Author Topic: Octopus microstock (Read 8758 times)

spike · « **on:** August 11, 2012, 11:12 »

Has anyone tried it?

http://www.octopusmicrostock.com/

The creators state the following:

Quote

Octopus is designed to assist microstock contributors in the process of managing uploading and submitting their content to chosen stock agencies. It is a service for those who look for maximum efficiency.

From the description, it seems to be something like picworkflow, but with auto-processing so that one doesn't need to visit the stock agency's website and with added MR support. Minus the keywording and retouching. However, i haven't found anyone using it and there isn't a dedicated topic about it here, so if anyone is using it, can you please share your thoughts and experiences?

Cheers

VB inc · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2012, 12:09 »

isnt this another way to steal all your images and sell elsewhere? im not sure how the process works but was curious on how safe your files will be on some unknown site.

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2012, 07:37 »

Quote from: VB inc on August 11, 2012, 12:09

isnt this another way to steal all your images and sell elsewhere? im not sure how the process works but was curious on how safe your files will be on some unknown site.

I haven't tired it out yet but it looks like it is more like microstock submitter . The files are kept on your own computer so it doesn't help with upload time (like picworkflow does) but it does submit the files to the sites for you (like stocksubmitter)

digitalexpressionimages · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2012, 08:06 »

I don't trust anybody who can't count. The logo features a silhouette of an octopus with nine legs. It's a novopus.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2012, 10:55 »

Maybe I should update my post on distribution tools:)
http://microstockexperiment.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-distribution-tools.html

Anyway looks like MicrostockSubmitter.. I think it is important for these tools that they have regular updates to reflect frequent changes in agencies,Microstocksubmitter is very good at that so far.

Not sure if Lightburner has still frequent technical issues, I think people are willing to pay to have reliable upload service...

Colette · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2012, 14:59 »

Why is it so difficult for them to be clear about their prices?

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2012, 19:48 »

Anyone has any feedback on Octopus, does it work like they describe?
Cheers

leaf · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2012, 01:32 »

Quote from: MicrostockExp on August 29, 2012, 19:48

Anyone has any feedback on Octopus, does it work like they describe?
Cheers

I haven't uploaded with it yet but I've played around with it. It is very similar to microstock submitter. The data is stored in a database though instead of the IPTC info .. unless you 'force write' the info to the IPTC fields. If you do that with Octopus it overwrites the title, subject and keywords with crazy language that only their software can understand... so it's best to keep things just in the Octopus database. The disadvantage is that you can't move images around in windows explorer and have all the data stay with the image (unless you write it to the IPTC info).

Releases are just read from the folder so if you move a release, again - the program doesn't know where it is.

It has a nice layout and the way releases are organized on the software works quite well.

I like how StockSubmitter stores the file info best, and the fact the you can move files around in windows explorer is very necessary for me - also that StockSubmitter saves it's own copy of the release so you can move your original files around is very nice.