Author Topic: Dreamstime Just Broke ProStockMaster (Read 24596 times)

rimglow · « **on:** February 20, 2009, 12:57 »

Dreamstime just broke my favorite upload tool, ProStockMaster. Dreamstime now requires you to enter a number code before uploading.

peep · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2009, 13:04 »

Something has been wrong with their FTP too. I uploaded a few files yesterday and they have not appeared there yet. I can only see them in some folder when I log in using Total Commander. But I am not able to find them anywhere on the page.

Jack Schiffer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2009, 13:53 »

Quote from: rimglow on February 20, 2009, 12:57

Dreamstime just broke my favorite upload tool, ProStockMaster. Dreamstime now requires you to enter a number code before uploading.

Prostockmaster is working fine no need for number code for my version

rimglow · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2009, 14:02 »

Well, yes it says it has uploaded the files successfully, but they never showed up in the "unfinished files" section. (I do have the registered version of ProStockMaster.)

Were you able to finish the files? Are you on a PC? I'm on a Mac.

Jack Schiffer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2009, 14:29 »

Quote from: rimglow on February 20, 2009, 14:02

Well, yes it says it has uploaded the files successfully, but they never showed up in the "unfinished files" section. (I do have the registered version of ProStockMaster.)

Were you able to finish the files? Are you on a PC? I'm on a Mac.

I am on a PC my file uploaded fine sometimes it takes awhile to appear in the unfinished files

null · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2009, 15:26 »

No it isn't Prostockmaster, it's Dreamstime. I uploaded by regular FTP last wednesday night and they only showed in the unfinished section today. They must have had problems with the servers.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2009, 16:24 »

Maybe the administrator response in this thread is related in someway?

http://www.dreamstime.com/thread_16416

eppic · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:09 »

MY FTP uploads have been wonky lately too. I see they're uploaded in File Zilla, but they don't show up in DT.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2009, 22:32 »

My latest batch using Prostockmaster is "lost in space."

??

Not sure if it is the upload software of problems at DT?

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 00:22 »

I can't understand WHY they did that??? I had to enter the 'confirmation' number for each image being uploaded. It seems like DT is deliberately disabling ProStockMaster. It's a shame. It really worked well.

rimglow · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:00 »

I posted the same comment in the Dreamstime forum, but they removed it within 2 hours. I guess they considered it a negative post, and did not want to address the issue.

zee · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:18 »

Hi-- I uploaded to Dreamstime on Prostockmaster from a Mac on Friday and they haven't appeared on the website yet. I e-mailed them but haven't received a reply.

null · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:43 »

Once again, the problem was the import from the FTP servers into the unfinished section, NOT Prostockmaster. That problem was solved over the weekend. I guess Prostockmaster uses FTP, right? The CAPTCHA code only applies to HTML upload.

As to the CAPTCHA, DT is probably targeted by junkbots that explore all entry forms on the net, especially those of high-profile sites. Automated uploading of junk can cause unnecessary server and bandwidth load, and reviewer time. If that's the case, I don't understand why DT removed the posts on the forum.

Yes DT is very finicky about mentioning third party products that access the site, like that Russian keywording program. They blanked out the link on the DT forum last week, keeping issuing warnings not to allow other sites have your login/pass.

rimglow · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:14 »

I did get this reponse From Dreamstime:
"The "outside" upload was suspended for a while. Whether it will be back or not, depends on the resources that are consumed this way. Please use the FTP until then and don't use third party brands on the forums.Thank you."

Guess that about sums it up.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:23 »

Quote from: rimglow on February 23, 2009, 11:14

I did get this reponse From Dreamstime:
"The "outside" upload was suspended for a while. Whether it will be back or not, depends on the resources that are consumed this way. Please use the FTP until then and don't use third party brands on the forums.Thank you."

Guess that about sums it up.

Yes, it does. We don't want your photos, because we have too many and to assist with that, we are blocking "outside" uploading.

My last batch from the weekend is not appearing. Has anyone had photos go through with PSM or should I assume they will never be seen?

I'd guess that it's not just PSM they are blocking, but something else that was causing problems. I can't see any reason why an App. that helps and encourages people contribute, would be blocked. Just a guess...

rimglow · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:36 »

Don't get me wrong. I like Dreamstime. They make money for me. I was just expressing that I miss being able to use ProStockMaster.

davidm · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2009, 14:10 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 22, 2009, 00:22

I can't understand WHY they did that??? I had to enter the 'confirmation' number for each image being uploaded. It seems like DT is deliberately disabling ProStockMaster. It's a shame. It really worked well.

