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So, what is SoylentNews? This is your chance to tell us!
I am announcing the first ever SoylentNews online video contest. The rules are pretty simple.
- Upload an original video (no more than about 60 seconds, please) to the site of your choice (but please tell us where it is up loaded and ensure it tracks views) that answers the question, "What is Soylent News?" Your video should ideally contain the phrase, "Soylent News is ..." but this is not strictly required. Let us know what site you upload to.
- Tag your video SoylentNews.
- Watch as the hits roll in.
- ????
- Profit!
Too easy, right? We will count the views on 31 March 2014, at 11:59 UTC. The winner is the individual video that has the most views.
You do not actually have to appear in the video! Make a cartoon, do CGI, do a voiceover of a movie, whatever. Be creative and explore your artistic vision! (Yes, you have one. It may be underutilized at times but it is there).
We have not yet determined the prize for the winner, but it will be jaw-droppingly awe-inspiring (it's a key-chain I found on the sidewalk somewhere). No, it'll be something good. At a minimum we'll feature your video on the site here and interview you for the "making of" your entry. But probably more (it's a keychain).
On behalf of the entire staff and volunteers, we continue to be amazed at the response we've gotten from the community so far. We will continue to provide ways that you can interact with us and help define us. I hope you enjoy this contest. If you have any other suggestions for how we can better meet your needs, feel free to let us know in IRC, the Forums, or the Wiki. Thanks for reading!
~Mattie_p
p.s. keychain!
p.p.s updated based on feedback
(Score: 4, Insightful) by mattie_p on Tuesday February 25 2014, @03:08PM
Do you think the quality discussion has been lacking to this point? If so, in what way? I'm always reading the comments on stories I publish (unlike some other sites) and will accept constructive criticism. And I admit mistakes and fix them, if appropriate. Do you think a promotion like this will distract from quality discussion? Isn't there room for more people?
I don't think we're trying something "new" for the sake of newness, but to get people engaged into the community. The more contributions we have to the site, the more a sense of community we will have and the better we will all be for it.
(Score: 2) by VLM on Tuesday February 25 2014, @04:02PM
Quality posting WILL eventually lure people in.
Youtube videos? Not exactly a target rich environment. "Blitzwinger lets play: Troll soylent" "Hey guys look at this cute kitten video on Soylent" Yeah, good luck with that.
Getting mentioned on 4chan? Maybe. Probably better than YT. Higher class clientele anyway.
Getting mentioned on Reddit? That would definitely work. Just make sure its /R/Scala or /R/ECE not /R/Gonewild-grouchy-old-unix-beards (which probably exists...)
Post something on G+ / FB / twitter? Maybe not. I bet grannie and auntie would love to hear all about Soylent.
Having a post get quoted on stackexchange? That would work.
Vaguely famous tech blogger or podcaster? That would work. Get this mentioned on TWIT or Linux Link Tech Show or retrocomputing roundup or whatever, that would work.
But YT? Donno man.
(Score: 2) by kebes on Tuesday February 25 2014, @08:20PM
I think a video contest is fun and will generate some enthusiasm. So that's great. If it pulls in some extra readers/commenters, that's even better.
My only concern is that the title/phrasing ("What is SoylentNews?") almost seems like you consider the video contest to be a primary way of soliciting community feedback. I'm fine with it being one of many channel of feedback, as long as it doesn't eclipse the opinions of all the users who were not inclined to produce a video. I suspect this is exactly how you intend it; so it might just amount to reassuring the community about what's going.
I think a consistent stream of 'meta' posts, where we all talk about the current state of SN, and where we want it to head, is fun, healthy, and productive. (And this certainly counts as one.) So far you guys have been doing that... so my comment is really just: keep up the good work, and keep up the dialogue.
(Score: 1) by goathack on Tuesday February 25 2014, @10:35PM
No, the discussion has not been lacking thus far. And that's a good thing, I hope to see it continue.
I do think that a "promotion" will detract from the credibility and general quality of the site: it should grow organically, on its own merit, attracting those of like mindedness and disposition. And that happens by generating quality material and discussion, not by producing what I consider "fluff".
Full disclosure: I'm a grumpy old guy. Lurking/occasional commenter on Slashdot since 1997, pretty much gave up on it around 2007.