I've been tweaking and playing with algorithms, and have a new set for y'all to sort through and make a decision on (if you're into that sort of thing--remember, this vote is not required!)

Again, the algorithms used will stay a secret until after the polling closes. There aren't any random diamonds this time around so they'll likely look a bit more "clustered" than before--especially since one or more of the algorithms are a combination of already existing algorithms.

One algorithm does allow boxes with just two votes to work, since I'm kind of curious how that holds up compared to the other algorithms that all require a minimum of three votes. Lowing the minimum by one opens up a lot more boxes for diamonds, but the "correct" results could be more sporadic. I'm wondering if the extra "sporadicity" is worth the inclusion of more boxes in the rankings.

So, to vote, take a look at your plants, finds, and previous ratings and cast your votes for your favorite algorithm.

funny = red diamond
interesting = yellow diamond
educational = green diamond
agree = blue diamond
disagree = purple diamond
huh? = white diamond
hug = Not used--feel free to hug me! =)

Hmm...... I think that's everything. Any questions?

-- Ryan

I'm torn between blue and green. Blue has some that Green doesn't and vice versa. Oh, the agony!

Why would I want to hug you, you're probably all sweaty and smelly.

Can we cast more than one vote?

By all means, if you're having a tough time choosing between two different algorithms, pick them both. =)

-- Ryan

I would say I like the traditional blue, and then red.

When does the poll end?

By all means, if you're having a tough time choosing between two different algorithms, pick them both. =)

Right now I'm trying to work up an algorithm for picking algorithms. I'm thinking about averaging all *my* ratings for each color diamond on my found boxes list. The highest average should be the color diamond I agree with most, right?

Meanwhile, I'm wondering if there might be value in a poll of the colors we don't like. Because several of the colors look pretty good to me offhand, but the blue doesn't. I could just about go ahead and mark the blue as the algorithm not to select.

I found myself setting the most store by the boxes I'd previously rated highly, and for me, that meant yellow. But it seems I'm in a minority so far... :-)

This has been fun!
I think I have my final votes in...There were a color or two that opened up some boxes I felt were definitely 5 stars, but also indicated boxes that IMHO weren't necessarily BLUE diamonds.
I'll be watching to see how others feel...and the final explanation on colors/algorhythms.

PS...did you see my suggestion in the Suggestion boards? To make a note at the top of the page explaining the temporary rainbow of diamonds to those who are lost?

Hmm...... I think that's everything. Any questions?

That's like asking if a bear goes poo in the woods! ;-)~

Red, yellow, and green all appear next to a series of 5 boxes of mine. These boxes had no diamond previously and quite frankly do not deserve one. I have planted just 17 boxes so far and if anyone was to ask me what boxes of mine to look for, those would be the last I would suggest. They were the first I carved and planted, the clues are straightfoward directions, and the park is a small semi urban\suburban place which is a nice little local oasis but nothing spectacular for someone visiting the area to see.
I think if green ends up winning I would probably opt out of the blue diamond function.(singling out green because it has the lead at the moment and red and yellow don't look too promising)

I like whatever gives me the most bling on my boxes!

Purple are not worthy!

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! Poor purple

If there was a way to keep all the algorithms working, and those boxes that receive 4 or more diamonds (any combination of colors) those would be the ones to be Blue Diamonds.

No single color seems to work by itself.

JMHO

Well, I learned one thing...how different my version of a good box is from other boxers. There are a few boxes I rated as a 2 or 3 that have several diamonds next to them. I'm also having a lot of difficulty choosing a color. I would have to vote for 5 colors in order to fully represent the boxes I think are the best.

You do know that the blue diamonds weren't showing up for a while?

You do know that the blue diamonds weren't showing up for a while?

Perhaps if you were jumping the gun. It was the last color I put in place, which I did right before I posted the "time to vote" vote. Seems like a number of people were looking at the changes I was making before they were actually ready to vote on. ;o)

The blue has been there the entire time since I posted my "time to vote" message, though.

-- Ryan

Two boxes in my state have all 6 diamonds after them. I am SO taking note of which boxes to go find now. :)

GreenJello

Two boxes in my state have all 6 diamonds after them.

Let me guess. Are they in Moab?

BL47

Let me guess. Are they in Moab?

Ding!Ding!Ding! Give that woman a prize. ;)

Methinks a trip to Moab is in my future. Whee!

GreenJello

What's killing us is 80% seems right with red or green, but one of the best series ever, or we ever seen doesn't have red or green, but all the ones we've rated high in the sky, do have blue. So it is a close running in our mind. Blue, Red, Green.

But what do we know? In the end it will be what it is.

3 blind wheel runners

but one of the best series ever, or we ever seen doesn't have red or green

Keep in mind, if a planter has opted-out of Blue Diamonds then no matter HOW stellar the box, it won't get a diamond. Now, I couldn;t quite tell from your post if what you were saying was that this series didn;t have red or green, but DID have blue... in which case, ignore me. On second thought, ignoring me is almost ALWAYS an advisable move. Except when I advise you to ignore me, then don;t ignore that advice. My brain hurts.

So it is a close running in our mind. Blue, Red, Green.

There are no right or wrong answers. Just better and worse algorithms. =) All of them have advantages and disadvantages, and none are perfect.

-- Ryan

I couldn;t quite tell from your post

Had blue, but not red or green.

You wrote: Feel free to hug me.

Don't you just feel all warm and fuzzy all over, Ryan? 35 hugs and one mine, when I read this. :-)

Methinks a trip to Moab is in my future. Whee!

You won't be sorry!

Just a heads up to anybody wanting to letterbox in UT - Moab is the place to go! There's even other stuff to do there besides letterbox.

BL47

All of them have advantages and disadvantages, and none are perfect.

so maybe it would be good to give the official blue diamond to boxes that earn 3 or more of these colorful diamonds...they obviously are good enough to earn it in different algorithms.

is that even a possibility? I know it's been mentioned before, but I don't remember you saying anything about it, GT.

You wrote: Feel free to hug me.

Oh, I wasn't paying attention and I missed that. My hug has been added to the count. :) Along with my vote, of course.

TG

I find it funny that the hug button on this post was a moo.

http://www.atlasquest.com/images/gallery/07/30/76130lg.jpg

SFF