How Many Transformers Do You Have? (UCM poll 2011)
Please Read Carefully Before Voting or Posting on this Thread!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I count my Transformers for this poll?
In order to participate in this poll, you are required to count your Transformers as best you can according to the Universal Counting Method (UCM). You then round your count to the nearest hundred and vote accordingly.
What is the purpose of this poll?
To determine the average size of a Transformers collector's collection and observe any changes year by year. Like so:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...comparison.jpg
Who made the Universal Counting Method?
The UCM was not made by any individual Transformers collector, but rather by the community. In 2006 and 2007 a series of polls was conducted among TF collectors from around the world deciding on what people thought should and shouldn't count in a common method of counting Transformers. The articles in the UCM are based on the results of those polls. There have been a few new polls since then, and the articles in the UCM continue to reflect what the majority of participants voted for. Thus the UCM is based on a majority consensus.
What if I don't agree with one or some of the rules of the UCM?
Whether you agree with all of the rules or not is up to you. Not everyone will agree with all the rules in the UCM - not even I agree with all of the rules, but the rules are based on a majority consensus. If you choose to participate in this survey, then you are required to adhere to the Universal Counting Method, whether you personally agree with all of the rules or not.
Can the rules of the Universal Counting Method be changed?
No. That would render the data from previous years' surveys useless for comparison. Rules can be clarified as new toy concepts come in. In most cases the existing rules can cover new stuff, but in exceptional cases where it cannot, then a new poll will be formulated to create a new rule - but the existing rules cannot be changed.
I don't like this. I don't even agree with this survey thing.
Then you're welcome not to participate! This annual survey is completely voluntary. Nobody is forcing anyone to participate in this project and count according to the UCM if they don't want to. If you choose to participate in this survey, then you also choose to accept the rules of the survey - if you don't like the rules, then just don't get involved.
I have less than 100 Transformers, or I have over 1000 Transformers - yet this poll only adequately counts collections numbering between 100 to 1000 toys. How are collections smaller than 100 or larger than 1000 more accurately represented?
There will be two parallel polls have been set up. Anyone who clicks on "100 or less" or "1000 or more" will be required to also vote on the relevant parallel poll so that more accurate information about collection sizes in those categories may be obtained.
For example, here's last year's results for collections under 100:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...survey_100.jpg
And for collections over 1000:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...urvey_1000.jpg
* If you have voted on "100 or less" then please proceed to vote on the less than 100 poll
* If you have voted on "1000 or more" then please proceed to vote on the more than 1000 poll
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Please do NOT troll this thread by posting any criticisms or vents against the Universal Counting Method or the annual poll project, or how much you disagree with the UCM rules etc. -- if you don't like this sort of thing, then just walk away from this thread.
Participation is voluntary - but if you choose to "play the game" then you need to stick by the rules of the game. If you don't like the rules, then don't play.
Thank you.
