From Rogermexico after yesterday fix:

"Browser back button is still leading to some problems, yes - the thumbnails still aren't loading properly. They've got a follow-up fix lined up."

I started getting a little tired of it all.

As a contributor, I was getting very frustrated yesterday trying to get the tool that puts images into a toolbox to work more than just a few times on a single page.  Even a reload wouldn't work - had to go back and do the search again.

I can only imagine how frustrated customers must be getting.  I wonder at what point they decide the frustration is no longer worth it and move on.

Anyone else notice that Shutterstock have significantly updated the design of the buyers' interface/search page recently?

Didn't think so. There was no pre-announcement weeks beforehand ... or feverish self-congratulatory posts from Admin staff ... or shrieks of delight from the faithful either. The management hardly thought it worth mentioning. It looks great and it works perfectly, just like it was supposed to.

Funnily enough there was no apparent disruption to the site either. No ever-growing list of 'bugs' and fixes; no recommendations to clear cache, delete cookies, update browsers, change browsers or change browser settings. It even still fits on one page without the absurd necessity to scroll sideways for miles. In fact no customer issues have been reported at all and all the contributors seem happy enough too.

Compare and contrast the implementation of site updates at iStockphoto and ... well, pretty much any other significant internet-based sales facility out there.

Anyone else notice that Shutterstock have significantly updated the design of the buyers' interface/search page recently?

(snip)
Funnily enough there was no apparent disruption to the site either. No ever-growing list of 'bugs' and fixes; no recommendations to clear cache, delete cookies, update browsers, change browsers or change browser settings. It even still fits on one page without the absurd necessity to scroll sideways for miles. In fact no customer issues have been reported at all and all the contributors seem happy enough too.

Good to know.  I was beginning to think that smooth, efficient site changes were an urban myth

Quote from: traveler1116 on January 25, 2011, 08:20

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=296022&page=1
From the OP "This Getty inividual has apparently said you can download any istock image at thinkstock. "  I hope this was a mistake not a plan for the future.

Getty employees have been known, historically, to put the knife into iStock with lies being economical with the truth, if necessary.
Like you, I hope that was just a lie.
Of course, the iStock admins will soon be on that thread to pour oil on the waters, but now we are so twitchy, we can't trust a word they say.

Surprisingly, that still hasn't happened.  Maybe because there are no platitudes to offer? 

This isn't the first time a Getty Rep has been caught saying something like this.  Maybe they know something we don't...

Quote from: ShadySue on January 25, 2011, 08:27

Quote from: traveler1116 on January 25, 2011, 08:20

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=296022&page=1
From the OP "This Getty inividual has apparently said you can download any istock image at thinkstock. "  I hope this was a mistake not a plan for the future.

Getty employees have been known, historically, to put the knife into iStock with lies being economical with the truth, if necessary.
Like you, I hope that was just a lie.
Of course, the iStock admins will soon be on that thread to pour oil on the waters, but now we are so twitchy, we can't trust a word they say.

Surprisingly, that still hasn't happened.  Maybe because there are no platitudes to offer? 

This isn't the first time a Getty Rep has been caught saying something like this.  Maybe they know something we don't...

----------------------------
I've no doubt that forcing everyone or almost everyone (not the 300 chosen) to put all their files onto TS is part of the long term plan, though I doubt very much that the random Getty sales dude is privy to such info.  

Would not be surprised if the IS response is being delayed by the internal discussion of what weasel words to use in the response.  Maybe JJRD saying something like "That will never happen while I'm here" kind of thing, knowing he's got his exit bonus all lined up already.

Would not be surprised if the IS response is being delayed by the internal discussion of what weasel words to use in the response.  Maybe JJRD saying something like "That will never happen while I'm here" kind of thing, knowing he's got his exit bonus all lined up already.

Not the first to say that the business looks like it is being prepared to be sold. Or maybe even for an IPO assuming the market stays high. There is so much cash sloshing around at the moment. Granted IPOs are rare now. The longer they hold on to it the more chance that something comes along and kills the agency model (which is inevitable) before they get their money. All the different brands and outlets are about making the thing look bigger than it is. Potential investors will likely not notice the broken infrastructure and under investment. As a public company there will be an  squeeze on royalties unless the market can be significantly grown which it probably cannot.

Since when is twitter a professional recruiting tool?

Quote from: nosaya on January 25, 2011, 18:02

Since when is twitter a professional recruiting tool?

Exactly. Seems like they already have a bunch of people who spend their day tweeting instead of actually doing their jobs.

It's because they're so hip and trendy. 

Surprisingly, that still hasn't happened.  Maybe because there are no platitudes to offer? 

Or maybe because the thread acts as ammunition in behind-the-scenes warfare. Getty may be happy to steal $20 sales from iStock and turn them into $2 Thinkstock sales, which is a net gain for Getty, but the owners are likely to side with iStock in seeing it as a net loss.

This just in via Twitter from an istock employee:

Quote

Join the #iStock team! We're hiring for lotsa great roles in marketing, IT, UX and more. http://istockpho.to/2ZbaoB #jobs #ycc

Maybe they're putting the royalty cut profits to good use and will hire some IT folks that can actually get the site to work properly.

or maybe it means they actually had the cajonies to fire the incompetents who caused this major epic fail of a site design roll-out.

http://www.istockphoto.com/istock_position.php?ID=4

"Can you break our software?"

I think someone beat me to it

Quote from: Maui on January 26, 2011, 10:48

From their list of benefits:

Quote

Free in-office massages at your desk from our very own masseuse.

We get a pay cut and they get back rubs at the office. Nice.

Look at it this way: we're both getting jerked around.  And I doubt anybody's getting a happy ending.