Just thought I'd post this - don't plan to join.
--------------------

Hello,

I hope you're doing well. My name is Ben Anis and I work at Fotomina LTD a Micro stock agency based in Finland. You are invited to upload your photos or Illustrations (vector) and earn up to 75% commission on every photo or Illustration you sell. Please note that copyright to images belong to you. We are merely selling them for you. If you're interested, find out how to get started at Fotomina below:

http://www.fotomina.com/pages/sell-images.html

Regards,

Ben Anis
Fotomina LTD

Eerikintörmä 2 C 26
02400 - Kirkkonummi

Finland
[email protected]
www.fotomina.com

Here we go again! more to ponder and more to tempt us!
That logo looks awfully similar to one we are fairly familiar with

Me anyway, I won't be going there as I never had much success with Scandinavian sites.

This one is going to be huge. They already got 21 photos and 13 illustrations They´re all toprated, most popular and most downloaded.   This is the best of the best. LOL

LOL! This is just simply ridiculous!

That's a single guy that doesn't even has photos. Looking at the page source, he is using some free script from a blogger, registered in Nepal. He forgot even to fill in the keywords and description metatags in the HTML head. It's a joke at its best, and an identity trap at the worst.

That's on the front page Haha

Quote from: Vonkara on April 10, 2009, 15:44
That's on the front page Haha

From domaintools we learn that the domain has been registered 6 weeks ago, and just prepaid for one year. That he isn't on a dedicated server, but on a shared server, and that they host on WIREDTREE.COM in Chicago.

The war started!! 

First, I want to say hello for everybody here, I belong to Fotomina and I like to give some answers.. In the beginning we wanted to wait sometimes before we start a thread announcing Fotomina launch here in microstockgroup forum but ...   

QuoteThis one is going to be huge. They already got 21 photos and 13 illustrations Wink They´re all toprated, most popular and most downloaded.   This is the best of the best. LOL

Big 6 websites did not start with 1500000 photos and Illustrations, every stock photo site start with one photo... They start small and then they become big, if there is no photographers/contributors they won't exist. Nothing is ridiculous here.

QuoteThat's a single guy that doesn't even has photos. Looking at the page source, he is using some free script from a blogger, registered in Nepal. He forgot even to fill in the keywords and description metatags in the HTML head. It's a joke at its best, and an identity trap at the worst.

Domain has been registered 6 weeks ago does not mean that we have to wait 3 years before we start inviting artists! We will move of course to dedicated server if we need to. About the script nothing is free as FlemishDreams says we paid the full script code and we are making a new version... About SEO (Search Engine Optimization) from domaintools also Fotomina.com has SEO Score: 97%... and if you can see the source code of page:

Quote<title>Royalty free stock images and photos at Fotomina</title>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<link rel=stylesheet type="text/css" href="/templates/template11/style.css">
<script language="javascript" src="/inc/scripts.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="swfobject.js"></script>

<meta name="description" content="Search our royalty free stock images and photos. Buy and Sell royalty free stock photos at Fotomina.com.">
<meta name="keywords" content="royalty, free, stock, images, photos, stock photography, stock images, pictures, photographs, fotomina">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<link href="/images/favicon.gif" type="image/gif" rel="icon">
<link href="/images/favicon.gif" type="image/gif" rel="shortcut icon">

There is keywords, title and description...

Thanks

Haha, great to see there's someone behind this  

Quote from: Vonkara on April 10, 2009, 20:52
Haha, great to see there's someone behind this  

Hi Vonkara, I will replace the Ostrich photo from featured part if you don't liked 

We sincerely appreciate your taking time to provide your comments and feedback about Fotomina..

Quote from: satforce on April 10, 2009, 20:46The war started!! 

Hahaha, you bet! This forum is the Mother of all Skepticals 

Quote from: satforce on April 10, 2009, 20:46In the beginning we wanted to wait sometimes before we start a thread announcing Fotomina launch here in microstockgroup forum but ...   

Yes we always find out too early because we have a huge global network of spies. 

Quote from: satforce on April 10, 2009, 20:46Big 6 websites did not start with 1500000 photos and Illustrations, every stock photo site start with one photo... They start small and then they become big, if there is no photographers/contributors they won't exist. Nothing is ridiculous here.

That's not exactly true. Dreamstime, iStock, Shutterstock started with a relatively large collection with their own photos, and as you maybe know, all the CEOs of these sites are still avid photographers.

Quote from: satforce on April 10, 2009, 20:46Domain has been registered 6 weeks ago does not mean that we have to wait 3 years before we start inviting artists! We will move of course to dedicated server if we need to.

True + true.

Quote from: satforce on April 10, 2009, 20:46and if you can see the source code of page:

Hahahaha, great! You changed it after my post and you also removed the comment section stating the blogger where you got the code from 
It was there before, now it's gone. Hire me as a consultant, lol 

Well good luck anyways! (I mean it).

