Clownin' Around With Awards

by Jan Sopshier, Webmistress
Circus World
1 August 2001

Print Version

My site may be called Circus World, but don't let that fool you into thinking I'm clowning around with awards. This is the story of how and why I got involved in web awards and created a serious award program.

A Novice Beginning

In October of 1998, I began reading articles about the Internet and decided to purchase my first computer. At that time, I was positive a computer would help my then 16-year-old daughter with her school work. But, after exploring the wealth of information and all the different types of sites on the Internet, I wanted to learn about building a website. So, off I went to Office Max to buy a website editor called Web Studio ... a simple drag and drop program by Sierra.

Between January and June, 1999, I went through a learning process with my new found toys. I developed my first homepage called, "Jan's Jubilee," a simple 12-page website which I considered a masterpiece. Nevermind that a 2nd grader could have done better, it was my creation and I was proud of it.

In June 1999, I entered the "Jubilee" site in the Sierra (Web Studio makers) Site of the Month contest, which was restricted to beginners. Naturally, I did not win. And to this day, when I look at it online, I want to cover my head and hide.

Creating Circus World

I thought of creating something totally different from what I was viewing online. More than anything, I wanted a website that would be family friendly, so children of all ages could view it. Using my imagination, I began to write the Circus World storyline.

My Introduction to Awards

In mid-summer 1999, I re-entered the Sierra SOTM contest with my new Circus World website. On the 1st of August, Sierra notified me that Circus World had won the contest for the month of July. When I opened the notification email, I was ecstatic. I actually pushed my chair away from the computer desk and jumped around the room. After calming down, I looked around to make sure no one saw me. Thankfully, I was by myself.

Not only did Sierra send me their winner's award badge, I also received $100 worth of products from their company. It was around this time that the "award bug" hit me square in the face. I started venturing out and applying for every award I could find. I did not receive many, but I was enjoying myself.

Then, thinking about the old saying, "tis better to give than receive," I made up my mind to try and develop my own award program.

Award Graphics

One of the first requirements, when opening up a new award program, is the award image. I will be the first to admit that being artistically inclined is not one of my virtues. I did not know where to start looking for help with this, but I really wanted to open an award program. I made a major decision on what was more important in my budget (lights, water, phone, award graphics), and I chose the award graphics. I was determined to pay whatever it cost to have them made.

One evening I happened to run across a listed site (AS! 4.5), and I really liked this individual's award graphic. I contacted her about making one for me. After exchanging several emails, a deal was made and I became the proud owner of the original Circus World award graphics. Though my original graphics are now retired, I have to thank Janet Morrow of Mountain Ash Web Works for using her artistic abilities in creating them.

Award Criteria

Criteria is the backbone of an award program. After my award graphics were made, I sat down with pen and paper and made a list of what I would look for when evaluating websites. The list consisted basically of my likes and dislikes when viewing a website. Since I had the award graphics and the initial criteria, I was ready to go.

A word of caution for beginners who are contemplating opening up an award program. Never copy someone else's criteria because 99.9% of the time, you will get caught. Believe me when I say, emails throughout the award community spread faster than a fire when someone does this.

Learning From Mistakes

The first applications started arriving and the review process began. I had 3 different URL's where the awards were located for winners to pick up. If a Gold was won, the winner would be sent to the Gold page and the same way for the Silver and Bronze awards.

Within 2 weeks after my award program began, I received an email from a successful applicant. After opening the email and reading it, I knew at once I made a horrible mistake. She had won the Bronze, but in my haste I sent her to the Silver URL. Thank goodness she was very understanding and I never made this major mistake again.

Applying For A Rating

Here I was armed with criteria, award graphics, and a newly formed award program and no way to get it listed at Award Sites! because my website was hosted by Xoom. I really did not understand the concept of "why" I would not be able to apply for a rating.

I sent an email to Award Sites management requesting information on exactly what I needed to do. Their response was to find an ISP which did not "block images." Blocking images means that some servers don't allow images to be displayed on pages other than those pages which are also hosted by them — it's a form of bandwidth protection.

I was determined to find a host and do it quickly. Then I discovered that my own ISP offered a free hosting service for personal websites. Now I was ready and applied for a rating. An initial Award Sites rating of 3.5 was presented to Circus World's award program in October 1999.

Small Sacrifices

I was on a roll, new award program, nice award graphics, and a 3.5 rating from Award Sites. By this time I was fully immersed in website evaluating and I started waking up in the early morning hours to see who had applied for my awards.

Remember, I had originally bought the computer system for my daughter so it was set up in her bedroom. On the weekends, I'd literally burst into her room and turn on the PC. I'm talking about as early as 6:00 A.M. and this was starting to irritate my daughter. I justified this by promising to keep real quiet, but she was not listening to any of my excuses even though I had plenty to offer.

After a couple of weeks of this, she moved all her belongings to the spare bedroom in the basement. Now I sit in the room all by myself with only the computer system on the desk and a bookcase.

Getting More Involved

I joined CEM/CEMA in February 2000 and soon became the Application Panel Chairperson, a position I held for 16 months. This position required me to receive and post the applications, plus respond to all who applied on whether they were granted membership or not. Time consuming, but rewarding because of all the wonderful award givers I met. Recently, CEM/CEMA held elections and I decided not to run because I wanted other members to become more involved.

Applying for an Upgrade

I waited 10 months from the initial rating before requesting an upgrade with Award Sites! I am a firm believer that website evaluators should wait until they honestly believe their award program qualifies before asking for a rating or an upgrade with Award Sites!

Anyone who is familiar with waiting for an upgrade from Award Sites! can describe the funny "fluttery" feeling they get in the pit of their stomach when they open their email and see it sitting there. On August 16, 2000, it happened to me. Circus World was upgraded to 4.0. Currently, I am in the midst of preparing for another upgrade request. Gaining experience as an award giver changes all the time because the technical aspect constantly acquires new traits and characteristics.

Why Do I Keep Doing This?

I have made a lot of friends throughout the award community. These individuals are some of the finest people anyone could ever meet and they know who they are without my having to mention their names. As a LPN (licensed practical nurse) during the day and computer geek at night, I am continuing to enjoy what I discovered as a "novice."

Right now, I'm off to judge more websites.