LJ Idol Presents:

Given how unique this mini-season is, I'll do something else unexpected.

I have a rough FAQ. But even when I post the final version - people always have questions!

(I was planning on linking to an older FAQ for all the technical tips. This was more of a mini-season specific one)

So let me know what is unclear/needs further explanation or that you would like to see addressed:

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FAQ


What the hell is this?

If you were expecting a traditional Idol, you will have to wait for a little while longer!

However, if you can’t get the thought of playing Idol out of your head, but don’t have as much time as a traditional season takes, you might be luck!

This is LJ Idol: Exhibit B!

I’m not familiar with LJ Idol at all, what is it?

It is a writing competition on Livejournal that has been around for 8 seasons (about 7 years).

Last season’s FAQ might be helpful, particularly the technical notes about how to post images and tags.http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/484986.html

This particular FAQ assumes that you have some passing familiarity with Idol and how it works. BUT if you don’t know, always feel free to ask. If I’m not personally around, there is usually a veteran or fifteen around that will be more than willing to answer! :)

How is Exhibit A different than traditional Idol?

A lot of the elements are the same: I give you a topic, you write something and post a link to it in the topic thread by the given deadline. There is a vote, and people on the bottom are eliminated.

That part hasn’t changed. What IS different though:

- This will only last 3 ½ - 4 months (as opposed to nearly a year).
- It will be limited to 75 to 100 people. (as opposed to a growing number in the hundreds)
- This will NOT count toward “time survived” in Idol. Nor will it count to disqualify someone who wins from playing the “Real Idol”. WHICH ALSO MEANS THAT PREVIOUS IDOL WINNERS CAN PLAY!
- There is a suggested $5 (US) donation. If you can’t donate, no problem. But donors will be given priority in the available slots. People may also choose to donate more, and “sponsor” someone who otherwise couldn’t play.

Send your donation via paypal (or amazon, details for that are on the front page) to [email protected] or [email protected]. Please include your username and TWO TOPICS. That’s right, send me your topic ideas as well. They may not be used this special season. But at least one of them will show up before the end of Season 9. Just another benefit!

- A collection of some of the best work may be included in an e-book to be published after the mini-season is over.

How does Exhibit B differ from Exhibit A?

It’s one letter further in the alphabet!

I also have some twists in mind that people have been clamoring for - including one that takes place pretty much from Week 1 Day 1 that should shake a few people up! What is Idol if not an excuse to shake some people up? :)


Is this a fundraiser?

Yes. All money raised through donations will go directly to the fund to get a “specific item” to ask a certain person a life-changing question.

Idol IS my “second job”. (Although, time-wise it tends to be my first! Shhh...) and the choice was between working a traditional job, and not giving you Idol for at least another year OR giving you a special event Idol that people can opt into! This is the second, and last, mini-season before the start of Season 9!

Note, it’s a donation so once you are eliminated, no, you can’t get a refund! ;)

Also, if you donate, and then you can’t make Week 1 - you can apply your donation to someone else to sponsor them.

If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I’ll see you sometime later! If you DO though, thanks, and I hope you have a good time!

What does the winner receive?

Officially? An icon and Internet Fame!

Unofficially? There are some private individuals who might be supplying some items for the Community Chest, much like we had in Exhibit A. More details as they decide to talk about them. These aren’t from me, but rather people who wanted to “give to the cause” in their own way by encouraging people to sign up!

Where do I sign up?

The official sign up sheet will be posted shortly! Tell your friends!

The state of Mississippi is going to be voting on giving Idol's FAQ's Personhood.

Protests against this have appeared around the country, around the world even. In the parks, in the streets, inside of Burger Kings until they make you leave - it's all over the place, people are wondering one thing - when is Gary going to post the FAQ and how long will it take me to go "Hey, why didn't he change much, and why didn't he answer (insert question here)?"

Once the FAQ is a Person though, that won't matter. Much like other people (like corporations) it will have the ability to simply ignore your questions, even if they are asked frequently!

So, if you need to know anything before then, I would suggest asking it - before the good people of Mississippi have their say!

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About LJ IDOL

Unfortunately, between the time that I came up with the idea of LJ Idol with the voting system and format of the show the idea of a "reality show" has turned from strategy based game show (Survivor, Amazing Race) into even more of an overblown personality fest for the "celebrity tabloids".

I still have a deep and abiding love for reality shows, just probably not the kind that a lot of people think of when they see the phrase these days.

Idol takes the standard writing competition and injects it with some reality show twists and pacing.

It was interesting for me starting it, because I thought for sure it was already out there somewhere. When I realized that it wasn't - I decided to create it.

Over the years elements of what we created here have spawned a series of sites here on LJ that are very much influenced by us. (Everyone involved in the creation of them has been a contestant here before starting their own version.)

The important thing though is that this is where it all started. One little idea of an multi-round elimination system for a writing competition that would keep people coming back.

Hopefully it will continue to do that.

