[Hugamari]

Yas @ me being Miley Cyrus, legend.

[pika]

[Matty]

ATRL's Next
topmember
Cycle 9

---

EPISODE 12: FINALE

THE COMMENTS | THREAD POWER

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

Naturally, I saw the "vs" with "Britney" in the title so I had to go into the thread. The premise of the discussion is a tired one but not an overdone one; a thread on pop queens vs anti pop queens with 4 of the then and now titans of pop music is sure to stir up some great conversation. However, when it is all said and done, it was basically a watered down, moderated SYG with the same topic and responses that I've seen over and over again.

Also, while the thread hit it off, the organization of your thoughts in the OP was all over the place. You first ask "So, a decade later, who is on top? Which side ended up more successful and which side is struggling to keep their fame and legacy?" but after the jump, you add in with "So, which team is doing better at the moment? Which pair have dived into different genres of music and other projects? Are Britney and Xtina the disposable Pop stars they said they were? Are Avril and P!nk more successful now then the others?" There are one too many questions that are being asked and members will only focus on one or two of the questions/focus on what other members have already commented on. Yes, you're asking questions to start a conversation, but on ATRL, you have to capture the focus with one big question that will lead to a debate and all the side arguments will unfold organically to feed the overall question. But I still liked that the thread was able to go on for 14 pages without getting closed and with members that you don't usually see in SYG.

Originally posted by Doc

Your thread shows that you have an understanding of what ATRL likes. Just look at the amount of replies! Your thread was original to me, since I've never seen that question asked. It's a nice change from always constantly pitting Tina and Brit against each other. I also liked that you put so much work into the OP. Great job, nothing negative to say.

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/threads?in=julantvel/sets/atrls-next-top-member-cycle-9

Originally posted by boyonce

As soon as I saw the "vs" in your thread title, I was about to drag you for making yet another overly simplistic this pop star vs this pop star thread that ATRL is already over saturated with. I don't think threads like that are well suited to longevity because often you'll just get stans popping in to vote for their fave without any actual quality conversation. That being said, I was surprised (and relieved) when I opened your thread and saw how many pages of replies you had managed to collect with what I was sure would be a simple thread. I love that rather than just ask the A vs B question and leave it at that, you had graphics, stats, little blurbs...all of that helped to make it a thread that people actually stuck around in and conversed. You proved me wrong with this thread. You took a thread type I'm not fond of (simple vs matchups) and somehow made it work. Maybe you could teach me a thing or two about that. Nice job.

Originally posted by Matty

Interesting concept, but obviously the stans came out for war. Although, they didn’t get into much of a heated debate that caused warning points to be thrown left and right. There were very few people reported and warned and which is great! For a thread to be great it has to go on for pages, give an interesting question to discuss, and possibly bring the baters out to get reported warned. Your thread fit most of the criteria and was a mild hit. The question was interesting and I liked it. It gave a little difference from the regular ‘out of these artists who is better’.
** Note to you and Kitt: I liked the thread, but wasn’t really impressed.

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

I was completely thrown off by what the title promised me and what I saw as soon as I clicked into the thread. I went into the thread expecting to see a collection of avis or something along the lines that was available for members to snatch/rotate, but I go in and see people answering "yes" and "yup" which didn't really make sense to me till I read your OP. Like DripDrip, you asked multiple questions but unlike DripDrip, you asked questions that sort of deviated away from the original purpose of the title. The title on ATRL is like the thesis of your paper and you want to have your intent known in the headlines.

Regardless, while this thread reminded me the share your avi thread and the gif help thread, I liked that a new thread was started cuz the other ones were getting stale. I think a great way to keep this thread alive is by collecting all the avis that the members have posted in the thread so far and putting them in collapsible tags in the OP. With the upkeep, the thread will continue to stay alive and might grow into the new "it" thread where other technologically inclined members offer to help you by creating avis that members want. Going a step further, whenever a video drops y'all could create multiple avis in one go and then display them in the OP for people to come and borrow. Duca does it from time to time and it is always appreciated. Just a thought.

