tank of the month

[Richer]

I voted no by accident .

I think it'd be a great idea to see tanks that were put together by the average person... who actually have a realistic budget and works 40 hours a week. Like the others have said, I think we all as a whole would learn a whole lot more from each other if we could see a tank that has both great attributes about it, and flaws as well.

-Rich

[danny zubot]

I think we all as a whole would learn a whole lot more from each other if we could see a tank that has both great attributes about it, and flaws as well.

Then we should also have a worst tank of the month? For that matter, how about an annual getto tank award?

[BCWolfen]

I really like the idea of a TOTM, especially the idea that it does not have to be a GREAT tank. People could submit their their tank and whichever is chosen as the TOTM gets 'interviewed' by someone who then does a write up about the tank. This way 2 people are collaborating on the information given. The person who owns the tank may not think about some things that would be of interest to the community. Things which the interviewer might ask.

TOTM doesn't have to mean The Best tank chosen this month, it could just as well be the tank chosen to be focused on this month. Maybe this month its John Doe's tank, which has been running for 6 months and has a really bad algae problem. Lets get the pics up (sure they may not be pretty) and the history/write up from the interview. Now let the community comment/critique(in a positive way) what Mr. Doe can do to improve his setup, help control problems, etc etc. Everyone learns from it this way.

Then next month lets pick a GREAT tank. Show off the pics, write up/history. What are the elements contributing to the success of this tank, etc etc. And again the community can critque, comment, ask questions and again learn from others.

Just my thoughts.......

[danny zubot]

Great idea! A Focus tank of the month. Now we're getting somewhere. So do any of the staff members want to take the initiative?

[Rikko]

I hate the idea. Think of all the work we're all going to have to put into removing cyano and hair algae and glass scraping!!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

Great idea! A Focus tank of the month. Now we're getting somewhere. So do any of the staff members want to take the initiative?

I was thinking a "Featured Tank of the Month" based on whatever criteria the volunteer committee decides to use. A peer voted/selected tank is the best way to go, I think.
I'm also too busy to take on much more, so I've suggested to the other mods we have members take this on, not staff. Suggestions to that end?

[Scavenger]

Hey Brad, I can fully understand the not wanting to take on yet another chore. (and we are thankful for what you do) But, I wonder how a membership run Feature Tank could be managed. Perhaps the addition of a staff member or two who's sole responsabitity is Feature Tank and nothing else. That might keep things running smooth, where a membership based would be hit and miss. JMO and kickin out ideas.

[Aquattro]

I think Doug has offered some time, so maybe in conjunction with a member? We're looking at options.

[Zerandise]

you can create a new user group for totm members. keep it with the same user title but give them access to a totm forum that is hidden from the public like staff forums are. This way what ever group does it they can do it in peace and harmony.

a simple structure would be all thats needed. one person with some php/html skills and some others that can write and have an artistic eye for design. could be done 100% by members with no problems at all.

[BCWolfen]

Originally Posted by Zerandise

you can create a new user group for totm members. keep it with the same user title but give them access to a totm forum that is hidden from the public like staff forums are. This way what ever group does it they can do it in peace and harmony.

a simple structure would be all thats needed. one person with some php/html skills and some others that can write and have an artistic eye for design. could be done 100% by members with no problems at all.

Some good ideas there. A group of 4-5 members with perhaps a Mod who would 'Quality check' the final feature before publication. 1 person with some html/php to do layouts, someone who who like to do the interview (could be premade questions that are emailed, with an MSN follow up) another who would write the article, with help from the interviewer. This way its not all up to one person. The group doing could even change each month (or every few) if other people wanted a chance to participate. Maybe keeping 1 or 2 core people. Volunteers doing the June issue would be chosen early May and the work would progress from there.

Just more thoughts/ideas.
I would be interested in volunteering to help with this project.