We have been fortunate enough to make the Livejournal corporate website twice as an example of the quality that livejournal offers. Obviously there was no number bump from it, because the only people who really go there are advertisers and people in the industry.
But it was still a honor.

By signing up for Idol you are making your own part in our history and creating our future and continuing what we have built over the years. Thank you for that.

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We started out this little game I like to call LJ IDOL with 154 contestants.

154.

Even I thought that I might be on crack with that number of people involved. But somehow, bit by bit we got here. We now stand with the TOP 48 contestants. Well over a 100 people gone.

We stand at the intersection of the game, which is, appropriately enough - an "intersection".

Q: Gary, I don't watch any of those there reality shows, what the heck are you talking about?

A: An intersection is from The Amazing Race, where teams would have to team up, to compete together.

Q: Ok, well that's nifty, but what does that have to do with Idol?

A: Livejournal is a social networking community, you don't think some "social networking" is going to play out in the game? These people have survived over 100 people, surely there is SOMEONE they like, respect and trust enough to join forces with.

Q: How long does this intersection last?

A: Until I say otherwise. Could be a round. Could be until the top 25. It's not past that, but it's somewhere in the middle.

Q: How do partners get selected.

A: Each contestant selects their own partner. I'll be posting something where people can officially announce their partnerships. Both people have to agree to the match.

Q: How does voting work?

A: Person A and Person B are partners. Their scores will be added together. The team(s) with the lowest combined scores will be going home.

Q: How does the Topic work?

A: There will be TWO topics. One pre-selected by me, just like normal. One of them will be OPEN TOPIC. That's right. I promised Open Topic (writing on whatever you want to write on) would be coming back, and here it is!)
One partner will write on one. One will write on the other. Both CAN write on the pre-set topic, but both can't write Open Topic in the same round.
Unless you both do the "pre-set" topic, the person who writes on Open Topic *must* do the pre-set the following week and the reverse is true...

Q: What happens if my partner ends up dropping out due to real life?

A: Excellent question. You have an option. You can choose to "go it alone" without a partner, with your sole score being measured to their combined scores or you can challenge someone else to a Sudden Death match to take their spot in the game (and partner).

A: You will have the opportunity to join a pre-existing team as the third member.

Q: Why did you strike out that previous answer?

A: I changed my mind when I decided that I liked the other idea better.I do that.*g*

Q: Other than that?

A: Other than that, it's exactly the same. This is just a twist. Some are going to like it, because it gives them a chance to pair up with someone and collaborate. Others won't but will find a way to get through it.

This is an FAQ, so if you need anymore clarifications, please let me know.

Wow, ok, when you people have opinions you have OPINIONS!!!*G*

So much to discuss here and I hope I don't miss anything.

I'm actually a little hestitant to address any of it, because so much of it comes down to "how so and so is playing the game" and that is just so very personalized. Honestly? If someone is playing a game that involves insulting other people (or making them feel insulted at the very least) it could just be who they are, but in the context of Idol, it's how they are playing the game. IMO it's not the smartest way to go, but it may be the most true to who they are, and thus I am extremely hestitant to point any fingers or step in by taking them aside and going "dude, you need to maybe take it down a notch." Who am I talking about? Quite a few people actually. Some of whom think that the people didn't see a filtered post, but people talk, and I think it's always a good bet, regardless of how private you think something is, to assume that if you put it out there, it's out there.

Pretty much all of the things I've read/heard/seen smoke signals about in posts, emails, phone calls and of course the above mentioned smoke signals are boiled down to playing the game.

Not from a personal level of course, but from a game perspective, which is ultimately, the only thing I can really talk about and/or do anything about.

If someone messes with you to the point that it rattles you - what has happened? They have managed to get ahead of one more person. Is this their ultimate intent? Who knows. I certainly don't. Maybe they just don't like you. Maybe you don't like them. People don't like everyone, and sometimes that person they don't like is you.

There are plenty of people *I* don't like. Heck, I'm on that list somedays!*g*

Not everyone has to get along to play against each other. In fact, one of the most interesting rounds was settled back in Season 1 by ONE VOTE from people who really couldn't stand each other's writing at all. That was pretty intense. But it did teach me a valuable lesson, which is good for someone like myself who wants everyone to be all happy and like each other - sometimes that just isn't going to be the case, and for the sake of the game, you sometimes just have to put that aside and just ignore them the best you can. "The game" - heck, I'm quite sure there are people most of you work with/go to school with/are related to that you can't stand. The same applies here really.

That personal aspect aside, let's get into the tribes.

Most people seem to understand this, but some don't - so let's take a look.

The new tribes are entirely based on 1 and half weeks of voting. It no longer matters who has what sized friends list, and yes, it no longer matters who thinks who is the better writer. Tribe 4 are NOT "the best writers in the competition". Tribe 1 are NOT "the worst writers in the competition". What they are, quite frankly is the people who got the most votes. In the perfect world, would the people with the "best writing" get the most votes. Sure, but I can GUARANTEE YOU that you and I do not agree on who the "best writers" are in this competition. If I had money, and was prone to gambling, I'd put some serious cash on that. Who's right? Well I am.*g*

Seriously though, it is such a very, very subjective matter. What it comes down to is vote for what you like, and don't vote for what you don't like.

