I think you make another good point Dow, that there is no incredible need for the photos on the front page to have been submitted in the last day or week. I think it is good if some are (as long as we can end the tit for tat games which predominate).
Matt is implementing photo of the moment soon, which I think will help. But as I think about the mechanism more I realize it won't solve all the problems. I know both Bob Sihler and Matt are interested in this just as you and I are, and I am continueing to discuss possibilities with them. Matt is working on conversion to SPv3 right now so we are going to wait and see what the impact of POTM is, and then continue with additional changes as we learn what worked and what didn't.
If you have specific ideas it would be good to lay them out. Sounds like chosing a random photo with the most hits in the last month that hasn't been on the front page yet? But hits can be manipulated too.
Personally I would like to see the featured beta pages given more structure. I think it is great they are changing more frequently now, but if there was an identifiable slot for a mountain page, a route page, a technical route, a new submission, a revamped page, etc... I think that would be well received.
With POTM I am trying to develop a mechanism that a photo like this can make the front page (which doesn't have many hit either BTW). We aren't there yet... but I hope we are on the way.
http://www.summitpost.org/arete-rochefo ... 0/c-324762