Green Room - Week 14 - Day 5

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

As the count down continues until deadline, we have SUDDEN DEATH CAGE MATCH news.

Three contestants were given the power to hand out a black mark, to declare an one on one match with another player. (Hey, I've been looking for a chance to use the term "black mark" since Pirate Master, and realized "hey, I already have something like that in the game!)

controlld_chaos decided to NOT challenge anyone.

awallens decided to NOT challenge anyone.

unsold_capacity challenged anamacha!

***

I'm curious what people think of "gimmicks" in posts. Things that add to the post in general, like voice posts or pictures other aspects that are indeed a part of journals but are added to the writing. Do you think they help? Do they hurt your view? Does it depend on how seamlessly they are included? Is it the type of thing that is good every once in awhile but would get old?

I've read comments from contestants who happen to be blind about pictures in posts, and it ended up being rather informative about coding issues.

How are voice posts viewed by readers who happen to be deaf? Obviously with the text they can still read what is going on, but, I don't know, I was just curious and figured there was *someone* out there who could answer that one.

***

Good luck to everyone this week, I have a feeling this is going to be a tough one.

Comments

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

First? *peeking*

I don't know about "gimmicks" in posts. To be honest, I prefer text/graphics because I am a visual person. I do like hearing others speak - it makes them more real.

I am guilty of not tagging my images properly, but I blame "Semagic." The GUI image interface does not include a spot for entering that information, so I have to remember to enter it later.

I don't know how voice posts are handled by those who use readers, but I have decided I am going to provide Audio links from now on (and not just because I went out and worked out the best way to make them). It is my hope that they add to the experience for visually impaired, mostly because my limited experience with reading software is that (like all things internet) something is lost in the translation. At least with my voice, there is a bit more tinge of humanity.

[johnmill79.livejournal.com]

I totaly agree, it makes it a lot more human to hear you, instead of this half-human voice. lol And yours was great because the audio was crystal clear, better even than a voice post. Once I stop being lazy, I'm going to make more clear posts like that. They are good for us folks who are not only blind but don't have the best hearing either.

And I have the same issue with Semagic. I wish they would come up with a way to tag entries! That's kind of annoying.

[welfy.livejournal.com]

Posts should be able to stand alone without gimmicks. This is a WRITING contest, correct? At the same time, I don't object to gimmicks. I always like visual aids. :^)

[worldofcharlie.livejournal.com]

visual aids can be quite fun *s*

[porcelain72.livejournal.com]

Is it the type of thing that is good every once in awhile but would get old?

Yes. After a very short time it would become less "Well, here's something different we could try" and more "Well, let me add a few more bells and whistles." It becomes the equivalent of using really fancy pens and dotting your i's with hearts, nice but not really necessary.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[libra-dragon.livejournal.com]

Morning and happy Friday.

As for pictures, etc....I like them and feel lik they add to things really.

[chite.livejournal.com]

I don't object to gimmicks, through I'm not sure what it is that makes me like a gimmick versus not. Some of it has to do with how seamlessly it's incorporated into the rest of the story. I don't tend to use them, with the exception of one entry where I used lyrics, but the lyrics were integral to the story.

I tend to write my entries straight-up, with the intent that they can stand alone outside of my journal. That is why I don't use LJ tags in my entries either. But to each his/her own. I certainly have enjoyed some of the more "gimmicky" posts.

Gimmicks?

[ladyozma.livejournal.com]

I think it all comes down to what is being posted. If it serves a good purpose, go for it. Back when we were doing the heinous "I fought the law" (seriously, some of us are "good girls" hehe) I really could not figure out what to do. I toyed with the idea of writing up and recording something a la "Eyes Only" from Dark Angel.

As people seem to like to mention, it is a writing contest. Well that would have definitely been writing, and it would have been a different form of writing than some people have currently tried. (IE Screenwriting and or fiction.)

