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Make Gecko

Yes, definitely make this.
23 (53.5%)
Naw, not worth it.
7 (16.3%)
I like pie.
13 (30.2%)

Total Members Voted: 30

Author Topic: grfx Product Proposal – Gecko – One Stock App for Entire Downloadable Industry  (Read 17539 times)

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ObviousTroll

« on: August 25, 2015, 16:51 »
+1
UPDATE: If votes are exceedingly positive, I will initiate a kickstarter for what will become Gecko and the rest of grfx. (the kickstarter will be funded by companies, not users)

50 positive score = create tool.
Less = not meant to be.

Determined September 3rd, 2015.

grfx Gecko – in a Nutshell

  • Compatible with every major OS – Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Manage all data around any digital product – Meta data, store info, etc.
  • Upload to all supporting agencies – FTP and other methods provided through APIs.
  • Manage your own gecko website (ie, personal site that you own and sell direct through) - Managed by the Gecko desktop suite
  • Manage multiple sites easily
  • Track uploads of all products, sites or agencies
  • Social Networking Integration
  • Website Networking (in the way of my previous product)
  • Lighting fast, easy to use
  • Supports any type of digital product including but not limited to: Images formats, books, 3d models (printable as well)
  • As the last step – a grfx central digital store.
  • gecko site API's will allow networking for independent search engines to include your content such as demonstrated by Symbiostock Legacy.

Here is a preview:







« Last Edit: August 27, 2015, 16:36 by ObviousTroll »


ObviousTroll

« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2015, 20:29 »
+1
To elaborate, I have included this content distribution pipeline example.

Keep in mind the Gecko app is not a website, but a simple workarea built for your computer that simplifies and centralizes everything. The gecko app has the capability of administering your website and social networking without much input from you.

*Edited for small graphic  :) -- note - you may have to be logged in to see below picture.

« Last Edit: August 26, 2015, 07:41 by ObviousTroll »

« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2015, 22:41 »
+3
It sounds very enticing, Leo. No doubt a lot of thinking and experience went into this project. Can you elaborate on the grfx agency function?

Few questions:
1. From that monthly fee of $15.00, will you allocate a portion to advertising?

2. If we pay a monthly fee (which might go up), what are the chances that we'll make at least that amount?
   
3, How can a one-man part-time developer compete with IT departments of big agencies?

4. How will grfx compare with Smugmug, Photoshelter, Zenfolio? (earning potential, advertising methods, SEO, ...)

5. What is the upper limit of entities (products) on the site, still guaranteeing fast updates and response time?

6. Lastly, what guarantee we'll get that the product will stay around and be continuously maintained?
    In other words, what will happen if the chief (and only) developer will be run over by a bus?

ObviousTroll

« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2015, 01:43 »
0
Hi Les,

First off I am quite happy that you have the first response in this thread and have actually asked the most important questions straight up. Let me answer each one as completely as possible.

It sounds very enticing, Leo. No doubt a lot of thinking and experience went into this project. Can you elaborate on the grfx agency function?

Few questions:
1. From that monthly fee of $15.00, will you allocate a portion to advertising?

The monthly fee goes directly into development, and development goes into streamlining and simplifying every part of your downloadable-image-selling routine.

Even with a healthy start-up amount of 100 paying users, it would be impractical to put even the full amount of their fees into advertising. There is a certain crucial mass needed to even launch in the advertising game, and it would be foolish to gamble people's monthly fees in a naive game of google ad-words.

(as a side note, I know a certain developer who wanted to create a search engine, charge for inclusion and rank, and gamble their fees in google ad-words, which I believe reflects great naivety.)

Rather my focus instead is providing an indispensable tool in simplifying and broadening your workflow, where time saved is money made.

2. If we pay a monthly fee (which might go up), what are the chances that we'll make at least that amount?

As a tool it will provide--easily--that worth. For instance, if your uploading routine is reduced to a single click and your social marketing is aided and simplified, there is no question you are being benefited in that hours a day are saved (social networking on a business level is *extremely* tedious -- I know).

I think its good that you've asked this, because like many users, your mind is probably still in "Symbiostock mode" where your site can/should make money. This, however, enters the game as an aid for every part of your routine with your connection with agencies first to be improved and your site becomes a bonus which -- as it's been demonstrated -- is capable of earning  as well. Unlike with my first iteration of development, we reduce the stakes by benefiting you in other areas by default.

