Author Topic: Symbiostock -What we all really want to know! (Read 17642 times)

chromaco · « **on:** March 10, 2014, 21:36 »

I think this is what people really are interested in but the threads turn into bickering and fighting. I'm guilty of that myself. For this thread however if we could try to keep it focused on the poll results it would be much more productive. There are other threads for the bickering and comments. Please do your best to refrain and keep this one on topic. Thanks

Ron · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2014, 04:33 »

Very smart initiative

cathyslife · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2014, 05:10 »

The poll will show nothing new...those who LOVE SY will come and vote all the positive answers. If the votes get way over the typical number of SYers who rally here with the pluses and minuses, it might possibly mean something. Not everyone who has or had a SY site will even vote. Most everything in the poll topics has been stated in the bickering threads.

Kerioak~Christine · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2014, 05:44 »

Good Idea Chromoco - one thing you have maybe missed out is that the even if some are getting low sales the value of those sales is way above that of agencies (depending on the prices chosen by the site owners of course).

leaf · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2014, 07:06 »

nice poll chromaco

chromaco · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2014, 11:31 »

Leaf is there a way to allow people to change their vote or update their votes? I thought there was but I can't find it.

cathyslife · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2014, 13:36 »

Quote from: chromaco on March 11, 2014, 11:31

Leaf is there a way to allow people to change their vote or update their votes? I thought there was but I can't find it.

Doesnt seem like there should be, otherwise results could be skewed to show a better outcome.

chromaco · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2014, 13:51 »

Actually I was thinking about people who later on decide they are unhappy like you did. It would be nice if the poll were dynamic to indicate what is currently happening rather than just what is happening on March 11 2014

cathyslife · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2014, 14:14 »

Quote from: chromaco on March 11, 2014, 13:51

Actually I was thinking about people who later on decide they are unhappy like you did. It would be nice if the poll were dynamic to indicate what is currently happening rather than just what is happening on March 11 2014

I see what you are saying. How about a monthly poll? I remember the poll on SY can be updated, hopefully because sales figures are updating on a daily/weekly basis.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2014, 14:17 »

asked Cascoly a few questions regarding domains at Symbio forum, no reply

leaf · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2014, 15:52 »

Quote from: chromaco on March 11, 2014, 11:31

Leaf is there a way to allow people to change their vote or update their votes? I thought there was but I can't find it.

yep, i've modified it now so people can change their vote if they want.

klsbear · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2014, 17:55 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on March 11, 2014, 14:17

asked Cascoly a few questions regarding domains at Symbio forum, no reply

He was traveling for awhile but he's back now. He may have missed your questions.

cascoly · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2014, 18:45 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on March 11, 2014, 14:17

asked Cascoly a few questions regarding domains at Symbio forum, no reply

sorry, I didn't see anything in the symbio forums earlier but finally found it... you asked if the co-op included domain name -- it doesn't. each co-op site will have a separate, fully functional WP and Sym theme installed in a subfolder & subdomain of http://symbiostock-network.com and can be accessed by eg http://patterns.symbiostock-network.com

while the main idea is that artists won't need to learn WP, everything will be there if they decide to use it at some future date.

of course, you could always redirect a domain name to that address if you wanted to.

... best way to contact me is email or PM here or in the sym forums

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2014, 17:48 »

Quote from: Ron on March 11, 2014, 04:33

Very smart initiative

Can you explain this quote from you?

Quote from: Ron on April 29, 2014, 15:13

Quote from: marthamarks on April 29, 2014, 14:42
Quote from: R2D2 on April 29, 2014, 13:43
we should make these greedy and destructive agencies superfluous.

SYMBIOSTOCK!!!!!

I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why.

Why not recommend and I don't know why. Whats the story? I'm thinking of trying Symbiostock. Do you have a Symbiostock site Ron?

Ron · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2014, 17:51 »

I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2014, 21:19 »

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51

I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

"I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

No I don't know why. My intentions are ask you a simple question for a straight answer. You say youy don't recomend Symbiostock and at the same time power your site with it, contradiction. If you wouldn't recommend why do you use it. Instead of answer you question my intentions. What is the truth that is my intention.

gillian vann · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2014, 22:30 »

Quote from: cathyslife stockphotos.com on March 11, 2014, 05:10

The poll will show nothing new...those who LOVE SY will come and vote all the positive answers. If the votes get way over the typical number of SYers who rally here with the pluses and minuses, it might possibly mean something. Not everyone who has or had a SY site will even vote. Most everything in the poll topics has been stated in the bickering threads.

