In the original contest announcement, it was my intention for the internet tablet community to pick the winner. While I welcome the new community members, I am afraid a good number of people registered with the exclusive purpose of voting for their friend in this contest. It is for this reason that I am making a change.

I apologize, but all votes made by users who joined these forums after 11/17 will be scrubbed from the database. Additionally, the contest results will be hidden until the voting is complete. This comes as a reaction to both vote tallies, analysis of the registration date/post count of voters, and to community concerns.

I do appreciate the attention that others are bringing to this contest. It's a good thing. Also - Voting is extended until the 29th to give additional users a chance to vote. Thank you all for participating.

I wish I had known about this forum when I put my video up on youtube. I would have registered. Now I can only sit back and watch without being a part of the voting process. Too bad, although I don't blame you thoughtfix. I feel that this is a change for the best.
For the record, I originally voted for SunWalker2007. As I have travelled/backpaced extensively in the past, the idea of his trip intrigued me and I thought of how useful an N810 would have been when I was on my travels.

Thanks for the cheers and votes hedgecore and ihavenothingprofoundtosay.

Thanks of course to thoughtfix. I hope this hasn't gone from a great idea to a bad headache.

Another week to wait? Arrrrrgh. But it's a small price to pay to have a fair contest for everyone.

In regards to voting for your own video... assume that everyone would vote for their own (it's only logical... hell, I would've.) That pretty much negates 1 vote for each submission across the board which ends up being equal whether you allow new members to vote or not.

Secondly, for the people that *are* new here... I don't think you're going to see any favouritism from old crusty people. Content's content.

*Edit: I guess if you were an existing member in the top 5 you could've voted for yourself now that I think about it. It's amazing what people will do for free things. I went to the vegetarian food fair here in Toronto a few years back and people were parked by all the free samples gulping them down saying how real meat tasted better (Fake meat... c'mon... there's SO much more out there than trying to mimic what ya gave up.) When I left people were stampeding out the door to the hotdog vendors on the street and saying things like "oh my god, give me two sausages... mmmMM *Home Simpson eating sounds*"

AND. Now that I also think about it. Dan. You're doing what you can to run a straight and fair contest. Kudos to you sir. (Things like that keep making me click on your ads every day)

Yeah I guess this is the fairest way. Better to have an exact rule than a case-by-case basis which leaves things open for interpretation.

Last night when it looked like the voting was over I decided that if I won I'd remake my video showing the N810 in use. I didn't have much time on my first go because I found out about the competition one day and only had that evening spare to do it, so this time I'd have scenes, show my workflow of photos, GPS and blog. I even got to the point of picking a place in Auckland where all the shop windows are in Chienese/Korean/Japanese so I could pretend I was walking through Japan using my new device.

Oh well, it sucks that I can't even vote for myself but hey, I didn't have a N810 last week, I probably won't have one next week, nothing lost. Thanks ThoughtFix and co. for at least putting me in the top 5 and kudos to Jennifer for not getting swept away in device lust (greed?) like I did.

Stop giving me kudos. I just had an idea. It's those 32 people who took the ideas and made real, creative works out of it that should all get pats on the back. The five finalists have fantastic videos and, in different ways, all show how valuable a device like this can be. They're attracting more attention to the concepts so consumers, hackers like us, manufacturers, and developers of the future all have better ideas on how too move forward.

I'll tell you what: THIS blogger is helped quite a bit by seeing the entries. Perhaps I can gather more sponsorship for the next contest (after CES is paid off?) and make it easier than the video creation. I have something in mind but need prizes first.

This was the toughest thing I've had to do as a business owner so far. Taxes next year will top it off. After the first time, it gets easier. Hush, you pervert. I wasn't talking about THAT.

I'm the guy who made the video about the doctor, and I guess my vote was scrubbed because I registered a few days ago..? Thoughtfix - you said you extended the vote to the 29th.. so will we newbies be able to revote?- and SunWalker - I voted/will vote for you!

Nice videos everyone!

Really hard to choose, ended up voting for PKickTalk because (to me) seemed like he'd have the most fun with it

Since there is no way for us to know who registered as a new community member or who registered to vote for their friends/family, I can't make exceptions. I brought your video to the table on finalist discussion though! I have a marked weakness for the medical profession as my mother is a nurse practitioner and my dad (stepfather) worked in pharmaceutical manufacturing/design for some time. I just accepted a job for a hospice care provider as their Linux systems administrator and am very proud to contribute to medicine even in my geeky way. I start Monday.

Heh, votes from Hedgecore are cherishable.

*Edit* Hmm...apparently 'refresh' isn't foolproof, as when I posted this Hedgecore's comment was the last in line.

I have a hard time picking between n1nja and sunwalker, they're my favorites. I guess I prefer ninjas by a small margin. If either of you win then I'll be pleased

If PKick wins I'll be bummed. C'est la guerre

~!M