Originally posted by Doc

Your thread was much riskier than your competitor's. A smash Base thread is easier to make than a smash Lounge thread. Smash Lounge threads usually come on accident, so it's hard to craft one. However, your thread was successful with 5 pages! The negative I have with this thread is that it's more of a post and leave thread rather than a true discussion thread.

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/threads?in=julantvel/sets/atrls-next-top-member-cycle-9

Originally posted by boyonce

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES. That would have been my reaction if you had submitted your astrology thread. Quite often there are "What's your Star Sign" threads popping up, generating discussion, and then falling off the bottom of page 1 because they aren't designed for long term success. What you did here, was identify a niche topic on ATRL that doesn't have a permanent home yet, and make it one - also you asked more than just simple "what's your sign?" questions that guaranteed people would stick around and talk. Like my 20+ Club thread, this one seemed poised for long term success on the Lounge. ...and then you submitted one about if you changed your avatar today. I'd love to know your reasoning behind that one. I don't even really get the point of the thread. Is it to make other people look at your new avatar? Why can't they do that in other threads? Is it to post all your avatars? How is that any different from the many blogs that already have that? You know I love you, but as a judge I have to be honest...I don't see the "power" in this Thread Power entry.

Originally posted by Matty

I like this thread too. It’s something different from the ‘Rate The Avatars’, ‘Avatar/Gif Shop’, but a place for those to go and get people’s opinions of the avatar fits for them. Even I entered and commented on my new avatar, but got ignored. Not many like these kinds of avatars anymore I don’t know if people see it that way, even one person recently got confused and was asking for a gif to be resized to be in an avatar.
** Note to you and Drip: I liked the thread, but wasn’t really impressed.

Next the judges will discuss about your journey through the competition!






Fierce and Love
- Matty

[DripDrip]

I decided to wear something comfortable.

[Capital B]

doesn't the server know we're trying to do a finale here???

[Matty]

ATRL's Next
topmember
Cycle 9

---

EPISODE 12: FINALE

THE COMMENTS | CHALLENGE FLASHBACK



AND

Originally posted by EdgeOfAddiction

Branding:
"1. Colorful gif, colorful description.
2. Interesting details.
3. Colorful gif with...interesting text."

vs.

"1. Rational and powerful. PunchE.
2. All the free Edge promo.
3. Silly, yet, effective."

Right off the bat, Kitt came into the competition with a take no prisoner attitude. Drip almost seemed like he was here just to cause a scene and ride a wave. It was clear who took this challenge seriously and who didn't and for that, Kitt easily took the crown with her thought out entry and DripDrip was nowhere to be seen in the top 3 with his rather eccentric entry.

Usernames:
"Aesthetics: 1/10 (Great idea, HORRIBLE execution. A Top Member would have foreseen this horrid layout and placed a black backdrop)
Stand out factor: 6/10 (It's suggestive enough)"

vs.

"Aesthetics: 8.5/10 (The pattern inside "kitt" was too light at the "tt" for my taste and the size of the font. )
Stand out factor: 6/10 (Neither here nor there. I personally only remember your avis for the Navy Awards)"

After my little rant, most contestants stepped up with their layouts. However, Drip took it a little too far and created an almost unreadable entry. While the effort could be seen, not much growth was felt based on the unprofessional entry. Meanwhile, Kitt did nothing but solidify why she was the contestant to beat. Not only did she live up to her brand, she set the bar higher by delivering one of the most effective entries whole season long.

Welcome to ATRL/Group Challenge:

"Pros:
-Love the simplistic layout of the picture links. They are bright and captivating.
-The interactive take on the pamphlet you made was nice. It made it engaging and captured my attention more.
-Yes. The first group to actually link us to the actual atrl.net URL. You not only did it once in the fourth mouseover pop up but also in the header. This was in addition to all the other links to specific threads you used as examples."

One of the better group entries. You guys really worked well together; one coming up with the idea and one distilling the idea to make it marketable. Both of your input was necessary in creating your entry and this was probably the first time I saw Drip try to step it up. This is also the first time I saw Kitt not pushing any boundaries but your still did you thing by giving life to all the details that go into your work.

Gifs:

"Gif theme has been beaten to death but the obscurity of the characters in the gif made it seem fresh. Your side commentary with the gif was better than your examples. The gif usage too forced with your real examples."

vs.

