Ben's Top Ten +10

[nathanthemayor 1,263]

Well my last week at #1, a good way to celebrate my CJ's retirement.....

[Markus J 242]

Talk about leaving on a high note! That's awesome that United Cities gets a great send off. Good Cjs everyone. And awesome that's for the support you guys are giving me on my Los Angeles one means a lot. :-)

Also thanks to Ben who I remember when he stated this, and had still kept it up!

[jmsepe 2,039]

Speaking of which, this question just came in mind. How long does a CJ usually stands alive? 

[wwetom1 831]

Consistency is key

[Markus J 242]

Yup pretty much depends on the person how much they update/quality of the updates. It also helps when people reply to instead of just looking

[jmsepe 2,039]

Hahaha. Someone sounds so bitter. Hahaha.

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Consistency is key

 

This, and also that CJing is like an art-form and pictures are akin to paintings in public galleries. Either the pictures catch the public's eye or they don't, and if pictures capture the public's eye then some of them will comment.

[Markus J 242]

Hahaha. Someone sounds so bitter. Hahaha.

Not me, in fact after a year gone to come back and have as much attention as I'm getting is really flattering

 

I'm very grateful people have been replying. I'm talk about others who have some really good stuff even better than me with almost no comments it's a little sad

[Benedict 3,119]

Speaking of which, this question just came in mind. How long does a CJ usually stands alive? 

 

It is tough to list how long (in time) a CJ lasts for, as there are 3377 CJs currently in the forum section.

 

In terms of how long (number of pages) a CJ lasts for, that is easier to answer.

 

The majority, 55%, are on the first page.

2 pages: 18%

3 pages: 7%

4 pages: 4%

5 pages: 2%

6-10 pp: 6%

11-20pp: 3%

21-50pp: 1%

>50pp: 0.5%

 

Shortest: 50 CJs have no replies, consisting of just the initial post. (about 1.5%)

 

Longest: Schulmania vol 2 - currently on p351, still active and no doubt will be higher within a week.

 

(Note 1: that some of these topics are not necessarily CJs, but include topics such as Top Ten lists, tutorials, reviews etc - although this type of topic is in the vast minority compared to actual CJs

Note 2: percentages are approximate).

 

I think my own CJ is one of the longest-lasting of the currently active ones - started in May 2006. There may be CJs that lasted longer but are currently inactive. Also, a chunk of the data from CJs from 2003-2004 was lost at some point.

[jmsepe 2,039]

Haha thanks for those replies. Anyway, one more question. Sorry for being a really OT here. I just can't seem to find the place where I can ask this. 

 

What's the difference between the forum city journals (here) and the one that under the tab "City Journal" where you can see it from Simtropolis home page?

[Markus J 242]

Forum CJs came first, in addition to that they can have many pictures on one page rendering them a little load heavy. To most of the veterans of the sit the form CJ style it's easier to use (or could just be me). The other CJ section is more like a blog imo and depending on how strong a following may our May not get much attention. Someone else may be able to Wright in better. I've tried both and prefer the fourm style

[freemunchies 124]

Awesome, my first time in the top ten! Amazing work everyone!

[wwetom1 831]

That's a mindblowing stat Ben. Only 1.5% of CJs reach 20 pages, and then there is Schulmania with 360+ pages 

[jmsepe 2,039]

Forum CJs came first, in addition to that they can have many pictures on one page rendering them a little load heavy. To most of the veterans of the sit the form CJ style it's easier to use (or could just be me). The other CJ section is more like a blog imo and depending on how strong a following may our May not get much attention. Someone else may be able to Wright in better. I've tried both and prefer the fourm style

Thanks for the clarification. I hope I am not bothering anyone here! Happy CJing...

[SimCoug 5,976]

Woohooo! I'm a 1.5 percent-er! That reminds me, I should probably get an update out before 2015.

[Markus J 242]

 

Forum CJs came first, in addition to that they can have many pictures on one page rendering them a little load heavy. To most of the veterans of the sit the form CJ style it's easier to use (or could just be me). The other CJ section is more like a blog imo and depending on how strong a following may our May not get much attention. Someone else may be able to Wright in better. I've tried both and prefer the fourm style

Thanks for the clarification. I hope I am not bothering anyone here! Happy CJing...

 

Not a bother to help someone in need =)

[Benedict 3,119]

 

 

 

Hi, Schulmanator. The United Cities has certainly been a fixture of the CJ forum since it began. Maybe it will make a guest appearance every now and again.

 

Hi, jmsepe¹. Hopefully he'll be back with more at some point in the future.

 

Hi, nathanthemayor. Sad to see the retirement, but great to see how many people are going to miss it - great stuff going out at the top of BTT.

Hi, MarkusJ¹. Thanks for the recognition! And you seem to have a lot more support this week...

 

Hi, jmsepe². Happy to run the numbers.

 

Hi, wwetom1¹. Agreed - a steady flow of updates tends to foster the environment for a dedicated, interested audience.

 

Hi, MarkusJ². Quality is also key, as you mentioned.

 

Hi, jmsepe³. Tone is tough to convey in a forum post.

 

Hi, Ln X. And what catches the eyes of some, is ignored by others. Know your audience!

 

Hi, MarkusJ⁴. ! BTT turned into a social forum last time - quite unusual !

 

Hi, jmsepe⁴. You're welcome. Your question was answered; basically the forum section is a set of pages with 30 comments a page, and the CJ section lets you organize your work like a blog, with a single page per update, allowing comments on specific pages rather than in a single thread.

