The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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The Future of SRC
pjreads wrote: "The moderators have agreed to try this.We will be setting up the TASK HELP FALL 2010 (Moderators and Task Creators Only) folder so the moderators and Task Creators can reserve posts 1 and 2.
..."
Thank you Moderators! Nice idea.
One more tiny suggestion - maybe you should reserve posts #3 and #4 since there is a character limit per post and some may fill up pretty quickly depending on the task.
Couple of changes to THE RULES in post 2.#3. Challenge I starts DEC to align with beginning of new theme
#22. Refinement of allocation of 25/30/35 point tasks to allow enough slots while not having to shift tasks.
pjreads wrote: "Couple of changes to THE RULES in post 2.#22. Refinement of allocation of 25/30/35 point tasks to allow enough slots while not..."
Does this mean that there could be more than 10 25 point tasks?
Re: Task GuidelinesGuidelines # 6, 7, and 8 refer to maximum page lengths. I think you mean minimum page lengths. It would surprise me, for instance, if, for a 20 point task, you couldn't read a 500 page book.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Re: Task GuidelinesGuidelines # 6, 7, and 8 refer to maximum page lengths. I think you mean minimum page lengths. It would surprise me, for instance, if, for a 20 point task, you couldn't read..."
I think what they're saying is that the task creator can only require between, say, 200-400 pages for a 20-point task. So for my task, I could either require a) two books or b) between 400-800 pages. That doesn't mean you couldn't read a 500 page book for a 20pt task, only that the creator couldn't force you to read a 500 page book.
If it says *maximum*, doesn't that mean maximum?
Mod
It means, as Ms. Anderson stated, that that is the maximum number of pages that can be required by the task creator. There have always been a number of tasks which require "read X pages." For those tasks, the maximum which can be required is stated.
If the requirement is simply a book about this or that, then the participant, as always, can choose to read a longer book.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "If it says *maximum*, doesn't that mean maximum?"It does mean maximum "required" not maximum "read". The maximum is there for the task creator, not the person doing the challenge.
But the word maximum means an upper limit. I think what is meant here is that the minimum number of pages can be no more than, say for the 20 point tasks, 200-400.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "But the word maximum means an upper limit. I think what is meant here is that the minimum number of pages can be no more than, say for the 20 point tasks, 200-400."Those guidelines are only for creators and have no bearing on how much the participant can possibly read.
Example: I get to create a 35-point task. I can have my task say, "Read 800 pages-worth of classic novels." If you read the unabridged Count of Monte Cristo (1200+ pages in my edition), that'd be fine--you met the goal. However, since I'm creating the task, I couldn't /require/ anyone to read more than 800 pages. That's where the maximum comes in.
Otherwise, no one could claim a 1000-page big-book ticket until the 50pt task, which would be silly.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "But the word maximum means an upper limit. I think what is meant here is that the minimum number of pages can be no more than, say for the 20 point tasks, 200-400."That's what I'm getting from reading it too.
"6. One required book (or set maximum between 200 – 400 pages) for 20 Point Tasks. "
So a task creator could set 400 as the maximum page number.
Mod
This is an upper limit, for what can be required by the task creator.
The maximum number of pages is set, not the minimum. A task creator could require fewer pages if she/he chose. If, for instance, I created a task, saying "read x pages of books published before 1900," the maximum I could require would be that set by the guidelines, depending on the number of points for that task. I could, on the other hand, require fewer pages if I chose.
Again, this is a maximum which can be required by the task creator. Participants are always free to exceed that number.
12. The following minimum page requirements apply to all* tasks (unless otherwise stated in a specific task): At least 100 pages per book requirement
OR at least 500 children’s picture book pages per book requirement.
*Note: One or two books between 80 -100 pages (400-500 children’s picture book pages) may be used for the 5 point tasks.
I have taken the liberty of bolding the minimum above. This is what is meant. This is the word that should also be used in the recommendations to task creators.