Hopefully people will get what I mean when I use this example:

You read a book. It's the best damn book you have ever read. It's not on the best seller list, it's not by some household name. Maybe it's a first time writer or just kind of obscure. Do you sit around and complain that this great writer isn't getting the attention they deserve? Just sit there and shake your head at a world that is too "ignornant to get it". OR, do you tell your friends about this book? Do you get them a copy or lend out yours to spread the world? Do you get them to tell THEIR friends.

Every last person on the best seller list had something that the people not on there lacked, and it's sure not talent. They had someone who believed in them enough that they did some networking for them, to put them in the right place, and with the right people to succeed. They got them in the right bookstores and got the right people who make the decisions talking about them. Anyone who's ever played on that level knows that it's a networking game, and often times it comes down to a luck game. Who can put the right ball into the air at the right time so that it ends up on the right person's desk.

It comes down to two kinds of people, IMO, those who would complain about the unfairness of the world, and those who actually do something about it to the best of their ability. The world itself is pretty darn big and complex. As it applies to this game though, it's wonderfully simplistic.

If you like something. If you think Person A should go further than Person B, then get them the votes they need to do that.

It's not a complex mystery. Support the contestants you like. Don't support the ones that you don't.

You break down each and every issue and it really comes down to that. Someone ticks you off, the ultimate "pay back" is not voting for them if you think their entry doesn't actually deserve one. If you don't like the person but think "wow, the entry was really good/interesting/thought-provoking even if I didn't agree with it" then that's even better since it means you are thinking things through and not just reacting from an emotional basis. But really, emotions play into every aspect of life and every single game, including this one.

But in Idol, like life, you get what you put into it. If you bring the negative emotions into it, that's what you are going to get out of your game.
If you manage to stay focused though, and not let anyone rattle you, you have a good chance of making it further into this game than you originally imagined was possible.

Honestly, and I probably shouldn't actually say this one out loud, but I think most people are smart enough to have figured it out already, or they will - people in the lower tribes actually have a better shot because they have more of a chance to survive on sheer talent without the worry of being overwhelmed. It's fairly equal "talent wise" IMO but just on that one issue of surviving one more week...which is all that anyone can ulimately do, the "lower numbered tribes" gives people who might have the talent but not the numbers, a chance to build themselves up, and hone their skills of getting that attention they deserve. It's a second chance, and a way to avoid just being picked off in a numbers game in the "higher numbered tribes". Plus, and I designed it this one, the people with lower vote totals are TRIBE 1. Why? Because that means people see their names first, and get more of a chance to read their entries as they are scrolling down the poll. There's less of a chance of getting "lost in the shuffle" and more of a chance of getting the support they need.

Let's see, what else? I saw someone say that the best writer didn't always win the season and that's what they didn't like... I point to the above. If you don't want someone to win, don't vote for them. If enough people agree with you, then they won't. I'd argue vehemently that we've had 3 seasons and 3 of the most incredible writers, and people, that I can imagine won them. "Best" is always a subjective opinion. But I'm going to go with a frequently quoted line on most reality show fan sites, which is that the person who wins is the person who deserved to win. Why? Because they were able to win and the sheer act of coming up with a way to do that is remarkable in and of itself.

There was also apparently was a comment somewhere about my taking people's suggestions for how to make the game better. I do listen. If it's an idea that I think will work, I impliment it. Almost never the way the person gave it to me, but that's because what they might think "man, this is great" when placed in the context of the game, it just doesn't quite work. The balance here is very important and pretty much every single idea that has ever been proposed - thus far - hasn't had that "right balance" to me that drives things forward, keeps things fun, and most importantly keeps things as "non subjective" as I can make a concept literally riddled with the prospect of subjectivity. Most of the ideas I've gotten over the years aren't "bad", they just don't work for the contest. They might work very well for something else, but this isn't "something else", this is LJ Idol, and at the end of the day I think it's worth all of the headaches and bumps in the road, some that might seem to be mountains and valleys at the time but ulimately, like most challenges, find a way to smooth themselves out.


I think that covers pretty much everything. It's nothing I haven't said before, and it's nothing I won't say again. But if you know of something I missed (again, I didn't go into specifics, because if you don't know what I'm talking about it's a good thing, and of course "want to trade?"*g* but I think most of the things out there fall into one of those categories.) please let me know via email [email protected] or [email protected] (I probably check gmail more these days) and I'll look into it and address it.

FAQ: http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/67483.html

and make sure that if you want to play this season to sign up and follow the directions at http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/68021.html


A couple folks mentioned there were still a lot of questions - especially from newbies - out there that might end up getting lost in the Green Room. So I wanted to make sure I made a special topic thread so that you could ask anything you feel you need to know!