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Aug-26-2007 12:49

What does everyone think about the idea of being able to rate intros on cases?

The reason I ask is that I generally don't bother to read intros... it's hard enough to get the time to finish 12 cases a day, BUT having written a few myself, I now appreciate that people take a lot of time and effort writing them and generally get no feedback. It would be kinda cool if people would be given the chance to rate an intro they've read, and perhaps that would a) encourage more people to read one if it's been highly rated b) let the writer know when they've hit on something, or are firing blanks.

I guess added to this, maybe it would be worth considering a comments section that would be sent to the author's Slueth Mail.

Maybe you could have a league table for intros, with highest rated etc. to give some kudos to the people who have spent so much time and effort on their intros? I may also help inprove the quality of the writing, I know I've rattled out a few recently of varying quality by my own admission, but maybe I would be more inclinded to spend more time on them if I knew I was going to be rated on it.

Aug-29-2007 20:04

I know I came in late on this thread but would like to offer my 2 cents.

Brasco, this was a decent idea of yours, I admit fully that I seldom do read the intros but have to concur with most of the posters here that it would just turn into a popularity contest.

Anikka made some very good points and I have to agree that the fact of her being an Editor does give her more knowledge and a better opinion of the subject at hand. That does not take away from any of the people that are not editors.

One of the great things about this game is that Ben pretty much listens to what people ask for.

The main thing to remember about being an author is that you are leaving yourself open to criticism, both good and bad. You have to be able to take constructive criticism well and not be offended by it. Now unfortunately there will always be idiots that would just say something like "you suck", those are the ones that you just throw out.

I do like the idea of having a seperate thread where people can discuss the pros and cons of each intro, it may even get me interested in starting to read them and who knows, maybe even get my creative juices flowing enough to write one myself.

Aug-29-2007 22:36

Ok, ok, ... I'm guilty. I read intros. I figured that with all the confessions of non-intro readers here I would at least let all the hard working writers know that someone does read them. Now, sometimes I skim through them when I'm in a rush. On the whole I do read them. Honestly, I never gave much thought to giving the writers feedback .

Aug-30-2007 00:27

One sure fire way to get people to read intro's is to run an annual "what happened in the intro by .... contest with a prize. It'd only slow down those who wanted to take part, avoid the popularity contest, still allow those in a hurry to dash along...

Only an idea...

Aug-30-2007 04:59

I like it Stooby.

Aug-30-2007 05:30

Lets see what Anikka thnks, she's a great competition runner.

Aug-30-2007 15:09

Stooby, you great brat. :)

Seriously, it's a terrific idea if we can figure out details to make it work. And don't think I don't know that you're trying to get me to run it *laughs* I'm not sure it's a 'surefire way' to get people to read the intros, but it can't hurt, either.

Lady Z, thank you for confessing to reading the intros. It's nice to know that some people do!

Feedback! Feedback!! Oh, and if you don't like someone's intro, please send CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.
"I didn't care for the intro because of blah, blah, blah." (which is helpful)
NOT
"Man, you should give up writing 'cause you suck." (which is hurtful and not helpful)

Aug-30-2007 17:55

Man, I never wrote because I suck :)

One thing that always got me to read the intros was on the FMs, when they are part of the case. If the intros were more important to the case, I think more people would read them.

Please note that there is no suggestion of how to do this whatsoever in my statement, just a statement and nothing else (I just really wanted to post something cuz I haven't in awhile).

I am nothing if not constructive :p

Aug-30-2007 20:08

That's an interesting idea, Biggie...

One way to give the random intros a little importance might be to have an important bit of information given there. You know, in the tangle of palaver with the client. Maybe some kind of a wildcard code (for lack of knowledge of what it's really called, but you super-genius types will know) that reveals an alibi (hey! saves a question!) or something like that.

Dunno how practical it would be, coding-wise. But it's still an idea.

Aug-30-2007 23:42

Good idea but may be difficulat as everything about the daily cases is a random construct to avoid you getting the smae one severeal times.

I'm guessing you're thinking about another random element thrown into the intros but that may be tricky as it may mes up the flow of the intro. Also unless very clever there's likely to be a limitied number of clue types and places to hide them so when in a hurry people may still bypass the reading and head strait for the extra clue.

Nothing worng with skipping intros when in a hurry, sometimes though it's nice to pause and have a read.

Aug-31-2007 01:36

I like the idea of adding something little that will affect the case into the intro. That will surely make people appreciate these intros more. I used to read this intros eagerly, but now I realize they're a bit of a waste of time to read since they don't do anything to the main plot. However I still enjoy writing them, and would definitely read mine if it pops up (which seems to be impossible). So I still look at who writes the intros.

As for the feedback process, I have a neutral though to it. I have never thought of giving someone feedback, and even if I did, I really don't think that I would take the time to PM someone talking about their excellent intro. I suppose I'm just a lazy old bum. Yet I haven't thought of it being a popularity contest either...