MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: jamirae on March 09, 2011, 12:29
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is it just me or does it seem like there's a lot of micromanaging going on in the istock forums?
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=309072&page=14 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=309072&page=14)
I can understand trying to keep people on topic but geez, locking the thread discussing Feb earnings because people started talking about recent earnings. Give me a break.
this seems to be a trend -- no more "+1", total revamp of the Pimp thread, despite the overwhelming posts to keep it as it was.. etc.
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Yep. Seems like PCC is trying to justify whatever Istock are paying her by intervening on every thread possible and trying to invent new 'rules' on a daily basis.
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I expect in the very near future that the monthly earnings threads at Istock will be eliminated altogether. Too much bad news. Reading the monthly thread paints too clear a picture of the direction the site is headed in.
I also suspected this was the reason the exact download numbers were hidden. Istockcharts.multimedia.de made it too easy to track the overall sales stats of the site.
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Seems a bit heavy handed to me too.
I'm entirely on board with keeping sales discussions coralled - they do spiral out of control if many threads are allowed - but I don't see how anyone is harmed by allowing a February 2011 sales thread to discuss comparisons as well as sales that occurred Feb 1 - 28. And if they allow comparisons to Feb 2010 (or 2009 or whatever) why is discussion of a trend that did/didn't continue into the first week of March a problem?
If someone had been rude, discussing a competitor, or something of that sort, shut that particular post down or delete it. AFAIK nothing of the sort happened.
I don't like being treated like a naughty child by the organization that derives 100% of its revenue from selling our work. Seems there's a "drunk with newfound power" atmosphere following their success in sticking it to contributors with the September 2010 cash grab.
Once again, I'm happy to have a place here to continue discussions truncated over there.
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Micromanaging?
More like sledgehammers wielded by the new team who've 'gone native' very quickly.
And what on earth does this mean :- "Perhaps, I'll get enough honest feedback that I will reopen the thread."
I was writing her a sitemail to ask what 'dishonest' feedback may be but didn't bother sending it as having seeen her implementation of changes to the weekly pimping thread she will obviously do what she has in mind regardless of any feedback, 'honest' or otherwise.
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Once again, I'm happy to have a place here to continue discussions truncated over there.
You said it, sister.
I don't miss trying to have a discussion over there, at all. It's pretty well pointless, if you ask me.
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She needs to get over herself, stat.
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Once again, I'm happy to have a place here to continue discussions truncated over there.
I don't miss trying to have a discussion over there, at all. It's pretty well pointless, if you ask me.
I haven't quite given up hope that things might improve, but you probably guessed that as I still have the crown :) And in particular, there's only a small percentage of exclusives who hang out over here, so if I want to make a point and try to rouse other exclusives to take notice of something, there's still the place to try and do that.
I don't socialize there at all; it's strictly about trying to hold IS's toes to the fire about doing what they're supposed to and raising contributor-related issues. If I want to get an admin's attention, again, IS's forums is where I have to do that. While they're getting exceedingly good at ignoring us, we have managed to keep harping on things like missing subscription royalties and get our money (eventually).
Do you notice how sparse the Woo Yay thread in the off-topic forum is (and we're near the end of Winter; in the past it'd have been huge by now)? Winter 2006/7 257 posts; Winter 2010/11 30 posts... Guess no one feels much like celebrating :(
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Yup, I'd noticed the woo-yay was looking decidedly lackluster. Lisa may be right; where are the admins & inspectors on the Feb thread with their woo-yaying? (Other than, obviously, now locked out :D)
Can't name names without dragging a lot of other people into it, but I saw on Facebook that a certain admin quashed a particularly pointed remark on a THIRD person's wall! Now, if you're so sensitive that you have to go round Facebook tsk-tsk-ing people, then there's something seriously wrong :/
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I really like it when someone posts a comment about the istock forums here. I can see the most interesting stuff without wading through the regular garbage. To that point- I never knew there was a woo-yay thread! That is so tacky! So very istock! Woo-yay on jsnover!
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I really like it when someone posts a comment about the istock forums here. I can see the most interesting stuff without wading through the regular garbage. To that point- I never knew there was a woo-yay thread! That is so tacky! So very istock! Woo-yay on jsnover!
yeah, it used to be if you started a thread about something exciting that happened to you you were quickly sent to the woo-yay thread. Over the last year, tho, I noticed that woo-yay threads are allowed to be started for certain people - usually black diamond or diamond or somethign like that. I can see that is a big accomplishment but a big EL or moving to a new level is also a big deal to a lot of newbies. I personally think that if you're going to make a woo-yay specific thread, then keep them all in there - no special treatment as it just makes things look more "cliquey."
I honestly rarely visit the istock forums anymore. I used to be in there several times a day reading posts to make sure I knew what was going on. Now I pretty much figure if there's any big news someone will post it here. :)
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Once again, I'm happy to have a place here to continue discussions truncated over there.
I don't miss trying to have a discussion over there, at all. It's pretty well pointless, if you ask me.
I haven't quite given up hope that things might improve, but you probably guessed that as I still have the crown :) And in particular, there's only a small percentage of exclusives who hang out over here, so if I want to make a point and try to rouse other exclusives to take notice of something, there's still the place to try and do that.
I don't socialize there at all; it's strictly about trying to hold IS's toes to the fire about doing what they're supposed to and raising contributor-related issues. If I want to get an admin's attention, again, IS's forums is where I have to do that. While they're getting exceedingly good at ignoring us, we have managed to keep harping on things like missing subscription royalties and get our money (eventually).
