MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Another Massive Best Match Shift  (Read 246923 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

WarrenPrice

« Reply #400 on: December 28, 2011, 23:08 »
0
I could but what would be the point?  Are you really sharing information?

I am __ lots, always, probably too much. Are you sharing any information? Do you actually have any information to share? Or are you just dumbly spouting 'Haters' as an alternative to having a view on the issues involved?

"I could but what would be the point". Yeah right. Pathetic. If you've got something to say then say it instead of feebly dismissing others' views as 'Haters' and then not being able to back it up or add anything to the discussion. Ploink.

You're certainly right ... I have nothing to rival your wisdom.  Thank you for sharing with the dumbly feeble.  


mlwinphoto

« Reply #401 on: December 28, 2011, 23:09 »
0
Lots of Hating going on here ... from both points of view.  I guess opinions are like birthdays ... everybody has one.
Is that how that goes?   ??? ??? ;D

It's not hate.  It's frustration with the policies being implemented by iStock resulting in an obvious class system there.

As an independent I expect exclusives to receive certain perks but I don't expect to be shut out completely....

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #402 on: December 29, 2011, 01:11 »
0
Istock is neither a family, nor a goverment. I particularly liked  ::) the assertion that istock is a rapist. Some absolutely absurd analogies and metaphors being thrown around. Maybe it is the post holiday sugar hangover, there are more cranky pants in here than usual. Which is fine in itself, but please, some better analogies.

The current best match strikes me as a temporary means of sorting. My guess is some quick means of relegating indie files en masse to TS. I think exclusivity is an integral part of the iStock brand, but I can't see this remaining the new best match normal.

CarlssonInc

« Reply #403 on: December 29, 2011, 01:33 »
0
Istock is neither a family, nor a goverment. I particularly liked  ::) the assertion that istock is a rapist. Some absolutely absurd analogies and metaphors being thrown around. Maybe it is the post holiday sugar hangover, there are more cranky pants in here than usual. Which is fine in itself, but please, some better analogies.

The current best match strikes me as a temporary means of sorting. My guess is some quick means of relegating indie files en masse to TS. I think exclusivity is an integral part of the iStock brand, but I can't see this remaining the new best match normal.

I really hope this is temporary, it for sure ain't doing me any favours and sales are shockingly bad compared to the same time last year.

Also found the "rape" analogy extremely inappropriate as well, shockingly low tone, distasteful and utterly disrespectful to victims of such vile crimes.

« Reply #404 on: December 29, 2011, 01:40 »
0
Different opinions do not make hate. Believing so is childish. Some people do not want to hear a counter view or look at the situation in a realistic manner. It is scary. I am interested in this situation from a management viewpoint. I saw enough irrational behaviour there and in teaching management for 20years. People find it hard to step out of their own spheres. They need to justify their decisions. They went exclusive / independent bought new equipment/studio whatever.. We do not want to admit we are wrong. We try to convince ourselves we are right. Step back for the personal and look at the big picture and it is clearer. I have no axe to grind . I started this after having a career I retired from and I am lazy. Hard workers like Sean /Uri and others deserve their success and money. They should not have to deal with management manipulation and deceipt. Future action needs good analysis of the present not denial.  If I was exclusive and needed money my wife would be joining other agencies quick.

« Reply #405 on: December 29, 2011, 01:55 »
0
for many halving/destroying their income is what is known as "financial rape".  An often used term to describe taking away money against their will and they are not willing or able to resist and totlly unexpected Many people find it a financial violation and a destroyed trust in the company. The term was used to showcase the attitude of some indoctrinated contributors who think it is ok to be treated like that. Yes it is vile. Take half of someones income and after give them back a little and they are all glowing IS lovers. What do you think this has done to people's incomes. Some people do not care , so long as it is not them. Others still blindly want to believe in the IS community. The community was contributors NOT management.

CarlssonInc

« Reply #406 on: December 29, 2011, 02:04 »
0
for many halving/destroying their income is what is known as "financial rape".  An often used term to describe taking away money against their will and they are not willing or able to resist and totlly unexpected Many people find it a financial violation and a destroyed trust in the company. The term was used to showcase the attitude of some indoctrinated contributors who think it is ok to be treated like that. Yes it is vile. Take half of someones income and after give them back a little and they are all glowing IS lovers. What do you think this has done to people's incomes. Some people do not care , so long as it is not them. Others still blindly want to believe in the IS community. The community was contributors NOT management.

I used to work in investment banking for JPMorgan for many years doing mergers and acquisitions. Heard many awful things, saw plenty of of companies/owners being taken advantage off, people losing vast sums of money/power, but never once heard anyone utter such awful statements.

