POTM problem........

[coffee]

I think we can all see that there are still many many images getting uploaded to the POTM contest when indeed they are just trying to add them to their gallery. At least that that's my take on it. I can't imagine someone adding 5 or more images to the POTM that don't fit the theme. I think I know the reason why it's so easy to make this mistake.

When uploading images, the category defaults to the POTM for the current month. If the list was rearranged to make the category default to the members gallery instead, I think we would see this issue go away. People may still make this mistake, but the mistake will reside in their gallery instead of the POTM contest. This would then be easily fixed by the member after they realize their mistake, and admin wouldn't have to keep changing the categories for dozens of images every month.

And as a reminder, if you find you put an image in the wrong category, like the POTM by mistake, just sign in and bring up that image, click on "photo options" at the right of the image to flyout the list, then choose "edit", and change the category to move it somewhere else. It still stays in your gallery, but changes the category.

[admin]

I know where you're coming from Joseph, but the fact is there is no default category when uploading photos. Or I should say the category defaults to wherever you happen to press the upload button from. So for example if you're viewing the "Portraits" section and press the upload button there, the "Portraits" appears as a default on your upload page. If you're in "Member Gallery" then it will also become your default category when uploading. It changes dynamically depending on where you pressed the Upload Photos link.

[coffee]

I know where you're coming from Joseph, but the fact is there is no default category when uploading photos. Or I should say the category defaults to wherever you happen to press the upload button from. So for example if you're viewing the "Portraits" section and press the upload button there, the "Portraits" appears as a default on your upload page. If you're in "Member Gallery" then it will also become your default category when uploading. It changes dynamically depending on where you pressed the Upload Photos link.

I see. Well then given that info then, there are a few other ways I can think to make the upload accidents go away. The easy one would be to make the default upload category the members gallery no matter where you are in the forum.

The other, and I think better than anything, would be to code the forum so that only one image can be uploaded to the POTM. Much like what happens when you vote on an image, you can't vote on it again. So when an image is uploaded to the POTM, you can't use that category again until the next month. That way even if there is mistake in uploading to the POTM, only one image will get in. And if you decide to change your entry for that month, you have to delete your current entry to open up that slot. Or, it could be that once you use that slot, it's used even if you decide to delete your current entry.

One other idea would be that when uploading to the POTM, a pop up will come up saying that this image is getting uploaded to the contest, and whether you want to proceed. In this pop-up, a brief summery of the rules can be listed including the current theme.