Do you notice how sparse the Woo Yay thread in the off-topic forum is (and we're near the end of Winter; in the past it'd have been huge by now)? Winter 2006/7 257 posts; Winter 2010/11 30 posts... Guess no one feels much like celebrating :(
You are right. For the purposes you outline, IS is still the place to [attempt to, anyway] raise those conversations, points, issues. And if you make any headway, good on you. Seriously! That is something to WooYay, when it happens.
The death of the social aspect is too bad. I was looking forward to attending a 'lypse one day and meeting more people, but I just don't see that desire returning before such events are ancient history. It's just so [cl]ickish now. The folks I want to meet I'll do so one-on-one, but not in a group with too many other characters I'd likely get in a fight with (most of whom have badges).
No, I hadn't noticed that about the WooYay thread ... as I never look anymore! When I do pop over, I peek in the Main Discussion Forum and the Help Forum, and that's it. I *never* go to the Off-Topic area anymore. What's the point? On the rare occasion when I have peeked in, it couldn't be more boring. What did I say to Lobo it was turning into, per all the rules? The most boring corner of the Internet? Yeah. I think that's what I said. And that it is.
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Can't name names without dragging a lot of other people into it, but I saw on Facebook that a certain admin quashed a particularly pointed remark on a THIRD person's wall! Now, if you're so sensitive that you have to go round Facebook tsk-tsk-ing people, then there's something seriously wrong :/
Wait, an iStock admin "quashed" something someone posted on their OWN wall?? That is beyond pathetic. And rude. On Facebook, as far as I'm concerned, it's my wall, my rules. No iStock admin has a right to post something nasty in response to a post on one' own wall. That's what they have their stupid forums for. Their assholery knows no limits!!
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Right on, Sean!
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1)
Or, +1 Sean.
-1 Dawn and Kelvin.
I still can't get over how quickly and completely those two turned!
So disappointing.
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There was a British TV series called Manor House (http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/theproject/making.html) which was a high-end reality show - people from today taken back to the ways of living of another era. The video diaries some of the participants kept noted how easily they fell into the roles assigned to them - the "upstairs" folks lording it over those playing servants even though that wasn't part of their real lives.
Where you stand depends on where you sit (I think a Don K. Price aphorism, but fits here).
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Right on, Sean!
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1[/url])
Or, +1 Sean.
-1 Dawn and Kelvin.
I still can't get over how quickly and completely those two turned!
So disappointing.
yes, and Sean's thread was also locked. sheesh.
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Right on, Sean!
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=311882&page=1[/url])
Or, +1 Sean.
-1 Dawn and Kelvin.
I still can't get over how quickly and completely those two turned!
So disappointing.
Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
Shame they shut the thread down so quickly, but not at all surprising...
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There was a British TV series called Manor House ([url]http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/theproject/making.html[/url]) which was a high-end reality show - people from today taken back to the ways of living of another era. The video diaries some of the participants kept noted how easily they fell into the roles assigned to them - the "upstairs" folks lording it over those playing servants even though that wasn't part of their real lives.
Where you stand depends on where you sit (I think a Don K. Price aphorism, but fits here).
I've seen that show! And you are so right. Also comes to mind that little experiment at Stanford that had to be shut down, because folks got a tad too carried away with their roles ...
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=stanford+prison+experiment (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=stanford+prison+experiment)
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Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
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You do see the occasional complaint by other Black Diamonds on IS. I've seen good critical posts from more than a few. And a good number of Diamonds. But you're right. Usually just Sean. Thank god for Sean.
If there are Black Diamonds posting here, perhaps they don't use their real names. Who knows.
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Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
Shame they shut the thread down so quickly, but not at all surprising...
I like how he brought up the cliques in the Off-Topic forum...one of who PCC is a member. Interesting that that chatter gets to go on there. More examples of iStock favoritism...
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There are cliques in the off-topic forum? Another thing i didn't know that I learned in this thread! This is kind of like watching "Jersey Shore". It's bad, but i can't help but look. Now I'm going over to istock and look for cliques...
edit- Report back from the off-topic group: How creepy. :o
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There are cliques in the off-topic forum? Another thing i didn't know that I learned in this thread! This is kind of like watching "Jersey Shore". It's bad, but i can't help but look. Now I'm going over to istock and look for cliques...
edit- Report back from the off-topic group: How creepy. :o
LOL, I know, right?!?!? It's so * perky up in there :D
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Can't name names without dragging a lot of other people into it, but I saw on Facebook that a certain admin quashed a particularly pointed remark on a THIRD person's wall! Now, if you're so sensitive that you have to go round Facebook tsk-tsk-ing people, then there's something seriously wrong :/
Wait, an iStock admin "quashed" something someone posted on their OWN wall?? That is beyond pathetic. And rude. On Facebook, as far as I'm concerned, it's my wall, my rules. No iStock admin has a right to post something nasty in response to a post on one' own wall. That's what they have their stupid forums for. Their assholery knows no limits!!
I think I'd be "unfriending" that admin post-haste for something like that.
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Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
I think there are many of them. They do express their thoughts but discreetly, like Sylvanworks. Or like this person (ex inspector) in his istock's blog page:
"I just don't agree with the way iStock is heading and the decisions being made so I couldn't stay officially affiliated with the company."
http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305 (http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305)
Why do you think the review time is so long?
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Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
I think there are many of them. They do express their thoughts but discreetly, like Sylvanworks. Or like this person (ex inspector) in his istock's blog page:
"I just don't agree with the way iStock is heading and the decisions being made so I couldn't stay officially affiliated with the company."
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url])
Why do you think the review time is so long?
