Sorting

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

Sort of as a reminder that, well, we seem to remind you all of a lot.. ;)

When sorting, please please please do not just give out a 'No Vote'. We've asked in the past that if you're going to 'No Vote' because the application was lacking, that you say that and combine with it some advice or a nice sentence stating what you'd like to see them add or do differently for you to sort them correctly.

We got really, really good about this for about two weeks, and today's batch showed to me that we're falling back into that non-helpful rut again.

Thanks. :)

Comments

[cantatrix05.livejournal.com]

Does it really help, though, to be the 35th person to say "This was too short"? At that point I figure they have the idea and I'm basically recording the fact that I read the app.

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

"This was too short" is the exact reply I'm trying to get you guys to stop having. When you say "No Vote. This is too short.", what good does it do?

What I'm asking you all to do is say "No vote. If you'd like a vote, please ___________", something along those lines. Like.. please elaborate a bit on what you said about how you'd like to change the world! Tell them that the reason why you're requesting that was because it was a key thing that you sort by. Things of that nature.

The reason why I ask at least once a month for you guys to stop just stating that it's a short app instead of helping is because yes, 35 comments of "This was too short" is excessive and needless.

[lariren-shadow.livejournal.com]

I try! But the only thing I can think of is "elaborate, can't get a vibe!" And, well, it kind of gets annoying when its the fourth application and it is really really short and I can't get a vibe.....

Sorry, I have been trying to be good but for some reason this batch just got me a little.

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what I might suggest is that if you're seeing a lot of short applications and a lot of comments pointing out said short applications, just don't sort them yet. Wait a bit, go back and check, see if they've elaborated. If you notice that we're about to stamp and *still* nothing, then maybe go ahead and make your comment since they're obviously not going to change it. Would that work?

[lariren-shadow.livejournal.com]

That might be better. I just got a little frustrated. I think that might be better. I just have to remember to do that now...

Part One

[mhookermyers.livejournal.com]

Being really new to the process (just two weeks old), maybe my experience would help add a bit to this discussion.

I read through a couple applications before I wrote mine. So, I had a good look at a couple of No Votes ahead of time thereby spending more time on my application so that would not happen to me. I did read through the rules, in fact, a couple of times and really debated on whether or not reading a few applications before I wrote mine would influence the way I wrote it. I just decided it was far better to get a feel for the process than worry about whether I might unconsciously write my application for a specific house.

Here are a couple suggestions I have that I think would have helped me or at least crossed my mind while I was applying.

Post in the rules that potential applicants should look over a couple of applications along with the voting to see how the process works. Post in the rules one, maybe two or more links to applications that received No Votes. Post in the rules not only links to No Votes to show what they look like but also a couple links to really good applications, learn by example. Add a question or a line at the beginning of the application asking if they have read the rules or explaining they need to read the rules carefully before applying.

I don't know if any those listed above are things you want to try, it is just things that came to mind when I was reading the rules and writing my application, particularly the links.

(end of part 1 - mhookermyers/Gryffindor)

Part Two

[mhookermyers.livejournal.com]

Another thing, I am not sure if giving more than "Please elaborate" or "Too short" is going to help those who have fully filled out their applications. The reason being, every voter who puts in what the applicant is missing or needs to elaborate on is going to be different and I am afraid it is just going to cause more confusion for the applicant than it is going to help. At least I know it would for me.

Those who have gone back and edited their applications usually take the "Please elaborate more" to heart and edit the whole application. I think if only a couple areas of the application are pointed out as needing more elaboration, they will just focus on that and not the application as a whole.

Please take my comments as nothing but trying to be helpful. Thanks.

Re: Part Two

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

First off, thank you so much for your suggestions. I'm one of those kinds of people who think that the best criticism is constructive criticism, which is exactly what you've offered. I appreciate it!

I'm submitting all of your suggestion to Kristi, who is our Voting Manager. I think they're great, really! Especially the example applications.

Thank you so much!

Re: Part Two

[lumy12.livejournal.com]

Great suggestions! I hope they're able to do those. A friend of mine got really discouraged when she was applying because people would just say "no vote" or if they said anything else it would come out sounding kind of rude... if all that stuff is in the rules they REALLY should know what to expect if their app is too short!

Wendy ~ Gryff

[maegwin-of-hern.livejournal.com]

Usually, I have at least 20 people who voted before I get a chance to. So, when I give out a "no vote", there already are some there (only once I managed to be the only one to give out the "no vote", but that's a different matter). And they usually state things like the "invisible why" and give examples.

I do give examples, but what's the point in giving the same advices over and over again once they've already been stated? Would it be enough to say "for reasons stated above"?

Nicola
Hufflepuff

[forthesky.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I am exactly the same. And I was the same today, I guess. I was actually shocked by the length of the applications in todays batch. Especially the one word answer one. My god.

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll parrot myself again here. XD I think I've said this twice already, but I think it's the best advice I can give you.

When you see one of thsoe sorts of situations where twenty people have already given out a No Vote, hold off on sorting them. Maybe go back to it a day or two later when you go back to sort a different group. Why? Well, two reasons.. the first being that it'll keep you from leaving another needless comment. You'll have the chance to sort. Second being that, well, say everyone has already sorted it with a No Vote, then the applicant goes through and changes their app. Who is going to vote on them then? I guarantee most people don't leave a "No Vote, pls fix" comment, then actually go back to see if they've elaborated. It's not fair to the applicant, who might have thought that their post was good enough when they first posted it, then corrected it to find that no one sorted it afterwards.

Does that make sense?

[forthesky.livejournal.com]

Good idea. My excuse was that this time I wasn't sure how long it would be until I was next online, but there have been other times when I could have done it later. Sorry about that.

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's fine. :) Sometimes I don't realise that not everyone has the pathetically large amount of time to spend online that I do. XD

[queeniefox.livejournal.com]

Well, I only put a plain 'No Vote' when fifteen other people have given suggestions before me. The poster has probably got the message by that point...

[weemumlessmngrl.livejournal.com]

I'll suggest the same thing I suggested in a prior comment - think about, perhaps, just not sorting them yet. Give it a day, then go back and check on that application when you go to sort the new batch. If maybe after a day or two they haven't edited, then go ahead and give the No Vote.