It can't be widely used, it is not appropriate in my and I think many people's opinion and is extremely distasteful. I took offence to it, with extremely good reasons for it. In my opinion an apology to the forum would be appropriate and acceptable, but as you defend your choice of words I don't see it as very likely to happen.

« Reply #407 on: December 29, 2011, 02:45 »
0
Seems to me that people are hypersensitive about certain analogies, probably having to do with the unthinkability of a crime that represents not only violation of the person but also a transgression of Judaeo-Christian sexual morality. Plenty of metaphors are bandied about having to do with death and murder, arguably a worse crime, and nobody turns a hair.

« Reply #408 on: December 29, 2011, 02:49 »
0
Oh God, has it really come to this? People demanding an "apology to the forum" because they don't like a word and don't actually know what it means? Get a decent dictionary and look up "rape" since you obviously don't comprehend the scope of the word. Then can we get back to the topic (which is nothing to do with "hating").

Carver, the amount of energy expended probably reflects the significance of the threat to our income, our desire to  know what is going on, what it means and where it might go from here. It's quite normal for people to want to understand how the decisions of those they are engaged with will affect them.

And for whoever suggested that exclusivity was iStock's way of dealing with dilution, that's just not the case. There has never been any doubt that it was introduced to try to undermine rival micro agencies that were setting up from mid-2004 in response to iStock's success.  At that time, the number of microstock files available across all sites was fewer than 250,000.

One thing nobody has picked up on is the repeated reports from exclusives that despite the best match their sales are only normal. Is that because new projects aren't being started at the moment and people are only tying up the loose ends of jobs, or is it something else?

Lisa, if they wipe out our sales on the main site and then dilute PP sales to nothing there will be no point in continuing with the tedious upload process. My "who boycotted PP" thread indicates something like 55% of posters did, which suggests roughly a halving of PP income if they ever manage to transfer those files.

nruboc

« Reply #409 on: December 29, 2011, 02:56 »
0
Oh God, has it really come to this? People demanding an "apology to the forum" because they don't like a word and don't actually know what it means? Get a decent dictionary and look up "rape" since you obviously don't comprehend the scope of the word. Then can we get back to the topic (which is nothing to do with "hating").

Carver, the amount of energy expended probably reflects the significance of the threat to our income, our desire to  know what is going on, what it means and where it might go from here. It's quite normal for people to want to understand how the decisions of those they are engaged with will affect them.

And for whoever suggested that exclusivity was iStock's way of dealing with dilution, that's just not the case. There has never been any doubt that it was introduced to try to undermine rival micro agencies that were setting up from mid-2004 in response to iStock's success.  At that time, the number of microstock files available across all sites was fewer than 250,000.

One thing nobody has picked up on is the repeated reports from exclusives that despite the best match their sales are only normal. Is that because new projects aren't being started at the moment and people are only tying up the loose ends of jobs, or is it something else?

Lisa, if they wipe out our sales on the main site and then dilute PP sales to nothing there will be no point in continuing with the tedious upload process. My "who boycotted PP" thread indicates something like 55% of posters did, which suggests roughly a halving of PP income if they ever manage to transfer those files.


LOL... ditto.. apology to the forum, give it a rest please, we get it, you're easily offended, do we need to dwell on this

CarlssonInc

« Reply #410 on: December 29, 2011, 03:12 »
0
Not easily offended and know full well what the word means and the different ways it could be used.

Still don't think that kind of analogy is appropriate, but perhaps lack of imagination and manners limited someone's options to express themselves. As I said, I didn't expect an apology or someone realising that their choice of word/analogy was poor. I reserve my right to be offended, as well as thinking it was a poor, unnecessary and out of place choice of word/analogy. Defend it all you like, I hope you never have to be offended by it for a reason.

lagereek

« Reply #411 on: December 29, 2011, 03:15 »
0
Oh Man!  during my six years at IS, they have constantly messed around with this best match, always problems, etc. Even if they change it back to "normal"  the damage is done!  they will forever change this best match and thats the reason you cant do business with them anymore. The whole thing is too unstable, too unsure and yes, unsustainable.
You simply can not do business with any company lacking a solid platform and therefore generates instabillity.

Ingvar Kamprad, the IKEA boss!  his best advice to all of them, even Steve-Jobs, etc: Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe.

« Reply #412 on: December 29, 2011, 03:24 »
0
Carlsson, I'm sorry if the word relates to something someone did to you. However, rape does not necessarily have anything to do with sexual assaults, so you are trying to circumscribe it in an inappropriate way. In addition, your determination that the person who used the word should humiliate himself by making a public apology to everyone is extremely manipulative/controlling behaviour that implies your sensitivities are shared by everybody else on this board and that anyone who offends them is both wrong and an outcast.