That's awesome. I'd heard there was a tussle between another and JJ, but seems like there may be more than a few now. Good on them!!
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closing that thread was ridiculous. I felt like I got put in the hall out of kindergarten class. I gotta say that I loved seeing Sean's effort at getting it reopened this morning.
I think it's generally in poor taste to discuss specific people, even here. but I have to disagree with Kelvin's name getting thrown around too. of course you're all entitled to your opinions, but I think he's the same old Kelvin. funny, irreverent and succinct. he just has a new badge. I don't think it's accurate to include him in this context. I just wanted to throw that in the mix.
ETA: surprised about Goldmund. hadn't heard about that. and Rob's change of tone is certainly apparent. guess there's always a changing of the guard as companies grow. but when very public figures--in a company that has cultured itself as a community--leave, seemingly badly, it can't help but make people very uneasy.
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Micromanaging?
More like sledgehammers wielded by the new team who've 'gone native' very quickly.
And what on earth does this mean :- "Perhaps, I'll get enough honest feedback that I will reopen the thread."
I was writing her a sitemail to ask what 'dishonest' feedback may be but didn't bother sending it as having seeen her implementation of changes to the weekly pimping thread she will obviously do what she has in mind regardless of any feedback, 'honest' or otherwise.
There is an old proverb in my country:
"Give a nightstick to a peasant and he is going to think he is a policeman and has to hit somebody"
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I didn't know about Goldmund either. Interesting to see people taking a stand.
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Micromanaging?
More like sledgehammers wielded by the new team who've 'gone native' very quickly.
And what on earth does this mean :- "Perhaps, I'll get enough honest feedback that I will reopen the thread."
I was writing her a sitemail to ask what 'dishonest' feedback may be but didn't bother sending it as having seeen her implementation of changes to the weekly pimping thread she will obviously do what she has in mind regardless of any feedback, 'honest' or otherwise.
There is an old proverb in my country:
"Give a nightstick to a peasant and he is going to think he is a policeman and has to hit somebody"
Good thing you are not from St. Petersburg, Florida (my former and future home). In St. Pete, "Give a cop a gun and he is going to shoot someone"
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Good for Sean for bringing that up. One of the few people who is high enough up the food chain to be able to post without (too much) fear or reprisal.
Hardly see hide nor hair of the other top exclusives. I am sure they must have opinions about what's going on, but you wouldn't know it by the Istock forums. Or these either, for that matter.
I think there are many of them. They do express their thoughts but discreetly, like Sylvanworks. Or like this person (ex inspector) in his istock's blog page:
"I just don't agree with the way iStock is heading and the decisions being made so I couldn't stay officially affiliated with the company."
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url])
Why do you think the review time is so long?
Wow. Good catch.
You know, this second round of clawbacks gives closing the February stats thread a different perspective. Maybe they didn't want people complaining about their negative balances in there once they are done taking the money away.
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They do express their thoughts but discreetly, like Sylvanworks. Or like this person (ex inspector) in his istock's blog page:
"I just don't agree with the way iStock is heading and the decisions being made so I couldn't stay officially affiliated with the company."
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url])
As someone pointed out to me, it is perhaps not coincidental that Rob said almost the exact same thing. They both talked about where iStock is heading -- not about the changes that have already taken place.
So do they know something even worse is soon to happen?
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I think there are many of them. They do express their thoughts but discreetly, like Sylvanworks. Or like this person (ex inspector) in his istock's blog page:
"I just don't agree with the way iStock is heading and the decisions being made so I couldn't stay officially affiliated with the company."
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?userID=688535?action=view&location=Profile&userID=688535&postID=96305[/url])
Why do you think the review time is so long?
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Thanks for posting. It will be interesting to see how long before his blog post is gone
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closing that thread was ridiculous. I felt like I got put in the hall out of kindergarten class. I gotta say that I loved seeing Sean's effort at getting it reopened this morning.
I think it's generally in poor taste to discuss specific people, even here. but I have to disagree with Kelvin's name getting thrown around too. of course you're all entitled to your opinions, but I think he's the same old Kelvin. funny, irreverent and succinct. he just has a new badge. I don't think it's accurate to include him in this context. I just wanted to throw that in the mix.
ETA: surprised about Goldmund. hadn't heard about that. and Rob's change of tone is certainly apparent. guess there's always a changing of the guard as companies grow. but when very public figures--in a company that has cultured itself as a community--leave, seemingly badly, it can't help but make people very uneasy.
With several inspectors resigning this might actually be the opportunity for you (YES YOU!) to finally become AN INSPECTOR!!! Then maybe you wouldn't have to keep arse-licking (like the above) or at least you could reduce the frequency of your usual buttock-clenching, sycophantic warblings in praise of Istock (whilst they reduce the commission levels you have worked hard for so many years to achieve).
They OWE you to make you an inspector don't they? At least they know there's absolutely no danger of you making a stand on principle and resigning because of their behaviour. ;D
I stated clearly that the moderation was ridiculous. I just didn't like seeing Kelvin getting pulled into it IMO unfairly. I loved Sean's attempt to reopen the thread and I loved that he said so, which I told him this morning.
FWIW, I wouldn't take a badge if it was offered believe it or not, which it hasn't been and probably never would be. I wouldn't want to work for the company and end up hating what I do. I also like the flexibility of being able to go independent whenever I so choose, if ever it comes up again.
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I didn't know about Goldmund either. Interesting to see people taking a stand.
Sensor Spot is the only one I was aware of. Who are the other (now) ex-Inspectors (taking a stand)?
http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot (http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot)
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I didn't know about Goldmund either. Interesting to see people taking a stand.
