Group Icon & Header Contest Entries - The Icons 

for PIMP MY LENS: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks! Group

1. From Christene:
   
   "Gold"
   
   
   View HEADER
   
   
   
2. From Christene:
   
   "Purple"
   
   
   View HEADER
   
   
   
3. From Janusz:
   
   "Green & Gold"
   
   
   View HEADER
   
   
   
4. From Johnny Christ:
   "Red & Gold Van"
   
   
   View HEADER
   
   
   
5. From VirtualOpoly:
   "White Car"
   
   
   View HEADER
   
   
   

POLL CLOSED - VOTE for your favorite Icon & Header Graphic Combo! 

Five Fabulous Entries!

Vote here for your favorite entries for Group Icon & Header for the
PIMP MY LENS: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks! Group

VIEW the Header by clicking on the link below
or view them all in one place at the Blog Post.

Invite a friend to Vote!

Poll is open until Saturday August 18, Midnight PST.

The winning set will be chosen from the 3 entries with the most votes.

You may vote for more than one entry, but only once per entry per person.

The Votes are in! 

Below is a screenshot for the final vote count at the time the polls closed.

We've got a tie between Christene's Purple Icon and Johnny's Red & Gold Van Header!

Contest Feedback 

Please share your comments about the Designs & the Contest here.

Thank you for participating!

sonia_simone I agree. They're all impressive, nicely done. Posted August 14, 2007

Margaret_Schaut Fabulous entries! I voted! Posted August 14, 2007

Margaret_Schaut Fabulous entries! I voted! Posted August 14, 2007

N376 Johnny Christ has a real eye and feel for hip design. Posted August 13, 2007

Required Reading for Prospective Group Members 

Chock full o' good stuff - helpful hints & lensmastering tips too!

KCStargazer's Squidoo Groups Info Blog

This is the Main Blog.
Find updates,

Before Applying for Group Membership

START HERE!
"REQUIRED READING for ALL Prospective Group Members!"
This is the MOST IMPORTANT POST on the whole Blog. It lays the ground rules and outlines what is appropriate group material.

KCStargazer Specialty Groups I 

Specific Topics

Eyes on the Skies Headquarters

Eyes on the Skies Astronomy Group Events, objects and phenomena from NEOS (Near Earth ObjectS) to deep space. We're sticking strictly with the left-brain here: Sciences of Astronomy, Meteorology etc. (Ain't knockin' it but, no woo-woo stuff here.) R...

Scrapbook Americana Headquarters

Scrapbook Americana What makes America Beautiful? All things American: Past, Present, Future. We are a blend of many things here in the United States of America. This is a space to share those many slices of American...

Squid Ink: Art of the Sea Pen Writer's Group Headquarters

Squid Ink: Art of the Sea Pen Writers Group The place for writers on Squidoo! Pick up a Sea Pen and squeeze out some "Squid Ink"! Please Visit the 2 Polls & Sign our guest book! Interested in joining this Group? Please READ THIS ...

Cook's Nook Headquarters

The Cook's Nook Like to Cook? Like to Eat? Maybe Dish a little? Well, sit yourself down and prepare for a feast of recipies, restaurant reviews, food selection and storage, nutrition, kitchen gadgets, cooking and baking tips galore!...

KCStargazer Specialty Groups II 

Specific Topics

Pimp My Lens: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks Headquarters

PIMP MY LENS: Great Lensmastering Tips & Tricks! The home for lenses & Info & tips on how to maintain or improve any lens on Squidoo! Why have an average lens when you can have a "Splendiferous" Lens? Content, Layout, Design, Re...

Quantum Universe Headquarters

Quantum Universe:   Where Spirit Meets Matter Where primal wisdom meets modern knowledge we find a realm of Quantum Reality. What happens when the modern science o...

The Julia Set Headquarters

The Julia Set Anyone & anything named Julia! Lenses about Julias in Art, Film, History, Literature, Music, Places, Politics, Sports and more... Famous Julias, not-so-famous Julias.  Lensmasters named Julia.  Image: Fractal "Julia Set&...

Astrology - From Asteroids to Zodiac and Beyond Headquarters

Astrology From Asteroids to Zodiac and Beyond All about Astrology. A myriad of types, topics and techniques. Mostly Western, but Vedic (Hindu), Chinese, Mayan and others may appear here as well. Exploring the Stand...

KCStargazer Variety Group I 

Multiple Topics

Kaleidescope: A Random Sampler of Lenses Headquarters

                      A Random Sampler of Splendid Lenses A whimsical ever-changing potpourri of lenses and topics to tickle your curiousity. Ju...

