Hello, As young Rude Kid has posted on the 2007 thread, I have been chosen, and duly accepted, to run the Derby Dead Pool next year. I'd like to clarify a few things for next year already & also run a debate over some small rule changes for next year, so that by the time the entry opening date comes around, everyone is clear of what the rules will be.   Firstly, thanks for the support so far. The Derby Dead Pool will remain under the same name. The Odstock Dead Pool has a ring to it, but there's no need for a name change & being linked to Derby ahs never done the site any harm... yet.   The competition will remain free - no admin charges, but any voluntary contributions will always be welcome. Likewise, there will be no cash prize - the competition & the award is for deadpooling greatness, not personal enrichment, and so it shall remain.   I can also confirm that the rule over no animals, fictional people, already deceased people etc. will remain.   I don't really want to make sweeping changes, as the DDP must be doing something right, but there are a few things I would like to change, and a few issues on which a number of people are divided - I can't please everyone of course, but I can at least take on board people's wishes & incorporate them where I can.   So, your feedback on the following will be much appreciated & will help me decide on what changes need to be made for the 2008 (and subsequent years) competition: Executions
Famous for being Famous
Age Limits
Amount of subs
Team Entry Limits
Obituary Requirements
Unique Picks
Wallpaper
Scoring System
Executions Ultimately, I don't really want to run a restricted death pool, but I do know that many players feel that choosing someone due to be executed is a bit, shall we say, against the spirit of the game, if not against the rules, per se. I am open about potential executionees, but if there is a big tidal wave of opposition to allow soon-to-be executionees on the DDP, then I have two options - one to ban them altogether, another to reduce their points score by half. I'd appreciate feedback on this issue particulary.   Famous for being Famous I can see what people mean when the likes of say, Dorothy Webb or that old fellow that killed all those people in his car are picked. But as HCW posted on the 2007 rules, make the most of the openess & the rules. Personally, I'm happy to allow anyone to be picked & not change/limit the rules, as otherwise it'll be like the dull & frustrating Rotten Dead Pool. But am I the only one who feels this way?   Age Limits If you asked me currently, what the lowest age limit will be, I will say sixteen still. No way is that being reduced, so, sorry MPFC, no 8 or 9 year olds with cancer. But, again, if there is a big sea change that 16 should become 18, I will consider upping the age limit. Again, your opinion on this one will be very important.   Amount of Substitutes I would like to make it 3, as a number of us have many good candidates in the lists, only to annoy us by dying in the last weeks of the year. Anyone object to having 20 names & 3 subs, rather than just 1?   Team Entry Limits I am aware that I will be taking on a behemoth of a Dead Pool. But that's fine. I like the theme teams, and hope they continue. I also will be having no limits on the amount of teams - if it's 121, or 6, or 1,000 so be it. However, to narrow down the time taken, with processing entries & candidates I have pondered whether I should restrict the entry per person to just one team? This is one is more a thought, than a potential ruling, but I'd be interested on feedback with this one.   Obituary Requirements RK has summed up my feeling with this one in the 2007 thread. The Derby Dead Pool will remain British. "We shall fight them on the beaches.... we shall fight them.." ahem. But I do know the DDP has a large global following & I don't want to alienate them too much. Also, both the AP feed & the Guardian newspaper have proved sticking points in the past, so this is my compromise idea: All current obituary requirements remain the same EXCEPT: The Guardian now has to be an obituary from their obituaries page & not simply an AP (or other news feed) on their site. To balance this out, a full obituary from the New York Times will be accepted in its place. Either that, or the rules remain as they are. I can confirm that CNN, despite its reputation, will not be accepted as, otherwise the DDP loses the thing that makes it unique - there should be a struggle for obits, not just wham bam thank you.   Unique Picks The one rule I WOULD like to introduce, if I can, is 3 points for a unique pick hit & not just one. I feel those who research harder should get some recompense. Any thoughts/objections?   Wallpaper Initially, it'll stay the same. But I have agreed terms with a highly regarded Technical & Aethsics expert, who will act as my advisor in a non-executive directorship. We might fiddle around once all the names are up in the early part of the year.   Scoring System I think, generally, this years new scoring system has been a breath of fresh air & generally a success & will, more than likely, be retained for next year. I certainly don't want to make the scoring system more complex - I'd like it to be easy to understand for both organiser(!) and contestants. But again, feedback on this would always be good.     Non DL'rs will also get their say. If you want to PM or e-mail me suggestions, that's fine, but for now I'll leave it open to you.               A few other things - I will probably be accepting entries in the first week or so of December - that's to be confirmed shortly. Secondly, I shall still be posting on DL, but maybe my postings will go down a little in January.... Thirdly, I will accept Tempus back if he wants to come back. Fourthly, I will still enter the team I had in mind & if I win, then huzzah! But, I'll enter it early and therefore will not take advantage of any good, potential unique pick candidates in proposed teams.   Cheers, OoO