SD Couch Potato Poll Re: Changing Rules

[panache]

For members who post on the San Diego Couch Potato Codes forum. We've agreed to certain rules put down by members who started this thread. (see pg. 122 http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46022&page=122&pp=30).

And posted again in it's entirety:

Official Apex Couch Potato Forum Rules (approved by senior members)!
1. Do not disclose personal information.
- Remember that FOX is watching, perhaps even participating, and sharing codes is against the CP rules. If they find out who you are, they will not hesitate to take away your points and cancel your account.
- Any private information related to your Couch Potato account (how much points you have, how you plant to spend them or what you may have already won) should be shared in a private message to another member of the forum if necessary.

2. We confirm codes.
- If you're new don't take it personal if someone confirms a code that you post. Confirming is what works for us.
- Poison codes do exist (Examples: krusty, golf2004), their intention is to catch those who brake the rules.
- You confirm by actually hearing or seeing the code (and recieving the code directly from the origional source), not by another source or testing the code to see if it works (Poison codes work too).
- No confirming your own post, a code and a confirmation are two seperate posts.

3. No Guessing or Cheating.
- Don't post guessed codes or put codes in early (like a bonus event that has not started yet or answer to a trivia question that has not been revealed yet).
- Only post a code if you see or hear it yourself, only confirm a code if you see or hear it yourself.
- Do not post a code from another forum unless that code has been confirmed by a Senior member on that forum. You also need to mention the forum you got the code from in you post.

4. Test all codes before you post them.
- Make sure you get your points in green letters (Trivia) or a green confirmation box (codes) that says "Congratulations".
- Make sure the spelling is correct once you post it, everybody makes mistakes, buy some mistakes could cost us all our points.
- Do not compete to see who can post their code first, if somebody beat you, you can always confirm.
- Red means stop (no posting the code whatsoever), sometimes the code is correct and FOX6 will reward you those points later with an email confirmation. By then it's usually too late to post that code, but we cannot afford to post the code under any uncertain conditions.

5. Listen to Senior members and respect fellow members.
- Senior members have alot of experience, which you can trust, and they usually know what's best. They have tons of great advice too.
- Provoking or belittling other members is unacceptable, if you can't respect and show basic curtisy to other people, you should not be participating in any forum - let alone this one.
- If this sounds paranoid or ridiculous to you, please refrain from making posts on our forum. You put the rest of us in jepordy.

6. Be specific about the source of the code.
- In addition to posting the code, give a source. For example FITM (Fox in the mornig), Simpson code, upn13 code, Fox6 10pm (News at 10pm), Special event (name the event) code, Internet code, etc.
- If you just post a code without a source, you will recive suspicion or even hostility from other members.


A certain item has come into question.

4. Test all codes before you post them.
- Make sure you get your points in green letters (Trivia) or a green confirmation box (codes) that says "Congratulations".
- Make sure the spelling is correct once you post it, everybody makes mistakes, buy some mistakes could cost us all our points.
- Do not compete to see who can post their code first, if somebody beat you, you can always confirm.


Therefore, in a democratic way this is a poll to see who wants to keep the rules the same or who wants to change the rules to not have to confirm the code first by posting on the Fox6 website. I for one think we should abide by the rules as written by previous senior members. No offense meant to anyone.

[Gothic Girl]

Right on Panache! I'm glad you did this. I was just wondering How we should go about discussing this. Good job!

[panache]

Thanks GG.

I really am enjoying posting on G|A and making new buddies and stuff too. This should be an interesting thread. I gotta go to work for now but I'll check in later. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[DarkFury]

One question...

Shouldn't this poll be in the "Local Deals" forum instead of OT?


Personally... the majority of us here may not even participate in this contest. :shrug:

[bendogg]

As I have stated on the CP thread, I think waiting to see if a code works is not necessary. To my knowledge, Fox has never used a 100-point daily code to catch us. It always seems to be a 500-point bonus code from an event. I was told that they have used the golf shootout in Mission Valley twice.

Anyway, even if we regular posters agree to follow that rule, plebes and others who don't care about our rules will just beat us to posting it, which takes some of the fun out of it for us. I always edit my posts (like when I win or lose the competition or when I want to add info) and will always do so if there is any problem entering a code within like a minute. I agree with GG that we should always test bonus codes prior to posting them, as there's no need to compete there. That's my 2 cents. Thanks for starting this thread Panache. -- :cheers: Ben Dogg :cheers:

[navyones]

Personally, I disregard all posts from Plebes. Unless a Senior Member with a decent track record posts a code, I refuse to use it.

I realize that I may lose some point opportunities this way, but it is not worth losing all my points by putting in a bogus code.

[GreatScott]

I'm in total agreement with navyones, although I might even go a step further to say that I wouldn't trust an ensign, either. The only exception has been the folks, like my self, that have moved over from FW. I know who the seniors were over there, and I continue to trust them.

Regarding the competition, I have been busting my @$$ trying to be the first poster on Star for two reasons. First of all, I know that others wouldn't trust a non-Senior so I view a confirmation from a non-Senior as wasted space, and secondly, I have to admit it is fun to beat out everyone else posting a code. I'm sure that once I reach a Lieutenant level I'll be less motivated to be the first.