I just verified and I confirm that Dreamstime blocked PSM uploads with the web site image capture.

I do not know if DT just wanted to stop receiving thousands images PSM sends them free of charge or it was some kind of their internal misunderstanding inside Dreamstime or else.

I sent an email to Dreamstime. Let's see what they answer.

null · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2009, 17:25 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on February 23, 2009, 11:23

Yes, it does. We don't want your photos, because we have too many and to assist with that, we are blocking "outside" uploading.

What do they mean by "outside uploading"? Uploading by third party software?

null · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2009, 17:29 »

Quote from: davidm on February 23, 2009, 14:10

I wrote a short blog post on this matter letting other customers know what happened and also sent an email to Dreamstime. Let's see what they answer.

Does PSM uses the HTML upload? Why not FTP? Anything HTML depends on parsing and that's vulnerable if the site is hostile. They could replace the CAPTCHA from upload to login. FTP they can't block this way.

davidm · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:54 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on February 23, 2009, 17:29

Does PSM uses the HTML upload? Why not FTP? Anything HTML depends on parsing and that's vulnerable if the site is hostile. [...]

Yes, PSM works over HTTP. The original idea was (and remains to be the same) that you want to be in control of every image you upload, knowing its individual sales, downloads etc for each site. You should be able to remove the image from a site or update its data (e.g. keywrods) directly from PSM.
This stuff is not implemented yet for most agencies, but we plan doing that. We did an initial implementation for per-image stats with PantherMedia through ProStockMaster API and we plan extending this stuff, adding iStock and Fotolia through their HTTP-based APIs.

This is something that you can achieve with HTTP but not FTP, since for the latest you do not know what ID the image gets on the upload.
FTP is indeed good for uploads, but it can not be used for the deep integration with an agency like we want. Anyway, of course we can do FTP uploads.

We offer DT a free complimentary value added service for their customers and it's hard to believe that Dreamstime can see it differently.

I assume that this should be some kind of misunderstanding and I am quite sure that we can sort it out very soon

null · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2009, 18:08 »

Quote from: davidm on February 24, 2009, 02:54

Yes, PSM works over HTTP.

Ah ok, thanks for the explanation! In that case they really added the captcha to hit PSM, thereby annoying everybody else, since the import from the FTP server is very much delayed. There is a thread about it at the DT forum but all they did was a warning against third party software, and they didn't reply on the PSM question since 2/21.

Achilles · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2009, 07:28 »

I emailed our thoughts to David yesterday and asked him to clarify his posts here. Well, he didn't but posted that he is waiting something from us. I was hoping the information will be passed on, but it is not the case.

Here are the facts:
1. third party software programs have access to users' login and pass; we don't like that and we had cases when contributors had their accounts accessed, password changed, payment requested. We blocked those, but you get the point. I'm not saying David's software does it, but we can't endorse third party software programs due to this problem. It was explained to them right when they launched their program and to our members lots of times.

2. our blocking didn't target David's software, but all such programs. We have a FTP upload system, you can use it for free.

3. the software was using a lot of resources from our servers, reason why it got cut off. It affected all contributors and the FTP upload was messed up because of such third party means. I can't comment on how they are developed, is not my business. But we will not pay hardware to be used to upload 1% of our submissions and waste 50% of the resources.

Whether it will be brought back or not remains to be seen. We don't respond nice when threatened, especially with hacker-like maneuvers.

null · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:30 »

Quote from: Achilles on February 25, 2009, 07:28

Whether it will be brought back or not remains to be seen. We don't respond nice when threatened, especially with hacker-like maneuvers.

Yes, there are scripts all over to break captchas. My interest was just technical, why on earth would anybody use HTML to upload, and not FTP.

I never wanted to use PSM for the plain reason that it has no factual business info on its site. No real-world address. Where are they, who are they? The only thing they have is a sitemail to contact. If anything would go wrong, how would one go after them?

For those wanting to upload to several sites there is Filezilla, open source and free. You can schedule your uploads to as many sites very easily, then leave it running alone. It's safe since you login info stays on your disk.

If server load is a concern though, the load of statistics gathering scripts like Lookstat is much heavier. I wonder what DT's position is on scripts like that. DT will easily find out since all the requests come from the same IP. Did Rahul of Lookstat consult with DT about that?

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:31 »

I wonder if ALL sites will disable PSM? If it is using 50% of resources, that really is a lot.

Is there a way to upload to multiple sites using FTP?

null · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:34 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 25, 2009, 10:31

Is there a way to upload to multiple sites using FTP?

