2007 Judge Selection

[C.W.Richeson]

I've suggested in the past that we pick a Standard Product - somethning like a small pdf or the like, possibly donated by the publisher for the purpose - and have each candidate write a review of the thing. That would go a long way in showcasing the communication skills and tastes of the individuals.

I really like that idea, conceptually, but I'm already uncertain that more than a handful of people even read the Q&A. Who would read 19 reviews, even if they're a page or less?

 

[Umbran]

I really like that idea, conceptually, but I'm already uncertain that more than a handful of people even read the Q&A. Who would read 19 reviews, even if they're a page or less?

Well, the only way to get to know these people better is to get information from them in some form or other. Period. No way around that. If folks aren't willing to do that, there's no hope of getting to know them better.

The question is what form of information is most efficient and fair at doing that job.

The Q&A, honestly, was sloppy and inefficient. You had to wade through many posts of people askign questions,and got out-of-order, piecemeal answers here and there. Good idea, poor execution.

I'd prefer to have a thread (or threads, on mulitple boards) in which peopkle ask questions, and then have someone collect and edit them into a single document for candidates to answer. Post the answers on the Ennies site, linked from the bios.

 

[C.W.Richeson]

Well, the only way to get to know these people better is to get information from them in some form or other. Period. No way around that. If folks aren't willing to do that, there's no hope of getting to know them better.

I agree. I just don't think most folk are willing to read more than, say, 3 or 4 paragraphs per candidate. Same problem applies to lengthy Q&A and other problems. I really think the bios were more likely to sway the average person (wish I had realized that when I wrote my bio).

The Q&A, honestly, was sloppy and inefficient. You had to wade through many posts of people askign questions,and got out-of-order, piecemeal answers here and there. Good idea, poor execution.

True. I found it to be very time consuming and I wasn't sure how helpful many of my answers were. Answering the same question on different sites was a problem, in particular. I eventually started linking to answers elsewhere, but some folk seemed to resent that.

I'd prefer to have a thread (or threads, on multiple boards) in which people ask questions, and then have someone collect and edit them into a single document for candidates to answer. Post the answers on the ENnies site, linked from the bios.

I love this idea. It would make it easier for everyone involved. It cuts out duplicate and frivolous questions and results in something easy to read for the voter.

I think it has two big problems, however. First, it's very time consuming for whoever does that. I know the ENnies volunteers already have a lot going on. Second, I think consolidating all of that on the ENnies page may result in less conversation with the judge nominees on other forums. I'm not so sure it would help to spread the word of the ENnies.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Maybe what we need for next year is a set of pre-selected questions that each of the judges fills out upon nomination... we can collect questions from various sites and then each candidate can fill it out on their own time and send it in with their nomination form?

But, really, I don't know if that would be any more or less efficient.

Which is essentially what Umbran said. hehehe.

 

[Doug Ruff]

The Q&A, honestly, was sloppy and inefficient. You had to wade through many posts of people askign questions,and got out-of-order, piecemeal answers here and there. Good idea, poor execution.

I agree that it was inefficient, and very hard work for the nominees, but I just internalised that as part of the process. Sorting through several parallel threads searching for new questions and responding to them seemed like a good test for the job itself!

Just a thought: it would have been possible to drum up some questions a few weeks earlier and have these in an official "Q&A" thread that all the nominees can reply to. Still link to threads on other sites, because it's not like you can stop people doing this - and I think having the nominees go visit all the other sites did a lot to raise awareness.

And totally enjoyed learning about the other nominees. I wish we'd spent more time talking to each other during the run-up (another idea: have a thread specifically for nominees to discuss issues and question each other.)

And is it me, or are we all hanging around here in case the results get posted?

 

[C.W.Richeson]

And is it me, or are we all hanging around here in case the results get posted?

I spent Sunday and Monday obsessively reloading pages for that very reason

 

[Umbran]

I think it has two big problems, however. First, it's very time consuming for whoever does that. I know the ENnies volunteers already have a lot going on.

True. But, then what you need is another vounteer. I'll put my money where my mouth is - if someone remembers the idea next year, and the ENnies Board of Directors wants it implemented, I'll do all the legwork myself.

Second, I think consolidating all of that on the ENnies page may result in less conversation with the judge nominees on other forums. I'm not so sure it would help to spread the word of the ENnies.

Well, you have a thread for submitting questions on each forum. After the questions are collected and answered, you put a new thread in each forum pointing at the answers. The candidates can answer other questions there, if they so desire.

It seems to me that what may be desired is a little more standardized information. This in no way precludes the non-standardized discussions, but having a bit more clear and easy to reach information might be more useful for those who don't want to wade through undirected information.

Other possibilities include moderated online chats - EN World has an affiliated chat room that has done some really nice moderated Q&A with industry folks. I figure somethingsimilar could be done with judge candidates. Say, five at a time,a couple moderators, and the public gets to ask and get answers in somethinglike realtime. The transcripts could be posted online.

Similarly, you could do something like a debate - each candidate gets to ask a question of the other candidates.

Not that we have to do all (or any) of this. I'm just brainstorming ways to get more information out to a growing ENnies audience, in a form interestign enough that they might use it....

 

[Umbran]

And is it me, or are we all hanging around here in case the results get posted?

Results will be posted on the 23rd, if I recall correctly.

 

[C.W.Richeson]

Results will be posted on the 23rd, if I recall correctly.

Yep. There had been a suggestion that they may be posted early (yesterday evening).

 

[C.W.Richeson]

True. But, then what you need is another vounteer. I'll put my money where my mouth is - if someone remembers the idea next year, and the ENnies Board of Directors wants it implemented, I'll do all the legwork myself.

That's very cool of you

I'm just brainstorming ways to get more information out to a growing ENnies audience, in a form interestign enough that they might use it....

I find your ideas to be well thought out and am confident that, with so many good ideas floating around here, the process will get better every year.