[eSDee]

One question...

Shouldn't this poll be in the "Local Deals" forum instead of OT?


Personally... the majority of us here may not even participate in this contest. :shrug:

:stupid: This is the wrong forum to post this in. Perhaps panache made a mistake :shrug:

[panache]

It appears the Apex Moderator fixed this thread. Sorry all-being new to starting threads it gets confusing to know where a thread belongs.

[dogopoly]

I copied this directly from pg. 122:
Do you guys want to remove this item from the rules? If so we all need to know which rules apply and which ones don't.
...
4. Test all codes before you post them.
...
- Do not compete to see who can post their code first, if somebody beat you, you can always confirm.


That's still a good rule. You just want to be careful that you get it right or risk the consequences (from Fox and us!)

[dogopoly]

When you see the code on TV, entering it here is just as good as entering it on Fox.

However, when Fox drops the ball and doesn't activate the code (like Panthers a few weeks ago) it causes us all a lot of confusion.

I'd like to think that their screwup will never cause penalties to members.

Similarly, before I found Apex, I would sometimes guess the code for various events and occassionally got it right after 5 or 10 tries. From the perspective of poison codes, this seems risky, but if I innocently guess at codes (which is not prohibited in their rules) then there's really no reason for my account to be jeopardized.

And you all know that I think Fox's attitude on points (i.e. keeping them to yourself) is absurd. The more we use the points, the more we're doing exactly what their advertising is about: getting attention.

If their advertisers get a bonus code up with their product name, even people who never got the code themselves are immediately getting the advertising just by entering the code.

--
A bit long-winded and off-topic, but competing is fine if you don't make mistakes. This also goes for the weekly e-mail code "competition."

[bendogg]

Guessing codes is usually not a good idea. SouthPark12345 who was a senior on the CP forum posted a long time ago that his account was suspended for guessing a code. The problem with it is if you guess it and input it before it has aired on TV. That makes you look mighty suspicious. Now that Monika (CP Promotions director) is gone, this may not be as much of a concern, but is it really worth 100 points to possibly call your account into question?? --BD :bandit:

[LunchMeat]

I always input codes I see first on the CP website and validate them before posting here, but at the same time I'm trying to post first because its fun to compete. To me, it doesn't make too much sense for me (being a relative newbie) to confirm after some senior members have posted or confirmed since my post is pretty much meaningless since anybody can wait until a senior has posted a word and reply with a confirm afterwards.

I think its fun to compete, but I personally will always validate my entry since I'm a newbie and I'm trying to show I'm trustworthy. It really doesn't matter to me if someone posts before validating since I will always wait until members I trust to confirm before entering a code. If someone wants to enter a code that was posted a second after showing up on GA and isn't watching Fox that second before when the code appeared, they take their own risk and it doesn't bother me.

[dogopoly]

Guessing codes is usually not a good idea. SouthPark12345 who was a senior on the CP forum posted a long time ago that his account was suspended for guessing a code. The problem with it is if you guess it and input it before it has aired on TV. That makes you look mighty suspicious. Now that Monika (CP Promotions director) is gone, this may not be as much of a concern, but is it really worth 100 points to possibly call your account into question?? --BD :bandit:

You're certainly right, but when I first joined, I used to love guessing what the code-of-the day would be. For example, on President's Day I used to guess "Washington" and "Lincoln", etc.

I always wanted to guess the code before they first gave it just to see if the code was active before they said it or whether it was WHEN they said it. I never really considered any risks because there was no reason for me to consider them.

But now the world is a different place, and there are terrorists, spies and moles even in places that you might not think that they should be (and it's even hard to trust friends...or maybe that's just my current place in life...)

[navyones]

You're certainly right, but when I first joined, I used to love guessing what the code-of-the day would be. For example, on President's Day I used to guess "Washington" and "Lincoln", etc.

I always wanted to guess the code before they first gave it just to see if the code was active before they said it or whether it was WHEN they said it. I never really considered any risks because there was no reason for me to consider them.

But now the world is a different place, and there are terrorists, spies and moles even in places that you might not think that they should be (and it's even hard to trust friends...or maybe that's just my current place in life...)

Just get a supply of duct tape and plastic bags! You should be safe from all Fox Terrorists! :)

[PeachieGleem]

Removed by Peachy

[dogopoly]

I must say that the competition makes for more fun, and the comments that follow usually make it more interesting than those other similar forums where all they do is post codes (although the Star site has now started discussing "the divorce" which at least makes it a tiny bit interesting.)

[panache]

Hey all,

First off-I think you guys are the best bunch of chat buddies I've found yet.

I posed the question about thsi rule originally because I myself wanted to get clear on the rules. Rules Shmules I could care less, lol, or I wouldn't be in the cp thread! Think about it. I think it's cool we can agree that with this particular "rule" (agreed upon by higher ranking members at that time) is not one we want to follow. In just reading the responses so far the gist of what I'm getting is that IT IS FUN TO COMPETE TO POST CODES FIRST.

