SOTM

Funny, how come this 'conscious decision' wasn't mentioned at the same time the SotW got degraded? Hm?

But why not just remove the SOTW completely? I mean, much like various other graphics orientated sects of this forum, isn't it pointless to the community? Oh, maybe you don't remove it because people like it? Because they like entering? Is this not the same with the SotM? Hell, a while back I was going to suggest a SotYear, then i figured it'd just get shot down as I'm not of importance.

(The sandbox only died when the powers from above figured it was right to do so; ignoring the complaining from members beforehand and the literature forum (though a mistake) only appeared when a mod supported it, are just two that come to mind)

Keeping the SotW solely for the idea that people enjoy it, contradicts a lot of decisions made by the selective few who're allowed to give input, removal of the SOTM really does only show that 'you people' can't be bothered to keep it up and running. Unless there are 'other' reasons behind it as well.

Of course, I'm aware your decision will stand regardless of what anyone says; but indeed, this is laziness. Anyone, and i really do mean anyone, can run the SotM. It involves placing four images into a topic, creating a poll and then pasting a name into a premade signature. It's not exactly hard work. So unless the whole concept of the SotM was a complete ****, there's no reason to remove it. Especially if keeping other things due to the fact the community likes it is on your agenda.
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A distinct pattern, of removal of graphics orientated forums/groups/activities has presented itself over the years and so I have to come to the conclusion that you don't want it on your website anymore - it's useless to the community. That's fine, it's your site. But just remove it. Don't try and mask it with nonsense. You're not going to remove something such as, say, the submissions team, because it is in the general user's opinion they should offer some kind of advantage to the site - likes of which are yet to be seen. However, such teams as the events crew and the newspaper staff, activities such as the SKotM, and the various xbox live events, still exist because people like them - or, well, the people running them don't mind running them.

But of course, the SotM doesn't require a lot, does it. You can't deny it's an easy job, can you?
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Also; you forgot to say why the news was hidden away and how the two differ other than having the same voting method.
I appreciate your reply, Shane, but there's really no point if you're only going to reply to fragments.

Another decision I was unaware of but I really wouldn't of objected had I known it was planned. Maybe Shane mentioned it to me and I merely wasn't paying attention. Probably that.

I don't really see why you're berating Shane or whoever else for being too 'lazy' to run SOTM. How did it require any effort at all? It was just a monthly poll that would have taken all of 5 minutes to post. I'm sure the decision to remove it was not made out of laziness. It is simply rather pointless now we have all the SOTWs as public votes. That's it.

But believe me, there is no graphics holocaust being undertaken. And I say that from the point of somebody who wishes there was and has pushed (unsuccessfully) for the removal of most of the graphical related **** over the years. The changes to make SOTW were to boost its popularity, not to dumb it down and kill it off. If you believe just because anyone can vote now it's 'dumbed down' then you simply need to drop your elitist attitude.

Your various fleeting references to 'the powers that be' trying to incinuate that certain people have a great amount of influence and can call the shots and make decisions regardless of how it would affect the community or site is just *******. Again, I speak from the perspective of someone who would make fleeting changes if I was the king pin. But I'm not and it's not done like that, there is no 'top dog'. When it comes to making any major decision the staff look at all possible solutions and ponder all possible outcomes and make the decision that we believe will best for the community and site.

Although at the end of the day the final call will always be Mike and Shanes they have never imposed their views or opinions on any decision making process and have always been able to look at the situation objectively and take the best action. That is why this community works. Regardless of how many people get ***** off that they can't have their own way every now and then.

I am going to have to agree with Anubis here.
For me, winning Sotw was a goal for me, but the two times that I did win, it was exciting for me to see if my chances were any good or not for the SOTM (which they weren't, but it was still fun.)

Now that is gone, I frankly will be using sotw less. I actually made graphics for weeks that I didn't want to really do them, but now I'm just going to send in whatever I do at any time. (Not to mention the limitations of people with 0 wins theme atm)

It was quite a disappointment in my opinion.

Fairly sure he meant SOTW not SOTM.