KCStargazer Variety Groups II : A Real Monster 

Multiple Topics

Squidzilla Headquarters

What is "SQUIDZILLA"? Now, wouldn't you just like to know? It's...it's... it's Aliiiiiiiiive! ...

Where it All Comes Together...A "Squidoo Scrapbook" 

My Very Own Exclusive Group

My Squid Spawn Headquarters

My Squid Spawn Here is a collection of most (if not all) of my lenses on all topics and in various stages of development- from zygote to mature cephelopod! The groups I've created are here too. Actually...

I'd just LOVE to have YOUR opinion! 

Here's your chance to Rate ALL of my Squidoo Groups!

Below is a list of all the groups that I've created and manage, or co-manage.

Group size varies greatly- some are VERY active, while others have yet to be discovered by Squidoo at large. One Group is strictly and exclusively my own stuff (My Squid Spawn), but I do "play well with others" on all the rest.

VOTE: Use the small arrows to the right of the numbers.

I believe you only get one vote per person per item. You may change a vote (from down to up, etc.) but you will only be alotted one point per item, per person.

Ideas for improvements are welcome (see the "Drop me a line" Guestbook above or "Contact Me" at the upper right for more space.)

If you have a lens that you think is a good fit for a group (or would like to build a new lens for a group)
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: KCStargazer Squidoo Groups Blog & Info
Then go to the group and click "add an existing lens" or "make a new lens" on the right, respectively.

KCStargazer's Groups FAQs -or- How to Charm a Group Master 

Increase the Odds of Lens Acceptance!

• Has My Lens Been Accepted?
  How and when will I know?
  
  ALL of my groups are set up so that EACH AND EVERY LENS MUST BE MANUALLY APPROVED FOR GROUP MEMBERSHIP.
  The same is true for all Comment/Discussion Modules, Guestbooks & Plexos on ALL of my Groups & Lenses. This is done for quality control as well as to track activity.
  
  This also makes it a waste of time to submit inappropriate lenses, links and comments. They will be deleted. Only the Groupmaster will ever see them, and will definitely not be charmed.
  
  With 12 Groups, you can imagine this is a LOT to look at. To give an idea, one group alone has over 300 pending lenses! As you can see, this can be overwhelming.
  
  This means there is likely to be a lag-time from when a lens is submitted and when it is reviewed and either accepted or booted.
  
  WARNING:
  Simply submitting a lens to a group does not mean it has been accepted! That is only the FIRST step in the process of getting a Lens approved. It puts the lens in a CUE for approval where it will stay in PENDING STATUS until it is reviewed by the Groupmaster or Admin.
  
  How to tell if a lens has been approved for Group Membership:
  
  Presently, there are only 2 sure ways to know if a lens is a Member:
  1. You will receive an email notification.
  2. The GROUP TITLE will show on your lens sidebar under "Explore More"
  
  
• DO
  Keep it ALL-EYES FRIENDLY
  KCStargazer's Groups are Family-Friendly and Office-Safe. The strongest content should be what you would see in a G to PG-Rated movie.
  
• DO
  Submit ONE LENS AT A TIME*
  Like a few other Groupmasters, KC manages a LOT of Groups. Please resist the temptation to submit a whole bunch of lenses all at once. Think about the 300 lenses the Groupmaster has to wade through and wait for the first one to be approved before submitting another one. OK, if you really just can't stand it submit two, but NO MORE than two.
  
  *EXCEPTION: The Groupmaster has specifically INVITED you to add several lenses or any lenses you have that would be pertinent to the Group Topic.
  
  
• DO
  Sign the Guestbook/ Comments Module, but
  Mind Your Manners!
  
  It really is terrible to have to say this, because there are so many lovely people in Squidoo. There are just a few that really haven't got the hang of it, so here is a simple review of what consists of a "good post" to a Group Discussion Module.
  
  1. Keep too the topic of the Group or its member lenses
  2. Be sincere
  3. Remember it is a GROUP and NOT a Lens
  
  Groups are not currently equipped to be rated. If someone says they're giving you "5 stars", clearly they're not paying attention and likely just going around leaving "canned" messages in group Guestbooks.
  
  All Comments on all KCStargazer Groups are Moderated.
  This means they MUST BE APPROVED before they will show on the HQ page. Inappropriate posts are easy to spot and will NEVER see the light of day. This practice is a waste of time.
  
  Unless expressly invited to do so by the Groupmaster-
  DO NOT do this in a Group Discussion Module:
  1. Request viewing or rating of a lens that has not been approved for group membership.
  2. Post links to non-member lenses.
  
