Just a thought...

[teh yoshi]

Everyone these days seems to be very busy with school. That is, more people are entering college this time around as many of our members are growing older.

This leads me to wonder if we should begin this year's Secret Santa earlier than usual so it'll give everyone a lot more time to work on their gift as well as their schoolwork. Anyone would share their thoughts on this?

Although with a much earlier starting date, I'd think it's only fair to make the final due date earlier than usual, too (we usually have our deadlines at the end of January).

TEHDIT: Also, I find that Secret Santa website a bit of a hassle. I know we've been using it for years, but it seems to be the unnecessary middle man. I doubt many people enjoy registering for a website that they may never use for a year, if ever again, anyway. Besides, it's probably no fun for most of those to try and dig up their old account and passwords.

I can randomize the matching entries myself or get a friend to make a program to do that, although I may be out of the Secret Santa event myself if I saw the whole list. Again, any thoughts?

[Blitzzoshi]

Ehm, not really sure what difference it'd make. I've never really been weighed down by assignments over holiday break. And with college, I imagine that it'll be even less of a problem.

Regular year-round art trades might not be a bad thought, though. In the SRB2 community we've had the Official Level Design Contest, which goes on a bimonthly basis. And when people get involved with that, we have some of the first SRB2 editing-related talk in a while. We might get similar results over here. It might also be worth considering whether or not to keep the "secret" for the year-round trades. Might facilitate more activity. Or might not. It's up for debate.

[Enrique]

Personally, I'm still not going to be able to start working on my submission until the semester ends, which is mid-December sometime, pushing up the start date or not. I'll predict that a good number of people in college, with ridiculous amounts of schoolwork to do on a consistent basis, or both would be in the same conundrum. Then again, not everyone has my incredibly ridiculous class schedule.

[Blitzzoshi]

My schedule this year is actually fairly permissive. I have, what? Almost a five hour gap between my Computer Science Lab and Lecture class. Guess I deserve a bit of a break from high school. Granted, I still have to do homework, but I seem to have much more free time... at least for now.

[Yoshiken]

I am all for beginning the secret santa earlier than usual. It would be much easier, for me at least, to start working on it earlier, and fill in the gaps of my schedule with it. I would be able to put more effort into it, and produce a much better outcome. I would assume that it would also be the same for the majority of the other participants. Maybe it is just that it takes forever for me to finish a drawing anyway.

I also agree that the secret santa website that we had been using in the past is a hassle.

[Toshi]

With it being the Christmas, my job on the postal delivery will be a lot more stressful as there is always a larger amount of mail to deliver, what with all the Christmas cards being sent out, not forgetting a lot more parcels and packets that can weigh you down. I will still have my entire day after, but if it was anything like last year, chances are the cold and dodgy conditions, combined with the heavier loads, will make it a lot more stressful, thus I will want most of my time to rest up before I repeat it the day after, though that's not saying I won't be up for doing the Secret Santa again as I still have my days off.

Starting it earlier sounds like a good idea along with the deadline, but only if you plan on providing an extra week (or two) considering that many will be stuck with their heads in books while others are working over the period, there won't be much difference otherwise, in fact, it might be worse on those who could still be studying until their term ends.

[Sanjo]

Man, it seems that everywhere you go, everyone's starting preparations for the holidays sooner each year.

Honestly, I think starting the Secret Santa earlier would be a better idea. I'm not sure about the deadlines, though, since everyone has their finals and work and such, but starting it earlier would be a great idea. That way, we can at least use the free time we have to start the project or at least start thinking about what we are going to do for it.

[Anjil]

Sure, seems like a good idea, though I don't imagine myself being in the "mood" for drawing anything Christmas-related until December. I'm also juggling several other projects right now, and don't expect everything to be done 'til the holidays.

So, it wouldn't make too big a difference for me whether you began the exchange earlier or not. But it does sound like a good idea for everyone else.

And yeah, ditch the website.

[Leoshi]

I also wouldn't quite mind it being early, though as many have said, they may not have time for it, or need to get into the holiday mood. Still, perhaps it may work getting things started a bit earlier then before, not too much earlier mind you, but enough time to allow people who want more time the choice to have it.

I also agree, the website was quite a bit of a drag. I do believe it may work better if you draw names out of a hat or something.

[Shoe]

I don't have much to say about it, probably because I just woke up, but I don't mind the idea at all.

[Rainbow Yoshi]

I wouldn't mind starting it early.

I would be against having the deadline earlier though. Cause I'm having surgery again close to Christmas (yay...), and chances are I won't be up to getting online for a week or so. I'm having it on my chest, so sitting up will hurt, and having a laptop on my chest will hurt. So... yeah. I'd have to give my so called "art" a week early or a week late.

[hackshi12]

I guess that's a good idea. Many people are getting more and more busy, including myself. So I agree with starting it early.

[plebanshiren]

Woo, lets be like the shops and celebrate Christmas early!
I doesn't effect me either way, I'll always find free time to do my end.

[Newt]

There's no consequences in starting something a bit early, so why not?