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And the pain continues.

Email program crashed on January 13, 2010. The January Top Ten song chart was already counted and posted. Contrary to what one artist has already publicly posted.  Months and charts effected by this crash; January Top 40 Chart 2010, February 2010 Top 40 Chart and February Top Ten Song Chart. The problem was not corrected as I had thought nor recovered data till February 22, 2010. I thought I had these files saved as I could see the folders and weight of the folders. But when I tried to access for counting there was no content to these heavy files. 

So two programs later and finally an independent PC data recovery service was able to recover the data. I was mistakenly under the impression that I would get back data in original format. Dumb on my part. The data was recovered and delivered but in the recovery process the data was unformatted. That meant that each file was full of code and hidden in the code was the ballot data. 
See examples; Ballot in original format   Partial Ballot after recovery as delivered.

The data and ballots are there to recover. However a long and tedious process. As I have spent too much money and time on this to drop I will continue to pull data from these files. However to not slow the process of future charts and other work I will pull that data and determine the charts named above on an "as can" basis. I have been focused on getting this data back. In doing so other projects are falling late. I will post these charts as soon as possible, so they will count in the annual charts.

My apologies to all. I have heard from many voters, most concerned and curious. However two voters have sent the opposite. One stated that I was doing a disservice to newer artists as she could not see who was on the previous chart to know who to vote for. And further that I was hurting the Chart's credibility, "sorry we insulted you, but in the end it's the artists who ultimately suffer and the credibility of the chart."  The other voter was upset as it was hard to know who to vote for with out having the previous chart present to gather artist's names. . 

I have explained too many times to count that just copying from the previous chart is not what is appropriate as it just keeps the chart the same. Thus preventing new artists access to being on the chart. This explanation was provided on more than one occasion to these particular voters. One of these, the credibility complainer and I had a heated exchange about ballot manipulation and how that works with regard to just copying the same chart repeatedly.  I feel at this point in time enough said about this voter. However there is quite a bit more to this tale. 

What I have done to correct this and safeguard future data and charts.

All ballots are transferred daily to a different file and drive on my machine. 
All ballots are taken from email program formatting to standard text format to further insure a lack of possible coded ballots again.
Once moved and formatted to text, all ballot files are then saved to a CD for further safety.

What I am doing to prevent and halt ballot manipulation.

I have since 2004 stayed with OutVoice founder Daniel Jenkins, scoring system and point determination. That being if the ballot has ten votes then the number one spot gets ten points, the number two spot gets nine points and so forth to number the number ten spot on the ballot getting one point. Daniel established this excellent system to encourage voting for more than one artist thus increasing artist awareness. 

Due to ballot and vote manipulation, sadly that system will no longer be utilized to determine the chart effective 4-1-2010.  It is perfectly fine to ask fans to vote for other artists. It is perfectly fine to even suggest. It is however not acceptable to send fans a completed ballot and even suggest that as their vote. That is manipulation and will no longer be available or tolerated. Too bad just a few sometimes spoil it for all.  I had hoped we learned that lesson as children. However in the process of close examination while pulling data this manipulation became more and more apparent. 

The new system again in effect 4-1-2010 is that whether the artist is in the number one position or ten position they get one vote. Yes that means if you vote for one artist they get one point. If you vote for ten they get one point each. The one email per email address rule stays in place. I will be screening for like names on other servers and and of course duplicate votes. As with the recent PITA Awards I will contact suspicious ballots on a case by case basis. If I find manipulation that voter will be banned from further participation in chart voting process. If I find it by artist, the same banning and removal will take place. 

I am not particularly happy about any of these changes. However, it seems the only other choice is just close the charts. That my health issues or program crashes would negatively effect the credibility of the chart is a very strong and negative thing for me. Obviously it only takes one such accusation to get my attention. I took the OutVoice management over when Daniel retired from the chart as so many felt it was a needed promotion.  This is a volunteer position, not a paid position. I make that point as there is no benefit to me who is on the chart. It is however important to me that the chart is determined by voter fact not voter fraud.

Thanks,

Len Rogers