Instead of the monthly fee going up the objective is to gradually (as popularity and use increases) have  team of talent ready to create the grfx downloadable item agency when the time is appropriate and enough expansion has happened with the base product (I have no intention of launching an agency by myself), thereby removing dependence on contributor payments and instead functioning as an agency that is conveniently connected by default through the Gecko submission network. At that time, use of the app will be free because it powers an agency.

Unlike present stock companies, this will aim to cover all major areas including the emerging technologies stated in the opening post.

Keep in mind, we are not inventing another flavor of stock photo -- we are creating a product that anticipates the entire downloadable age and makes it more easily engaged by users.

   
3, How can a one-man part-time developer compete with IT departments of big agencies?

This is a classic question with a proven simple answer, sort of like asking "What advantage does a cobra have against a lion" or "How does a small bacteria culture grow compared to a large bacteria culture". The truth is both have unique advantages and disadvantages. In the world of technology, this is a proven simple matter -- small-time developers have a HUGE advantage especially in this arena. The more classic approach to answering this question is that giant companies are like giant ships that cannot exactly change direction on a dime, and have far more constraints. Whereas small start-ups, like smaller boats, have great mobility and respond to challenges very quickly.

But this question is almost irrelevant in the case of Gecko, because unlike Symbiostock Legacy, Gecko seeks to make contributor/agency connections extremely simple while at the same time allowing for a degree of independence.

Oddly enough, my first project was likened to the mushroom colony that benefits the large trees at the root system, but  the spirit of the project was more like taking that mushroom colony and forcing it to survive without the large trees (agencies).

Gecko, which as you've noted is the product of much refinement, adjusts every concept so as to position itself in a beneficial way to every player -- agencies included. So agencies will benefit by extending their root systems through Gecko into the smaller crevices of the market through your activity and direction.

Why the sudden change, one might ask? Because when I had created Symbiostock, I had not yet had the pleasure of dealing with some of the more challenging "contributors". It seems now -- very clearly -- that agencies and contributors provide mutual abuse, so with that clearer picture its possible to see the need and fill the need on a more practical level, benefiting not merely one half of the stock image ecosystem.

Simply stated: Gecko will not compete with agencies. It will help them.

The huge advantage Gecko will have is being positioned at the beginning of the supply channels for as many content producers as possible. At a crucial time it will enter the game as an agency -- but not until a team has been steadily and perfectly established from Gecko's increasing use and popularity. Also it will not be a threat to agencies of the sort you upload to, because it will be for general downloads and not be so specialized to stock image. I for one intend to engage 3d printing as quickly as possible while it is still young. I'm sure future developers and partners will share that vision.

4. How will grfx compare with Smugmug, Photoshelter, Zenfolio? (earning potential, advertising methods, SEO, ...)

The objective is to create a different animal entirely by offering unique advantages, much of which is stated above now.

5. What is the upper limit of entities (products) on the site, still guaranteeing fast updates and response time?

Gecko will manage your site from your computer and your site will be static except for asynchronous interaction with search and customer's cart. This means that the main source of resource use for your current sites (databases) will be almost completely eliminated, and that leaves only bandwidth. So in theory the limit of what you can do will be more of a question of hard-disk space and not memory-intensive processing that is currently the bane of database driven sites.

I will say that the users with 20k images will not run any slower than those with 100 images. If there is a difference it will be negligible.

6. Lastly, what guarantee we'll get that the product will stay around and be continuously maintained?
    In other words, what will happen if the chief (and only) developer will be run over by a bus?

If only we could have so much assurance. I'll quote a wise-man on this one:

"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."

The best I can do, the same as you, is the best I can do. Your only concern (and you've asked the most relevant questions for all) is whether or not my best combined with yours produces a favorable outcome.

But even then, if I get run over by a bus in the first year everyone is screwed. If I get run over by a bus in the second year, the other developers can easily take over. On that note, if I get run over by a bus the second year it might be because the other developers organized it that way.



« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2015, 02:52 »
+5
sounds good. But Symbiotock also sounded good.... :(

Sorry but I will not invest again in a project from you.
The basic requirement is that the developer is trustworthy how should a new project otherwise ever be stable?

« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2015, 03:01 »
+1
Thanks, Leo

As to the variety of downloadable products, it's not clear me to how this would work with my own site and various agencies.
Images, video clips, audio files - that's relatively straightforward. There are already agencies accepting and distributing these files, so I assume that I'll just post it to my site and instruct Gecko to upload it the appropriate agencies.

On that subject, I can see the practicality of the main image (or footage) catalog sitting on my personal site and creating automated links for images being uploaded to various agencies. Now, uploading is one thing. Acceptance notifications, repeated uploads of the same files, repeated uploads with some modifications and notes, would require a separate subsystem.  Can anybody think of a simple way to create image relationship links for existing files on multiple agencies?

How would the new setup work for ebooks, tutorials, Photoshop actions, and other nonstandard downloadable items ? Would all these products be on the same personal site as the images and footage, or would they require a separate site?

OTOH, let's say that I have a basement full of already printed paper books, prints, postcards, or even framed pictures (in other words, physical goods, not downloadable products). Will there be a provision for such products or would it be more practical to create a separate wordpress e-commerce site (linked  to the main personal site)?

Lastly, can you share your vision how the future grfx agency would collect and fulfill  the orders?

« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2015, 03:13 »
+8
Quote
sounds good. But Symbiotock also sounded good.... :(

I wouldn't be so hard on Leo.
Having some design and software development experience myself, I can sympathize with him. Symbiostock Legacy should be considered a valuable prototype which showed what works, and what doesn't, and just by being in existence, it created a platform for an improved version and other add-ons that wouldn't be possible without going through the initial version (including failures).

I have seen systems which were not that designed properly (after all, which Version 1.0 is perfect?), and the companies poured a lot of time and money to patch it and falsely believing that they could improve it (the CEO, software manager and accountants couldn't just admit that there was something wrong with initial design, implementation, understanding of the business, not even adding changing environment),  instead of learning from the failures and designing a better system with fresh start.
On the other hand, a single motivated and competent super-programmer who can see the problems in the old system and can envision the next-step system, doesn't have to worry about saving a face and can concentrate fully on making the new and better system.

Unfortunately, in case of  the old Symbiostock, a lot of good will and genuine enthusiasm by the users was squandered, and the progression from the Legacy system to the new system could have been handled differently. Also as Leo tried to please everybody, valuable development time was wasted for things like round edges of rectangles on the screen, rather than for the solid core functions.

Nevertheless, just that one point Leo made here about the declining performance of large portfolios on Wordpress, makes it worthwhile to make a fresh start. Painful and disappointing now, but hopefully much better in the long run.   

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was also not exactly a stellar product, and Apple Lisa was ditched unceremoniously in favour of the more practically designed new Macintosh.
 
« Last Edit: August 26, 2015, 04:23 by LesPalenik »

ObviousTroll

« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2015, 05:16 »
0
Thanks, Leo

As to the variety of downloadable products, it's not clear me to how this would work with my own site and various agencies.
Images, video clips, audio files - that's relatively straightforward. There are already agencies accepting and distributing these files, so I assume that I'll just post it to my site and instruct Gecko to upload it the appropriate agencies.

Correct. Think of Gecko like an automated robot with pre-assigned tasks (patterns) it must carry out. You decide what these are not only for agencies, but how it posts to social networks or even your site(s).

On that subject, I can see the practicality of the main image (or footage) catalog sitting on my personal site and creating automated links for images being uploaded to various agencies. Now, uploading is one thing. Acceptance notifications, repeated uploads of the same files, repeated uploads with some modifications and notes, would require a separate subsystem. Can anybody think of a simple way to create image relationship links for existing files on multiple agencies?

There are two ways to do this: Manually or image recognition. Image matching/recognition is possible but maybe a little excessive. My main hope for benefiting the user/agency relationship through gecko was through the social network interaction, and through general "see my portfolio on x site" on your product pages. The enhanced social network interaction, I believe, is more important to agencies.

How would the new setup work for ebooks, tutorials, Photoshop actions, and other nonstandard downloadable items ? Would all these products be on the same personal site as the images and footage, or would they require a separate site?

I've been designing a system that works like building blocks to assign features to downloadable products, that are user defined and user named. You will determine by a few combinations of attributes and actions how any downloadable product is licensed, presented, and behaves. Again, determine the pattern of necessity and build around it instead of being overly specific to a narrow objective.