Sensor Spot is the only one I was aware of. Who are the other (now) ex-Inspectors (taking a stand)?
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url])
I didn't know about him either. when did that one happen? was he public about it? interesting stuff. hard not to worry these days.
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I didn't know about Goldmund either. Interesting to see people taking a stand.
Sensor Spot is the only one I was aware of. Who are the other (now) ex-Inspectors (taking a stand)?
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url])
I didn't know about him either. when did that one happen? was he public about it? interesting stuff. hard not to worry these days.
Not sure exactly when, and no. I don't think it was public, so to speak. The little I do know I'd rather not share here because it may not be meant for public consumption.
What are you worried about? The wheels have *been* coming off thIS bus. It's just so refreshing to see badges starting to bail in various ways and stand up to HQ/Getty, too. As they've been effectively muzzled from speaking up/out publicly, in the forums.
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no worries, I wouldn't expect you to divulge a source. I just wondered if he had made a public statement like Goldmund clearly has on his profile. I was just being nosy. ;-)
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no worries, I wouldn't expect you to divulge a source. I just wondered if he had made a public statement like Goldmund clearly has on his profile. I was just being nosy. ;-)
I didn't think you were asking me to divulge a source (you may be bi-winning, but I know you'd know better than to ask that in your right mind :D). I thought you were digging for details. But as to his profile or elsewhere in IS, I'm not aware of any public post. There may be one. I just don't know (I don't frequent the forums nearly enough to have that sort of 411 these days), but I doubt it.
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Wonder if the days of the inspectors badge are numbered? Makes it easier to see when somebody leaves so they might do away with it since there might be more.
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no worries, I wouldn't expect you to divulge a source. I just wondered if he had made a public statement like Goldmund clearly has on his profile. I was just being nosy. ;-)
I didn't think you were asking me to divulge a source (you may be bi-winning, but I know you'd know better than to ask that in your right mind :D). I thought you were digging for details. But as to his profile or elsewhere in IS, I'm not aware of any public post. There may be one. I just don't know (I don't frequent the forums nearly enough to have that sort of 411 these days), but I doubt it.
ETA: BI-WINNING = Charlie Sheen reference for anyone who cares ;-)
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I didn't know about Goldmund either. Interesting to see people taking a stand.
Sensor Spot is the only one I was aware of. Who are the other (now) ex-Inspectors (taking a stand)?
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/sensorspot[/url])
I didn't know about him either. when did that one happen? was he public about it? interesting stuff. hard not to worry these days.
Not sure exactly when, and no. I don't think it was public, so to speak. The little I do know I'd rather not share here because it may not be meant for public consumption.
*snip*
Aww darn, i love that sort of juicy gossips; dying to find out now! PM me! i wont tell anybody! ;)
Feels like a heart under the belt to see not all badges are yeppering whoo yaying cheerleaders :)
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Let's try this again...
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Let's try this again...
Such a sad state of affairs that it was even necessary for you to have to post that. I'm sure a lot of contributors appreciate your doing that.
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Having never drunk the istock kool-aid, i find it sad and a little amusing at the shock expressed here at the high handed way contributors are treated on the forums. There is only one thing going on here. That is a systematic dressing up of Istock for a sale. In order for the present owners to get rid of a bad bet at the best price, they need to be able to show the new buyers ( read: suckers) that revenue at istock is increasing ( higher prices ), profits are increasing ( lower payout costs ), and the source of images will continue without a problem ( delete anything negative and fill the forums with happy talk). So far I think they're executing this strategy pretty well. Buyout firms tend to want to roll over a acquisition in a 3 or 4 year time frame at the most. That time is here. The market is almost back to the old levels, the economy is improving, and despite the crash of 2008 investment banks have been bailed out, and business and profits are better than ever. If the stock goes public, there will be at least a few quarters of good numbers to get all the insiders out. After that, they could care less what happens- they'll be gone. Then you can post all you want in the forums, and watch the company fade away. This is, of course, just my opinion. But from the perspective of someone who has worked with financial firms since 1978, I can truly say I've seen it all before. Enron, MCI, a ton of dotcoms- I've worked for them all. They all look great to the investor, because there are people out there whose job it is to make them look good- to sell a story. I know- i did it.This time we all get to watch it from the inside ;D
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Good thing you are not from St. Petersburg, Florida (my former and future home). In St. Pete, "Give a cop a gun and he is going to shoot someone"
Wow. Never heard that one, and I live close by. Not surprising though.
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ETA: BI-WINNING = Charlie Sheen reference for anyone who cares ;-)
I caught that. He's my new favorite unapologetic, highly entertaining sociopath, replacing Rod Blagojevich. :D
Charlie's meltdown is even more entertaining than Istock's, and has the added bonus of not directly affecting me ;D
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Let's try this again...
Success - let's see for how long though!
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ETA: BI-WINNING = Charlie Sheen reference for anyone who cares ;-)
Charlie's meltdown is even more entertaining than Istock's, and has the added bonus of not directly affecting me ;D
Charlie Sheen. lol. his rants are priceless, when they make sense. he should have climbed into Lade Gaga's egg at the Grammys. THAT would have been funny.
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Let's try this again...
... and the winner is ... Mr S J Locke! The thread was duly re-opened.
If we could only replace Kelly Thompson with Sean the microstock world would be a much happier place. I'm pretty sure we'd all be making a lot more money too, including Istock themselves.
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Let's try this again...
thanks Sean. well done!
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closing that thread was ridiculous. I felt like I got put in the hall out of kindergarten class. I gotta say that I loved seeing Sean's effort at getting it reopened this morning.