That's what I'm getting from reading it too. "6. One required book (or set maximum between 200 – 400 pages) for 20 Point Tasks. "
So a task creator could set 400 as the maximum page number.
The MAXIMUM number of pages that the creator can select as the MINIMUM number of pages to be read.
I think I get what Elizabeth is saying. (Please inform me if I misunderstand.) It looks almost like the maximum amount of pages a person can read should be "..." amount. But I think it is meant to portray that the maximum amount of pages that the task creator can require a person to read is a minimum of "..." amount. I understood what the rules were saying but I also can see how it could be a little confusing. It took a few tries to get what Elizabeth was getting at. (I think I got it anyway).
Thank you, Meghan. If we're trying to make things clearer, then we should be using clear language. Telling someone that a maximum number of pages should be 200-400 means you can read a book that has a maximum number of pages between 200-400. That is not what is intended, but that is what is written and it needs to be clarified.... something along the lines of "minimum page count no greater than 400 pages".
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Thank you, Meghan. If we're trying to make things clearer, then we should be using clear language. Telling someone that a maximum number of pages should be 200-400 means you can read a book that ha..."I think it's clear as is because this particular rule is written for the task creator to read and adhere to, not for the participant to read.
So the maximum limit is set for task creators only, so that they can't require me to read a 1,200 page book for a 20-point task. If the rule stated that task creators can set a page minimum of 1,200 pages, then that rule allows task creators who choose to include a page count to require a page count of or higher than 1,200 pages, which is insane for a 20-point task.
The minimum page count that you highlighted a few posts ago was from a rule for participants to read and adhere to, not task creators. So participants must read a minimum amount of pages to complete any given task. Again, participants can read more pages if they desire.
Though the current rule is clear, perhaps we could change it to something like this:
* For 20-point tasks, the maximums a task creator can set are one book or 200-400 pages.
* For 25/30/35-point tasks, the maximums a task creator can set are two books or 400-800 pages.
* For 50-point tasks, the maximums a task creator can set are three books or 800-1,200 pages.
But again, that's just another way to reword what's already clearly stated.
Ok, well if the task creators say you can read a maximum of 200-400 pages, then your 450 page book will be disallowed.
Deirdre wrote: "The task creator can require the participant to read a maximum of 400 pages, but of course, the participant can read more pages if he or she desires. "I think that's backwards, but word problems were never my strong suit... :) If you tell me to read a maximum of 400 pages, that means I can't read more than that, but it's okay to read less. If you tell me to read a minimum of 400 pages, I can't read less than that, but it's okay to read more. That's how I read it.
The rule for minimum pages is extracted from THE RULES for participating in the challenges. Players can read as many pages as they want as long as they read at least the minimum number.The guidelines for maximum pages are extracted from the Guidelines for Task Creators and define the number of pages that can be required for the various point-valued tasks (translating the number of books that can be required into number of pages).
The two documents have different target audiences and apply to different situations.
El wrote: "Deirdre wrote: "The task creator can require the participant to read a maximum of 400 pages, but of course, the participant can read more pages if he or she desires. "I think that's backwards, ..."
Sorry, I should have better stated that as "the maximum that a task creator can require a participant to read is 400 pages for a 20-point task."
And Elizabeth, the task creators aren't telling the participants that they can read a maximum number of pages. As pjreads just said, the maximum rule is for task creators to follow, not for participants to follow.
So the maximum rule allows a 20-point-task creator to say for his or task "Please read 400 pages of mysteries." That task creator, adhering to the maximum pages he or she can require a participant to read, cannot create a 20-point task that says "Please read 500 pages of mysteries" because the maximum number of pages he or she, as a task creator, can require is 200-400. Nowhere in the task itself is the creator limiting the participant. The maximum rule, for task creators, is limiting only the task creator in the requirements he or she can state for the participant.
What thread are the Guidelines for Task Creators posted in? I know I've read them, but I can't find them now - thanks.
Never mind, I found them again...I'm having a very bad day!