Also products on your site will be chiefly divided by type, and then by categories such as you are familiar.

OTOH, let's say that I have a basement full of already printed paper books, prints, postcards, or even framed pictures (in other words, physical goods, not downloadable products). Will there be a provision for such products or would it be more practical to create a separate wordpress e-commerce site (linked  to the main personal site)?

Physical goods will be completely avoided by this system. Its going to specialize completely in downloadables.

As you've mentioned -- lessons learned -- trying to be too many things to too many needs can be a little counter-productive, so one basic and unchangeable objective is to never touch physical products -- but specialize in the art of downloadable content as it pertains to the future (which is developing very fast).

Lastly, can you share your vision how the future grfx agency would collect and fulfill  the orders?

grfx would utilize some enhanced upload features through this Gecko app. Generally you must log in to agencies to change things through a browser, whereas gecko would have a dedicated set of windows for everything. It would operate like any other agency you are aware of with it's obvious differences and strengths put to the front.




One thing worth mentioning before I sign off for the night --

grfx agency will be the culmination of previous steps carried out successfully. It really represents the greatest and final goal of the concept coming to full maturity. But as you can see in the above presentations, that destination is achieved by a number of very practical steps that are appropriate for the level of growth in each instance. I think this a key formula.

This thread is my initial market research into the initial phase of the project. Once again, for better or worse, say your peace. At this time there are two other avenues I'm exploring and I'm taking a few weeks to build up to a decision and direction.

Its also worth mentioning that depending on the outcome of this phase, I will be setting up a kickstarter for the entire first phase with different pledges to agencies or contributors.

Take advantage now. :)

ObviousTroll

« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2015, 05:25 »
+1
Unfortunately, in case of  the old Symbiostock, a lot of good will and genuine enthusiasm by the users was squandered, and the progression from the Legacy system to the new system could have been handled differently.

I almost forgot to answer this...

This unfortunately is a horror story nobody could really understand had unless they knew what happened behind the scenes. If you look at the various landmarks in it's progress down to the final point, its easy to put together. There are also a few key people among those supporters who know the genuine real story. Out of consideration for others, I do not make it public.



« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2015, 05:51 »
+1
Quote
Quote from: LesPalenik on Today at 03:01
Lastly, can you share your vision how the future grfx agency would collect and fulfill  the orders?

grfx would utilize some enhanced upload features through this Gecko app. Generally you must log in to agencies to change things through a browser, whereas gecko would have a dedicated set of windows for everything. It would operate like any other agency you are aware of with it's obvious differences and strengths put to the front.

I meant, from the point of buyer.
Will he see and buy all relevant images by signing on and paying on the main site or will he need to pay separately to different accounts for each image (assuming that he is buying images from different artists)? 


« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2015, 05:57 »
+2

This unfortunately is a horror story nobody could really understand had unless they knew what happened behind the scenes. If you look at the various landmarks in it's progress down to the final point, its easy to put together.





sorry for me it is not easy. I do not understand where the problem is to explain what went wrong.
I think you have sold Symbiostock thats it.
And once again there was zero communication to the users and thats the real problem.


In germany i would like to say "kindergarten" ;D

« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2015, 07:43 »
+2
Unfortunately, in case of  the old Symbiostock, a lot of good will and genuine enthusiasm by the users was squandered, and the progression from the Legacy system to the new system could have been handled differently.

I almost forgot to answer this...

This unfortunately is a horror story nobody could really understand had unless they knew what happened behind the scenes. If you look at the various landmarks in it's progress down to the final point, its easy to put together. There are also a few key people among those supporters who know the genuine real story. Out of consideration for others, I do not make it public.

No big mystery...anyone can go back through the numerous threads posted here, including posts by you, to see what happened. Disappearing developer, tirades, temper tantrums, advantages of Symbiostock being oversold, google changing its algorithm to place less or no weight on links making networking function of SY useless, bickering between developers, etc.

Someone said it best in a response to an earlier post here (on another thread) by you: you might want to sell your product through different avenues. You have burned too many bridges here on this forum.

« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2015, 08:01 »
+4
Quote
I do not understand where the problem is to explain what went wrong. I think you have sold Symbiostock thats it.
And once again there was zero communication to the users and thats the real problem.