I think it's generally in poor taste to discuss specific people, even here. but I have to disagree with Kelvin's name getting thrown around too. of course you're all entitled to your opinions, but I think he's the same old Kelvin. funny, irreverent and succinct. he just has a new badge. I don't think it's accurate to include him in this context. I just wanted to throw that in the mix.
While I agree with you about feeling like being in kindergarten again, I think discussing specific people is entirely warranted. Dawn made a very poor judgement call by closing the thread. Between that and her new PTOTW form that you have to fill out, which was also not well received and for good reason, I think she's still learning the ropes and getting a feeling for what it means to appease the masses in the forums while still towing the company line. No easy job IMHO. With the way things have been going on iStock, niceties have gone out the window, and I think in some cases that's been necessary to get things done. This is an open forum, free from the ban hammer, and I think it's a much needed place for people to vent and take people to task in a safe environment where people don't have to always be looking over their shoulders. And if that means names get mentioned in this forum, then so much the better.
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closing that thread was ridiculous. I felt like I got put in the hall out of kindergarten class. I gotta say that I loved seeing Sean's effort at getting it reopened this morning.
I think it's generally in poor taste to discuss specific people, even here. but I have to disagree with Kelvin's name getting thrown around too. of course you're all entitled to your opinions, but I think he's the same old Kelvin. funny, irreverent and succinct. he just has a new badge. I don't think it's accurate to include him in this context. I just wanted to throw that in the mix.
While I agree with you about feeling like being in kindergarten again, I think discussing specific people is entirely warranted. Dawn made a very poor judgement call by closing the thread. Between that and her new PTOTW form that you have to fill out, which was also not well received and for good reason, I think she's still learning the ropes and getting a feeling for what it means to appease the masses in the forums while still towing the company line. No easy job IMHO. With the way things have been going on iStock, niceties have gone out the window, and I think in some cases that's been necessary to get things done. This is an open forum, free from the ban hammer, and I think it's a much needed place for people to vent and take people to task in a safe environment where people don't have to always be looking over their shoulders. And if that means names get mentioned in this forum, then so much the better.
sure. in that context I agree. in any case, I think their goal was to make the forums less of a draw for contributors. mission accomplished.
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Just found out that user Stalman is now "unbadged" for whatever reason.
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Just found out that user Stalman is now "unbadged" for whatever reason.
wow. that's a real shocker I certainly would not have expected that one.
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He with KKT in his portraits, and one purveyor of those strangely popular amongst vetta inspector vignette type face shots - trouble in paradise?
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Just found out that user Stalman is now "unbadged" for whatever reason.
And so another wheel comes off the bus. Very interesting.
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Just found out that user Stalman is now "unbadged" for whatever reason.
And so another wheel comes off the bus. Very interesting.
Getting pretty ominous...
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He with KKT in his portraits, and one purveyor of those strangely popular amongst vetta inspector vignette type face shots - trouble in paradise?
About a third of his entire portfolio is Vetta. He obviously worked out the special formula to be "strangely popular amongst vetta inspectors".
Not so long ago one of the few things that I did acknowledge about Istock was how they appeared to genuinely apply the same rules to all without fear or favour and regardless of sales, status, location, etc. Now nothing could be further from the truth. There's a clique of insiders, largely recognisable by the wearing of an Admin or Inspectors' badge, who basically get bribed with everything to keep them on-side whilst the vast majority of contributors get screwed. Things have to smell pretty bad inside Calgary HQ if so many of them are taking Rob Sylvan's lead and are walking out anyway.
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He with KKT in his portraits, and one purveyor of those strangely popular amongst vetta inspector vignette type face shots - trouble in paradise?
About a third of his entire portfolio is Vetta. He obviously worked out the special formula to be "strangely popular amongst vetta inspectors".
Not so long ago one of the few things that I did acknowledge about Istock was how they appeared to genuinely apply the same rules to all without fear or favour and regardless of sales, status, location, etc. Now nothing could be further from the truth. There's a clique of insiders, largely recognisable by the wearing of an Admin or Inspectors' badge, who basically get bribed with everything to keep them on-side whilst the vast majority of contributors get screwed. Things have to smell pretty bad inside Calgary HQ if so many of them are taking Rob Sylvan's lead and are walking out anyway.
I don't think they need to bribe the clique. It's more likely that the clique has found itself able to take control and is doling out the goodies to itself. It doesn't really matter to the owners, does it? Because the overall sales are independent of any redirection of income to a preferred few.
Creating layers of preferred contributors through Vetta, where status is determined by a small cell of insiders is an open invitation to corruption.
The interesting question is whether those who benefit are the same people who invented the scheme in the first place.
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Creating layers of preferred contributors through Vetta, where status is determined by a small cell of insiders is an open invitation to corruption.
The interesting question is whether those who benefit are the same people who invented the scheme in the first place.
+1 and great question
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Several others who up till recently were inspectors
Brentman
LLMillerMedia
Maybelle
Former admins
Cobalt
Brent (IT guy?)
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Several others who up till recently were inspectors
Brentman
LLMillerMedia
Maybelle
Former admins
Cobalt
Brent (IT guy?)
For some reason it is in my head that Brent was "let go".
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Several others who up till recently were inspectors
Brentman
LLMillerMedia
Maybelle
Former admins
Cobalt
Brent (IT guy?)
And what makes you come to that conclusion?
For some reason it is in my head that Brent was "let go".
