User talk:SamRosenfeld/Countdown to 99/Season 2

This is an archive of the Countdown to 99 related discussion that took place during the second season of Countdown to 99. The current discussion can be found here.

Pre Season 2
I am slowly transitioning the current page to season 2. I have three requests to make. First, I think we should archive the talk page and think that this post should be the first post included in the current page but that everything above it belongs in an archive of the first talk page. I have archived everything above this post here. I will delete everything above this post in the section named "Final Week" at a later date. Not much of a request, I was originally going to ask someone else to do the archiving. Second, the only reason that there is a separate signup page from the main page is that I could not figure out how to create a link to the editing of anything other than the first section. If any of you can fix that then please let me know and I will merge the pages BEFORE you create the link. Last and indeed least, the code for the Countdown to 99 userbox is displayed in a very messy box. I have fixed some of it but I still need someone to center it and get rid of the extra space. I am not very skilled in wiki code. SamRosenfeld 03:06, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Right, well, there are two ways of doing what you want with the signup page. You could either: If you like either one, but aren't sure how to do it, just let me know and I'll be happy to do it for you.
 * put this link on the page:  which will give Click here to sign up! The link will open the edit box for section 3 of the CDT99 (nice shorthand, yes?); which is currently the signup box. If you move that section around make sure to update the link accordingly (copy-and-pasting the URL is the easiest way to do that).
 * or, put  where you wish the signup box to be, providing a link such as   somewhere (which will give Click here to sign up!). This will keep the signup page separate from the main CDT99 page but will automatically be updated when changed.

As for the userbox thingy, I put it into a  box, as that is the standard for displaying code for templates etc. This is the userbox-style thing I've had on my page: Nice? I'd happily knock up a template that would generate that easily. 21:45, 31 May 2009 (UTC)
 * That is very nice. I like the userbox but I would think it would be difficult to generate a template.  You would have to choose colors for each skill and image for each skill.  But if you have a simpler way of doing it or do not mind doing it go ahead although I would like to keep both templates and put in the section, you can either choose the one made by Leeveclark/MaxBulldog or the one made by Gaz Lloyd and list both, at  least for a little while before I get used to yours.  Thank you very much for everyone thing else you have done though, I greatly appreciate it.  SamRosenfeld 23:56, 31 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Done! It's here. Instructions and examples are on the page, if you're going to put it on the main CDT99 page copy/paste the pre box code (I'll do that if you wish). To generate the above one I'd put this:


 * Its not exactly the same, but its very close. And anytime, it's what I'm here for =] 16:00, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Oh, I get it, very nice. Can you please add it to the page and I will clean it up later?  SamRosenfeld 20:35, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
 * There we go. I added the code. As I wrote on the page, if you disagree with any colours in the box (the background is designed to be the skillcape's main colour, the text and border the cape's trim), just let me know (here, my talk, in the cc, whatever) and I'll change it (if you have the better code already, it would be quicker and easier for me: see here for the colours). The main differences between the two firemaking boxes above: the image caption is different (that's as I didn't set one in the template) and the template one is ever so slightly wider (not sure about height, probably not). Both of them will resize with your browser window size (I give it a fixed size however, if wished). 11:36, 3 June 2009 (UTC)
 * It is perfect; thank you so much! And I do think being open-minded about the colors is a good idea but I do not have any suggestions on that topic.  I've been feeling a bit lazy lately but I will update the page in time for Season 2.  SamRosenfeld 18:16, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

I have not made any changes or posted anything in almost a week but never fear, I still plan on setting everything up on Friday. I originally planned on advertised this round in the forums but never had time for it. Sorry that this will be a smaller season. SamRosenfeld 15:39, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

Week 1
Welcome to Season 2! Supirion1 got very lucky. He had a typo in his username but I caught it. Jediadam4 is too high of a level to join but I think I will let it slide. I would like to hand over this countdown to any of Calebchiam, Mercifull, Amaurice, Hammer2092, or Gaz Lloyd under the conditions that they keep editing at the current url (User:SamRosenfeld/Countdown_to_99) and if they keep editing at the same time (10:00 PM GMT on Friday afternoon) and if they let me come back at anytime. If you are one of the mentioned 5 and you do not mind helping me out for a few weeks then please post your desire here. I will only accept one of the 5 previously mentioned. Today my power was out for 9 hours ending an hour ago. SamRosenfeld 22:28, 12 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Good luck everyone! Unlucky with the power cut; I'd be happy to keep the page up to date for you. 23:35, 12 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Good luck everyone. I was going to do Summoning again but I think im too high a level to take part this time round. Maybe next time when I try another skill :) -- 19:47, 13 June 2009 (UTC)
 * I have removed Jediadam from the competition because it is against the rules. Thank you very much Gaz Lloyd.  I have decided that right now, I am at an easy stage in the Countdown and it would be a stupid time to quit but I will consider inviting you to host the next Season.  SamRosenfeld 02:13, 14 June 2009 (UTC)

