Do You play correspondence chess at <Schemingmind.com>? I've been playing there regularly for about 4 years, and at the moment have 3 games in progress. But, today, as I tried to log on I was (repeatedly) getting this:

<Not Found

HTTP Error 404. The requested resource is not found.>

Usually if it is a matter of maintenance or some mal-functiom there would be a message to that effect.

Any ideas? Could the site be closed?

Stanford have covered the spread for 13 straight games (!!). This week, in their game against USC (in LA) the line opened at Stanford -9.5, it is now -7. Last week, against Washington, it opened at -21 (3 touchdowns!!) by game time, it was down to -17.5 (Final score, Stanford 65, Washington 21. It means a lot of people lost a lot of money, and Vegas made lots and lots and lots of money. Occupy LV!!)

I remember 4(?) years ago, when unranked Stanford went into LA, and beat highly ranked 'SC team (#3? #2?). I think that was Harbaugh's second year at Palo Altos.

1. 'SC marching band still can't play more than 4 notes.

2. Stanford marching band still can't march 'in step'.

1. Discuss/resolve any issues that occurred earlier in the year with Caissar award.

2. All members of CG welcome to join/contribute/voice/drop out.

3. Feel free to list any issues (as you see them) and will try to iron them out.

I did go back and read the thread from last January to remind myself of the issues. My first suggestion is that you hold the line on a formal nomination process. You might hold nominations for 2-3 days each on sets of 3 categories.

At any rate, Once the nominations are closed, then they are closed. Period. Those are nominations and not votes. Period. Either you, or you and a small (3, including you) could then consult by email to come up with a final slate of nominees. You would have the right to disqualify a nominee as being frivolous, or inappropriate for the category, or whatever.

Then you could ask for votes on sets of 3-4 categories. Just votes--no additional nominees. No overwhelming write-ins. Nothing.

I think the language issue will not arise this year. If you are concerned about it though, perhaps you should specify that certain categories (writing; analysis) are for posts in English. You are trying to recognize site-wide contributions so making that requirement explicit seems fine with me.