 

Hi, MarkusJ⁵. Thanks for answering. More people comment in the CJ section, although there are many more CJs there, and competition is tough. CJs featured on the front page tend to get more comments.

 

Hi, freemunchies. Nice work last time.

 

Hi, wwetom1². I have a lot of respect for all the city journalists that stay dedicated to their CJs.

 

Hi, jmsepe⁵. Not at all - just unusual to have so much 'chat' here at BTT.

 

Hi, SimCoug. That would be *very* nice indeed,

 

Hi, MarkusJ⁶. Thanks for helping out!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ben's Top Ten 
 

Congratulations to Los Angeles - quite the comeback as it hits number one for the first time.

 

That makes six different number ones so far in 2014 - so far the year is shaping up really well here in the forums.

 

A new number one and ALL the stars are represented - my favorite kind of week!

 

Josephinia debuts, Teiko Metropolitan Area is new, and Queensferry returns.

 

Trixie nominations are open for 2013 - check out the top 100 on page 64 if you're looking for CJs to nominate from last year.

 

Happy CJing.

 

You can also follow BTT on Twitter @benstopten

 

 

 

Ben's +10

 

Andreica by freemunchies

The Unorthodox CJ II by ThirtyThree

Mass Effect: The Milky Way by Huston

Holt by sim_link

Nyhaven by woodb3kmaster

Pleasant Cove Island by scott1964

Simsinnati by C4RACORTADA

Roger's Hidden Lights by Roger51

Latagnian News Feed by jakis

Asgard by Fox

 

[wwetom1 831]

Wow what an impressive Top 6! All six have been number 1 and have 7 trixies! 

 

This whole list is definitely a who's who of the CJ forum! I can't wait to see some of these guys win Trixies this year!

[simlink 1,098]

Nice work again, everyone!

[coolwiththecool2 827]

Schulmania's reign has come to an end, who knows how long this non number one period will last this time . And six different number ones, get ready for seven! jk

[freemunchies 124]

Ahhhh just got my power back today, almost got the chance to update in time. Once again great work all!

[PhatHead 248]

Boy,   both of your lists have been quite busy and impressive to read and watch each and every week,  can't forget "lurking"

[Benedict 3,119]

 

 

 

 

Hi, wwetom1. A very accomplished top ten last week, and with Nyhaven's return this week even more Trixie bling this week.

 

Hi, sim_link. As always, thanks for stopping by to comment.

 

Hi, coolwiththecool2. One of the BTT rules: the fate of all CJs is to go up or down, so I have no doubt that Schulmania will be back at the top at some point. One of those 6 is back at the top this week...scroll down to find out who.

Hi, freemunchies. You have the highest re-entry this week - welcome back.

 

Hi, PhatHead. Good to see you out of lurk mode.

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ben's Top Ten 
 

Congratulations to My SC4 Scrapbook which returns to number one this week.

 

Welcome back to Andreica and Nyhaven.

 

Trixie nominations are still open - check out the top 100 on page 64 if you're looking for CJs to nominate from last year.

 

Happy CJing.

 

You can also follow BTT on Twitter @benstopten

 

 

Ben's +10

 

The Unorthodox CJ II by ThirtyThree

Franklin County by Patricius Maximus

Mass Effect: The Milky Way by Huston

Josephinia by Lost Realist

Simsinnati by C4RACORTADA

Pleasant Cove Island by scott1964

Queensferry by BuggUla

New SorGun by SimCoug

Holt by sim_link

Roger's Hidden Lights by Roger51

 

[Mikemoreno 7]

Good choice   On what do you base for the listing? out of curiosity 

[jmsepe 2,039]

Haha. I find it quite pleasing that my work is being appreciated despite being just a novice and that sometimes I feel my CJ is so inferior and so mediocre.

 

Thanks Ben and thanks everyone! 

 

It's time for a party! 

 

See you around my CJ. 

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

I guess people must really love grunge concrete.

[PhatHead 248]

Knot only am I knot in lurking mode,    I have knotice much action and bug submission this week.  See youz all knext week.

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Mikemoreno. The list is based on a formula which essentially looks at the ratio of updates to non-author replies over a four week period, with the current week's ratio counting the highest. The CJs are then ranked according to their score. The only thing I get to choose is the image.

Hi, jmsepe. I created the formula so that it would allow new CJs to be assessed on equal footing with established CJs.

Hi, Ln X. I think they only love it if it's done well.

Hi, PhatHead. Another week of down with the bugs.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ben's Top Ten

Congratulations to My SC4 Scrapbook which is number one again this week.

The Unorthodox CJ II is a new entry, and Pleasant Cove Island is back.

Trixie nominations have been extended to the 25th - check out the top 100 on page 64 if you're looking for CJs to nominate from last year.

Happy CJing.

You can also follow BTT on Twitter @benstopten

Ben's +10

Simsinnati by C4RACORTADA

Josephinia by Lost Realist

Queensferry by BuggUla

The United Cities by nathanthemayor

Mass Effect: The Milky Way by Huston

Holt by sim_link

The Greater Whatcom Region by SounderBruce

Region of Salem by bakercity

Roger's Hidden Lights by Roger51

Franklin County by Patricius Maximus

[simlink 1,098]

Some great competition here, love the quality recently.

[jmsepe 2,039]

Hahaha. Thanks, this my third week on the top 10. Very unexpected.

 

Anyhow, it's not like I'm here to compete. I'm just sharing to the world what I want to do. Carry on and kudos!