Week 2
Well well well... interesting. The three users who did not gain a level were all level 78! Karis lost out unfortunatly, as she had the least experience (1.726m, compared to Cflm001's 1.736m and Lvl 3 skils3's 1.783m). Special mention to the current highest levelled user, Rampage boy4, who managed to gain two levels, and also to Hammer2092, who gained 5 levels. Congratulations all, keep it up. (I'm continuing the colour's from last season - green for more than one level, yellow for no levels and red for out.) 22:14, 19 June 2009 (UTC)


 * I'm lucky. I only just got back from retirement and am still in. 03:49, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

Better get cooking skilz! Gl pplz! =]--Rampage boy4 06:19, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

Good luck to all. I hope I survive past July 10th. I will be on vacation with no access or very limited access to a computer from July 4th through July 12th. 17:12, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Week 3
This week was a fairly good week all round, with all but 3 users gaining at least two levels!! A special congratulations to Gaz Lloyd, who gained a whopping 6 levels this week. Unfortunately, it was Supirion's turn to be eliminated from the competition, being the lower level of the two users not to gain a level, the other being Calebchiam. Good luck for next week, guys!!! 18:32, 26 June 2009 (UTC)
 * I should let Gaz Lloyd do this but he is the host of this competition and he does the updates. If he is more than an hour late you may update then but you may certainly not update early.  The usual update time is 10:00 PM GMT.  I apologize to Gaz Lloyd if he did not care but it bothered me.  SamRosenfeld 21:07, 26 June 2009 (UTC)
 *  Lvl 3, the Countdown isn't updated until 22:00 UTC (~1 hour from now); plus, Sam has stated that if it is not updated by 23:30 UTC by him(/her) or indeed myself, as I agreed to keep it up to date, only then can anyone else update. I could probably gain another level between now and update time; although I won't. Being the lowest level has it's perks.
 * I'll check the hiscores in an hour incase anyone else has gained a level. 21:09, 26 June 2009 (UTC)
 * No levels were gained. 22:09, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

With school starting again and my month of membership up, I'll probably only be able to level once every two weeks or so. I won't be able to last too long this time round. 12:39, 27 June 2009 (UTC)


 * I'll remember that. Sorry, I got my times mixed up. 18:47, 27 June 2009 (UTC)
 * No problem, and by the way, I am male. 98.233.125.133 01:54, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Just a question..say someone reaches 99 do they still have to continue with their skill if they wanted to win? Rampage boy4 09:13, 28 June 2009 (UTC)
 * Mmm... depending on what everyone at the time thinks, anyone who achieves 99 will win a special mention as the 'true' winner, for actually getting their goal. The 'technical' winner will be the one who fulfills the contest requirements (start below 92, finish above 92), doesn't get knocked out thoughout, and gains the most levels in the final week. The two aren't mutually exclusive - last season our technical and true winner was Amaurice. We could probably do a few other special mentions, like most experience gained and most levels gained, etc.
 * I'd like to hear Sam's and a few others' opinions on this too. 18:20, 28 June 2009 (UTC)
 * I would be of the opinion that anyone reaching 99 is the "true winner". Yes there should also be a technical winner as well as out lined in the rules. Specific to Rampage as long as you gain one level per week and no more you would be in it to the end. Thus making you both the true and technical winner most likely. Not to say it is not possible that someone else could out gain you in XP, just in general very unlikely. 14:11, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Week 4
Interesting week. Three users did not gain a level; unfortunatly Hammer was the lowest levelled of them (at 72) and so he is now out; Frede and Rampage Boy get through by their higher levels (at 90 and 94, respectively). On the flip side, Caleb is now only 500k experience away from the halfway point, which must be reached to be eligible to 'technically' win. The only user to have reached this as of yet is Rampage Boy.

That concludes my summary of this week, so happy training all! 22:09, 3 July 2009 (UTC)

lol. i was 20k away from 95 but the bowstring wouldnt sell. ^^ Rampage boy4 03:45, 4 July 2009 (UTC)

If you get to level 99 before the end of the competition and you want to still be the technical winner, it is still possible to win if you can hang on until the final round where only experience matters but I would not waste my time with that; you got to level 99 and that was your only goal. Also, in last season's competition, dates were written in the American style. Nalyd Renrut also wrote the dates in the American style. I am opposed to changing to the British style. It was Calebchiam who made this change. How do you feel about this Gaz Lloyd. Are you American or British? SamRosenfeld 12:03, 5 July 2009 (UTC)