Hi
I would like to present myself, this is Anis Ben, people simply call me Ben... I do work for Fotomina, and unfortunately I am the one who is going to be in charge of answering your posts (Even it made me sweat while reading them)
First of all, I would like to thank all starting with mantonino, I ask kindly, could you please fix my name as Ben Anis ?
..."Here we go again! More to ponder and more to tempt us!"
Yes, again and again will be new photo stock site, I was watching a lot of photo stock sites started small and they are doing well now (You can ask Zymmetrical), but takesstock why "to ponder and more to tempt us" ? I hope we are not spammers as we are legally registered and we are doing legal business, maybe you are too busy and famous to join, but be sure, there are "starter" who will, and it might help them as it will help us...
"...Me anyway, I won't be going there as I never had much success with Scandinavian sites"... did you ask why? Is it because they are bad people, or they are too strict about the quality of pictures? Remember Nokia is a Finnish company; Ericson is Swedish, SAAB etc... I just advice you, keep trying or give a chance for others.
Magnum, you made me laugh myself (at least one )
"...This one is going to be huge. They already got 21 photos and 13 illustrations Wink They´re all top rated, most popular and most downloaded.   This is the best of the best..." of course as I am the one who likes them (They are simply for test (as you understood it for sure)
FlemishDreams, just to let you know, we bought the same basic version what a few big photo stock site started with! Check archive.org it might help you;) Nepal, Bengladesh, India... they could be materially "poor" country but the new Silicon Valley already there !
Vonkara, "…That's on the front page…" do not laugh if I say to you that picture remind me about my ex-girlfriend that’s why I like it 
FlemishDreams, you are right, the domain is new, and I will extend it when time comes, fotomina means something in Finnish language (check Google translator) and about wiredtree.com you really need to use their service to see why I will never leave them, I will use this thread to thanks them you really need to read more reviews about them and you won’t believe how positive it is ! Moving to dedicated server useless if I will be hosting only those 13 pictures:)
So, you might help me to move to dedicated server if you upload your pictures.
Finally, I would like to share with you, that I was embarrassed  when I went through your posts and my face got red but I feel better as you gave me hint how to develop the site, and what we should pay attention to it. So, please more criticize for better future of Fotomina

My comment about Scandinavian sites was in no way meant to offend.
I'm simply stating that I have had very little success with Scandinavian sites and therfore would be reluctant to join up.

And, I'm not big or famous.
You will already have noticed that people around these forums will speak their mind clearly.They have seen a lot of agencies come and go and many contributors have wasted a lot of time with very little to show for it with agencies that never got off the ground.

Thus, you are inavariably faced with this sceptism - like it or not!
All that said - I can only wish you well - everyone deserves a chance.

Quote from: fotomina on April 10, 2009, 21:39
Hi
I would like to present myself, this is Anis Ben, people simply call me Ben... I do work for Fotomina, and unfortunately I am the one who is going to be in charge of answering your posts (Even it made me sweat while reading them)
First of all, I would like to thank all starting with mantonino, I ask kindly, could you please fix my name as Ben Anis ?
..."Here we go again! More to ponder and more to tempt us!"
Yes, again and again will be new photo stock site, I was watching a lot of photo stock sites started small and they are doing well now (You can ask Zymmetrical), but takesstock why "to ponder and more to tempt us" ? I hope we are not spammers as we are legally registered and we are doing legal business, maybe you are too busy and famous to join, but be sure, there are "starter" who will, and it might help them as it will help us...
"...Me anyway, I won't be going there as I never had much success with Scandinavian sites"... did you ask why? Is it because they are bad people, or they are too strict about the quality of pictures? Remember Nokia is a Finnish company; Ericson is Swedish, SAAB etc... I just advice you, keep trying or give a chance for others.
Magnum, you made me laugh myself (at least one )
"...This one is going to be huge. They already got 21 photos and 13 illustrations Wink They´re all top rated, most popular and most downloaded.   This is the best of the best..." of course as I am the one who likes them (They are simply for test (as you understood it for sure)
FlemishDreams, just to let you know, we bought the same basic version what a few big photo stock site started with! Check archive.org it might help you;) Nepal, Bengladesh, India... they could be materially "poor" country but the new Silicon Valley already there !
Vonkara, "...That's on the front page..." do not laugh if I say to you that picture remind me about my ex-girlfriend that's why I like it 
FlemishDreams, you are right, the domain is new, and I will extend it when time comes, fotomina means something in Finnish language (check Google translator) and about wiredtree.com you really need to use their service to see why I will never leave them, I will use this thread to thanks them you really need to read more reviews about them and you won't believe how positive it is ! Moving to dedicated server useless if I will be hosting only those 13 pictures:)
So, you might help me to move to dedicated server if you upload your pictures.
Finally, I would like to share with you, that I was embarrassed  when I went through your posts and my face got red but I feel better as you gave me hint how to develop the site, and what we should pay attention to it. So, please more criticize for better future of Fotomina

QuoteHahahaha, great! You changed it after my post and you also removed the comment section stating the blogger where you got the code from  Grin

I swear a god I did not made anything after your post I only changed the pic of the ostrich ..

