This is an informal or straw poll to try and get some feedback on why users do (or don't) vote in the Dragon Model of the Month contest. On average we have approximately 120 users who will vote in the contest on a monthly basis to decide the winners. This decision has several impacts...1) it determines who wins valuable kit prizes each month based on the popular vote and 2) determines which of the entries get featured on the Hompeage and in the On Display galleries.

So a simple question: Why do you (or don't you) vote in the DMoM?

Also interested in hearing any suggestions you the users might have in terms of the voting mechanics for ways to either make voting more visible, encourage voting, make it easier, etc. All feedback is appreciated to help us keep the contest alive and relevant to the user base.

I'll get the ball rolling.....

I try to vote in every MOM type deal on KitMaker.
I do it because the members have put lot of time an effort into a build, no matter the skill level or subject. I feel that in some way my voting is a way of affirming the effort. It's the reward I can give to members who are contributing in the MOM's.

I used to vote in every MOM, for much the same reasons Scott mentioned. People put a lot of effort into their projects, and to me, voting was my salute to their efforts. But, things have changed over time, and frankly, I do not like some of the changes that have occurred. I still vote if I happen to log in when voting is taking place, and I see the topic in the "Latest Posts", but I don't make a point of it, like I used to.

Mike

I try to always vote .. I know I have missed at least one month this year when I wasn´t online as much, due to work commitments., but generally I make a point of voting.
Scott has described pretty well how I feel about it aswell. Its a small price to pay, to have regular content each month, that I really enjoy and look forward to.

I make an effort to vote every month with my 7 year old son. We independently choose our favorite, and then talk about why we like or dislike a particular model. Its a lot of fun and a great way to introduce my little guy to the hobby. He really looks forward to doing this every month.

In general, I enjoy looking at other people's work to improve my own skills, and develop techniques which I feel improve the look of a model.

irish

I endeavour to vote every month except when I cant decide who I feel deserves to win, that said I usually vote when I see it in the latest posts I make a link on my PC and revisit it until I make a decision. The competition would benefit from a permanent link to the entries IMHO.

I vote if I happen to log on when the topic is on the latest post list - but I make no effort to search out the poll.

I miss some written description from the modeller on what he's thoughts where and how it was put into effect. TBH I don't really care if some unknown guy wins a free kit or not

Maybe an idea would be to do a lottery for a free kit from the guys who voted ??

I try to votes in all the MOM's across the KitMaker Network, i.e. DMOM. SFOTM, MG MOQ, AMOM. I support the other MOM's as I hope others will support ours on HF

Good question, Mr. Plunk!

My thoughts and feelings echo some of my mates that have already answered, as I too make it a point to vote in all of these "MOM" type contests, #1, because the modelers entering are putting an effort into building the model, and supporting the contest by doing so, #2, the site staffers jump through many hoops to bring these contests to the KitMaker Network on a monthly basis (Kudos, to you all, mates... ), and #3, site/contest sponsors DO pay attention to these contests...the more participation from site-members as a whole, will make an impact on vendor support and participation.
So it's very important to participate in as much as possible that's going on here at KitMaker, because this is a member driven website, striving to build a worldwide community of modelers...without every site-members participation, well, we have no true purpose, existentially speaking...
~Mark

I have not voted for this contest, but oddly enough I have thought more about entering it recently. Now with that being said I might be setting myself up for failure but once you get into the photos I think things become cumbersome as far as navigating thru the photos. Maybe its the feeling that this might be a contest of "who's who" rather than what has he/she accomplished. It might be easier to vote for someone you know.

I try to vote each month as a way of providing feed back and acknowledgement to those builders participating. I have not entered, as I find the process too challenging/ fustrating for my limited computer skills.

Doug

I personally vote as I know there's a great deal of work and commitment involved both for the builders of the kits and for the staff members. Also, if something is put up for competition, regarding the latest quality of work, it deserves to be voted for. Even better that the winners receive prizes, they get what they deserve for their work.

However, I believe that the gallery pages where you review the pictures tends to get confusing as it randomized the line-up of the pictures. I especially hate it when the picture line up jumps around and when I can't see some of the pictures as the same pictures get rotated over and over again when I press Next. Just my two cents. I don't like to press back and forward on my internet browser just to avoid a personal battle with the picture gallery

Ironically the fact that the gallery is setup as a voting contest is why the images rotate, so that no one is given preferential placement on the page. If it didn't randomize I can only imagine how people on the bottom of the list would feel.

Thanks for the input though.

Jim

Oh my... Sorry Jim, it makes sense when you think of it that way, I'm revoking my comment

I have voted in everyone since I have been a member, thats only 1 so far. To me if you are a member you should vote, it is sort of like you cival duty. It is a way to give feedback to your peers on thier work and to reward them for a job well done.

I would hope others feel the same way and do the same thing.

I vote because it's the right thing to do.
After all, the members take the time to build and enter the contest, the least the other members should/could do is take a little time to vote.

Sorry I know this is being discussed in a couple of places but how about putting both the submission and voting for the MOM on the front page or lock them at the top of the latest posts page. Or even having them all together in 1 spot or in the same place on every seperate main page. I know I'm getting old and going blind, (Doctor told me that), I may have missed it but sometimes I have trouble finding it. If I missed it let me know. About the only times I vote is when I happen to catch it on the latest posts page.
Bob

The feedback regarding the Latest Posts page is of particular interest. I've been bumping the "Voting Open" thread on a regular basis (usually at the 1 week mark, then the 5 days left, 3-2-1 days left intervals as a means for people to see it and the links) and it's stickied at the top of the AFV forum while the voting is open. I've always assumed this would update it on the Latest Posts page and, along with the sticky, keep it handy within the forum....but if post navigation is done strictly by the Latest Posts avenue, it could be overlooked. Have to think about that one.

I vote in all kitmaker's contests because I feel I should (I'm a member of this society) and because I like it. I understand that you some members don't want to or can't (because lack of digital camera for example) participate in DMoM but I can't understand members who "forget" to vote each month.