In germany i would like to say "kindergarten"


"Abandoning" the original members was the real problem. But actually we were not quite abandoned (yes, I paid also for  the upgraded system and expected a smooth and fruitful continuation), there are now two new systems with two new administrators who are willing to take us to the next level.
 
Let's just say the whole situation got messy. Kindergarten or business agreement gone wrong, I can't see how knowing all the details of a messy transaction would help anyone.

What we need now, is a clear and sound way forward. There are thousands of artists who need assistance and networking abilities in selling their art and other creations, and there are now hundreds of big and small agencies exploiting the artists, who also don't make public all their information. And some of them have less business sense and moral scruples than one would expect.

Having two independent organizations offering their services in helping the independents is not such a bad thing. And the two are more different from each other then let's say Photoshelter and Smugmug. Heck, to double your pleasure (and maybe also the income), you could subscribe to both.

By the way, if grfx will support upload to various agencies, would that by any chance include also upload to the new Symbiostock?

ObviousTroll

« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2015, 11:54 »
0
This is off to a great start. Thank you les for a thoughtful start to this process.

I'm going to give it until Wednesday (7 days) to see where this goes. If the votes are exceedingly positive I will begin a kickstarter for what will become the rest of grfx.

Quote
Quote from: LesPalenik on Today at 03:01
Lastly, can you share your vision how the future grfx agency would collect and fulfill  the orders?
I meant, from the point of buyer.

It would operate like any other agency.




*Robin did not buy Symbiostock. I did not sell it. I gave it to him free.
« Last Edit: August 26, 2015, 12:01 by ObviousTroll »

PZF

« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2015, 02:54 »
+4
Sadly, I read this and my head hurts. Is it an agency, is it an uploading/management system - both, neither or what? I see it has a cost but - what do you get?
We seem to be way down in the details but I need a clear concise overview. Already it sounds really complicated so my interest is lost.
Sorry.

ObviousTroll

« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2015, 03:22 »
+1
  • Its a client that uploads to agencies and
  • runs your own personal sell-direct site.
  • It embeds meta-data.
  • It posts your creations to social networks to help your promotion.
  • It will eventually mature into an agency.
Would it help you/others if I deleted 80% of writing?
« Last Edit: August 27, 2015, 03:27 by ObviousTroll »

ObviousTroll

« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2015, 03:44 »
+4
Oh, I never responded to the other two.

Did anyone ever venture to create a project out of one of the most hostile psuedo-professional forum environments on the internet despite much punishment? One might say the first project was forged in fire.

I will be updating this thread quite possibly for a month or two, and by the the time the project is ended it could have easily reached 3000 people even if it is trolled to the limit.

For every troll that vents, there is easily 50 reasonable people silently watching.

Did you know, MSG, that if you got rid of about maybe 10 particular people about 300 might join in and feel happy to speak? Just a thought.


« Last Edit: August 27, 2015, 03:58 by ObviousTroll »


« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2015, 05:12 »
+4
Sadly, I read this and my head hurts. Is it an agency, is it an uploading/management system - both, neither or what? I see it has a cost but - what do you get?
We seem to be way down in the details but I need a clear concise overview. Already it sounds really complicated so my interest is lost.
Sorry.

I wasn't quite sure either.  It sounds like a "Deep Meta" repository of images and their information that is basically an uploader to various agencies, and can also be used to build your own hosted site.  Although it sounds like the information for the site won't live on the site, but a live connection is needed to your computer.  And in the end, there will be another new agency built for it to upload to?

« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2015, 05:29 »
+4
Quote
Did you know, MSG, that if you got rid of about maybe 10 particular people about 300 might join in and feel happy to speak? Just a thought.


Did you know that people are allowed to disagree and voice their own opinions and just because they dont agree with what others think or say, doesnt make them trolls? Just a thought too.

PZF

« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2015, 10:14 »
+2
  • Its a client that uploads to agencies and
  • runs your own personal sell-direct site.
  • It embeds meta-data.
  • It posts your creations to social networks to help your promotion.
  • It will eventually mature into an agency.
Would it help you/others if I deleted 80% of writing?
Ta. Maybe the detail is useful for many - but I'm eversomuch a 'big picture' person and without an overview cannot handle all this info.... 
But can I ask a follow-up?
If it is a site/many sites making an agency (a bit like FAA?) which connects to FB etc, why does it need to be an uploading/meta-data-ing system as well? Isn't this very complicated - possibly unnecessarily so - as we have uploading systems. What's really needed, surely, is a site which doesn't take advatage of its contributors?
Or am I oversimplifying.....

