Hostrauser's Trivia Contest #9 - February, 2008

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:55 am

Correct Answer for #6: Pittsburgh

CURRENT STANDINGS:
1. fieldshowqueen
2. Eric B
3. Jsaxm
4. saxplyr7
5. aandm
6. FluteOfTheNewWorld
7t. Brad
7t. DMJUDGE
9t. Fluba
9t. senza cervallo
11t. The Aceman
11t. Chapagne
11t. wind-drummer

I've only posted rankings, not scores, because my scoring system has a serious flaw that I need to discuss with you.

I initially gave the very narrow point margin (55/52/50) with the idea that I didn't want to make speed the overwhelming factor. The unforeseen-by-me drawback to this is that it makes wrong answers crippling because there's no room to catch up. For example, if fieldshowqueen were to simply answer every question correctly from here on out (50 pts each), no one could catch her. Gaining +5 per question means you need to outscore your "opponent" on ten questions for every ONE you miss.

The game is only 1/4 over, so there's still plenty of time to revise the scoring without unduly hindering any player (penalizing FSQ for being "too good" and eliminating all hope for everybody else are the two things I'm trying to avoid).

OPTIONS
1. Revise the scoring
...1a. First correct answer worth 50, -5 for each successive answer (50/45/40/35/30/25/20/15/10/5); only the first ten correct answers would receive points.
...1b. Set scoring scale to 50/40/30/25... (4th and later correct answers would get 25; everyone could get points on a question).

2. Add equalizer questions (what amount?)
...2a. Add new equalizer question(s) separate from the 24 game questions already selected.
...2b. Change one or more existing game questions to equalizer questions.
......2b1. Announce which have been changed before question is asked.
......2b2. Announce which have been changed after question is asked ("secret" equalizers).

Your comments, opinions? Other ideas?

Jsaxm · Post by **Jsaxm** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:24 pm

I think the idea of giving decreasing point values for the first several people to answer and then giving a standard amount to everyone after that would be the best idea [1b -host.]. Like you said, this way everyone can get points and then it doesn't give people zero points and them have to score 1000 points to just catch up.

That's just my opinion.

fieldshowqueen · Post by **fieldshowqueen** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:19 pm

I like option 1b and 2a ...
I don't mind the equalizer questions ... gives me a day off

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:56 pm

Question #7 will be posted later tonight to give people more of a chance to comment on the scoring issue.

saxplyr7 · Post by **saxplyr7** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:33 pm

Yea I like 1b and 2a also. It gives us a chance to give us to catch up better instead of the last time where only two or so people are actually in the game haha. So yea.

Other than that I'm surprised I'm 4th...i've answered like only 3 and still in 4th? wow haha. Guess I answered quickly enough. Koolio can't wait for more to come.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:50 pm

Option 1B goes into effect immediately. The new scoring scale is:
1st - 50
2nd - 40
3rd - 30
4th and others - 25

The topic remains open for further discussion...

TRIVIA QUESTION #7
Name this "state"...

Hint: What's that inscription on the building? Something like "------- County Court House." Might be a clue!!

fieldshowqueen · Post by **fieldshowqueen** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:12 am

Hostrauser wrote:Option 1B goes into effect immediately. The new scoring scale is:
1st - 50
2nd - 40
3rd - 30
4th and others - 25
The topic remains open for further discussion...

I will assume (which is probably dumb of me) that the standings might change because of the new scoring system (assuming again you are going back and applying it). Can you repost the standings once you refigure things? Thanks.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:21 am

Sorry, I should have specified: the change is not retroactive. It takes effect beginning with question 7.

My inbox fills up too quickly and I have to clear it out after every question, so I don't keep track of the order in which answers were received except on that specific day.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:52 pm

Correct Answer for #7: Vermont

As many of you pointed out, that's the Windham County Court House in Newfane.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:45 pm

TRIVIA QUESTION #8
Name this African country...

Hint: the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!

Bonus: +10 points to anyone that can name the type of animal in the picture (to my satisfaction). I've searched for hours and cannot find an animal that fits this picture in this location.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:35 pm

No correct answers so far, to either portion.

Hint for the hint: try googling the bolded hint word with the location of the country.

fieldshowqueen · Post by **fieldshowqueen** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:10 pm

Hostrauser wrote:No correct answers so far, to either portion.
Hint for the hint: try googling the bolded hint word with the location of the country.

Did that ... got 4 countries none of which looks like the pic.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:01 am

fieldshowqueen wrote:
Hostrauser wrote:No correct answers so far, to either portion.
Hint for the hint: try googling the bolded hint word with the location of the country.
Did that ... got 4 countries none of which looks like the pic.

Ah, but one of those countries is probably it, since that country has varied terrain.

I've gotten a few correct answers, but here's a second hint for those still puzzled...

A google search for:
"roof of Africa" -Kilimanjaro

...will return the answer on the first page.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:29 pm

Correct Answer for #8: Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Highlands have the largest average elevation of any area in Africa, and are often referred to as the roof of Africa. The second highest peak in Africa, Ras Dejen, is in the background of that picture.

As for the animal, I'm going to try emailing the picture to the San Diego Zoo and see if one of their experts can help me out.

Hostrauser · Post by **Hostrauser** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:33 pm

TRIVIA QUESTION #9
Name this European city...

Hint: home to a major international film festival.