Personally, I find that offensive and I think perhaps it is you who should apologise to the forum for attempting to stifle freedom of expression and force people to submit to your authority as judge of good taste.

CarlssonInc

« Reply #413 on: December 29, 2011, 03:27 »
0
Oh Man!  during my six years at IS, they have constantly messed around with this best match, always problems, etc. Even if they change it back to "normal"  the damage is done!  they will forever change this best match and thats the reason you cant do business with them anymore. The whole thing is too unstable, too unsure and yes, unsustainable.
You simply can not do business with any company lacking a solid platform and therefore generates instabillity.

Ingvar Kamprad, the IKEA boss!  his best advice to all of them, even Steve-Jobs, etc: Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe.

I agree, the several times per year complete change of the best match has finally taken it's toll. I can't believe they publicly stated that they were done with it, that it was now in the state they wanted it to be, just to dramatically change it again.

I know that most independents think this new incarnation is of great benefit to exclusives, trust me it is not. I can only see it benefiting those exclusives with very recent uploads in the particular search that a potential buyer is conducting.

Obviously it is even worse for independents as they are nowhere to be seen any more. Although I'm fond of benefits as an exclusive, this version of the search is not doing exclusives, independents and more importantly the buyers any favours at all. This certainly unfortunately will have a detrimental affect on everyone involved with iStock. Hopefully, but at this point in time it feels unlikely, they will realise this and bring back a best match search with a well balanced mix of relevant images from both exclusives and independents, thus serving the customer first and foremost.

lagereek

« Reply #414 on: December 29, 2011, 03:36 »
0
Hi Martin!

Yes I know!  and from severall exclusive pals within IS, this new best match, is not at all generating further revenues. I know. Might be too early to tell, but I am not holding my breath at all. I think, as you say, all these constant messing around with this poor best match, has finally taken its toll and its become irreparable. I bet, not even the engineers behind it all, know what to do or why it doesnt work.

They can change it back and forth a hundered times, it wont matter anymore, its taken its toll, finished. simple as that.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2011, 03:39 by lagereek »

CarlssonInc

« Reply #415 on: December 29, 2011, 03:39 »
0
Carlsson, I'm sorry if the word relates to something someone did to you. However, rape does not necessarily have anything to do with sexual assaults, so you are trying to circumscribe it in an inappropriate way. In addition, your determination that the person who used the word should humiliate himself by making a public apology to everyone is extremely manipulative/controlling behaviour that implies your sensitivities are shared by everybody else on this board and that anyone who offends them is both wrong and an outcast.

Personally, I find that offensive and I think perhaps it is you who should apologise to the forum for attempting to stifle freedom of expression and force people to submit to your authority as judge of good taste.

Hahaha, yes I apologise! For the record me myself have not been raped, but that doesn't exclude that people close to me haven't.

English is not my mother tongue, but I lived/worked in the U.K. for over 10 years, as well as the U.S. and I have never heard anyone using that particular word in such a liberal fashion or in any other way than in reference to a sex crime, especially to a wide public unknown audience like this forum. That doesn't mean that I don't know of it being able to be used in other ways, of course I do. It also doesn't take away that I was surprised by it being used here in such a way and I was offended. So be it.

I withdraw my "request" for an apology for the choice of word/analogy, and (sarcastically) apologise for thinking an apology would have been appropriate - pretty meaningless anyway if it ain't forthcoming voluntarily. "Freedom of expression" - you are cracking me up! You don't teach/tell your kids (if you have any) not to swear? To be be polite, respectful and teach them about manners? I guess I'm guilty of frequently stifling "freedom of expression".

Are we done now?
« Last Edit: December 29, 2011, 04:06 by CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production »

« Reply #416 on: December 29, 2011, 03:44 »
0

CarlssonInc

« Reply #417 on: December 29, 2011, 03:47 »
0
Hi Martin!

Yes I know!  and from severall exclusive pals within IS, this new best match, is not at all generating further revenues. I know. Might be too early to tell, but I am not holding my breath at all. I think, as you say, all these constant messing around with this poor best match, has finally taken its toll and its become irreparable. I bet, not even the engineers behind it all, know what to do or why it doesnt work.

They can change it back and forth a hundered times, it wont matter anymore, its taken its toll, finished. simple as that.

Yes, I guess the only remedy, unless too late, would be to bring back a well-balanced search and then lock-it, leave it, forbid for it to be touched. Stability is needed. As your quote from Kamprad "Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe." should be their new motto - that, fingers crossed and perhaps things could improve.

lagereek

« Reply #418 on: December 29, 2011, 03:48 »
0
Hi Martin!