I think the number of minuses proves your point. 18 people think this was a bad post, when actually I think you have a valid point. I think "have you turned a profit for your time/money invested" is a valid point to include.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2014, 05:38 »

It's an interesting poll - it's good to see how often people get sales, it gives some idea of how effective it has been up to now.

One problem is that the "percentages" are meaningless because they are calculated across a range of different topics. You need to read the number of votes for each section and recalculate percentages just for those votes.

Batman · « **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2014, 16:31 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on May 18, 2014, 05:38

It's an interesting poll - it's good to see how often people get sales, it gives some idea of how effective it has been up to now.

One problem is that the "percentages" are meaningless because they are calculated across a range of different topics. You need to read the number of votes for each section and recalculate percentages just for those votes.

Right and 46 people are still running the sites thats a good number.

Batman · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2014, 16:33 »

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on May 17, 2014, 21:19

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51
I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

"I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

No I don't know why. My intentions are ask you a simple question for a straight answer. You say youy don't recomend Symbiostock and at the same time power your site with it, contradiction. If you wouldn't recommend why do you use it. Instead of answer you question my intentions. What is the truth that is my intention.

Ron doesn't answer questions just dodges them. You will get minuses for asking for fact.

YadaYadaYada · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2014, 20:03 »

Quote from: Batman on May 19, 2014, 16:33

Quote from: YadaYadaYada on May 17, 2014, 21:19
Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51
I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

"I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

No I don't know why. My intentions are ask you a simple question for a straight answer. You say youy don't recomend Symbiostock and at the same time power your site with it, contradiction. If you wouldn't recommend why do you use it. Instead of answer you question my intentions. What is the truth that is my intention.

Ron doesn't answer questions just dodges them. You will get minuses for asking for fact.

I see I did get a minus for asking a question. Why won't he answer? Can anybody show me why not recommended. He uses it for his website and then says do not use?

"I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

No I don't know why.

chromaco · « **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2014, 20:49 »

Leo took a well deserved break from development for about four months. He is back now but some site owners were frustrated that some smaller bugs were not resolved right away. Leo is back and actively developing an updated and streamlined version for release sometime later this year. I believe most of these issues have gone away. The easiest way to determine if it is going to work for you is to invest in a small hosting plan and start building with the free version. There is lots of tech support at symbiostock.org.

farbled · « **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2014, 21:23 »

I use the free version for 2 sites and I like it a lot. My reasons for using it besides getting 100% of sales are to also have an online backup of my stock photos, an online portfolio not connected to any agency, and a guarantee that my images will never be part of any "orphan works" claim in the future. Those alone make it worth the hosting cost. Its also very easy for me to install and use (I have some front end experience so WP is my friend) and I like being able to one-click update.

I have not explored the networking side of things much at all. I've connected to a couple of sites but that's about it. I like that I can create my own network sometime down the road if it suits me.

I don't like that my site can display every other Sym site out there if you click on the network thing (ie. http://www.photominingstock.com/earth/symbiostock-network-directory/). I haven't looked enough how to turn that off yet. I'd rather pick and choose sites that have similar subjects and prices. I'll figure it out when I get time.

I much prefer it over ktools or the free shopping cart systems I've tried in the past.

7Horses · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2014, 03:19 »

I use symbiostock for my site and I love it. Although I'm not selling directly it's a pleasant way to display my work and keep track where it is for sale. I've included the network feature and links to http://symbiostock.info so my search displays the works on other symbiosites to make some promotion. You can check it out at http://7horses.eu/wp/

The reason I don't sell direct on my site is due to purely legal issues attached to my personal situation.

cathyslife · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2014, 06:13 »

I used the symbiostock theme for a year and made one sale. During that time, i had to totally rebuild my site once because of major changes to the theme. The networking feature, in my opinion, benefits only a few, while most in the network see little or no sales. Basically, the networking presents more problems than benefits.

There arent too many other software choices out there for selling your own images, but i wouldnt recommend SY. They all have faults, but in my opinion, this one has way more faults than benefits.

Ron · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2014, 06:14 »

How many sales did you have on your new site?

