OK, Grand Prizes... you can scroll
through my narrative but it's important to me to get this out there.
First off, I want to plug a
special message from MistBusterMatt on fraudulent knock-off
vaping products:
The thought process, process, etc. that went into the two "original" Grand Prize selections:
- As required, these were to be under the specified Creative Commons license which allowed for derivative works. Thus I wasn't going to be a stickler for the best graphic job, or best music, or best anything in particular. It was a single entry "body of work" so-to-speak that I thought had the most impact and could produce the most off-spring.
- I tried not to be a stickler for things that could be fixed after-the-fact and I didn't want to tip my hat during the
thread for obvious reasons. So spelling and grammer weren't overly important. However, blatant fact checking or insertion of potentially (c) "brand names" (whether e-cig related ot not), was a problem for me.
- I archived the thread at various points and at the end. It would seem some people withdrew or wholesale changed entries. I almost posted an angry rant about this but I let it be. I could have been wrong, it could have been programming error on my part. However, if the entry wasn't linked, or I couldn't follow the link, or I couldn't find it in your Photobucket, or your Photobucket was closed, etc. etc. as of ~this morning~, and you were in the final five-person-pool.. it was eliminated. I noted "best effort" numerous times and I gave it that.
- I engaged a professional for their input on what was going to be the easiest to work with and produce offspring. This actually played more importantly than I thought it originally would. Partially because some works have to be regenerated to be used.
- Although nobody was eliminated in the very end for using a banner maker or service of some sort, I'd like to note that some fo the TOS on these sites had problematic EULAs in terms of eventual (c) or derivative works. Some of those entries made the top ten so it might have become an issue. As promised I would have warned people if they had made the top five but I thought I should mention EULAs are lousy PITAs and they're ripping off your work those rat .......s.
OK... now... one last note... the Third Grand Prize winner is fixed, there is no changing it. It was a last-minute category and there were only a few entries. I just had to choose and some people might not be happy w/ that choice. I just see no compelling reason to leave that one up for question. The ~original~ Grand Prize winners can be appealed for one reason and one reason only. An infringement on some Copyright, TM, etc. And can only be appealed for 48hrs. Please do so via PM so I can evaluate the claim.
Third Grand Prize have a laugh winners...... CalamityJan for her Pchela/Uncle fire-hooping entertainment. Posted at http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-drip-demand-copper-creek-15.html#post4138484.
And the two ~original~ Grand Prize winners after MUCH consternation and really feeling guilty about having to choose only two:
OttoBahn with http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-drip-demand-copper-creek-11.html#post4053844.
TinyTimberGal with http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...s-drip-demand-copper-creek-2.html#post3986676.
Yes, there were ~potential~ (c) issues with both (as most entries actually) but I could not find an original and verifiable (c) owner that would have been held under the Copyright Act of 1976 or extensions, DMCA, etc. since. So please do PM me if you disagree... otherwise in 48hrs. those are final Final FINAL.
If you're sitting there going WTF, why did they win, then you need to read the narrative above. If that doesn't clear it up for you, then you can just judge me instead. It was like choosing the two best donuts in a Krispy Kreme. I eventually had to break it down to 'gut' and derivative works.
Most of the Copper Creek and DoD winners have been in touch, I'll follow-up on those so we can get all that sorted in big orders. And in a few days I'll close with these three and Brad to start the (worthwhile) wait on GRIPs!!!
Thank you ALL so very very much! No hard feelings for those who I couldn't hook up (I hope). -Magnus
Not the first time I wasted time trying to learn a new skill to win a PV (see any of my Xtranormal efforts!8-o) but it might have been the most fun. 
To all the Winners!!!! To Magnus! 
You had an incredibly hard task but accomplished it! I had a great time, Learned a little and ended up with a
(see below) So all I can say is 