See posts 1, 2 and 3 for latest versions of THE RULES, Posting Requirements and Guidelines for Task Creators.These will be posted officially on 26 AUG in THE RULES folder.
I haven't read what you wrote, but following the conversation, maybe saying something along the lines of:task creators may chose to specify a specific amount of pages that must at a minimum be read to complete the task. if they opt to do this, the maximum of such pages is 400.
Taking a break ... someone else's turn nowModerator position open ... VOLUNTEER HERE
I would volunteer but in the last 2 weeks my boss's just up my schedule to 60 hr work weeks and I have an hour long commute. But I will help in anyway that I can.
I volunteer. I work part time from home so I have spare time and am online quite a bit.
I can help out if needed - I work shift work, but i'm online quite a bit
Moderators, what happened to Cynthia? You must have been in contact with her at some point to become moderators. I'm just really worried about her.
@Lisa - I don't think anyone knows...the GR staff actually added pjreads as a moderator about a month or so ago and then she added the others...
ohhh....ok that makes sense. Thanks
PJ I may be able to volunteer but it would be helpful to know exactly what I will be needed to do before I definitely say yes.
Thanks for all your work PJ, you saved this group! Go rest
I am also more than willing to be a mod and help wherever is needed. Just let me know.
I personally would love to see a cleaned up home page. There are so many threads and folders that don't seem to be necessary now. I like the idea of streamlining the main page so it would be more user-friendly; tt can be quite intimidating when you join in, especially if there are all kinds of things to look at that don't hold relevance anymore.
Hope to see you back soon, PJ! Read On!
I can also help in whatever way possible. I am currently unemployed and have plenty of time on my hands... I have participated to varying degrees since Fall 2008.
I woud love to help in any way I can. I'm available most during evenings since I work during the day. This is the 7th Seasonal Reading Challenge I have participated in.
Stephanie wrote: "I personally would love to see a cleaned up home page. There are so many threads and folders that don't seem to be necessary now. I like the idea of streamlining the main page so it would be more u..."I was thinking that myself just yesterday!
Mod
We'll look at this. Please keep in mind that we are volunteers, with lives outside Goodreads, that we have all just recently stepped in to this to keep the challenge going, and that we're working with a structure that was already set up. Right now, the main priority is to get the fall challenge up and running.
possibly the easiest way to clean up, would be to make an archive folder and just move the old threads down, so that they are at the bottom of the page
Mod
Everyone also can shorten things up by closing the folders that they don't refer to often - that way you just have a list of the old folders at the bottom, without anything showing of the contents (and you can open them if needed). What I haven't found is a way to make that stick - they stay closed for the day, but after I shut down, then turn on my computer again, they're open again. If anyone knows a way to keep them shut (until you choose to reopen them), that would be good information.
It doesn't appear that you can move folders into folders. So, we can't just set up a folder called "previous challenges" and move all the old folders into it - it looks as if we would have to do that thread by thread.
We are looking at which threads in the current folders can be moved/deleted. Again, though, please keep in mind that this is not the main priority right now.
Sandy wrote: "Alice wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I personally would love to see a cleaned up home page. There are so many threads and folders that don't seem to be necessary now. I like the idea of streamlining th..."Of course Sandy! Was just a suggestion nothing urgent! You're doing a good job with the fall challenge and i for one and am very appreciative!
I totally didn't even know that you could minimize some of the folders until you mentioned that, Sandy! Thanks for the info!
Mod
I only realized it because I wanted to get the lists of posts out of my way for the folders I don't look at - so I started wildly clicking and voila!
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Daughter of the Forest (other topics)The Girl Who Played with Fire (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Neil Gaiman (other topics)Stieg Larsson (other topics)
Juliet Marillier (other topics)
We will be setting up the TASK HELP FALL 2010 (Moderators and Task Creators Only) folder so the moderators and Task Creators can reserve posts 1 and 2.
..."
sounds like a good idea!