This post is partially in response to Sodsboy's blog, found here.
Not sure how this will be taken, but I wanted to give some transparency to the way I've sort of judged and scored the guides in the last 2 contests.
In the end, you may not agree with how I do it, but I've tried to be fair. That said, I'm also only one of several judges, so the guides I choose are not always the ones that win.
I provided the spreadsheet to the others, but I don't know the extent of its use.
In any case, I want to point out that when I score things like BB coding, I'm pretty lenient overall. Unless it's a gray wall of text, if you've at least linked to the database and have enough separation of information to give it clarity (e.g. Put in at least some minimal effort), you're good in my book. Maybe you'll get docked one or two points, but in the grand scheme, it's not much.
Why? It's the content that matters...the build quality, the build order, explaining options that give enough info to help both newer players and regulars. Skills, skill tips, gameplay... If it's conquest, have the info so newer players know how the God should be played at various stages of a match. If it's a team fight mode, indicate how you should be playing the entire match. Matchups? Warding? All of these are taken into consideration.
There were quite a few really good guides, and some amazing coding/presentation. Some that didn't win, I thought had some amazingly in-depth content that showed their expertise. So I want to give a shout out to everyone, whether you won or not.
And to put some things in perspective, I've never won anything. No gems, no nothing. So I understand when some of you put your heart and soul into your guide and don't get anything out of it. But remember, we do this not to get something for free. Remember that we spend our time because we love the game, and this community we've built up. I comment on people's guides with the intent to help, and hope I get some reciprocation. Sometimes I get some really negative responses, which honestly sucks for the time I spent. But in the end... People are people, and all people are different. I'm one that is generally positive, and just enjoy the process of helping people (or trying to).
Anyway,if you have questions, I'll be happy to respond. Just understand that I'm trying to be as fair as possible, with no favoritism and equal opportunity. Thank you all for participating, and for making the site more interesting.
Unless there's a TL;DR secret judging category
And ruude that's like assuming I have no substance within my bbcoding.
Also if you're curious, in the two contests I've scored I used the spreadsheet to help judge the first and simply read through guides the second. This was in part because I was pressed for time the second judging period, and in part because I basically have all the factors in the spreadsheet memorized at this point.
That said, I can provide you with your score if you'd like.pm me if you want. I don't think it's fair to make all of the scores public though.