Hi Mary,

I can't speak to anyone's but my own reasons for entering these predicting contests. I am a lay person in this field, and as such, I enter them just for the fun of it (and the chocolate). I am just another amateur earthquake buff, avoiding doing her taxes.

I think if we get too wigged out about rules, it will take the fun out of it. On the other hand, I've seen some very good forcasting on this board, contest or no.

As for labeling FFA events and tightening parameters--well, I'd probably mention it if I used that as a base for my prediction. I don't think they are as routinely expected as aftershocks,though. Do you?

Cathryn