OK, everyone let's throw this rock off the cliff and watch it go KERSPLASH!

I am no moderator of this forum, or even a high ranking member yet, so this certainly isn't up to me.

Ok then, ahem.....I'm going to have to include myself in this game and you guys better watch out - here that GG?? Whoohoo! Panache is letting her hair down. :cheers:

P.S. Since these last few days have been horrible for our troops in Iraq, whatever your political position is I would love to ask that you keep our beloved troops and their families in your prayers. If you want to know of a completely legit organization where 100% of your donation goes directly to helping injured marine's families please p.m. me and I'll give you their info <hint: God's Marines>. I saw it on 60 minutes and it is for real. Kisses to the troops. :kiss:

[Gothic Girl]

No offense, but I'm glad you're relaxing a bit Panache.

And Dogopoly, can you PLEASE not write 2 posts or more in a row. It really gets annoying. Just edit a prior post. Thank you.

[Paniolo]

I honestly don't get the big deal about being 'FIRST'. It's much more of a big deal to be 'ACCURATE'.
Maybe some of you aren't aware that in the past, BIg Bro busted /shut down accounts for code sharing by ID'ing groups of people traced from incorrect spellings/changed/altered entries, (entered before they were able to make split second changes). Remember, they have a record/access of every post/entry you input (even pre corrections) & can cross reference with comments/posts on the forums. And they do amazingly spend their time tracking the Forums trying to catch us 'rule breakers'. So go ahead, keep competing for being 'FIRST' & once again eventually ( unintentionally ) someone will get sloppy while Big Bro is tracking the forums & it will cost you/others. They do NOT necessarily need 'moles/planted poison codes'.
That being said, I want to Thank You ALL, for your contributions/sharing here at GAPEX.

[Gothic Girl]

We all remember, if not reference, the whole mess with everyone's accounts being shut down and we all know how fox can track us. Accuracy is very important, however that's why we confirm, confirm, confirm. I have accidentally misspelled a word here, as have other people, but again, that's why we confirm each other's posts. I myself love the competition to get my post first. I think it's fun and exciting, but that's just me.

This whole stupid "rule" thing is starting to piss me off. Why can't we just have fun here people?

[panache]

This whole stupid "rule" thing is starting to piss me off. Why can't we just have fun here people?
What are you upset about? The blue states are beating the red states!

[Gothic Girl]

What are you upset about? The blue states are beating the red states!
LOL! See, that's why I like you Panache!http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aetsch/cheeky-smiley-006.gif

[panache]

I thought you'd appreciate that one GG.

[panache]

Hmmmm...how come no one else is commenting?

As of this morning, here's the results:

1. No-keep the rules the same = 9
2. Yes-it's stupid and it's fun to compete= 7
3. I could care less = 9
4. What the hell is a couch potato? 2

Now the red states are sneaking past the blue states. And yet apathy is tied with the lead. So guys what do we do?

[bendogg]

I say we let the debate die! Those that want to confirm first can do so, those that want to compete are going to do it anyway, so as long as we all post/confirm the same code, everybody's happy! --Ben Dogg :wavey2:

[panache]

Yeah you can't please everyone all the time. I'm complete on this subject.

[GreatScott]

As an apathy voter, I have leanings towards changing the rules because Bendogg is right, there will be people that will still compete. Therefore, we need to all adjust to this, and take other action. I try to never use a code that has not been confirmed because people do make typos, and this includes the radio stations (Rock 105.3 is one of the worst offenders).

[falcon619]

This thread is so funny...

[Jontas]

This is awsome, good points evrybody!
I tend to agree that the rule seems unecessary as long as people are willing to confirm, we should all be safe. I think the problem lies in invalid confirmations, then we could all be screwed.

[dogopoly]

Since this is back in the forefront, here's something that's been bugging me for a while...

We recently started doing daily code summaries--a great idea.

The problem is that some of those codes may not have been confirmed, and some were only by newbies and confirmed by newbies.

The new risk is that questionable codes are now being placed in a summary page (sometimes by senior members) without notification of which ones were unconfirmed by senior members.

I'd know it's extra work, but anyone summarizing should really include warnings next to some of those code, maybe something like this:

AM code: abc
AM trivia: (B)
UPN code: def [unconfirmed]
evening code: ghi [newbies]
news code: xyz

Fortunately, I usually follow throughout the day so I don't need these summaries, but I hope that nobody gets burnt by entering unconfirmed codes.

[cadetevon]

Fortunately, I usually follow throughout the day so I don't need these summaries, but I hope that nobody gets burnt by entering unconfirmed codes.



I fall in to the same thing with you. I, pretty much, keep up all day and heck, I don't log on at all at night.

I never thought about the fact that some of the codes in the summaries could be unconfirmed ones. It just didn't dawn on me.

If I were one of the folks that log on only at night I would TOTALLY LOVE the person doing the summaries. It's a nice thing to do and is much appreciated by others, I'm sure.

[Scorpio006]

Removed by SCORPIO006