OK guys........and gals.........since we all have different systems and are not about to change them....we need to take out a variable on it....as was previously mentioned, this needs to be content over quality, but with this in mind, its seems only fair to me to have everyone on a level playing field and use only default scenery.......that way we don't allow someone with $ to have an edge just because he went and got payware add-ons to enhance his background ?......

............Any thoughts ?......Additions ?

I think a screenshot contest would be a great idea.  My screen shots are never very good so I only ever post ones that I think are fun.  As it stands, to get the best quality the settings have to be on maximum and this kills the frame rate, however to take good shots I fly the sequence from inside the cockpit and then start instant replay and push the settings through the roof.  The replay comes out as a bit of a slide show but if you click the loop replay box you can get whatever shot you need.

Any competition would either have to allow editing or have seperate sections for edited and non edited screenies as the forum does now.  As to the judging, all of the relevant shots could be posted on the same thread and a members only poll with only one vote per person could be formed.  This could then be timed for 24 hours to allow members of all timezones to vote, at the end of this time the poll is closed and the winner is informed.  To prevent personality clashes and cliques forming I would reccomend that the shots are displayed for the vote without the name of the author, only when the vote has been completed should these details be revealed.  I would also reccomend that the posting of messages be disallowed on the thread whilst the vote is active.

As to prizes I personally agree with BE58D and Woodlouse, many people take screenshots purely for the kick of knowing that 100's of people will see them.  Winning the title would be a great addition, if you add a prize that has a cash value you could get serious problems with people claiming that the vote is rigged or that the judges have it in for them ad nauseam.

Will

why not have a way of putting the winning screen shot on the front page or something like that for a set amount of time, that way even more people get to see your work as such

OK Pete.......here is the one thing that I feel is going to create an unfair advantage to those who have tweaked and high powered systems......if you go with quality of shots, then you will have many shots that are not felt to be competitive and subsequently won't be submitted....with that being the case, we are going to lower the number of entries and make this for the  "Elite" (read " Power System Owners ")....if this is to be for everyone, we need to encourage the lesser system owners somehow..........

I have already thought of that Pete, Ramsa being a judge and judges (or anyone directly involved with the site... like yourself and moderators) not being able to participate.  Five(5) judges, each judge will take 10 screenshots (50 in total) and pick their two(2) favorites, which will lead to them being posted for voting by other members.  Here is a personal favorite of mine, follow the link... http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/GeoR8.jpg

This is a quality photo, the only thing that disqualifies it... would be the fact that the aircraft is a payware add-on (don't get me wrong, I own payware add-on's... But like it was mentioned earlier, some can't afford to pay for the stuff... so those that can, would clearly have the advantage).

As far as seperate catergories y2, it would take up a lot of space (and time) to have several different catergories... and getting site sponsors to put up that many prizes (if we go that route) might be difficult because we would have to have different prizes for each category (even if they were the same prize), if you have five(5) catergories and only offer one grand prize per catergory, that means the sponsor would have to put up five(5) prizes as opposed to one(1).

Hey Pete what about the ability to add two(2) more options to the poll?

Entries would have to be limited to one per user, and guests would not be able to compete/vote.  They would have to become registered with SimV.  Maximum entries would be limited to fifty(50)... So that means if you want to enter, you'd better be ready to submit the moment when submissions start being accepted.

Ok, this getting a bit complicated...   (who would have that would happen)? j/k.

What I need is four other volunteers (maybe five, because Pete hasn't said whether or not I get to help).  ???

I need four volunteers to help with judging and setting up some rules/guidelines. Email me at be58d@aol.com if you are interested.

Please remember, I only need four and I will consider the best candidates. Please tell me a little about your FS experience, any real aviation experience, etc... Oh, and a name at least so I know who I am talking to.