Filezilla.

davidm · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:45 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on February 25, 2009, 09:30

Where are they, who are they?

Note that this is not exactly the Dreamstime' concern though. They know very well who I am. They have my address on file. The have my phone, my mobile, my Skype, my PayPal address and probably (do not remember if it was requested by DT) a copy of my picture ID. The only thing that they do not have yet are my fingerprints. The same is correct for the rest of the agencies PSM supports, so it is very easy to find me if you want to visit me one day for a cap of coffee.

Back to our issue - Obviously, we and Dreamstime might see the things differently. Assuming that the problem persist, it could be something in our software or something can go wrong on DT side, or both. It also could be that some other software, but not PSM makes such a problem to DT. Would we get a prior request from DT, we would immediately do everything required to avoid any trouble to the agency if this problem is on our side.

We can not know what is going wrong with DT uploads until we investigate the problem. I suggested Serban to work together on sorting out this issue.
I truly believe that our mutual co-operation should benefit all the parties involved, and first of all our shared customers.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2009, 15:17 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on February 25, 2009, 10:34

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 25, 2009, 10:31
Is there a way to upload to multiple sites using FTP?

Filezilla.

Can you explain that? I've not found the scheduling function, so last time I had a bunch of photos, I just started four computers with ftp running on all of them. It killed the bandwidth and caused problems. Just point to the help menu spot or give instructions, that would be a great help.

How can I schedule filezilla to upload files to seven or eight sites, while I sleep?

greener · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2009, 16:28 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on February 25, 2009, 15:17

Quote from: FlemishDreams on February 25, 2009, 10:34
Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 25, 2009, 10:31
Is there a way to upload to multiple sites using FTP?

Filezilla.

Can you explain that? I've not found the scheduling function, so last time I had a bunch of photos, I just started four computers with ftp running on all of them. It killed the bandwidth and caused problems. Just point to the help menu spot or give instructions, that would be a great help.

How can I schedule filezilla to upload files to seven or eight sites, while I sleep?

I was wondering that too. I have started a thread on this subject
http://www.microstockgroup.com/software-general/how-to-schedule-uploads-with-filezilla/

null · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2009, 18:35 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on February 25, 2009, 15:17

How can I schedule filezilla to upload files to seven or eight sites, while I sleep?

There is another thread about this started by Patrick, and Dragon gave a good answer. The way I do it is opening the sites one for one and drag the files to it. They get added to the queue, and that queue stays even when you disconnect the site and start another.

Of course, there is a common final path, which is your upload bandwidth.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2009, 19:09 »

Compared to PSM, that's a real pain in the behind. Might be better to use filezilla for DT and continue PSM for the rest ... until they shut it down too?

null · « **Reply #30 on:** February 26, 2009, 00:47 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 25, 2009, 19:09

Compared to PSM, that's a real pain in the behind. Might be better to use filezilla for DT and continue PSM for the rest ... until they shut it down too?

I don't know PSM, not even in the demo version. I don't trust any site that has no real business info and street address on it, shields its info on /whois, bluntly ignores questions about its identity and has only sitemail, especially when it concerns money. Sorry, the PSM guy here said DT has all his info, yeah right. The Nigerian banker in my spambox said that too. The "Russian" link at the bottom of the said says enough. If there is nothing to hide, why just not put it online?

For your modest port size (sorry) Filezilla wouldn't be a problem at all. 97 images on DT from June till now? You could even use Filezilla the simple way, one site at a time. Piece of cake, just take 10 minutes to change habits. The only "difficult" site is Istock, but for that there is deepmeta.com, a free application from a small company that puts all its business info online.

davidm · « **Reply #31 on:** February 26, 2009, 04:36 »

Flemish,
You are right. Nobody likes anonymity. I am proud of developing PSM software and I am very thankful for the strong supportive PSM community which since 2006 helps me to improve the product.
Here are my contact details:

David Mail
16 Emek Dotan St
Zur Igal
44862
Israel
phone: +972 544 330 357

This info will be added to PSM web on the next site update. I can not provide the technical support by phone but you are welcome to call me for a chat or visit me for a cup of coffee. I speak quite frequently a few languages, including Russian (it does not necessary means that I will offer you tea instead of coffee, neither it means that I will break into your bank account). Unfortunately, I am not any good in Dutch and German :-)

diego_cervo · « **Reply #32 on:** February 26, 2009, 08:03 »

Hi all,
while I agree with FlemishDreams about the lack of information from PSM, I have to admit that I never experienced problems at security. I've been using it for a long time and, being a full time stock photographer, it really helped me to save time....
Best,
diego

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2009, 17:33 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on February 26, 2009, 00:47

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 25, 2009, 19:09
Compared to PSM, that's a real pain in the behind. Might be better to use filezilla for DT and continue PSM for the rest ... until they shut it down too?