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought he was asked to leave.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought he was asked to leave.
really. wow. I know he was there in the beginnings (or at least from several years back) and he was one of the main IT guys. I didn't realize he had gone. he is both of these logins http://www.istockphoto.com/brentman (http://www.istockphoto.com/brentman) (the contributor account) and http://www.istockphoto.com/brent (http://www.istockphoto.com/brent) the sysadmin account.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought he was asked to leave.
I didn't know that one either.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought he was asked to leave.
<sarcasm>Yeah, I'll bet he was asked to leave because he knew what he was doing, IT-wise. They needed to get some bozos in there.</sarcasm>
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Jasmine (Cobalt) is no longer an admin? Well good for her. I always liked her and felt she has a lot of integrity.
Do we need an Admins Bailing on Istock thread now? ;)
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Hi Lisa,
thank you for the flowers!
I resigned because I have ongoing issues in my life that have kept me away from istock. I have uploaded only 200 images in 2010, mostly the leftovers from old shootings. Need to sort out some other stuff, before I focus back on stock.
I really enjoyed being a part of the team, some very dedicated people there. And together with my collegue MichaelJay I loved moderating the German forum. Itīs a lot of work though, what you see in the forum is just a part of it. There is a whole world of sitemails, emails, phonecalls, meet ups to organize and all that balancing of different characters to keep communication flowing.
The advantage of not having a badge is that people again accept that what I am saying is what I want to say, without suspecting that I am somehow towing the "party line". I think you will see that I am saying the same things now as before.
I am very sad with what has been happening in the last six months and I know there are many people working very, very hard to get istock back on track. Like many contributors, I wish there was better communication, although I am seeing that they are trying to improve this.
But the site has to get back on track and there is a lot of work to do, to regain the confidence and trust of the contributors. The members have the right to expect their agent to do the best possible to represent their interests.
Oh, and I think the new moderators are very passionate about their work, they really just want to serve the community. But it takes time to learn when to open and close threads. What you donīt see is the amazing amount of sitemails they get from members and when emotions run to high it is often best to close a thread, even if it is just for a day. Again, it all depends on the context. And sometimes what you write as a moderator doesnīt really communicate what you were trying to say. Also for so many members English is not a first language.
So as a former istock moderator: please have a little patience with the moderators. They really work hard.
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Hi Jasmine,
Sunny, pleasant disposition as always :)
Hope you are right that things are going to get back on track, but not looking like it'll be any time soon. This reclaiming of fraud payments is destroying any possibility of their regaining contributor trust.
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really. wow. I know he was there in the beginnings (or at least from several years back) and he was one of the main IT guys. I didn't realize he had gone. he is both of these logins [url]http://www.istockphoto.com/brentman[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/brentman[/url]) (the contributor account) and [url]http://www.istockphoto.com/brent[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/brent[/url]) the sysadmin account.
I didn't know that one either.
I could be wrong. That's just the word I heard, on the street. Some time back.
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Hi Lisa,
thank you for the flowers!
I resigned because I have ongoing issues in my life that have kept me away from istock. I have uploaded only 200 images in 2010, mostly the leftovers from old shootings. Need to sort out some other stuff, before I focus back on stock.
I really enjoyed being a part of the team, some very dedicated people there. And together with my collegue MichaelJay I loved moderating the German forum. Itīs a lot of work though, what you see in the forum is just a part of it. There is a whole world of sitemails, emails, phonecalls, meet ups to organize and all that balancing of different characters to keep communication flowing.
The advantage of not having a badge is that people again accept that what I am saying is what I want to say, without suspecting that I am somehow towing the "party line". I think you will see that I am saying the same things now as before.
I am very sad with what has been happening in the last six months and I know there are many people working very, very hard to get istock back on track. Like many contributors, I wish there was better communication, although I am seeing that they are trying to improve this.
But the site has to get back on track and there is a lot of work to do, to regain the confidence and trust of the contributors. The members have the right to expect their agent to do the best possible to represent their interests.
Oh, and I think the new moderators are very passionate about their work, they really just want to serve the community. But it takes time to learn when to open and close threads. What you donīt see is the amazing amount of sitemails they get from members and when emotions run to high it is often best to close a thread, even if it is just for a day. Again, it all depends on the context. And sometimes what you write as a moderator doesnīt really communicate what you were trying to say. Also for so many members English is not a first language.
So as a former istock moderator: please have a little patience with the moderators. They really work hard.
thank you for the post and for being candid. same goes to all iStock admin ex-pats...there's nothing better than to get some real information about what's happening. when you develop a contributor culture that is fueled by emotion, passion and community---there's a flip side that includes deep disappointment, frustration and vehement dispassion when the party line starts to strangle the suppliers. attempts to further control contributors are going to be perceived as hostile. how could they not be in the current climate? I think iStock's greatest liability right now is the crumbling of its back end. my fear is the issues run deep enough to really destroy all the business iStock has built up over the years. talk about undoing years of marketing and hard work to secure one of the lead spots in the industry.
I can't understand why they aren't strapping down and hiring in as much outside IT help to get that place running as they can. aren't there a bazillion IT companies out there who handle precisely this type of site breakdown?
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
exactly! it's a lot more fun over here! :)
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
exactly! it's a lot more fun over here! :)
Significantly more :D
And speaking of more, didn't these folks also used to have a badge of some kind?
http://www.istockphoto.com/attator (http://www.istockphoto.com/attator)
http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez (http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez)
http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy (http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy)
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
-------------------------------
Welcome! The Istock forums have become both deathly dull but also almost useless aside from learning about what else is wrong. You'll find the conversations here are a lot more interesting as people are free to speak their minds.
