When it comes to "FEATURED POSTS" I am voting for the "UNDER DOGS"

Hi Robert - I loved "UnderDog" cartoons!!  I think that the "suggest " button is very powerful.   We have all fallen into our subscriptions lists.  When I log into AR - and pressed for time.  I always check out the featured posts, and then my "subscription list posts".  I will suggest posts there.   I will make a point to try reading the regular feed more.   And I just suggested this one!

And I just booked my flight to VEGAS for the March 2011 REMAX Convention!  I love your town!

I agree Bob, most of the featured posts are very well written but they seem to be by a lot of the same people.  Nothing wrong with this, if its a good post, its a good post.  I have seen plenty other posts by "underdogs" that have been deserving but don't seem to make it.  I guess I don't understand the formula behind getting featured.  I like that you are willing to seek out some of the lesser known bloggers that write good stuff and appeal to the "AR Gods" to get their posts featured.

I don't think AR has the manpower to read every new post. And with members choosing features with the 'Suggest' button, the system is naturally biased toward those member's subscriptions. My advice to anyone on AR is always "don't chase the gold star, do what works best for you."

I always vote for the underdogs by using all the bullets I have every day.  I even suggest my competition on a regular basis (like I did with this post) because many people feel it is unfair and have retaliated against me in many ways shapes and forms.

I find when I MMOB and stop caring - life is really good!

FYI John:  I have suggested your posts too and I stay away from suggesting in my subscriptions.  I usually suggest from comment reciprocation and preferably from a newbie - unless the article from a regular is EXCEPTIONALLY good pertaining to real estate today!

VB- I do think the "Suggest" button has helped bring some amount of variety to the "Feature" board.  I try to Suggst posts that I feel would appeal to a broad range of readers and are well and/or creatively written.  When I have the "Blog" page open and am looking at my subscriptions, I also will try to look to the "left" at the recent posts to see if there's a catchy title from someone I don't know.  If at all possible I'll read and comment on their post.   

You are correct that it does seem to be the same select few featured over and over.  Maybe the "suggest" button will start to change that.

I'm new to AR and thanks for this comment...

BTW, I like the photos you have of Burma... I have been on archaeological excavations as photographer and truly enjoy pics of foreign lands...

Robert, I usually agree with posts that have been feature because they are deserving, but agree with John that with the number of memebers in AR it's got to be tough to monitor all of them for material worth featuring. 

I think it's easy to fall into a routine with your commenting (like I just did). Check the blog roll, then go to groups.  I'm apt to look at posts from people I'm familiar with the write well, but I do always try and find a new post or two that are feature worthy.  Some of those that get featured often, write really good posts and have figured out how to craft a catchy title too.

Hi VB :) - since I have been in hibernation the suggest button is new to me. However I will make a point to look for underdogs - time permitting. Love to discover new great articles and writers. How have you been?

I remember when we didn't have the "suggest" button and will strive to remember to use it more often. I'm sure many BLOGS are missed that should have been "suggested" because no one hit the SUGGEST BUTTON.

"Suggesting" a prolific and often-Featured blogger with a huge subscriber base runs up the "Shots Called" count, because many other AR members are doing the same thing.

But, "Suggesting" a deserving, but unsung, blogger and helping them get a "Feature" is much more rewarding.

Hi VB, I have started going to the bottom of my page and using that blog entry to view the posts. This view is a bit tinier to read, but it shows how many comments have been made. If a title catches my eye and has 0 comments..especially if it is a first time poster, I like to comment and if star worthy..suggest. You are really great with having so many groups "highlighting" these underdogs in them. I can tell you when you first did that to one of my posts it made my day! The way the features are given is really a mystery to me. I first assumed it was from people hitting the suggest button, but now I think there are mystery people that choose as well. I wrote a post several weeks back and within 5 minutes it was featured..and hadn't had any comments yet...so who knows. I was very happy of course, but it made me even more curious as to how it works.

Howdy and evening to you Vegas Bob


VB, you sure are right about the AR staff have a very bad habit of Featuring the same folks a lot. I have hit that there suggest button for so many folks that the AR staff have turned their noses up at. Some of the blog posts, that I have suggested were actually better than the ones the AR staff pick for being Featured.

I have gave up on any more of my own blog posts being Featured, other than the one they did. And the one that was Featured a year or two ago, I believe was done totally by accident. Plus I actually believe the AR staff has black balled my blog posts from being Featured in the AR community. The reason that I believe that, has to do with the fact that there have been up to 6 different folks click on the suggest button of the some blog posts of mine in one day.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Bob, yes let's hear it for the underdogs....

In my humble opinion, being re-posted is the ultimate compliment!