Your opinions please!

[Chris M]

I've been running the quiz for a year now, and I'd like some of your opinions on how I'm doing and what you'd like in the future.

Do you think the current mix of single and multi-part questions is about right or do you think there should be more or less of either?

Do you have a preference for mutli-parters to be during the week or at weekends?

Do you think there are too many questions with non-tube backgrounds? Would you prefer more of them? Is there any particular background you'd like to see (I'll do my best, but can't promise to have a photo of what/where you suggest)?

What about questions where is more than one station to identify?

Is there any other type of question you'd like to see more or less of? Is there any type of question that I don't currently use that you'd like to see?

Would you like more than one question a day?
If so would you like both questions to be posted at the same time or would you like one in the morning and one in the afternoon/evening (with about 24 hours for each still)?
Would you like the time the questions are posted to vary more than they currently do?

Is there anything else you'd like to see more or less of?

Have you got any other comments?

Answers in this thread please, unless you have ideas for a specific question (e.g. "I'd love to see a picture of the ticket hall at Xyz put onto a background of such and such" or "I think a blend of the platforms at stations A and B would be good") where sending me a PM is best.

I'll do my best to take into account your views and opinons, but I can't promise everything! You've got about a week to 10 days before I start preparing the March quiz, so get ideas for next month in before then, however I'd like this thread to continue beyond then as a place for you to express your opinions when you have them.

Chris

[hotelinspector]

I quite like the following:

* 1 picture made up of two photographs. Q: Guess/name the stations and Q: Can you find a link between the two stations?

* 4 pictures (A-D). Guess the station at each picture but also Q: Which is the 'odd one out'?

* I also like questions in which we are given an 'Outside' shot and an 'Inside' shot of two different stations.

Another random idea could be (maybe for one day each week)
* some photo clues of random objects that would help name a station:
e.g. : photos of a dog and the side of a house = Barkingside
e.g. : photos of The Pet Shop Boys and a pig = West Ham


(Don't laugh at my examples!!) These are just basic ones - you could make them as kryptic as you wish!....

anyway - just an idea. I do love the classic "Name the station" photos which are always good fun.

[SE13]

I actually like the current format, and at this point I must express that I merely post the questions and answers, and have no say, Chris does all that, and believe me, there is a lot of work going into it!

When he sends me the lists of questions and answers, I always have a sneaky look at the pictures first, mainly to test that the links work correctly, but also for my own test. I can honestly say that I have identified about seven in that time, and two of those were Arsenal! I also managed to correct one which was put down as Arsenal, but clearly wasn't!

I am sure Chris enjoys the challenge of trying to beat you as much as people enjoy trying to identify, but if you feel that something should/could be added, I am certain that he/we can come up with something, and I know for certain that no-one would be offended by any criticism.

For the record, I quite like the idea of the four stations to identify, and which is the odd one out, that could be really good fun.

[c5]

se13 said:

For the record, I quite like the idea of the four stations to identify, and which is the odd one out, that could be really good fun.

That sounds good!

We could have the pictire spin quiz too ;D ;D

[suncloud]

One suggestion is to have occasional 'Metro's around the world' quizzes. Having occasional weeks where we have pictures of metro systems from further flung places included in the quiz (or maybe as an occasional extra quiz alongside the regular).

[Deleted]

Yes, the cryptic ones sound good!

Whatever concencus you agree on, do keep the quiz running - It's an excellent aside!

[Deleted]

Only thing I can think to add is a why is this here type feature.

[Chris M]

se13 said:

I can honestly say that I have identified about seven in that time, and two of those were Arsenal!

If I were not the one setting the quiz I wouldn't have done much better than that!

se13 said:

I also managed to correct one which was put down as Arsenal, but clearly wasn't!