I was a diamond exclusive until not to long ago and don't regret dropping the crown a bit. I suspect your decision to give up your inspecting job was not easy, but I think a lot of people here and at Istock appreciate that you stated publically why you did it. (Not to criticize other inspectors/admins who have not done so since not everyone is in a position to make such a change).
Enjoy MSG
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And speaking of more, didn't these folks also used to have a badge of some kind?
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/attator[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/attator[/url])
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez[/url])
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy[/url])
Even more names for the list. Not sure on the timing of any of these but I recall them all being inspectors at one point or another.
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And speaking of more, didn't these folks also used to have a badge of some kind?
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/attator[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/attator[/url])
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/alvarez[/url])
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/absolutely_frenchy[/url])
Even more names for the list. Not sure on the timing of any of these but I recall them all being inspectors at one point or another.
I don't know that you can necessarily equate these once-badged folks with dropping their badge due to the recent mess. Inspectors have a huge workload and I know of at least one that quit inspecting because it was simply overwhelming work with the way her life was going and she needed to make that change. Granted, the recent issues may be causing more to drop the badge than usual, but there does seem to be other factors that contribute to quitting that "esteemed" task of inspecting.
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Thanks for your welcome.
Don't blame the people there (I'm not saying you did). They have families to feed and some of them are much more dependable on the job than some of us who resigned were. Of the people you listed I do see some admins and fellow inspectors have the badge no more so it might be a wider wave rather than me being a lonely example. Don't know, just commenting what I see.. And even what I know I should not and will not share, for obvious reasons.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought ...
I didn't know that one either.
let's take it easy on the rumors. Brent doesn't work there anymore = fact (if that is true.. i guess that could technically be a rumor too but at least more public general istock news..), why or how he left is certainly dancing in rumor land and i think unfair to Brent.
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Thanks for your welcome.
Don't blame the people there (I'm not saying you did). They have families to feed and some of them are much more dependable on the job than some of us who resigned were. Of the people you listed I do see some admins and fellow inspectors have the badge no more so it might be a wider wave rather than me being a lonely example. Don't know, just commenting what I see.. And even what I know I should not and will not share, for obvious reasons.
Welcome aboard Goldmund :)
The conversations around here do certainly get interesting.
I completely agree that we should not blame the admins who stay on. Kind of like not blaming the contributors who stay on. We each have a different financial circumstance, and each have to weigh our decisions according to our own situation.
But it is nice to see and acknowledge people acting with integrity, as you and some others have done. :)
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought ...
I didn't know that one either.
let's take it easy on the rumors. Brent doesn't work there anymore = fact (if that is true.. i guess that could technically be a rumor too but at least more public general istock news..), why or how he left is certainly dancing in rumor land and i think unfair to Brent.
wow, moderating rumour-based comments. that's a first here. what's up with that?
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This guy worked as a senior designer at HQ. I don't know if he quit recently or a long time ago. I don't want to imply that his leaving had anything to do with recent changes.
http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict (http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict)
He also has a lightbox called "Istock staff" that has a number of people in there without badges.
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82 (http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82)
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I don't know that you can necessarily equate these once-badged folks with dropping their badge due to the recent mess. Inspectors have a huge workload and I know of at least one that quit inspecting because it was simply overwhelming work with the way her life was going and she needed to make that change. Granted, the recent issues may be causing more to drop the badge than usual, but there does seem to be other factors that contribute to quitting that "esteemed" task of inspecting.
Oh, absolutely. I was just asking, didn't those folks used to have a badge of some kind? Asking, because I really couldn't recall. And why they left I've no idea, if they did have badges.
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
I'm in two places at once :)
I tend to be very circumspect about how I behave on IS's forums to try and avoid a banning. So those of us who are both places are often more fun here!
You will find that there are some people here who remain anonymous. There are a few trolls, but mostly its folks trying to avoid retaliation from FT which has in the past closed a contributor account (and threatened others with the same) because of comments made on external forums that they deemed not to be favorable to them. So you might think you recognize someone, but please don't "out" them in the forum :)
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OMG, so our "parent" is not the worst of the lot.. there's even domestic violence elsewhere. :o ;D
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This guy worked as a senior designer at HQ. I don't know if he quit recently or a long time ago. I don't want to imply that his leaving had anything to do with recent changes.
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict[/url])
He also has a lightbox called "Istock staff" that has a number of people in there without badges.
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82[/url])
I think he/she had a badge yesterday!
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^ I have no idea when. He says that he is a former senior designer on his "about me" page.
The point is that those of us that are exclusives need to be aware of what the inspectors are doing. Are they leaving in large numbers? Are they dropping their crowns? Also what are the black diamonds and high level diamonds doing? If those crowns start disappearing then the buyers will look for them on other sites.
Honestly, I don't care if I'm exclusive or not. I'm just tired of stressing over all this nonsense. I just want to upload images and be paid fairly for it.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought ...
I didn't know that one either.
let's take it easy on the rumors. Brent doesn't work there anymore = fact (if that is true.. i guess that could technically be a rumor too but at least more public general istock news..), why or how he left is certainly dancing in rumor land and i think unfair to Brent.
wow, moderating rumour-based comments. that's a first here. what's up with that?
No, I haven't moderated anything is this thread (unless you call truncating a quote moderating) - just trying to help steer it away from discussing rumors about people's job with a simple comment.
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Brent was gone a long, long time ago. And yeah. I thought ...
I didn't know that one either.
let's take it easy on the rumors. Brent doesn't work there anymore = fact (if that is true.. i guess that could technically be a rumor too but at least more public general istock news..), why or how he left is certainly dancing in rumor land and i think unfair to Brent.
wow, moderating rumour-based comments. that's a first here. what's up with that?
