Re: Catch Up comments

["James Purchase" <jpurch@interlog.com>]

Karen posted a few points that I'd like to address:

> Actually, with a good scanner you can make a very good digital image from
a
> 4"x6" print.

Point taken. Maybe I've spent too many years with my eyes fixed to the
ground glass of a view camera. But then again, someone else was usually
paying the bill. In some things, bigger truly IS better <g>.

> >2. Colour Slides - probably mostly 35mm. Excellent format, but very

> Not true.  Both Erik and I have slide scanners

My suggestion about banning the use of slides for submission has much more
to do with the fact that if multiple people handle submissions the chances
of either damage or outright loss of those submissions skyrockets. For
example - say I was the person listed to receive all of the entries. I would
have to forward, through the mail, all those containing slides to either you
or Eirk. My main concern is the more things have to move around from one end
of the continent to the other through the mail system, the greater the
chance is of losing them. The alternative is to list someone who has both a
slide scanner and a print scanner, and who is proficient in using them both,
as receiver of all submissions and be done with it - the person gets them,
scans them and then distributes the electronic versions to the appropriate
people.

> I can tell you right now, that AGA will not be able to run a contest that
> can only be entered by those with electronic access.

No suggestion was ever made that it be ONLY electronic. Several suggestions
were made concerning how best to arrange things so that the least burden is
placed on the people who volunteer to help. I am not a proponent of spoon
feeding people. If there is a contest, sure it should be easy for them to
enter, but the entrant's ease isn't necessarily paramount - you have stated
many times that it is sometimes difficult to get things done in a volunteer
organization because people have other committments as well.

I have been in volunteer organizations since High School and know the
problems of getting help and keeping people interested and motivated.

I am also on several other lists which have associated clubs and or
organizations which produce printed newsletters. This tug of war between
early adopters of new technology and those who still rely exclusively on
more traditional media is old hat. There can be a common ground and I'm sure
that we can satisfy both with no problems.

> I think that specifically limiting how the tank is presented to the judges
> will leave many worthy tanks out.

Personally, I don't think we should tell people how to present their tanks
artistically. We announce a contest, and tell them the format of the
submissions, but leave the artistry to them. Who know, perhaps someone will
come up with a series of macro-photographs of various algae species that
just blows us all away... judging from the postings on the APD, there are
certainly enough people with algae in their tanks.... (except for the bleach
brigade, I guess.... <g>)

> >SUBJECT: Associated costs.... who's gonna pay???

> I'm hoping that this was posted before I made my comments.

Yes, actually, it was. And it was posted in hopes that you would make a
statement, which you have.

> >SUBJECT: Judging and Awards
> >
> >It might be better to divide tanks into categories such as "superior",
>
> I think that's a very good idea.  Very often when we do our Home Show, and

I almost blanched when the Dutch member on the APD started describing how
they go about deciding these things. I doubt that there are many people here
who are as retentive (dog breeders maybe...), but for a first go at this I
don't think we should go in with too many pre-conceived notions. Perhaps, if
it catches on and takes off we can get more elaborate in future rounds, but
let's not get too elaborate in our judging plans.

> >Plus, I don't think someone could fake a picture to the point that it
wasn't
> >obvious.
>
> Oh, you certainly could.  Take a look at the Tepoot book.

Ahhhh, the joys of the vanity press! That book is an embarassment.

> Erik, what if we gave people the option of getting a CD with all the
photos
> from the contest?

I really like the idea of making CD's of this material available to those
who wish to have a permanent record. But hopefully that wouldn't rule out
publication of the photos in TAG? (Remember, the non-computer members of the
AGA are not likely to have a CD-Rom drive which does anything other than
play music CD's).

> >Also, I was really concerned to hear that the contests might require
> >physical
> >examination, rather than pictures sent on the web.

Nobody on this little organizing committee ever suggested that it would. The
idea of pictures on the web was one I thought of initially as being an ideal
way for judges who might be in different locations to look at the
submissions without risking sending hard copy prints all over hell's half
acre so that each judge could see the original prints. Later, Erik suggested
that the material could go up on the KRIB or on the AGA webside.

> I still say submit your proposal to the AGA without asking for an entry
fee
> for members.  I _do_ like the idea of a nominal fee for non-members

Point taken and understood. Remember that until you made the financial
situation clearer, we were actually in the dark about whether this could be
afforded or not and my suggestion for fees was done due to my wish not to
cause the AGA undue financial burden.

> >4. With that in mind, we could even think about the possibility of
letting
> >APD members vote for their favorite setup. Of course, Erik would have to
> >agree to that. In fact, he might not have the capability to provide that
> >service.
>
> Not if it's an AGA contest.  I am a member of both groups, and there is a
> great deal of overlap.  But it a long way short of a complete overlap.

My initial idea for this contest was that it be an AGA event. It was
broached on the APD due to the fact that in that electronic forum things can
get discussed and dissed relatively quickly and a lot of AGA members are
also participants on the APD, so I knew that the information would be passed
to both Neil and Karen if others though it was a good idea.

James Purchase
Still wheezing in toronto, but breathing easier than I was this morning...