ObviousTroll

« Reply #20 on: August 27, 2015, 14:40 »
+1
What's really needed, surely, is a site which doesn't take advatage of its contributors?
Or am I oversimplifying.....

I really appreciate constructive questions.

About 5 years ago I started balancing selling direct along with being a contributor.

I had researched the subject in a great amount of depth, so I also ( to some degree ) was led to utilize social networking.

So my time outside of creating images (the fun part!) was:

  • Adding metadata (keywords, title, description) to images
  • Uploading
  • Social networking
  • Updating my site
These 4 items alone are so intrinsicly linked with my own routine I though it might be creative to put them all into one app since I feel this represents a huge part of our routine.

In fact, if there were other integral parts of the microstocker's routine that could be built in to simplify I would add those too.

ObviousTroll

« Reply #21 on: August 27, 2015, 14:41 »
0
Sadly, I read this and my head hurts. Is it an agency, is it an uploading/management system - both, neither or what? I see it has a cost but - what do you get?
We seem to be way down in the details but I need a clear concise overview. Already it sounds really complicated so my interest is lost.
Sorry.

I wasn't quite sure either.  It sounds like a "Deep Meta" repository of images and their information that is basically an uploader to various agencies, and can also be used to build your own hosted site.  Although it sounds like the information for the site won't live on the site, but a live connection is needed to your computer.  And in the end, there will be another new agency built for it to upload to?

That's a bingo!

ObviousTroll

« Reply #22 on: August 27, 2015, 14:47 »
+2
Quote
Did you know, MSG, that if you got rid of about maybe 10 particular people about 300 might join in and feel happy to speak? Just a thought.
Did you know that people are allowed to disagree and voice their own opinions and just because they dont agree with what others think or say, doesnt make them trolls? Just a thought too.

I knew the other cathy for a while, so I'll humor you a bit. If we didn't disagree with at least a few things we wouldn't be human. I spend a lot of time listening to a person who is a respected and constructive debater as well, so I try to appreciate the difference between the spirit behind the words and the difference between constructive or destructive words.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

I do not say that you or a few others are certainly like the above link, but I think this industry is too full of negativity (for obvious reasons) and perhaps its needed to check our steps occasionally (mine too). Is that reasonable?

« Reply #23 on: August 27, 2015, 15:22 »
+1
Quote
Did you know, MSG, that if you got rid of about maybe 10 particular people about 300 might join in and feel happy to speak? Just a thought.
Did you know that people are allowed to disagree and voice their own opinions and just because they dont agree with what others think or say, doesnt make them trolls? Just a thought too.

I knew the other cathy for a while, so I'll humor you a bit. If we didn't disagree with at least a few things we wouldn't be human. I spend a lot of time listening to a person who is a respected and constructive debater as well, so I try to appreciate the difference between the spirit behind the words and the difference between constructive or destructive words.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

I do not say that you or a few others are certainly like the above link, but I think this industry is too full of negativity (for obvious reasons) and perhaps its needed to check our steps occasionally (mine too). Is that reasonable?

Typical Leo.  :)

ObviousTroll

« Reply #24 on: August 27, 2015, 15:28 »
+1
When I have to catch up on activity for a given day sometimes I miss things:

If it is a site/many sites making an agency (a bit like FAA?) which connects to FB etc, why does it need to be an uploading/meta-data-ing system as well? Isn't this very complicated - possibly unnecessarily so - as we have uploading systems. What's really needed, surely, is a site which doesn't take advatage of its contributors?
Or am I oversimplifying.....


The original post (I deleted the latter half) explains that grfx is going to be an agency specializing in general downloads (not merely stock images) including 3d printable objects, images, etc. Its aim will be as a hardware store for downloadable items that not only graphic designers but technical designers will shop at.

What's really needed, surely, is a site which doesn't take advatage of its contributors?
Or am I oversimplifying.....


I've always loved Turbosquid's way of doing things.
http://www.turbosquid.com/index.cfm

They let you set your own prices. Their system detects undercutter items quite well, sending them to the back of search. Their system has always had an extrordinary amount of freedom and I've always made a decent amount from them.