No, I haven't moderated anything is this thread (unless you call truncating a quote moderating) - just trying to help steer it away from discussing rumors about people's job with a simple comment.
but people are constantly speculating about other people here. not sure what was special about this discussion. anyways. whatever.
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This guy worked as a senior designer at HQ. I don't know if he quit recently or a long time ago. I don't want to imply that his leaving had anything to do with recent changes.
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/So-CoAddict[/url])
He also has a lightbox called "Istock staff" that has a number of people in there without badges.
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/1443933/#1ab99d82[/url])
I think he/she had a badge yesterday!
In a tweet he mentioned that his last day at iStock was 25th Feb.
24th Feb - SoCoAddict
Tomorrow is my last day as a senior designer at @iStock. Talk about an incredible five years. #startingtofeelstrange
Yet another talented, interesting and long standing iStocker exiting the company.
What is going on here? Are Getty slashing iStock costs while they ramp up expenditure on Thinkstock and Photos.com, or are people simply walking away in disgust (and in significant numbers).
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Reviewers leaving might explain why my reviews are taking so long now.
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Reviewers leaving might explain why my reviews are taking so long now.
But when they do happen then ... whoosh ... all approved, one after the other. No silly quibbles about a keyword that they don't like or some 'artifact' that they claim to have found. I must have had about 50 files approved recently without a single issue and that's never happened before. Anyone else finding the same?
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Nope, because they dont get my stuff anymore.
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Nope, because they dont get my stuff anymore.
+1
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Reviewers leaving might explain why my reviews are taking so long now.
But when they do happen then ... whoosh ... all approved, one after the other. No silly quibbles about a keyword that they don't like or some 'artifact' that they claim to have found. I must have had about 50 files approved recently without a single issue and that's never happened before. Anyone else finding the same?
That would be nice
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Hi Lisa,
thank you for the flowers!
I resigned because I have ongoing issues in my life that have kept me away from istock. I have uploaded only 200 images in 2010, mostly the leftovers from old shootings. Need to sort out some other stuff, before I focus back on stock.
I really enjoyed being a part of the team, some very dedicated people there. And together with my collegue MichaelJay I loved moderating the German forum. Itīs a lot of work though, what you see in the forum is just a part of it. There is a whole world of sitemails, emails, phonecalls, meet ups to organize and all that balancing of different characters to keep communication flowing.
The advantage of not having a badge is that people again accept that what I am saying is what I want to say, without suspecting that I am somehow towing the "party line". I think you will see that I am saying the same things now as before.
I am very sad with what has been happening in the last six months and I know there are many people working very, very hard to get istock back on track. Like many contributors, I wish there was better communication, although I am seeing that they are trying to improve this.
But the site has to get back on track and there is a lot of work to do, to regain the confidence and trust of the contributors. The members have the right to expect their agent to do the best possible to represent their interests.
Oh, and I think the new moderators are very passionate about their work, they really just want to serve the community. But it takes time to learn when to open and close threads. What you donīt see is the amazing amount of sitemails they get from members and when emotions run to high it is often best to close a thread, even if it is just for a day. Again, it all depends on the context. And sometimes what you write as a moderator doesnīt really communicate what you were trying to say. Also for so many members English is not a first language.
So as a former istock moderator: please have a little patience with the moderators. They really work hard.
Very nice to hear this kind of post. Thank you.
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In a tweet he mentioned that his last day at iStock was 25th Feb.
24th Feb - SoCoAddict
Tomorrow is my last day as a senior designer at @iStock. Talk about an incredible five years. #startingtofeelstrange
Yet another talented, interesting and long standing iStocker exiting the company.
What is going on here? Are Getty slashing iStock costs while they ramp up expenditure on Thinkstock and Photos.com, or are people simply walking away in disgust (and in significant numbers).
I guess that debunks rogermexico's claim that people just don't quit iStock!
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In a tweet he mentioned that his last day at iStock was 25th Feb.
24th Feb - SoCoAddict
Tomorrow is my last day as a senior designer at @iStock. Talk about an incredible five years. #startingtofeelstrange
Yet another talented, interesting and long standing iStocker exiting the company.
What is going on here? Are Getty slashing iStock costs while they ramp up expenditure on Thinkstock and Photos.com, or are people simply walking away in disgust (and in significant numbers).
I guess that debunks rogermexico's claim that people just don't quit iStock!
Yeppers :P
I still wished i could be a fly on the wall there in Calgary....
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More posts deleted:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=312142&messageid=6068662 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=312142&messageid=6068662)
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Several others who up till recently were inspectors
snip
Maybelle
I think Maybelle was a shadow account for another contributor who didn't want it known that he/she was an inspector. Whenever I see an I badge on someone with so few files in their port., that's probably what's going on. Like this one:
http://www.istockphoto.com/inspectors (http://www.istockphoto.com/inspectors)
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Several others who up till recently were inspectors
snip
Maybelle
I think Maybelle was a shadow account for another contributor who didn't want it known that he/she was an inspector. Whenever I see an I badge on someone with so few files in their port., that's probably what's going on. Like this one:
[url]http://www.istockphoto.com/inspectors[/url] ([url]http://www.istockphoto.com/inspectors[/url])
I never really understood why they would want inspectors to be recognized publicly anyway. Instead of inspectors creating shadow accounts, why don't they just dump the inspector badge on their name?
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So the IS forums have become dull and lousy because you're all here! :D
exactly! it's a lot more fun over here! :)
Definitely!
...and Hi! to everyone. :D