Is anybody out there??

[Der Kuenstler]

The default view here is all-time, which sends a clear message to all who visit that we feel it is the most important view. That's why it is set at default. If the default view was "annual" it would be more welcoming to new players. Actually the ladder now doesn't measure annual champions, only those for the last 12 months, etc. If you look at the view here - it is not for 2008, it is for the past 12 months. If I were to ask who the Blitz ladder champion was in the year 2006 for example, who would know?

Stats are very important and add interest - that's why professional sports push them. I would like to know the top three ELO leaders for each year here since the Blitz began, for example. Or the one with the most games played in one year, or most wins in one year. Or longest win or loss streak. These are all records that people could go for and try to break, to add interest.

An annual ladder default view would encourage the newbies and put them on the same ground with the old guard every January 1st, and would challenge the vets "What have you done lately?"

We have guys in the top 20 here who haven't played a game in months, but they are still there because of what they did 2 years ago. That's fine for an all-time view but I don't think it encourages new people.