 * SamRosenfeld, I'm not too concerned about whether it is written in the American/British style. I was just filling in the dates because I recalled that in the previous countdown, the dates were there. Change the dates if you want, not too big of a deal. 12:06, 5 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Thank you, lol. SamRosenfeld 13:20, 5 July 2009 (UTC)


 * I am British, but I don't mind sticking with the American style if you want (since its not a mainspace article). An alternative to avoid confusion is to use the month name rather than number (7/3 would be 3 July, for example). What does everyone think? 15:42, 5 July 2009 (UTC)


 * That would still be different than the American "July 3" In Britain, the day always comes first while in America, the month always comes first.  It would also be too long to fit into the tables.  SamRosenfeld 15:48, 5 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Move it on to the second row (with a  ) and/or use the shorthand (Jun/Jul/Aug). If you want to stick with the American style (month first), go for it; with the month name, a user can't be confused about which is the date and which is the month, which can be fairly often with numbers alone.  15:55, 5 July 2009 (UTC)

Lvl 3 skils3: you do not have to withdraw from the competition. If you have decided to stop training your skill or quit Runescape all together, that is fine but you will still be in the competition until the rules kick you out. This does not mean that you have to do anything, but you do not need to withdraw. Thank you, however, for letting us know you have quit; that was very thoughtful of you. SamRosenfeld 12:42, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

Week 5 (July 10th)
This week sees Lvl 3 skils3 leaving, as he was the lowest level not to gain a level (although he did notify us that he was withdrawing); again Frede survives on his high level (or his he out for getting 2 yellows in a row?). Caleb is now on the other side of the halfway barrier, well done. The competition is heating up now that we're down to only 5 players!

I may be the lowest level left (as I have been every week), but don't let that fool you: I've made it my personal goal to get at least two levels every week; you'll have to get 3 levels to guarentee your place in the competition! Good luck all! 22:12, 10 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Freede should be out right? He hasnt gained a level in 3 weeks -- 10:53, 11 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I think so. I just turned it red. Also, we're having 3 in the final week again? If so, that leaves only one week of normal eliminations left. 16:26, 11 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I think it is best to have 3 in the final week. SamRosenfeld 02:06, 12 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Hi, I'm sorry for leaving, but I am 3/4 retiring from RuneScape and the Wiki, due to real-life commitments. Thanks for the challenge, and I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the competition!! 03:13, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

2 out in 1 week? I'm in trouble now, probably next to go at this rate. Rampage boy's already levelled up. Gaz Lloyd is probably going to level up twice. And Firemaking is pretty easy to train (which probably means >1 level). I know that I can't level up twice this week, so that means I'm out next. Oh well =/. 07:46, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

Lol, don't you worry. I'll probably pull out as soon as I get 99.--Rampage boy4 11:32, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Week 6 (July 17th)
Welcome to the final week everyone! Unlike Caleb's thought above, he is not out. Chrisso/Cflm was the only contestant remaining to fail to gain a level, so he is out. That leaves Caleb, Rampage and myself in the final week - this pretty much means it's a two-horse race; I am not going to be able to get 17 levels/5 million experience in a week, since I do need to sleep and eat, to be able to qualify to win, and the other two already are above the halfway mark. So good luck both of you!

A question to Sam: what after this week? Do you want to carry on or what? 22:33, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Gee, I'm really in the final week! O.O Good luck to remaining contestants!--Rampage boy4 05:30, 18 July 2009 (UTC)


 * I think Sam will create another signup page for the next season after this season. 12:03, 22 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Not likely to be levelling up this week =/. 06:57, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Dont worry buddy, ur not alone--203.171.196.243 08:55, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Final Week (July 24th)
First off I'd like to congratulate Rampage boy on winning! He gained the most experience in the final round and was over the halfway point at level 91/92! Caleb came a close second, having been beaten by just over 100 thousand experience. Congratulations both!

Secondly, I'd like to both congratulate and thank all the competitors for putting in a heck of a lot of effort! We gained a total of around 14.2 million experience over 52 levels, which is great since we have less competitors this time round.

A few special mentions: (I could do with a few more ideas of mentions/awards)
 * Most experience gained - Rampage boy - over 6 million experience
 * Most levels gained - Gaz Lloyd (thats me) - 23 levels
 * Closest to 99 - Rampage boy -level 97, 1.47 million experience to go

Thank you all! I hope to see you back next season! 22:39, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks， Gaz！ I'd also like to congratulate everyone on making a great effort in this competition. Special thanks to everyone who helped organise this competition and a tremendous effort Gaz on gaining a whopping 23 levels in this competition! I had great fun and look forward to seeing this competition taking place in future!--Rampage boy4 03:28, 25 July 2009 (UTC)