I thought it would be funny and very in line with the theme. Unfortunately I did not think the vid cam on my laptop would do real well along with my limited software. If I had better software and hardware, I think I would have done it.

As for the deaf community, being an interpreter, I would probably ended up transcribing my entry. I'd have the script anyway... you know?

I don't look at these sort of things as "gimmicks". I look at them as alternative things to do. I'm STILL trying to figure out the stinking topic this week and at this point NOTHING is off the table ;) HAHA

Re: Gimmicks?

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

You know what would be cool? A video interpreted post. You could be your own "lady in the circle." Hmmmmmmmmmm.....

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

Hey all.

Very tired. I was going to take a bye this week because of an extremely busy week, but when my girlfriend Jessi saw the topic, she canceled plans on Valentine's day and told me to write it. She said she needed it. So no pressure! :-)

Last night, for the first time in my life, I bought alcohol, brought it home and drank it- three Mike's hard lemonades after not drinking since the company Christmas party the year before this. I'm not a former alcoholic or anything, I just don't drink. But I needed to chill out.

It's been a crazy busy week- I was out from 7am-10pm Monday and Tuesday going to class and work. Wednesday I went straight from work to Jessi's school to help her in a Relay for Life rally- we're going to raise money to help fight cancer (http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeNewEnglandDivision?px=4449489&pg=personal&fr_id=6848), and despite what it says on my personal page, I'm shooting for $500. Jessi set it at $100 when she set it up because she wanted me to chill out about it. Anyways, I crawled home at 11pm. Last night, I sat home with ice cream and alcohol and tried unsuccessfully to fit how I felt about Jessi into a nice, neat little package. Not possible.

I have a busy weekend coming up. My house looks like hell, and I'm tired. Saturday is going to be spent doing Relay stuff with Jessi, and my school books finally came in, so I have a month's worth of class to start catching up with for my cataloging class. I'm going to make time to read entries this week, though, because I really want to see how all of these came out.

Work's been busy too. I've been writing as fast as I can, but my boss is so excited to have a full time writer that I feel like I could write for a month and still not be on top of it.

Hope you're all doing well also. Sorry I've been so distant this week- I've just been completely engaged with my energies. You've been in my thoughts, all.

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

*cares*

You know, as well as I do, who (and what) should come first. We do what we can, and our friends understand.

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

I think it's nice to be original. I always appreciate it when I see someone doing something a little different. Gimmicks get old quickly, though, and shouldn't be repeated. As far as voice posts go, though, I think that's more considerate than gimmicky. I LOVE it when people do voice posts. suesniffsglue read her entry this week and it did wonderful things for her work.

EVERY week is a tough one lately. No one left is anything less than an exceptional writer.

[worldofcharlie.livejournal.com]

*have only done couple of voice posts but not as part of my LJ Idol entry*...

Voiceposts are a bit problematic to me...

*guy in a girl's body* and I sound like a girl with a British accent.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Whee, I finally have a day off!

Going down to CT with my husband to look around some shops and cause general mayhem while he makes a client presentation. Shouldn't take all day.

I've got Two Weeks From Hell™ coming up at work because of vacations. Unfortunately neither of them are mine. I may need to be debriefed and de-contaminated when it's all over *takes a deep breath*

Other than that, there's a sci-fi convention in town this weekend!

[worldofcharlie.livejournal.com]

Yes for science fiction.

I used to really enjoy writing it back in the mid 80's.

[minikin.livejournal.com]

morning! Just made empanadas; on the run and napping today.

Good luck everyone!

[tryslora]

I'm not fond of gimmicks.

I am fond of journal entries.

For me, this is about the writing, but it's also about the person behind the writing, and well, about being a Livejournaler (I should use blogger or journaler shouldn't I, as it seems a bit less of a mouthful) more than a writer. I want to see the entry that makes that person come alive and be vibrant there on the screen in front of me.

So I don't like gimmicks that are, well, gimmicky.

