Contest Rules: Please Read

[Jason Dunn]

Just a quick note about the contest before I kick it off today with the first prize drawing: winners will be notified via email, so it's absolutely critical that the email address you have listed <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/forums/profile.php?mode=editprofile">in your profile</a> is one that you check frequently, one that doesn't have harsh spam blocking, and has space for new email. <b>If you don't get the email, you don't get the prize.</b> I see newsletter email bounces every week, and they usually fall into one of the above categories: the person's account is full, they have some wonky spam blocker in place that hates everything, or they check the account once a month and miss time-sensitive information in the newsletter.<br /><br />We've purposefully hacked phpBB to <i>completely hide your email address</i> - no spam bot, or even a registered user, can find your email address. And the only time we'll use that email address is if we need to communicate directly with you (in the case of this contest) or if you're getting the weekly newsletter (which you can easily turn off/on in your preferences). <b>So please use your real email address.</b><br /><br />Also, in the interest of actually <i>finishing</i> this contest :lol:, we're going to enact two strict rules: we're not going to "re-draw" prizes, and the user has <b>14 days</b> to claim their prize. If the prize winner doesn't respond and claim their prize within 14 days, that prize goes poof. That's why having an accurate email address is extremely important - a month or so ago we drew a prize, the vendor emailed the user, the user never got the email (spam filter probably), hence the winner never claimed his prize. The vendor gave up and moved on, then the winner came back into the forums and complained about not getting his prize. Things like that upset the vendors donating the prizes, because it makes them look bad, when it's really fault of the prize winner (harsh, but true). And if the email address bounces for any reason, that's an instant loss of that prize.<br /><br />In terms of how the contest will work, most of the prize drawings will be from the registered users list - I look at the number of registered users, use a Web-based random number picker, and line up that number with a winner. So if you're registered and able to post in our forums, you're good to go. Some of the contests might be ones where I ask people to post something in the forums, and there will be a time limit. It's important to watch for these. <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/subscribe.php">Full subscribers</a> have a natural advantage here because they get the email blasts right after we post. :wink:<br /><br />I know this might come across as a bit harsh, but I want this to be a fun AND successful contest - if everyone follows the basic rules outlined above, it will be both. :grin:

[Crocuta]

Some of the contests might be ones where I ask people to post something in the forums, and there will be a time limit. It's important to watch for these. <A HREF=http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/subscribe.php">Subscribers</A> have a natural advantage here because they get the email blasts right after we post. :wink:

Hey Jason. Hope you got some sleep! Is there some option we need to set in our profile for the email thing to work or is that automatic for subscribers? I just looked and only saw an option for receiving emails for posts in threads in which I've already posted, but I didn't see one about emails for new threads.

[Crocuta]

One more thought. :x-mas: Almost everyone has some sort of spam protection now... we couldn't live without it. And one of the things that will trigger even the simplest filter is stuff like "Congratulations, you've won a prize." So I'm thinking that it would be nice if the vendors could be sure to include the name 'Digital Media Thoughts' or 'DMT' in the email subject line so that people can easily find it in their junk folder and see that it's a real email. Those with more advanced filters can even tell theirs to allow through emails with those words. Anyway, just a thought. Normally, I'd prefer for people to not get their notification so the rest of us would get a second chance :wink: ... but since there are no second chance draws any more, I guess it's best if we do everything possible to be sure they actually receive them. :)

[burnabytom]

Hey Jason:
I think that the subscriber link may be wonky in your original post... :oops:
How do I become a subscriber??? :D
Tom

[Jason Dunn]

Is there some option we need to set in our profile for the email thing to work or is that automatic for subscribers?

Sorry, I've edited my post to be more clear - email blasts are only available for Full Subscribers, not Lite Subscribers. If you're a full subscriber, you can click on the CUSTOMIZE link in the upper left corner of the home page to configure the email blasts.

[Jason Dunn]

I think that the subscriber link may be wonky in your original post... :oops:

Link fixed! :-)

[Crocuta]

Is there some option we need to set in our profile for the email thing to work or is that automatic for subscribers?

Sorry, I've edited my post to be more clear - email blasts are only available for Full Subscribers, not Lite Subscribers. If you're a full subscriber, you can click on the CUSTOMIZE link in the upper left corner of the home page to configure the email blasts.

Thanks, I found it. I was looking in Preferences. Will all contest emails be listed as Events? If so, then I'll only turn on email blasting for that category.

[Jason Dunn]

Will all contest emails be listed as Events? If so, then I'll only turn on email blasting for that category.

Yes, that's correct - they'll be listed as Events.

[BugDude10]

FWIW, give me all the prizes and I'll drive to Canada to pick 'em up. :)

[JPD]

Better get a start on that drive to Canada first thing in the morning -- if you can get outta your driveway - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

[encece]

One more thought. :x-mas: Almost everyone has some sort of spam protection now... we couldn't live without it. And one of the things that will trigger even the simplest filter is stuff like "Congratulations, you've won a prize." So I'm thinking that it would be nice if the vendors could be sure to include the name 'Digital Media Thoughts' or 'DMT' in the email subject line so that people can easily find it in their junk folder and see that it's a real email.

I agree. I never knoew vendors were emailing winners directly. They should list DMT in their subject...please.