I don't know PSM, not even in the demo version. I don't trust any site that has no real business info and street address on it, shields its info on /whois, bluntly ignores questions about its identity and has only sitemail, especially when it concerns money. Sorry, the PSM guy here said DT has all his info, yeah right. The Nigerian banker in my spambox said that too. The "Russian" link at the bottom of the said says enough. If there is nothing to hide, why just not put it online?

For your modest port size (sorry) Filezilla wouldn't be a problem at all. 97 images on DT from June till now? You could even use Filezilla the simple way, one site at a time. Piece of cake, just take 10 minutes to change habits. The only "difficult" site is Istock, but for that there is deepmeta.com, a free application from a small company that puts all its business info online.

Thanks, Flem. I'm sure we all appreciate your criticism but I hate for such a successful photographer to be wasting so much time criticizing us less successful beginners. How does such a successful photographer find the time to offer so much criticism?

null · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2009, 18:50 »

Quote from: WarrenPrice on February 26, 2009, 17:33

Thanks, Flem. I'm sure we all appreciate your criticism but I hate for such a successful photographer to be wasting so much time criticizing us less successful beginners. How does such a successful photographer find the time to offer so much criticism?

What criticism? Me? Portfolio size is not criticism since everybody passes from 0 to something. I didn't mention your photos, right? My remark was that if one has a low production at microstock (many people, like me, are more active in assignments for instance), a paying package like PSM might be overkill if there are free alternatives. Plus I tried to give some help on Filezilla. Where is the criticism?

Just leave it ok, forget Filizilla. I won't "waste my time" any more explaining it here, nor reply to you. Good luck!

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2009, 22:07 »

Flem,
the thread is about PSM, not my portfolio. I was referring to you following me to another forum just to tell me how bad PSM is. You said yourself that you have never used it. Why are you so deadset on destroying that man's business?

You have a lot of knowledge to share. Why not give us the positive spin rather than go on the attack?

davidm · « **Reply #36 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:13 »

I am glad to tell you that PSM v1.6.1 released yesterday puts the end to ProStockMaster-Dreamstime saga above.
I am happy to see that we came to mutual understanding with Dreamstime on this matter, resolving the issue with a good faith. Hopefully, the PSM HTTP-based uploads on DT will come back one day, thus giving you more info and more control over your Dreamstime portfolio.
Here is what you have to do to get back your Dreamstime uploads with PSM.

zee · « **Reply #37 on:** March 07, 2009, 07:14 »

I contacted PSM when I couldn't upload to Dreamstime (see previous post for date)-- I received an immediate response and updates throughout the day while the problem was investigated. I was promised that PSM would try to resolve the problem and become a better, stronger piece of software for it. Yesterday, when I opened PSM I was prompted to update if desired. Within 5 minutes the software was updated and, once again, able to upload to Dreamstime. I've never had such responsive tech support for anything before. It was nice.

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #38 on:** March 07, 2009, 11:25 »

Quote from: davidm on March 07, 2009, 06:13

I am glad to tell you that PSM v1.6.1 released yesterday puts the end to ProStockMaster-Dreamstime saga above.
I am happy to see that we came to mutual understanding with Dreamstime on this matter, resolving the issue with a good faith. Hopefully, the PSM HTTP-based uploads on DT will come back one day, thus giving you more info and more control over your Dreamstime portfolio.
Here is what you have to do to get back your Dreamstime uploads with PSM.

Glad y'all got it worked out. I nearly missed this. I think a few of us got tired of the "debate." You probably should post this under its own title.
Thanks for all your effort. I'm still a "demo version" user but may someday get serious about this microstock stuff.

ouchie · « **Reply #39 on:** March 10, 2009, 14:46 »

Davidm,

How do i get the lastest version of psm?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #40 on:** March 10, 2009, 20:51 »

Quote from: zenpix on March 10, 2009, 14:46

Davidm,

How do i get the lastest version of psm?

Open PSM it updates itself.

It doesn't close when you need to restart (at least none of my computers do) so if you don't want to re-boot the computer you have to close the Java application, Ctl-Alt-Del, look for "javaw.exe" under processes, close it and then it's fine. Restart PSM, it's updated.

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Author Topic: Dreamstime Just Broke ProStockMaster (Read 24596 times)

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