Oops, that one was my fault. If I remember correctly it was actually Swiss Cottage and the error was due to my initially labelling my own picture wrongly. I guess I must have photographed both stations on the same day!

se13 said:

I am sure Chris enjoys the challenge of trying to beat you as much as people enjoy trying to identify

Indeed I do - if I didn't enjoy it I'd not be putting in all the effort I do.

se13 said:

but if you feel that something should/could be added, I am certain that he/we can come up with something, and I know for certain that no-one would be offended by any criticism.

See below for my response to the initial suggestions, but SE13 has it right in that I wont be offended if there is something you don't like. The quiz is run primarily for your enjoyment, so I want to make it as good as I can for you.[/quote]

I do like the idea of four stations with a what's the link / what's the odd one out type questions - I'll see what I can do for March. Suggestions welcome by PM or email for links.
This would also work well at a meet. It wont be the Acton one as I have a specific picture in mind for a many part quiz.

I'm useless at cryptic questions, so unless someone else wants to write one they'll not be appearing!

I'm not so keen on the photo clues to name a station - but there is nothing* stopping anyone else running their own quiz along these lines (just call it something different to avoid confusion!).

*providing it doesn't breach forum rules.

Keep the comments and ideas coming!

Chris

[Chris M]

About 9 months on from the last time I asked, I'll ask again.
How are people enjoying this quiz, is there anything I'm doing particularly well or poorly at? Is there anything you'd like to see more or less of? Is there anything I'm not doing that you would like to see?

I noted that the meta question about the quiz (1st of October link) didn't go down well, so I'll not repeat that experiment, but without feedback I don't know what works and what doesn't.

One idea I've had is to set up a multiple-choice quiz you all take individually (probably not hosted on this forum) so you can compete against each other to get the highest score. Would this appeal? It wont happen immediately as although I have enough pictures, I would have to learn how to make the quiz - if there is no interest I'll not bother.

[stuartpalmer]

Generally I like what's on offer - one of the first sites I check each morning.

Personally I thought the 1 October "connection" was interesting (but then I would, being the sad individual who first solved it). Got to keep us on our toes!

Yes, some form of quiz where we're not competing against the clock to get the answer in first would be of interest.

But in general, keep up the good work.

[Colin D]

I enjoy checking out the quiz almost every day,(sometimes a few times a day and even managed to get a couple right Overall I enjoy all the different ways that questions are posted, but my personal favorites are the four pics A-D with odd one out/connection.

For someone like myself who has been away from "home" for so long, the photo's bring back lots of memories and are also a great learning experience.

Keep up the great work Chris, and hears hoping you never tire of putting these together every day, and thanks to SE13 for taking the time to post them for all of us to enjoy.

Colin D

[Deleted]

I think the quiz is fine as it is. We all enjoy trying to get the right answer.

I like the multiple choice idea as that could be fun to see how we all do!

[yerkes]

I echo the sentiment of comments posted far. I enjoy the current format and variety of question styles (link with the date, odd one out, etc.). This is one of the first - if not the first - site I check when I rise just a little after the question has been posted (not that this gives me much advantage!).

A one-off bumper quiz where we compete could be fun - but perhaps only as a one-off.

The quiz has been extremely informative. And if anything, I've learned to be far more observant when travelling - always trying to anticipate which completely random bit of station/track will feature in tomorrow's quiz!

And, lastly - thanks very much to Chris (and SE13 for his invaluable contribution) for putting the hard work into creating it.

[Deleted]

I'm useless at devising quizzes - but I thoroughly enjoy answering the questions. Chris and SE13, you're doing a great job: keep it up!

[superteacher]

I like the multi part ones with the links / odd one outs. I like racking my brains over them! Plus, it enables us to all pool our skills. Some of us are very good at spotting locations, whereas others are better at finding links etc.

All in all though, I think the quizzes are very good, and there is a good mix of easy / hard / downright annoying!

[Rich32]

I agree with the general feeling expressed so far. The quiz is fine as it is.
Some days are easy, some are hard, some you just need that little bit of good luck! Also the variety of question style is good.
Thanks to Chris M, and the rest of the quiz team, for their sterling work.

[ribaric]

A great job by all concerned.... not that I can answer many