The strength of this site is, without a question, the community. For all the work that we on staff do, this site truly is nothing with out all the members. With that said, I'd like to ask for the members help to make the site a bit better. Think you have a great idea for a trophy? Share it! How about the surveys on the homepage? Think you can come up with something better than the staff? Give it a shot!

You can post your idea/s here, or you can send me a message, whichever you choose.

For trophy ideas, if you have a piece of clip art to go with it, even better. It's not necessary though.

So, give it your best shot, give us your ideas for trophys and surveys, let's see how creative this community is.

An excerpt from my earlier post on what identifies a blog, article, or news section:

"I'm satisfied to say I've once submitted a legitimate news article to chess.com about the ongoing correspondence match between Greg Chamitoff and Stevenson Elementary School; first I posted it as a blog but then deleted that blog post and made it a news story.

I made it a new story because I realized I was giving "chess event coverage" through the article by updating people about what's going on in the game.

Now I'm thinking about regularly posting on my chess.com blog, but what should make me want to post something as a blog rather than an article or news post?  Let's say I create a tactical puzzle with analysis given after it; why should I post that as a blog rather than an article and vice versa?

What's the purpose of chess.com blogs if - presuming they're all somewhat chess related - the chess article submission may render the blogs useless?

Please, I'd like to hear the community's insight on this topic.

*Note this is from a old blog post of mine that was never responded to by anyone. "

For the team matches - a record of all the team matches we have signed up for would be nice - surprises are good, but a flood of 20 games in one day is questionable!

How about cricket appreciation

For a trophy idea?

Best Chess friend

Another idea for a trophy

I have a suggestion,... add some more smilies!!!

They are awesome and I miss them here.

Not even the infamous :) works here and that is pretty lame!

:D

I have mentioned this before. If it were possible to reference INDIVIDUAL posts rather than a page of 20 or so posts - or a whole topic, this would be a good thing.

1. When a newcomer asked a question, someone could post a link to the SPECIFIC post that answered their question. (If these newcomer questions were tracked, they could form the basis for a orientation/welcome FAQ)
   
2. The site help could be supplemented by links to specific posts, suitably indexed.
   
3. Any posts used in that way could earn extra points, thus rewarding useful contributions, and encouraging participation. (Maybe acknowledge the author?)
   
4. Members could bookmark posts they found helpful, in the knowledge that their browser bookmark would take them directly to the key information.

ARTREF:REFERENCING INDIVIDUAL POSTS

I know that the improvement of live chess is a request from many people who are disconnected while they play.I believe this is the most important at the moment,because it is a real problem.Trophies,forums,friends' list,etc. are minor issues compared with this.

TROPHY: "Knightmare Game"

No arguments, but I'm not a programmer, which is why Im asking about trophies and surveys. I can assure you, the disconnect issues ARE being worked on. We aren't ignoring them. It's not a simple problem to fix. 

Thanks for the ideas so far.. anymore trophy and/or survey ideas?

You may already have this, Im not sure. But if there were a way for people to make their own trophies, you know? LIke, if they could paste their own picture in as a trophy, anything they want. As long as its appropriate.. 

Peace 

Strat

No "pawn" intended, artfizz?

SURVEY: What is your attitude towards Groups?

• An invaluable feature for sharing interests & playing team matches
  
• Group invitations are intrusive and a nuisance
  
• Groups are divisive & Chess.com would be better off without them!
  
• What are Groups?
  

This is currently only possible for Tournament Trophies.  You can upload your own picture and set it as the Custom Trophy, but these cannot be given out.  They must be earned (by winning the tournament). 

Customizable trophies would be nice, like an avatar.  I suppose they could open up flame wars between opponents who wind up hating each other, but between friends they could be fun.

I wrote a thread about this, and you can see how it works when done/taken the right way:  http://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/trophies2

you need more trophys for the winner of a game to send to the loser.

If i win a game and my opponent sends me a trophy, apart from gg, they are mostly not appropriate.

Maybe a ''i didnt deserve to win that!'' or '' PHEW,i was LUCKY!'' etc?

Post-Game Trophies:

"I can't believe you fell for that!"  (only appropriate between friends)

"I can't believe I fell for that!"

"You almost had me there.  That was close!"

"I almost had you there.  Wait 'till next time."

"Draw!!"  (a picture of a cowboy reaching for his gun would be cool)

"Draw!!"  (a picture of an Art Prof. screaming at his class (for those who don't like the cowboy picture, or already have the cowboy picture)).

TROPHIES:

Pendulum: "That game could have gone either way" (or picture of cross-dresser!)

Surprise Ending: (jack-in-the-box image?) "I never expected that!"