Milinz · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2014, 19:19 »

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51

I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

Quote from: Ron

PS: I have emailed Chad about 5 times to get a reason, but he is ignoring the question which I find childish. Big bad Fotolia dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else. LOL.

Same question. Ron Wrote: "I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

To use your own words, Big bad Ron dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else.

PixelBytes · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2014, 22:48 »

Quote from: Milinz on June 09, 2014, 19:19

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51
I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

Quote from: Ron
PS: I have emailed Chad about 5 times to get a reason, but he is ignoring the question which I find childish. Big bad Fotolia dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else. LOL.

Same question. Ron Wrote: "I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

To use your own words, Big bad Ron dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else.

Did you PM him? Maybe he doesn't want to say why in the forum but would tell you in private? If you were asking sincerely?

Batman · « **Reply #28 on:** June 29, 2014, 20:06 »

What I want to know is what does the new version with subscription updates mean. Is Symbiostock still free except the $120 fee to make the search run, site enhancer, or the sitemap features? Now updates are going pay? What does this mean? Sombody explain.

Magnetic · « **Reply #29 on:** June 29, 2014, 21:10 »

Here are a list of Symbiostock features:

Theme: Free.
Premium: Optional.
Hosting: Your choice.
Sitemap plugin: Optional.

Technically you could launch a successful site and Symbio would never see a penny. And indeed it often happens that way.

The optional "paid upgrades" is simply a way for you to get upgrades right in your admin area, and you will also get an email saying "your site has an upgrade available". For those who do not wish to pay for upgrades, they can just check the forums and github now and then...manually reinstall. http://www.symbiostock.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1546

A while ago the Multi-site version of Symbiostock was started. Combining all previous experience, the new version keeps what is awesome and what works, and discards what doesn't. Its also going to house the www.symbiostock.com multisite network, allowing average people to upload the same as agencies, though being able to have contact pages, blogs, etc. The sites on symbistock.com will be the same as independent sites, except they will also be joined by an on-site central search and webmasters will have fewer options (all things are predefined...you only have to upload, blog, and have fun). As mentioned in the update email, this is almost done. But it will not be launched or even completed if the pattern remains the same. This idea was presented a long time ago ... the "hub sites" where multiple sites could create good strong network nodes and customer concentration points. In all of this silence there has still been wonderful progress, even if its almost completely unfunded.

I will assert that Symbiostock's main killer was the spirit of MSG. Most people here are quite nice, but sadly its the few particularly loud angry convoluted people which tend to rule the atmosphere. And thus you had the fallout which killed Symbiostock's growth and momentum. But of course others will say different, because thats what this place is for.

Technically this project is like the walking dead right now. It has been since I left MSG. Before I finally decide whether or not take down all the supporting sites, I'm determining if this thing really does have a future.

On a very positive note, even our present version is getting quite a few facelifts and refinements, plus quite a bit of progress in how it functions. Here are the sites running the latest version:

http://www.clipartillustration.com/
http://www.atstockillustration.com/image/heart-graphic/
http://www.teamclipart.com/image/softball-cowgirl-fastpitch-softball/

The latest version is not yet an upgrade - its still being tested. This series of releases will gradually get sites ready for the new release of Symbiostock, which is happening slowly and methodically (as opposed to the duct-tape-and-set-it-free start we had back in the opening days).

During the downtime we were able to refine much. The latest version gives tons of menu space without sacrificing visual quality. We even adopted back the menu appearance that the early starters of Symbiostock grew attached to. This version is not adding much though - its taking away. Thus we get faster performance, cleaner streamlined presentation.

http://www.symbiostock.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1545

Plus we have a central sales reporting area for those who wish to connect their sites to it. It anonymously shares sales. Only a few of us are reporting right now - but if even half the network reported there sales -- you would see that indeed symbiostock has not failed it's objective of being an open source means to selling direct.

Right now there are 3 or 4 sites reporting sales. If you'd like to connect your site to report sales, please let me know and I'll show you how leo [at] symbiostock.com

Even now the sales are impressive: http://www.symbiostock.org/collective/symbiostock-sales/ ... impressive considering this is not a centralized operation, agency, or even one of the "common" solutions. Its just the combined work of many people.

If we could keep the best of Symbiostock and learn from the mistakes, it still has a future. But honestly right now I've divided my time between other projects because like all of us, its not smart to put all of our eggs in one basket!

Hope everyone is doing well. I had to stop by to comment today

Also I apologize to anyone I may have offended before.

