Not the best way to run a free contest

havanese_boy · 12-01-2005, 01:15 PM

I use google reader to view topics on this wonderful forum, but when you create free giveways and ppl enter the contest by replying to the post I get ever last reply delivered into my RSS reader.

There has to be a better way to of having free giveways. You are making your RSS feeds much less effective if you continue doing your giveways this way.

Why not use a unique email for your giveaways?

Schmika · 12-01-2005, 03:38 PM

I could argue, the contests are for those who login and participate in Priuschat. During the contests, you need to simply change your system. It only lasts a few days. (I think)

C'mon, join in and have fun. Then again...maybe I have no CLUE what your hi-tech problem entails.....I like the system, don't change it Danny.

havanese_boy · 12-02-2005, 10:24 AM

I love the contests and do not want them to go away, but I am using the RSS feed created by priuschat to keep up with all the new topics or topics that have new replies.

So instead of looking at say 30 new posts/replies from the forum, I get 120+ new listings in my RSS reader, because the contests are simply posts where ppl are replying to enter the contest.

So each entry that is submitted, is picked up by the RSS feed and for anyone who uses the feed we get all the new topics (which is great), but we have to weed out 3/4 of what is fed to us because it is simply just a entry into one of the contest.

Hope that makes sense.

Ian MacDonald · 12-02-2005, 11:05 AM

I also use the RSS feeds and also have noticed that this contest has rendered the feed useless for the past few days. Is there any way to exclude this contest topic from the RSS feed stream?

Cheers,

- Ian

havanese_boy · 12-02-2005, 11:20 AM

Why not make a "Contest Forum" and then exclude that forum from the RSS feeds.

That would reduce the sticky (Pinned) posts in the main forum and clean up the RSS feed.

**Danny** · 12-06-2005, 02:55 PM

I would definitely do that if the contests happened regularly enough. Right now they are only happening once a year (although we are in discussions with some vendors to do them monthly) so that doesn't lend itself to be it's own forum right now.

That's a good idea, though. Sorry about screwing up the RSS feeds last week.

havanese_boy · 12-06-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Danny@Dec 6 2005, 03:55 PM
That's a good idea, though. Sorry about screwing up the RSS feeds last week.

[snapback]168806[/snapback]

Thanks Danny for the update, with so many good forums on the Internet I have grown to rely on my RSS feeds to keep up with all the good topics here on priuschat.

I had turned off my RSS feed to priuschat last Monday but now that the contests are over I will turn it back on.

Thanks again,

12-02-2005, 10:24 AM	#3
havanese_boy Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 34 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I love the contests and do not want them to go away, but I am using the RSS feed created by priuschat to keep up with all the new topics or topics that have new replies. So instead of looking at say 30 new posts/replies from the forum, I get 120+ new listings in my RSS reader, because the contests are simply posts where ppl are replying to enter the contest. So each entry that is submitted, is picked up by the RSS feed and for anyone who uses the feed we get all the new topics (which is great), but we have to weed out 3/4 of what is fed to us because it is simply just a entry into one of the contest. Hope that makes sense. __________________ Randy P. www.randyandgerri.com

12-06-2005, 02:55 PM	#6
Danny Admin/Founder Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 4,600 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 26 Times in 8 Posts TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 25	I would definitely do that if the contests happened regularly enough. Right now they are only happening once a year (although we are in discussions with some vendors to do them monthly) so that doesn't lend itself to be it's own forum right now. That's a good idea, though. Sorry about screwing up the RSS feeds last week. __________________ PriusChat Offers Discounts on: Extended Warranty - $990 : Pre-Paid Maintenance - $875 : HeatShield SunShades : BT Tech Stiffening Plate : All other Prius Accessories

12-01-2005, 01:15 PM	#1
havanese_boy Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 34 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I use google reader to view topics on this wonderful forum, but when you create free giveways and ppl enter the contest by replying to the post I get ever last reply delivered into my RSS reader. There has to be a better way to of having free giveways. You are making your RSS feeds much less effective if you continue doing your giveways this way. Why not use a unique email for your giveaways?

12-01-2005, 03:38 PM	#2
Schmika Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I could argue, the contests are for those who login and participate in Priuschat. During the contests, you need to simply change your system. It only lasts a few days. (I think) C'mon, join in and have fun. Then again...maybe I have no CLUE what your hi-tech problem entails.....I like the system, don't change it Danny.

12-02-2005, 11:05 AM	#4
Ian MacDonald Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Benica, CA Posts: 49 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I also use the RSS feeds and also have noticed that this contest has rendered the feed useless for the past few days. Is there any way to exclude this contest topic from the RSS feed stream? Cheers, - Ian

12-02-2005, 11:20 AM	#5
havanese_boy Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 34 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Why not make a "Contest Forum" and then exclude that forum from the RSS feeds. That would reduce the sticky (Pinned) posts in the main forum and clean up the RSS feed.