Another system (though not a store) that inspires me is Thingaverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/

and another: http://www.shapeways.com/

The agency idea that grfx will build up to will only be attainable after the desktop client has gained much traction. By that time I hope to have taken on some quality partners and then the agency will not be a complex thing to pursue.



On Wednesday I'm going to decide whether or not I pursue the project described in the opening post.

50 positive votes = create tool.
Less = not meant to be.



I'll give an update every 1 or 2 days on progress.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2015, 16:28 by ObviousTroll »

« Reply #25 on: August 27, 2015, 17:42 »
+2
I tried to find the grfx forum and I'm asked to login to Facebook. Having resisted Facebook and Photoshop CC may qualify me as an oddity, but if there is a non-Facebook grfx forum, could you post the link to it?

I don't remember how many times the Symbiostock and grfx changed their forum platforms, and am baffled by it, but am eternally thankful to MSG for their Symbiostock forum section which outlived the previously mentioned instances.


 

ObviousTroll

« Reply #26 on: August 27, 2015, 20:25 »
+3
Right now its only here, facebook, and wordpress support (for the grfx wordpress plugin)

I'm currently creating intermediate build of grfx.co, more as a download and support center. Right now my main focus is on the products themselves.

If the votes reach 50 and it's a-go I will launch the intermediate site sooner than later.



On this subject, something worth noting:

I've abandoned the usual method of using wordpress for my support/distribution sites. Its getting old and annoying. :)

Consider this concoction:

https://premium.wpmudev.org/
https://buddypress.org/
https://bbpress.org/
+ grfx https://wordpress.org/plugins/grfx/
+ flattering pre-made theme.

There you have everything needed to run a money-making host-your-own network (New Symbiostock is built with the first 3) and anyone can do it given a single week.

The internet is changing and typical forum culture and even the nature of how we present a website will soon be revolutionized by the app-culture that is emerging. I don't want to get locked into these quickly-expiring technologies for the sake of a quick cash-grab.

For that reason I do not mind falling back on secondary mediums such as here, facebook, wordpress support, etc, while I build something appropriate for the times.

Thanks for your patience on it!

I hope these posts help inform everyone. A huge part of all of this is consciously evolving with the times and not staying with our comfort zone that is disappearing.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2015, 01:22 by ObviousTroll »


« Reply #27 on: August 28, 2015, 13:03 »
0
will the new system be open source? or at least have hooks that others can modify without having to redo after each update?

what is the migration path for symbiostock legacy systems?  besides the obvious conversion to the new system, there needs to be a way for existing links to remain live -- this could be a 'simple' as providing a redirect table.  thus image A10001 would now live in the new system as XYZ232, and any reference to the old url for A10001 would trigger a relay to the new url

ObviousTroll

« Reply #28 on: August 28, 2015, 15:56 »
+1
Hi Cascoly, great to see you!

The client-side will not be open source, but the side that gets put online will be. That will also be loaded with pluggable areas for the purpose you mention. As with anything open source I create, I make it as easy as possible for developers like yourself to extend it through docs like these: http://grfx.co/docs/

I do not think I will be offering a converter this time around. I've built a few and not many people use them, so its more work than it's worth really. I think this system will be better enjoyed started from scratch.

Even still, I've proposed only to go forward with this if 50 positive votes are achieved by Wednesday -- it does not appear that will happen, thus freeing me to engineer it specificilly for the 3d industry - tech, cad, 3d printing, etc.
 

ObviousTroll

« Reply #29 on: August 31, 2015, 14:31 »
0
I will not be here Wednesday, so I'll call it now. 19 votes is not bad, but the quota I set was 50.

I believe it would be time better spent to develop this app more in the context of the 3d industry. Serving the broad "everything downloadable" spectrum might be nice, and serving microstockers might be more familiar territory, yet it might be simpler to continue to specialize in the areas where technology is seeing it's greatest progress and broadening from there.

Thanks to everyone who voted.



BTW - History shows microstock has happened before: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania

My father advanced in this company until it too was victimized by the technical revolution of it's time:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleco

Its my personal hope that many like myself give up the debates of commission levels, industry exploitation, convoluted license schemes, and give things  a clear look.



 

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