Vote or die...

We should do politics this way. ;) Eliminate the two party system.

Yeah, but would you really want a ballot saying "Politicians I've ridden" or "Politicians I've ridden this year"? ;)

Wanted to let folks know that the Steel Poll is now underway until December 21.

Just happened to check the processed ballots for the Wood Poll and saw that 499 people have voted so far. So if anyone was wavering on whether to vote--- do it. You have until the 30th.

how do you check the processed ballots?

he sends you an email with the URL.. I think there's a link on the site, too. *checks*

Edit: Link removed. You need to vote in order to get the link. My apologies for not realizing this before. *** Edited 11/29/2005 4:05:14 AM UTC by dannerman***

Weird, I did my wood poll ballot one time, and sent it in, but it has me on there as #100, and then again (with no coasters listed) around 400. I know I didn't send it in more than once, esp. a different ballot with no coasters listed at all...

Dannerman, Please edit and remove that link.

There is a reason that page is only given to people who have already voted.

People who haven't voted, Can study and purposfully knock other coasters down.

Chuck

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coasterqueenTRN said:
^What is Wild Adventures going to do about it? If anything?

Cheetah CAN'T remain like THAT forever. I can see where it *used* to be an awesome, non-painful ride but my......god.......:-(

Such a waste of good wood. It deserves A LOT of TLC.

As far as the Gauntlet at Magic Springs I was VERY surprised. I think I was the ONLY one that loved it at the Preservation Con last year. ;-)

-Tina

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I rode cheetah in jan/feb (first weekend reopened) It was a fast ride rails were juicy with oil it was not that bad.I rode it last month and it beat me up.So my hope is the train just needs new wheels and bearings.The second train has been missing since before retracking so my hope is that the second train is in rehab or sent off for rebuilding.I looked in the shed and did not see second train (it maybe in pieces)So i asked the ride op and got a blank look as a reply.

My question is do you think hard/old wheels and bearings can cause this almost unrideable condition. I have been riding this coaster for since it opened and it used to be a lot better.

Maybe there's a "Tekno-poster" out there filling out blank ballots in your name. Tekno, if you're going to start quoting me, I expect royalties. ;)

And before the grammar police bust me, yes I realize it should say "Seeing the obvious isn't a talent with which I'm too impressed." *** Edited 11/28/2005 10:42:13 PM UTC by RatherGoodBear***

Chuck, my apologies - I didn't realize it was a semi-private link. I have edited out per your request.

Like its a big deal. It isn't like someone couldn't just vote more than once if they're so silly they have to hate a coaster for stupid reasons...

Thanks bud, NBD. Me and Mitch disscussed ways several years ago on how to make the poll more tamper resistant. The prelim used to actually show the results as they stood at that point and say if a coaster had no losses. Some late voters would purposfully rank it lower to get another over it.

Several other steps were taken and I believe the poll is better than ever in terms of fairness. And as always, The more voters, The more overall acuracy and fairness to all.

The main reason I like Mitch's poll over any other is that it takes the popular and major parks coasters and puts them on a even playing field with all others, Why should Silverwoods coasters suffer? Just because they have two million less visitors per year than say Kings Island. It doesn't mean the coasters are any worse, Just less visited.

I have done basically all my trip planning around this poll, To seek out the creame of da crop as well as hit the other parks in the vicinity of them

Yeah, I sought out Boulderdash because of it but on the way there, I hit Lakemont, Delgrossos, Knoebels, Quassy, SFNE and on the way home, SFGADV and Dorney. Yes, we spent all day at most of them parks, Drove over 2200 miles round trip and had a day off for Steamtown, All in 8 days :)

Chuck, who went on a tangent but isn't sorry :)

And the technical reason that Mitch's poll is so great is that you're voting in every head to head comparison possible based on your track record rather than just giving all your 'points' to a handful of favorites.

For example, if your track record is just 20 wooden (or steel) coasters deep, you're actually inputting 190 different votes.

One for each possible head to head comparison of coasters you've ridden.

Compare that to polls that let you pick one favorite or make your own top ten list & assign points and they seem downright silly in comparison.

Mitch's is definitly the best out there. I just wish more people would vote (sure, 400 is good, but there are far more that think it is too hard).

Which is why the number ones are usually good coasters taht often haven't been ridden by the 'majority'.

Last day to vote on Wood coaster poll.

Easy way is here http://www.coasterfanatics.com/mitch_woodpoll/

Hard way is here

http://www.geocities.com/wcoasterpoll/

This message will expire in 18 hours and 38 minutes. So will the poll!

Chuck

I actually find the "hard way" easier than the "easy way". That's probably because I've done the poll before and find it's much easier to forget to include a coaster or three using the "easy" web form.

Well over 500 entries this year, good turnout.

As creator of the "easy way", I will be the first to state that it is not neccesarily easier if you have been on a good number of coasters. I would probably draw the line somewhere around 80 for both helpers.

I found the wood coaster one very easy to do, but when I got to the steel one, I instantly understood some of the complaints.

My hope for the next versions is to incorporate some kind of applet based click-and-drag method for the ranking step.

I'm just glad Mitch gives me 'til midnight... :)

Good news for Rampage! ;)

My favorite part about the easy way is I can vote and not have to worry that people are sitting in front of their monitors pointing at my ballot, laughing and saying "Yo, moron, you ranked coasters you didn't ride." I wouldn't be able to deal with the shame.

Gator, I hope you didn't forget to punch the chads all the way through on your ballot ;)