QuoteWell good luck anyways! (I mean it).

Now we are talking thank you ...

Quote from: takestock on April 10, 2009, 22:00
My comment about Scandinavian sites was in no way meant to offend.
I'm simply stating that I have had very little success with Scandinavian sites and therfore would be reluctant to join up.

And, I'm not big or famous.
You will already have noticed that people around these forums will speak their mind clearly.They have seen a lot of agencies come and go and many contributors have wasted a lot of time with very little to show for it with agencies that never got off the ground.

Thus, you are inavariably faced with this sceptism - like it or not!
All that said - I can only wish you well - everyone deserves a chance.

Good evening takesotock
I agree with you about scandinavian sites, and I understood your point, I myself do not like to deal with them here in finland as the weather cold in winter as people need more drink to be open for others but really if you get a chance to visit Finland, you will face one of the most beautiful nature in the world (I prefer norway myself:D)
"...You will already have noticed that people around these forums will speak their mind clearly"... I really did like the way people here they talk, we need a "honest" review and open talk for better community, and I've been arround here silent for several months, so I expected such answer, because our site is just lunched.
takestock, do you have any blog or can I see somewhere sample of your work ?

Quote from: fotomina on April 10, 2009, 21:39about wiredtree.com you really need to use their service to see why I will never leave them

I know. I bookmarked right after reading. They have great sections on coding and on MySql. I was just amazed they used a Nepal domain. The English is that fluent that I'm sure they're not Nepalese. I hope they will continue to support you since Fotomina certainly needs a better search engine, IPTC: many beginning sites struggle with IPTC (please include newline in the keywd separation, and FTP.
Why didn't you work with lightboxphoto?

QuoteWhy didn't you work with lightboxphoto?

lightboxphoto does not meet our requirements... It's better for photographer website not for micro stock. Maybe they will make a better version on the futur ..

Ha ha. I wouldn´t make fun of you guys if I knew you were coming here    Tip of the day!   Make something special or nothing at all.  There´s already to many flys in the soap.   Good luck with mission impossible

*

You caught us, and we´re starting to kiss *sses. LOL    Maybe we´re human after all...

Quote from: Magnum on April 11, 2009, 01:00
You caught us, and we´re starting to kiss *sses. LOL    Maybe we´re human after all...

Magnum Are you nighbour ?  Är du nästa?

I fixed your name in the first post Ben - it was just a copy/paste from the email I got.  

I guess I got to scoop this one first because of NiltoMil - that's always fun!

If you want my support you only need to do one thing really well.  You decide what that is.  I think it should be allow embed in our own sites, own places - with a code that we get credit for the sales.  I like FeaturePics for this now but it's not perfect. 

Quote from: mantonino on April 11, 2009, 05:03
I fixed your name in the first post Ben - it was just a copy/paste from the email I got.  

I guess I got to scoop this one first because of NiltoMil - that's always fun!

If you want my support you only need to do one thing really well.  You decide what that is.  I think it should be allow embed in our own sites, own places - with a code that we get credit for the sales.  I like FeaturePics for this now but it's not perfect. 

thx mantonino
that's fine, please PM me details, I will contribute ... but I will stop by this KIVA Microloan How sweet idea is! how good to help people and get help ! all my respect to those behind such a bank, I am sure such idea is like green tree, will grow up to give fruits to everyone!

Hi,

I have few question which I like to know answers if possible.

What is your target market area (just Finland, scandinavia or world wide?) . I see you company has just started (registered date 18.03.2009), but how you are going to enter market and get buying customers? Does you company have venture capital or it is privately funded? 

Lot of new companies are entering in the market place and many will fail because lack of funding to even get things running 6-12 months. In Finland we have had few stock agency bankcrypts in last 6 months so the entering even the local market place is not easy task to do.

br, MjP

You are welcome mjb,

QuoteWhat is your target market area (just Finland, scandinavia or world wide?)

Our target market area is worldwide.

QuoteI see you company has just started (registered date 18.03.2009), but how you are going to enter market and get buying customers?

In terms of buying customers, if a buyer needs a photo or an illustration on Fotomina which is not available on other big stock photo company, he will verify first if the company is legally registered and then he will buy for sure... Unfortunately, we have few photos and illustrations but we are trying to invite Artists like you to upload their stock and we are working on vector and photo stock now. When we will have a good stock we will start our marketing project (Google sponsored results, etc...)  We will give also the chance to amateur artists to upload their artwork and photos since it becomes very difficult to approve photos on Big 6 even if it's perfect and like that we will have our unique stock..

QuoteLot of new companies are entering in the market place and many will fail because lack of funding to even get things running 6-12 months.

Don't worry... We have studied the project very well; we know what buyers need and contributors needs like:
- IPTC import.
- Good SEO.
- Minimum of 10$ payout.
- Fast approve.
- They can delete their photos anytime.
- Good support.
- Etc.

And all that is available on FOTOMINA...