Quote from: Vonkara on December 09, 2008, 18:16
Don't they only suspend payments for holidays?

Oh is THAT what they are talking about?? 

wow. just. wow.

Whatalife
You're one the nicest exclusive I've ever 'met'
Nobody really wishes Istock to go bust, but if it does, you're most welcome everywhere!
Can't wait to compete with you, but I don't really think it will happen

Best,

Quote from: whatalife on December 09, 2008, 17:46

Quote from: michaeldb on December 09, 2008, 17:37
but from what I have read in the forums byeStock has quit reviewing images anyway, but that doesn't matter either as it will soon suspend paying.

Where did you read that?

Seriously, not trying to be argumentative, but I just went looking for some kind of complaint or announcement and only found multiple threads thanking the inspectors for the speedier inspection times of late.

I agree Whatalife.  I have had pretty quick reviews the last few weeks.  I figured it was from all the disgruntled independents who have stopped or suspended uploading. 

FWIW the iptc problem is also a big disincentive to upload there.  As long as it usually takes, now it is taking double. 

As to the original question about sales, mine are like Norebbo's - right around the same as November (which is NOT good).

Quote from: whatalife on December 09, 2008, 18:10

So I guess you can all look forward to the imminent onslaught of all the newly disenfranchised exclusives uploading at all the other sites where the real money is!!

(I know you are being sarcastic, but thought I would respond anyway )

This is the last thing any micro contributor should want.  The flood of talent that would ensue if istock  alienates its exclusives will vastly dilute the sales on other sites and not result in much of a rise for any of us on istock. 

As far as I am concerned I hope istock keeps it's exclusives happy and sporting those crowns

Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week?  I've never heard such gloom and doom.  I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.

BTW, inspections are moving along fine.

Quote from: sjlocke on December 09, 2008, 18:57
Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week?  I've never heard such gloom and doom.  I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.

I have been thinking the same thing. It's almost like his grumpy alterego has been borrowing his account.

anaire!

Well I personally know 6 contributors, among them one Diamond and Gold, who will never upload anymore. Im a Gold-non excl. and Im certainly not uploading until they change attitude.

Im not blowing my trumpet or anything but its very strange all this. I myself and Lisa have actually got pretty unique material, very hard to come by imagery, involving getting into places, releases and everything. Not many can imitate many of our corporate industrial shots.

Anyway, simply have to give future shots to others.

Quote from: sjlocke on December 09, 2008, 18:57
Geez Christian, who peed in your coffee this week?  I've never heard such gloom and doom.  I hope something happens soon to cheer you up.

BTW, inspections are moving along fine.

Hi Sean!

Well my wife got herself two more horses ( shes the one with the serious dosh). do you understand why Im in a bad mood?

best  Christian

Maybe you'll like something here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935

Replied to the topic sjlocke was referring:

QuoteGreat news. Now just fix best match so that users can find and buy my files with these increased prices

Got a reply from kkthompson:

QuoteWatch for some best match news in the next fews hours, directly from the horse's (CEO's) mouth.

I'm a bit optimistic now. It hopefully can't get worse.

Quote from: sjlocke on December 09, 2008, 19:12
Maybe you'll like something here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935

I love the vocabulary, woohoo, awsome dude, etc. Man I am getting old.

I only see responses from exclusives. I still see a slow demise of iStock based on this progression of only rewarding exclusives. I know, I know Sean you don't agree.

Peter

Independents get a reward in raised prices for regular imagery.  That's not too bad, is it?

Quote from: sjlocke on December 09, 2008, 19:12
Maybe you'll like something here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=80935

Hi again and thanks!

Yes!  this sounds intresting indeed! havent been into the forum lately, missed it but its some good news anyway. Although it wont help much when blown out of the best match.

cheers  Christian

Quote from: CofkoCof on December 09, 2008, 19:32
Replied to the topic sjlocke was referring:

QuoteGreat news. Now just fix best match so that users can find and buy my files with these increased prices

Got a reply from kkthompson:

QuoteWatch for some best match news in the next fews hours, directly from the horse's (CEO's) mouth.

Ring the bell!!! A new best match

There's a lot of things in one announcement now. If anyone see the new best match thread on IS or something please POST IT

Quote from: Zeus on December 08, 2008, 19:34
I'm not ready to celebrate or anything but are others experiencing a slight increase in sales activity?

Peter

I have noticed a steady sales increase week after week and ample reward for the hours i have spent learning and building my fine stock portfolio 

best match change - now.
Seeing my most popular picture (already on my 2nd to last page) pushed back to second to last picture of my entire portfolio after it miraculously managed to acquire another DL is just a travesty. HOW CAN ISTOCK PUNISH FILES THAT HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOW VIEW/DL RATIO?

best match change now. best match change now.

Watch me eat my words if the NEW and IMPROVED best match algorithm crushes the remaining DLs that I am getting.

Waiting for Armageddon ...........

Quote from: Read_My_Rights on December 09, 2008, 20:25
best match change - now.
Seeing my most popular picture (already on my 2nd to last page) pushed back to second to last picture of my entire portfolio after it miraculously managed to acquire another DL is just a travesty. HOW CAN ISTOCK PUNISH FILES THAT HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LOW VIEW/DL RATIO?

best match change now. best match change now.

Watch me eat my words if the NEW and IMPROVED best match algorithm crushes the remaining DLs that I am getting.

Waiting for Armageddon ...........

Thanks for the info, but mine didn't changed already

When has istock ever announced a best match change?

Quote from: sjlocke on December 09, 2008, 19:35
Independents get a reward in raised prices for regular imagery.  That's not too bad, is it?

Of course it's not bad. But I'd take a 50% cut in rates with a guaranteed placement on the first page of every search. Better.

Peter

Quote from: averil on December 09, 2008, 20:46
When has istock ever announced a best match change?

It didn't say they were announcing a change... just that there will be "best match news". Maybe they are getting rid of it! 

BEST MATCH is one of 7 options the buyer has to search the library.if you have a large portfolio with diversity then anyBM  change should not effect you,If you have only 2-6 good sellers then i can understand you throwing your toys out of the pram when they no longer sell so....go create more..simple

The announcement has been made!!!

(where is that jumping up and down smiley???) 

My point is - my most succesful picture targets a very specific niche.  So the buyer who looks for just this image and who (used to) see it on the first page bought it to the tune of 6 views/DL. The current best match disfavors this low view/DL ratio. Since now the file is not being seen by anybody anymore - since it literally is on the last page - the view/DL ratio has no chance of improving towards the 10 range that seems to be the optimum.

Hoping for the best..........

Just saw the announcement ............

Bracing for the results ..........

Quote from: lagereek on December 09, 2008, 16:18
Dont be curious optimistic!  Its the same crummy best match. Just do a few searches and youll see. Further more Ive heard some pretty disturbing rumours that business in general should be at an absoloute rock bottom.

So do today's announcements coincide with what's on tap for istock according to your sources?

Looks as if Im barred from IS now, cant even log into the site anylonger.