"Always loved that avi but not quite sure the effect has the same amount of punch as a real gif. Some examples worked, like with boyonce and Katie, but others fell short like with mine and Matty's. I've come to see your entries as predictable and it's not a bad thing by any means but I feel inundated by your brand. You should try to show other facets of your personality in your entries with hints of your brand instead of making your brand the focal point. Give me something I wouldn't expect from you."

This challenge was a turning point of some sort. Drip served me one of my favorite gifs from this season. It was nothing original but the way he married the gif with the perfect examples made his entry a standout. Meanwhile, Kitt served me a gif that I was already familiar with and there seemed to be a lack of passion in her entry; it almost seemed lazy. While Kitt stuck to her brand, she didn't bring forth the magic that she usually does and almost felt like she ran out of ideas.

ATRL Next Big Event:

"Likes:
-The varsity font banner with the Greek styled headlines was a nice touch.
-The example houses under your collapse tag was a good touch. Shows the contestants what they are getting themselves involved with better than everything above the collapse tag."

vs.
"Likes:
-Thoughtful banner. You managed to create a design that fit your topic while incorporating your brand colors.
-To the point, easy to understand and a clean layout."

I wasn't a fan of either of your entries. In fact, Anna was the only one that did this challenge any sort of justice. These were definitely a low point in both your catalogs. However, one of you did better than the other and I saw the promise of Top Member within the lackluster entries.

That being said, being a Top Member isn't always about winning or being the loudest. It's about creating something meaningful, not just for a game but for self reflection. It's also about leaving an imprint of yourselves with other members of the forum, may it be a horny nude swap or a drag fest. A Top Member is familiar and accepting of all facets of the forum. Both of you have come a long way and both of you managed to do just that within the past couple weeks. You guys have shown us what it takes to be a Top Member and have reminded myself what it is to be a Top Member. I'm proud of both of you and cheers to whoever the winner may be.

And for the record, it would have been nice to express all of your feeling in the Top Member thread and not the "secret" TinyChats that took place after Matty's first and only TinyChat intervention. And some of us like to be a hard ass/point out the negatives in your entries to fuel your inner fire for the next challenge, not to bring y'all down. Keep that in mind.

Originally posted by Doc

You two have had very different paths through this journey. Kitt started on a high and sailed through to the end. DripDrip started off quite rough and improved by leaps and bounds.

1) BRAND: You both picked a brand that actually described who you were as a poster, rather than picking a brand that was who you wanted to emulate as a poster. That made everything you do on ATRL seem consistant. You both did well on this challenge, although I prefered Kitt's clean presentation.

2) USERNAMES: DripDrip really impressed me, personally, in this round, because I learned something new. I would have never guessed that his name was inspired by Nicki. I also appreciated the effort he put into his presentation, although the other judges were quite bothered by the light text. Kitt, you also did well in this challenge, and as always, your presentation was on point.

3) WELCOME: You both *******. Next.

4) GIFS: Kitt's gif >. It was more creative, and it tied in to her brand more than yours, Drip. Drip's presentation wasn't perfect (I think this is the challenge where I commented on your Photoshoped text banners), but I have appreciated the way Drip has tried to improve his presentation throughout this competition.

5)EVENT: This was the challenge I judged like Paula. I honestly liked everyone's entries. I'd say Drip's was more original, but Kitt's presentation was better.

Originally posted by extrachapstick

https://soundcloud.com/julantvel/flashback?in=julantvel/sets/atrls-next-top-member-cycle-9

Originally posted by boyonce

I just pulled up my comments and rankings from the very first challenge and was not surprised to see you two near the top, even then. You both emerged, in very different ways, as major contenders for the Top Member title. Looking at your entries side by side, I'd argue that out of every person who played this game this Cycle, you two had a firmest grips on your brands, and let that show each and every single time. The idea of having your brand on ATRL is one that's very near and dear to my heart, and I think it's not a coincidence that the two players who understood this best are the two standing in front of us today. Although similar in your understanding of who you are and how you want to come across, you two couldn't be more different in other ways. If Drip is the wacky younger brother always up to hijinks and making people laugh, Kitt is the wise and caring older sister who although at times may appear fierce, still has a heart of gold underneath. There's no denying that Kitt's entries have been more polished and put together, but you also can't ignore the huge growth that Drip's had throughout this Cycle. Whoever ends up winning, I can confidently say that the right two made it to the finals. Congrats to you both.

