skins!!
glowdarkly
Reply #28 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:46 AM
Reply #28 Friday, March 17, 2006 8:46 AM
You could always have the Stardock artists put up a skin in each category as a "standard", without actually competing. If they "compete" the inevitable cry of "ITS FIXED" is going to resound, or has it already?
PolynesianMedic
Reply #29 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:01 AM
Reply #29 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:01 AM
Why not come up with a poll type voting system that, we the users, can vote on. I would also set it up so that we do not know who submitted an entry until the winners are chosen. Just my 2 cents.
SKoriginals
Reply #30 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:05 AM
Reply #30 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:05 AM
It all seems simple enough, let them in and compete the idea is great. But, with one side note... you enter, you don't judge.
Also, as far as judging, maybe there should be an equal amount of both Stardock and non-stardock employees with the same guidelines (you enter, you don't judge).
Also, as far as judging, maybe there should be an equal amount of both Stardock and non-stardock employees with the same guidelines (you enter, you don't judge).
raidersforlife
Reply #31 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:06 AM
Reply #31 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:06 AM
I'd vote for letting them participate if they so desire. If one of their skins wins where it obviously doesn't stand up, it'll be obvious.
ToeJo
Reply #32 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:10 AM
Reply #32 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:10 AM
Being in the "rock" catagory as Kevin is...I must agree with him. Catagories for beginners and such are silly. Do you see catagories for "Beginners" in the real Olimipics? I don't think so. At the same time, When it comes to artistic skill, you either have it or you don't. A true artist has the ability to be an artist from the day they are born. It is not something a non-artistic rock as myself can learn. So why have a catagory for "Rocks" as myself?
Before I upset you...I know there is a lot more to skinning than just artistic skill. Coding, learning graphics programs etc... are learned skills. But there are plenty of people around to help you with that aspect of it.
Let the Stardock kiddies in...it will only make the whole competition better. Besides...there are plenty of people beyond Stardock employees that can blow the pants off the skinning community...can you say Treetog?
Before I upset you...I know there is a lot more to skinning than just artistic skill. Coding, learning graphics programs etc... are learned skills. But there are plenty of people around to help you with that aspect of it.
Let the Stardock kiddies in...it will only make the whole competition better. Besides...there are plenty of people beyond Stardock employees that can blow the pants off the skinning community...can you say Treetog?
Chef Garry
Reply #33 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:15 AM
Reply #33 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:15 AM
I'm in favour of letting them compete by all means. Regardless of whether or not they do, "blind" judging strikes me as the most reasonable way to eliminate the possiblity of favoritism.
As far as crying from the losers goes, that will happen regardless. Remember the 1st run? Brad nearly tossed in the towel altogether over that one.
As far as crying from the losers goes, that will happen regardless. Remember the 1st run? Brad nearly tossed in the towel altogether over that one.
Omegatec
Reply #34 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:16 AM
Reply #34 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:16 AM
- Allow them to compete...
- Anonymous submissions if possible...
- And as SKoriginals said...you enter, you don't judge
- Anonymous submissions if possible...
- And as SKoriginals said...you enter, you don't judge
WOM
Reply #35 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:23 AM
Reply #35 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:23 AM
Hehe, blind judging,sounds like a good idea, except you can look at a lot of blinds and know who did it without seeing a name. If ya can't, somethings wrong with ya. If your a judge, you can't enter. The only fair way of doing it. You can pick a Treetog, MikeB or Starone blind from a group of blinds and there are many other artists blinds you could pick also. Try it for yourself.
swede922
Reply #36 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:26 AM
Reply #36 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:26 AM
Of course they should be allowed to enter.What kind of contest would it be if you are not letting the best participate.
MikeB314
Reply #37 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:41 AM
Reply #37 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:41 AM
I agree with WOM on all points. You're either a contestant or a judge, not both. Blind judging is impossible because you can easily recognize an author just by their style. Besides, if someone wanted to cheat, they would give low scores to skins that were better than their own, regardless of the author. 
ExodusCrow
Reply #38 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:53 AM
Reply #38 Friday, March 17, 2006 9:53 AM
I think anybody should be able to participate. If they are judges, they can only submit entries into other categories. If they are Stardock employees and win for a particular category, they have to donate a portion or the entire prize to somebody they deem the winner (or to the second place winner).
Those are my 2cents. When are these Championships starting!?
Those are my 2cents. When are these Championships starting!?
cybermessiah
Reply #39 Friday, March 17, 2006 10:15 AM
Reply #39 Friday, March 17, 2006 10:15 AM
Why not have the competition split into two divisions?
Firstly, like as usual, Stardock members judge entries submitted by non-Stardock people. Secondly, the public or a group of non-Stardock personel judge skins submitted by Stardock entrants. That way everyone gets a chance to participate and also judge as well, yet unable to judge in a category where they themselves have submissions. Then also, any claims of results being fixed within the Stardock submissions will only be amongst Stardock members themselves, probably making for a much more pleasant experience.
Firstly, like as usual, Stardock members judge entries submitted by non-Stardock people. Secondly, the public or a group of non-Stardock personel judge skins submitted by Stardock entrants. That way everyone gets a chance to participate and also judge as well, yet unable to judge in a category where they themselves have submissions. Then also, any claims of results being fixed within the Stardock submissions will only be amongst Stardock members themselves, probably making for a much more pleasant experience.
PoSmedley
Reply #40 Friday, March 17, 2006 10:29 AM
Reply #40 Friday, March 17, 2006 10:29 AM
I think all should be able to participate.
Three categories. Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginners. (Maybe even one for First Skin?) Allow everyone to enter their submission in whatever category they want, with prizes ‘accordingly’ (so someone with obviously advanced skills doesn’t sweep the beginner or intermediate category, and someone who feels they can compete on a higher level can do so) to each category.
No one should judge the category they are in, for all the reasons already listed.
I agree that judges should represent the entire community. Past winners of contests, whatever their title (Apprentice, Journeyman, etc) would be a good start for each category (WB, IP, etc.) providing they are not going to be in conflict with an entry of their own.
I think the ‘blind entry’ bit would be difficult and really isn’t needed.
Three categories. Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginners. (Maybe even one for First Skin?) Allow everyone to enter their submission in whatever category they want, with prizes ‘accordingly’ (so someone with obviously advanced skills doesn’t sweep the beginner or intermediate category, and someone who feels they can compete on a higher level can do so) to each category.
No one should judge the category they are in, for all the reasons already listed.
I agree that judges should represent the entire community. Past winners of contests, whatever their title (Apprentice, Journeyman, etc) would be a good start for each category (WB, IP, etc.) providing they are not going to be in conflict with an entry of their own.
I think the ‘blind entry’ bit would be difficult and really isn’t needed.
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Reply #21 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:38 AM
*cough* That seems difficult.