Hello CodeForces!
I wanted to suggest a new registering policies/rules.
Let's take a look at AtCoder, a competitive programming website that we all know and love. When you want to register for a contest, you have two options.
The first one is Rated register and the second one Unrated register, You can't change these options at the middle of the contest.
If you choose the Rated register option, then if you don't even participate in the contest, you will still be in the standing and have impact on other people's performance and rating changes.
If you choose the Unrated register option, you can take part in the contest but your or other people's rating will not be affected at all. It's like doing a virtual contest.
But in CodeForces we don't have any of these fancy options. Instead if the contest is rated for you, you have the option to just leave after reading some problems.
But in AtCoder you are forced to participate in the contest no matter what.
Now in today's contest, Codeforces Round 908 (Div. 2), problem A had a hard-to-read statement, which lead to many participants who registered in the contest, not to participate in the contest, therefore other people's performance was affected by this.
24098 People registered in the contest but only 10238 people actually participated at the contest.
That is 13860 people registering but backing off after reading problems!!
If these people would have participated, the performance of other users would have been affected greatly.
I suggest that CodeForces adapts this idea from AtCoder and change the registering policies.
Do you agree with me? I would be glad to hear your opinion.
Thank you!