Magnetic · « **Reply #30 on:** June 30, 2014, 01:30 »

Thankfully it didn't take long to get a good number of votes in on the issue. Symbiostock is not worth it by general consensus.

I'll be updating my own site as wordpress evolves, and I'll happily give anyone the updated version as needed, and I'll occasionally update github. Simply contact me on my site if the need arises. From here on Symbiostock is really just an available software distributed among friends.

Batman · « **Reply #31 on:** July 07, 2014, 20:41 »

Quote from: PixelBytes on June 09, 2014, 22:48

Quote from: Milinz on June 09, 2014, 19:19
Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 17:51
I am not sure what your intentions are, as you would have seen my signature when you quoted me, twice.

Quote from: Ron
PS: I have emailed Chad about 5 times to get a reason, but he is ignoring the question which I find childish. Big bad Fotolia dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else. LOL.

Same question. Ron Wrote: "I wouldnt recommend Symbiostock at this point either, and you know why."

To use your own words, Big bad Ron dont have the balls to tell me why. That I find more annoying than anything else.

Did you PM him? Maybe he doesn't want to say why in the forum but would tell you in private? If you were asking sincerely?

Sombody needs to answer my intentions to ask a question and get an answer. Is that a rule here now. Easy question was why. With Ron gone you question if I'm sincere to ask a question? Do all questions get the same sincere and intention test challenge?

cascoly · « **Reply #32 on:** July 07, 2014, 21:01 »

Quote from: Batman on June 29, 2014, 20:06

What I want to know is what does the new version with subscription updates mean. Is Symbiostock still free except the $120 fee to make the search run, site enhancer, or the sitemap features? Now updates are going pay? What does this mean? Sombody explain.

there is no 'new verison with updates' --
symbiostock is and always has been free. the current free version is stable & runs fine. if you want extras like site map or advanced editing and collections, there are small charges for plugins

there IS NO $120 fee -- leo asked in a poll if people would be interested in paying a monthly fee to support the project and most of the dozen who replied said no.

meanwhile over 180 sites continue to function just fine with existing software

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #33 on:** July 08, 2014, 15:13 »

I have a feeling that the email and some of the posts here and there gave the mistaken impression that SyS was going subscription for updates. The number of comments I've seen asking about pay and your clear answer to that question, might help.

Not having an active site, I didn't follow the link or take the poll: (this came from Leo)

Symbiostock Monthly Membership?

Symbiostock has had no problem growing in the early days. It does it's job, sells images, and is quite useful. But it has not exactly been a very "sustainable" project (like we've never heard that before!).

Here we propose an answer: A small monthly paid membership, allowing convenient access to upgrades.

Seems that after under 20 responses, Leo pulled the plug and turned off the website? Aren't there supposed to be 180 active sites still using SyS?

Quote from: cascoly on July 07, 2014, 21:01

Quote from: Batman on June 29, 2014, 20:06
What I want to know is what does the new version with subscription updates mean. Is Symbiostock still free except the $120 fee to make the search run, site enhancer, or the sitemap features? Now updates are going pay? What does this mean? Sombody explain.
there is no 'new verison with updates' --
symbiostock is and always has been free. the current free version is stable & runs fine. if you want extras like site map or advanced editing and collections, there are small charges for plugins

there IS NO $120 fee -- leo asked in a poll if people would be interested in paying a monthly fee to support the project and most of the dozen who replied said no.

meanwhile over 180 sites continue to function just fine with existing software

Shelma1 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 08, 2014, 15:17 »

Yes....there still are. 178 at last count, approaching 300,000 total images.

cascoly · « **Reply #35 on:** July 08, 2014, 16:21 »

right - as in most things, only a small percentage actually participate. that's fine, but it means you can't draw major conclusions from small sample sizes

Valo · « **Reply #36 on:** July 08, 2014, 17:14 »

Quote from: Magnetic on June 30, 2014, 01:30

Thankfully it didn't take long to get a good number of votes in on the issue. Symbiostock is not worth it by general consensus.

I'll be updating my own site as wordpress evolves, and I'll happily give anyone the updated version as needed, and I'll occasionally update github. Simply contact me on my site if the need arises. From here on Symbiostock is really just an available software distributed among friends.

6% votes is not really a good number of votes

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Author Topic: Symbiostock -What we all really want to know! (Read 17642 times)

Ron

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farbled

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Milinz

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Magnetic

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