But if the pictures or voice or whatever it is flow seemlessly with the post and are a part of the personality for how that person "speaks" than that's perfect, as far as I'm concerned. And I really do love seeing those posts.

I remember one of welfy's from last season (at least I'm pretty sure it was hers), and I couldn't tell you the topic or the week, but I remember it was really picture intensive. But it was a journey and it drew me in with a mix of storytelling and images, and the words fit the images and vice versa and both worked well to bring me into the story so that I was entranced. Done like that it wasn't gimmicky at all, just a story very well told.

On the other hand, coding for images is a big deal, and the tag needs to reflect the image in some way that doesn't interrupt the story for someone who can't see the image. I don't think about that often enough and I should.

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

What do you consider a gimmick? I take a different approach almost every week.

[baxaphobia.livejournal.com]

Good morning. It's a day off for me. I decided to make it a 4 day weekend as Monday is President's day. Feels kind of good to sit at my office window and watch imafarmgirl leave her apartment and I don't have to go! Mean, huh? haha

As for voice posts and such in entries, I think they can add if they are unique. But if it ends up just being the same old thing repeated because someone else did it then it does get old.

I have to say I do appreciate those who code their pictures and such. I have some vision and can sometimes see, but not always and if people have pics in their entries or post them here for fun, I'd like to be in on it! Smile.

Hope all have a good day and I'll be around. Off for coffee!

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Enjoy your day off!

[chazari.livejournal.com]

I don't care about gimmicks because I have knitting group tomorrow!!!!

[tryslora]

It's tempting to go this week since I'm here after all, but then there's the whole don't want to risk bringing plague germs since we still have plague in the house. *sighs*

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

I haven't read any of this week's posts yet. There have been "gimmicky" things in posts in other weeks, some of which have been better than others. I guess it depends on the subject, and how well it's put together.

welfy said it above. It's a writing contest. When it comes down to it, the writing should be the main point.

[chite.livejournal.com]

I am leaving in a few hours for my romantic weekend away from Baby and with The One I Love, so I am reading entries fast and not necessarily commenting.

Hooray for romantic weekends away!

[monkeysugarmama.livejournal.com]

Hooray is right! Do you know my husband and I have NEVER had one since the kiddos were born? That's almost 4 years now!! We are SO due.

Y'all have a fantastic time away.

[kittenboo.livejournal.com]

I think gimmicks are worth it when they work well with the entry, when they add to the experience in some way.

I think it also depends on the individual, for example I like pictures when they relate to the entry in a meaningful way, but usually don't listen to voice posts because i just don't particularly like voice posts. But I know other people might feel the opposite way.

I also don't view them as gimmicks, they are just different tools available to help tell a story.

And why is it that every time we get snow it turns to ice the very next day?

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

Well, deafie weighing in here. I don't care about audio posts, but if that's all you put out, I'm not going to get any of it ;-). So if you want me in on it, I need a transcript. With respect to this contest, though, since it's a writing contest, I'd fully expect that the "transcript" is actually the original article!

I try to code up all my pictures, for the benefit of any blind or visually impaired people reading my entries. I know what it's like not being able to access something! I've also discovered that while embedded video is usually not accessible to the software that VI people use, a direct link to the youtube is something that starts playing automatically and therefore I am trying to include that with my embedded videos, unless the videos are purely visual (which can happen if they are ASL videos, or martial arts clips, in which case I try to explain what's going on).

I think others have already pretty much said it all. These things are fun, they *can* be gimmicky, although some people have incorporated them in really cool ways. And some of them are going to be purely unusable by others, unless you provide some sort of explanation or alternative.

That said, I do intend to put out a audio post on my journal at some point, since so many people are curious about that. I've just been too lazy to look up how to do it, I think it can be phoned in which is what I'd do.

[tulip-in-yellow.livejournal.com]

I need to get a clue phone for how to do a phone post and also how to add alternate text into my image links for the blind readers. I added the alt text to one image when someone copied and pasted the html to me, but I have no idea where to find the standard html for adding alt text to images.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I've got a great idea for a new game!