Yes I know!  and from severall exclusive pals within IS, this new best match, is not at all generating further revenues. I know. Might be too early to tell, but I am not holding my breath at all. I think, as you say, all these constant messing around with this poor best match, has finally taken its toll and its become irreparable. I bet, not even the engineers behind it all, know what to do or why it doesnt work.

They can change it back and forth a hundered times, it wont matter anymore, its taken its toll, finished. simple as that.

Yes, I guess the only remedy, unless too late, would be to bring back a well-balanced search and then lock-it, leave it, forbid for it to be touched. Stability is needed. As your quote from Kamprad "Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe." should be their new motto - that, fingers crossed and perhaps things could improve.




Hope so!  but they probably think theyre smarter then Kamprad :D

« Reply #419 on: December 29, 2011, 04:08 »
0

Yes, I guess the only remedy, unless too late, would be to bring back a well-balanced search and then lock-it, leave it, forbid for it to be touched. Stability is needed. As your quote from Kamprad "Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe." should be their new motto - that, fingers crossed and perhaps things could improve.

They've created so many different collections at different price points that creating a well-balanced search must be almost impossible. Comparing agency, Vetta and ordinary files is like comparing apples and oranges.

At one time the search was fixed. I suspect that the problem they were trying to solve when they started changing it was that it was self-reinforcing, so an old file that started to build up sales would continue to float near the top even if much better files were entering the collection. More recently, it has become a tool for trying to direct buyers to what iStock wants to sell, rather than helping them find what they want to buy.

lagereek

« Reply #420 on: December 29, 2011, 04:11 »
0

Yes, I guess the only remedy, unless too late, would be to bring back a well-balanced search and then lock-it, leave it, forbid for it to be touched. Stability is needed. As your quote from Kamprad "Keep it simple, keep it clean and keep it safe." should be their new motto - that, fingers crossed and perhaps things could improve.

They've created so many different collections at different price points that creating a well-balanced search must be almost impossible. Comparing agency, Vetta and ordinary files is like comparing apples and oranges.

At one time the search was fixed. I suspect that the problem they were trying to solve when they started changing it was that it was self-reinforcing, so an old file that started to build up sales would continue to float near the top even if much better files were entering the collection. More recently, it has become a tool for trying to direct buyers to what iStock wants to sell, rather than helping them find what they want to buy.

Yep!  and forcing a product on to buyers, is not exactly ideal, especially when there are dozens of others selling the same product.

CarlssonInc

« Reply #421 on: December 29, 2011, 04:18 »
0
They should be able to strike a balance between different collections at different price points - Getty does.

I don't think anyone minds a few "teasers" from the higher priced collections feature at the top of a normal search or something like that.

For a "open" not very narrowed search they should be able to have a somewhat balanced mix, that coupled with a SIMPLE way of narrowing depending on budget constrains should better serve customers and contributors alike? Perhaps even let buyers set visible collections in their preferences? But they definitely need to go back to something balanced, and make it simple for buyers to be served with the right content at the right price point.

lagereek

« Reply #422 on: December 29, 2011, 05:21 »
0
Yes and this is ofcourse the whole issue. They simply forgot the BUYER  and that many buyers are also contributors.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2011, 05:30 by lagereek »

CarlssonInc

« Reply #423 on: December 29, 2011, 05:26 »
0
Yes and this is ofcourse the whole issue. They simply forgot the BUYER.

at the moment it feels like the buyers left and closed the door behind them. I've never seen 0 sale days before, not even on weekends, now I've had a couple in November and 7 (!) in December. iStock used to be so predictable, so dependable, someone have flicked the switch, not happy.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2011, 05:28 by CarlssonInc. Stock Imagery Production »

lagereek

« Reply #424 on: December 29, 2011, 05:32 »
0
Yes and this is ofcourse the whole issue. They simply forgot the BUYER.

at the moment it feels like the buyers left and closed the door behind them. I've never seen 0 sale days before, not even on weekends, now I've had a couple in November and 7 (!) in December. iStock used to be so predictable, so dependable, someone have flicked the switch, not happy.

I beat you, I got ONE!  big deal.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
25 Replies
21001 Views
Last post February 26, 2011, 04:42
by ShadySue
120 Replies
39278 Views
Last post May 11, 2011, 16:22
by Jo Ann Snover
240 Replies
58319 Views
Last post September 24, 2011, 10:24
by nataq
69 Replies
28519 Views
Last post November 15, 2011, 08:17
by ShadySue
Best Match shift 27 Jan 12

Started by michealo « 1 2  All » iStockPhoto.com

48 Replies
32132 Views
Last post February 02, 2012, 16:03
by StanRohrer

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors