FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - DISCLAIMER
How do I submit a site?
In the nomination form, fill up the fields for the site name, URL (Internetaddress of the site), the site webmaster's e-mail, your name, your e-mail address, and your suggested category for the site.
Why do you need to know my name and e-mail address?
We ask for your name and e-mail address to verify your identity. After submitting the nomination form, you will receive an e-mail to the address you gave. This is to acknowledge that we received your nomination. We will not use this information for any other purpose.
Can I submit my own site?
Yes, you may submit your own site or a site you're affiliated with.
When is the deadline for nomination?
The deadline is set for Midnight, September 30, 2007. If there are changes, we will make an announcement on our Web site and newsletter.
What do you mean by "site must be designed/developed by persons, businesses, organizations in Niagara"?
While the subject matter of the Web site may not necessarily be Niagara-related, since the Awards is for Niagara Web sites, it's only appropriate that only sites designed/developed by persons /businesses, organizations in Niagara be recognized.
What is generally considered illegal and offensive?
We prohibit sites that sell or feature illegal materials as defined by Canadian laws. We will also disqualify sites proven to have violated copyrights. We can only determine this if this is brought to our attention. Disputes will be settled among the contesting parties and the organizers. As to what constitutes copyright infringement, issues such as fair use, substantial copying, and the like will be considered. Offensive materials refer to pornographic sites and sites that advocate hate and violence. While we will be liberal when it comes to free speech, we prohibit sites that are outrightly pornographic or violent in nature. The organizers will practise their prerogative in judging what is illegal and offensive.
What do you mean by "accessible to the general public"?
These refer to sites that do not require payment for access. This does not include sites that require free membership log-on to view other sections of the site.
After submitting a site, is it already part of the official entries?
Yes, it is part of the official entries. Being an official entry simply means that. No screening has been done at that point and the e-Niagara Web Awards does not purport it to be anything but an entry to the competition. At any point, a site proven to have violated any of the rules will be disqualified and removed from the list of official entries.
Can sponsors join the competition?
Yes, sponsors may join the competition. As they and the organizers will not be judges, there will be no conflict of interest. Extra measures will be taken to ensure judges are impartial. Please read our disclaimer.
Can the organizers join the competition?
No, the organizers will not join the competition.
I want to nominate a Web site but I don't know the webmaster's e-mail. What do I do?
We depend on the person nominating to determine the e-mail address of the nominee's webmaster. The e-mail address is the primary way by which the nominee will be informed and thus decide whether or not to accept the nomination. In lieu of an e-mail address, other contact information such telephone and fax number or postal address may help. However, depending on the # of entries, the organizers cannot guarantee that the nominee will be contacted through these other methods.
I'm not sure which category the site fits in. What do I do?
We strongly encourage those who are nominating to read carefully the category descriptions and choose the category closest to the nominee's site purpose. The nominee has the right to change the suggested category. The organizers, however, will have final say on the most appropriate category for the site.
Disclaimer
We at the e-Niagara Web Awards have always maintained our mission to honor the best Niagara Web sites. As the Awards grow we want to ensure its fairness and credibility. Each year, we continue to refine our rules and procedures and set higher standards to give real and substantial meaning to the recognition we bestow on our winners. For our category awards, we select reviewers / judges who have the experience in creating or reviewing Web sites. They are tasked to choose the semi-finalists and finalists. For both reviewers and judges, we require that they submit a list of Web sites that they are personally or professionally affiliated with. We believe that our reviewers and judges have as much a stake in making the Awards fair and credible, which is why we trust that they maintain objectivity in judging. We do not prohibit our sponsors and partners from participating in the competition. The Niagara internet community is a closely-knit group. It is almost impossible to select reviewers and judges from the industry who have not worked on a Niagara Web site.