  When a lens is accepted into one of my groups, it is my practice to leave a welcome message in the Guestbook of that lens (when available) with a link to the group to which it was accepted. This IS relevant because (1) the individual has requested group membership and (2) this is clearly spelled out in my Group Membership Guidelines, so it is expected.
  
  
• DO
  PARTICIPATE
  PARTICIPATE
  PARTICIPATE
  as much as you can!
  
  How?
  
  -COMMENT about the Group or other Member Lenses in the Group's Discussion Module.
  -ANNOUNCE changes to or news about a member lens on the Group HQ page in the Discussion module.
  -Participate in POLLS on the Group HQ Page
  -VISIT and RATE OTHER MEMBER LENSES
  -SIGN the GUESTBOOKS on OTHER MEMBER LENSES
  -VOTE or ADD items to PLEXOs on the Group HQ Page
  
  Being an active member is good for the member Lensmaster as well as the group. The more activity in the associated lenses and on the Group HQ page the better it is for everyone involved! This makes for a healthy, thriving group and it moves it up in the ranks meaning even more people will find it and therefore find your lens!
  
  BE SELECTIVE
  My personal view is that it is better to join fewer groups, but to participate more in those groups. Find a few that are relevant to your lens topic or to the audience you are seeking and INVEST more effort back into those groups to truly feel like part of a community network, rather than joining so many that you simply can't keep up with what's going on. This is like joining so many clubs that you can't get much out of any of them or put much into them. The more members can participate, the better the organization/ club or Group!
  
  Groupmasters really enjoy having Lensmasers around that show they really care for the Group and its Members. It is so easy to join and then dash for the door or hop on to the next Group, never to return. It is thrilling to see Groupmembers return and participate, even if it is just to announce that you've updated something on your member lens!
  
  "Come back and sit a spell!"
  
  It's the members and the quality of the participation of the members that helps to make any group great!
  
  
• DO
  READ AND FOLLOW THE GROUP RULES
  
  Again, let me emphasize that most of the folks here at Squidoo are lovely, wonderful, thoughtful people...
  
  BUT there are A FEW ROGUE LENSMASTERS that struggle with following proper protocol. Ironically, I write this knowing full well 99% of the folks that need to read this likely will never bother to, but here it is anyway...
  
  The BANE of any Quality-Minded Groupmaster or Admin:
  
  1) OFF-TOPIC LENSES or an
  2) INAPPROPRIATE LENSES (Adult material to a G-Rated Group)!!!!
  3) INAPPROPRIATE/ IRRELEVANT DISCUSSION MODULE POSTS (links to inappropriate material, promoting non-member lenses, etc.)
  
  When a Groupmaster takes the time to CLEARLY SPELL OUT THE GROUP RULES, it is not only extremely disrespectful, but a complete waste of time to submit such material.
  
  WHY?
  
  -ALL of my GROUPS are set up so that Lenses MUST BE APPROVED.
  -These Lenses do not show on the Member Lens list
  -They will not show on the Group HQ page
  -No links are created to the Group simply by Submitting a Lens for Approval.
  -Not receiving a rejection/booted email about a lens does not mean it has been approved. It is simply sitting in the pending cue awaiting review. Again, no links are created.
  
  The ONLY SUCCESS to be had in doing this is to show the Groupmaster that the Rogue Lensmaster either-
  (1) didn't care to bother reading the rules or
  (2) did read the rules but deliberately disregarded them.
  
  Either way it shows a lack of respect for the Group and the Group Master and Admins. This is not a recipe for success.
  
  Most Groupmaster have their hands full. Sure, no one ASKED us to do it. We volunteer because there is so much about running a Group that is fun and rewarding. We love having fantastic, relevant lenses dropped at our doorstep. To simplify things for EVERYONE some Groupmasters go the the time and trouble of spelling out the Group requirements and parameters. Following these guidelines is very much appreciated by the Groupmaster.
  
  If a sign is posted "NO DOGS" why would you bring a dog? There is probably a good reason for the sign - it may be unsafe for the dog, or the dog could compromise the sanitary conditions required and regulated by the health department for medical procedures or food preparation. Maybe someone inside is terribly allergic to Dogs. They set up and manage the space, and for whatever reasons as a guest it is important to respect the POSTED RULES.
  
  Please read the instructions set forth by the Groupmaster and follow them!
  
  THANK YOU!
  
  

Groups Gateway Guestbook 

Please sign the guestbook and show a little squidlove in the stars before you go...

Thanks for stopping by!

stp0007 the purple header rocks! Posted August 14, 2007