Holiday Avatar Contest!!! WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Originally posted by Zarniwoop
Can we get a moderator to watch this thread overnight?

Something very unexpected and strange happened. Google removed some stars -- yes, Google.

We retain no more than seven days of server logs for both trouble-shooting and analysis of any exploit attempts. Beginning a little more than five days ago, we saw the URL command for removing stars from single posts. It looks like 117 in total.

Way back when the star system was created, for testing I created an unimplemented method to remove stars -- the idea being that I should test adding a star to as many different posts as possible, then remove it. The star removal code isn't part of the staff's toolset, but it sat there on the server.

When looking at the logs, 12 different Google crawler IP addresses where suddenly using the command. Apparently, updates to the Google crawler now include experimentation with URL variables other than what are present on the page. This is a very bad thing. I've notified our representative at Google, and will report back if there's anything to report.

reply to post by DIRTYDONKEY

Most of what you see are backgrounds.
The smaller ones you see as entries are avatars.

So, enjoy playing around and creating one...
I'll leave the more technical aspects of the creating to the avatar experts

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Very strange!

With that in mind however, surely this puts this current contest, and subsequent future contents in jeopardy?

See my earlier post for the solution.

reply to post by Just Chris


Pffftttt... We're not letting bumps in the road stop us! We might have to adjust coarse and adapt a bit. We'll see. In the meantime, the contributions are awesome! Keep up the incredible artistry!

We've got two weeks to figure out the details and come up with the best solution(s) going forward.

~Heff

Originally posted by Hefficide
reply to post by Just Chris

 

Pffftttt... We're not letting bumps in the road stop us! We might have to adjust coarse and adapt a bit. We'll see. In the meantime, the contributions are awesome! Keep up the incredible artistry!

We've got two weeks to figure out the details and come up with the best solution(s) going forward.

~Heff

That's all good and well, but my second submission is still missing it's 5 valuable stars!

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


YIKES!!!


That is very bothersome indeed. And I am VERY glad you have found it.

To be honest, sounds like you have a new thread for General Conspiracies. Not a big fan of Google, but a HUGE fan of ATS.

another entry

and yet another entry

and still another entry

entry number...

Who am I kidding? I lost count a long time ago...



I'd be jolly too with THAT sitting on my lap.

and one more entry

For tonight anyway...

Originally posted by Zarniwoop
Can we get a moderator to watch this thread overnight? There's been some suspicious activity happening in the wee hours...

Entry #4

edit on 10-12-2012 by Zarniwoop because: (no reason given)

LMAO......Love it !!!

I said earlier it smells like a conspiracy.

Entry # ....??????

reply to post by DIRTYDONKEY


Backgrounds are fine as long as they meet the criteria listed here.

reply to post by snarky412
I see you've been playing again! If you keep on it at the rate you're going you will have it mastered in no time! I can't keep the little one off of me long enough to watch any of the tutorials all the way through. You'll have to do it for both of us buddy. Keep up the good work, you're doing great!

Originally posted by littled16
reply to post by snarky412

 

I see you've been playing again! If you keep on it at the rate you're going you will have it mastered in no time! I can't keep the little one off of me long enough to watch any of the tutorials all the way through. You'll have to do it for both of us buddy. Keep up the good work, you're doing great!

Thanks...but I'm sticking with the basics for now.

I LOVE what Zarniwoop did with the Grinch stealing the stars !!!!

Hopefully by next Christmas [if we are still here, that is...] I can be a little more creative.

It amazes me what these guys can do.
I'm still getting use to the interface...menu and stuff.
I did figure out how to download other fonts tho....

Another entry

reply to post by snarky412
I love the Grinch stealing stars too, it's so funny! I started practicing a few things today but kept having to stop - kid thought I was a jungle gym today. Having to learn way slower than I'm used to.

Heck, some of my replies take 3 to 4 tries to finish because I keep having to stop!

I'm proud of you snarky! Ready to see what you come up with next!

and another entry