Originally posted by Matty

Brand: I still remember both of your entries very well. They were both very distinct and very fitting for each of you. Looking now, I feel like you both tied on this challenge. Drip had the better entry display, but could have shown more variety of colorful than “I’m thirsty” colorful. Kitt had an okay display, not the worst, but her examples explained her brand to the T.

Avatar: Both of you have stood out avatars. Kitt even went back to the avatar most know her for, and Drip is using one similar to the one he submit, however I prefer the current one. For some reason it fits more with your personality. As for the entires, Drip’s was more simplistic and to the point while Kitt’s entry display was fantastic, but could have been shortened just a bit.

Smilies: The challenge you both did fairly poorly in and looking back it still showed. Just looking at the two of your entries and your smilies, they still aren’t the best. I do prefer Kitt’s than Drip’s, but still wouldn’t use either. Kitt had better ones to submit in her collection.

Username: I love both of your usernames, I really need to use LeakyFaucet more often , but as for the entries Kitt’s was more appealing. Drip, I know the coding was part of my problem, but the background water falling and the hard to read font color just made no one want to read it.

Welcome to ATRL: Like I stated multiple times, it was basically a four way tie between you two and Pika & Anna, but Pika & Anna prevailed ever so slightly. I still stand by the fact that a site promoting a forum was way too much, but it was still amazing! You both did great on it!

Tour Setlist: You both really let the music do the talking which I applaud. Drip used the banner-esque for each of his songs, while Kitt went simplistic and female like for hers. Drip your entry was a little overbearing with the banners, but really stood out. Kitt yours was a little too simplistic that your short words didn’t stand out a whole lot. I nearly bypassed them.

Gifs: One gif that had been used quite often vs. One gif that had been already used as a gif in avatar form. I still wished for something different from the both of you on this challenge, but out of the two of you, I would use both.

Build-a-Challenge: Drip’s was more personal, but would have been extremely hard to judge. It would be fun and entertaining to read though. Do I need to reiterate for Kitt’s since it was chosen?

ATRL’s Next Big Event: You both had negatives in this challenge. Drip’s was ultimately the more creative of the two and gave something different. Kitt’s was very much like a Valentine’s version of Secret Santa, but Drip’s was very much like any kind of group on ATRL.

Overall: I am extremely proud of both of you. Kitt has been this dominating force throughout the competition, but you could see a change. You can see a strength that wasn’t there despite her first back to back wins. You have grown into a stronger woman through this competition.
Drip did not start off as strong as Kitt did, but you have vastly improved and have become extremely consistent. You had never been the front-runner, but you still shone despite never being chosen as the best of the week. You have gone through leaps and bounds and have been the MVP of the game.

Next we will see who is ATRL's Next TOP MEMBER!






Fierce and Love
- Matty

[DripDrip]

I AM NOT READY.

[Hugamari]

Omg I can't wait to be crowned next top member! I even picked out a tiara.

[Matty]

I really want to post the winner on the next page... but I don't see it happening

[pika]

Spam to the next page.

[pika]

Originally posted by Matty

I really want to post the winner on the next page... but I don't see it happening

I think it's possible.

[ethan]

Bravo to the judges for writing such great responses you notice the small things in the entires and give them feedback on how to improve, even now in the finale... great judging this cycle, guys

[Hugamari]

Why wait til the next page when Queen Hugamari is already here and willing to claim the prize?

[Cupid]

Next page

[Tymps.]

:adam:

:sprem:

Good enough spam?

[Hugamari]

Wow Adam, reported for disruptive behavior. Enjoy the WPs.

[Capital B]

got a cute face and a booty so fat

[Cupid]

Originally posted by Hugamari

Wow Adam, reported for disruptive behavior. Enjoy the WPs.

I screamed

[Scene.]

#SceneForCharmSchoolSemester2

[ethan]

Y'all couldn't think of anything significant to say?

I'm rooting for Kitt til the end, but Drip, you should be hella proud of your journey!