I'm going to put spy satellites into orbit and then when they about to crash back into Earth I'm going to shoot it with a missile! That's right, shooting missiles at hunks of metal hurling toward the Earth!

Who's with me????

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun. But can we load them up with poisonous chemicals first? That'd be even better!

[unsold-capacity.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm the only one who decided to do the cage match? Awkwarrrrrd...

Sorry for not being up on this, but what do you mean by "coding" pictures for the visually impaired? Is it something more involved besides having a nice shiny Alt-text tag? I'm curious, because I have no experience outside of this competition with the issue, and in my entry I simply included a description in the footnote. I'm sorry if it bothered anybody...

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

Just the alt text, yes. It does make a big diff to include it, though.

[lilmissmagic71.livejournal.com]

Whew... Having read through five or six GR and other entries, I think i can finally post... Man! Spend a few days nursing sick kids (and a cold of your own) and you will NEVER catch up to how fast these rooms move...)

ok, ummm... gimmicks. I prefer gimlets... but gimmicks are ok too... as long as there is a strong piece behind it... I wouldn't mind doing a voice post reading of one of mine, but I think it would lose something in my heavy drawl... *smile* Though I am told that I give good phone.

Because I haven't been able to post much, I am a bit behind... anybody have a sum up of everything I need to know? For example, this whole intersection thing threw me down...

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

Yeah that intersection thing. I was always the last kid to pair up or be chosen on the schoolyard, so it's something that I sort of dread. And this sounds like it could be like that unless we're randomly assigned. Eek.

BTW, what happens if there's an intersection but an odd number of contestants writing on that round? Because, yeah, that odd one out is always me :-P

[abbismom.livejournal.com]

This is "LJ Idol" not, "Writer's Idol"; therefore, anything you can post in LJ is fair game, including voice posts, pics, etc.

[unsold-capacity.livejournal.com]

Great point. If it was a straight-up writing contest there would be a lot of things handled very differently.

[tulip-in-yellow.livejournal.com]

Gimmicks are tricky things.

I've used several photos in a handful of my entries, but I don't consider those gimmicks. When I wrote about being thankful for the road, I wanted to bring the readers with me not only with text, but with images. I didn't add pictures to get votes, which is why I don't see it as a gimmick. I added them because I wanted to share those places and moments that have helped form me and change me.

Doing voice posts....eh...once or twice, sure. More than that, and you're just trying too hard. Having never done a voice post on LJ, I admit to being curious about it and I think it would be fun to let readers feel more connected to me. But in the end, it's the writing that I find crucial. You may have a terrific voice and you may tell your story better than you write it, but I'm still going to judge/vote the entry based on the writing and only the writing.

[suesniffsglue.livejournal.com]

I don't mind gimmicks as long as the post is still quality.

I wasn't sure reading mine would work out, so I didn't choose to include it in my actual post. But I really wanted to hear what it sounded like, and I figured I'd still put it up on my journal for anyone who was interested. But I certainly wouldn't want to be judged based on my reading voice! Eep. I sound like a twelve year old boy!

[desert-rose.livejournal.com]

I think you have a great reading voice. I hate the sound of my voice, so avoid listening to a recording I've made, otherwise I'm likely to delete it as it sounds so horrible.

I'd love to hear you read more when you have time so aren't having to rush!

[angstzeit.livejournal.com]

Gimmick strikes me as a loaded word. It is quite common these days for writings to be available in various formats. Personally, I often find it easier to listen to a piece than read it.

I think most everyone agrees that without a good written piece no amount of added delivery methods will help. But as long as the writing can stand alone, I don't think adding something else can hurt. And as for it getting boring--just read the piece and skip the rest.

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

::: nods :::

I think it's nice to stand out a little.

[kithan.livejournal.com]

I have cheese curds.

They are deep fried.

That is all.

[tdarling.livejournal.com]

nothing more?