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Messages - Leo
51
« on: July 14, 2016, 01:08 »
This morning I woke up to this message: Dear Leo Blanchette,
Shutterstock, Inc. ("Shutterstock") has discovered that an image or images in your portfolio appears to have elements that are copies of another individual or entity's work and, therefore, belong to that individual or entity.
The original image is believed to be a clipart illustration from Microsoft Office '95.
Your image(s) are attached to this email.
Currently, we have suspended your Shutterstock account. Prior to taking any further steps, we are inviting you to respond to this claim.
At the minimum, please let us know:
a) where, when and by whom the image(s) in question was created;
b) how you obtained the idea for the image; and
c) what program, if any, was used to generate or modify the image(s)
If it turns out that the claim is without merit we will not take any further action and your account will remain active.
Please respond to this email within three (3) days. If you fail to respond by said date with the information we outline above, your Shutterstock.com submitter account may be closed.
Regards,
Shutterstock Compliance
ref:_00D301GgSC._500a019nzlI:ref See attached image (you might have to log in to see it) Oddly enough, the image that was claimed to have been lifted (or copied?) was not included. Google searches do not reveal anything similar. So I'm in the dark as to what they are talking about. Its just a claim that it's copied without any reference to the supposedly copied work. I'm not against the idea that little faceless humanoids might chance to look like other faceless humanoids in the clipart world, but this is one of my oldest images, derived from the orange people, which have always had a fairly solid / unique place in the micro world. What image are they referring to? Certainly the pen is my own work, and the red woman was just recolored from the orange version. I can almost assume that this was probably a mistake by an overly-automated process or perhaps a trigger-happy employee? Maybe a competitor trying to make trouble? Anyone else been through this? I'd hate to lose this account for nothing.
52
« on: May 17, 2016, 00:42 »
53
« on: April 04, 2016, 21:29 »
Sometimes its easy for me to lose track of the new stuff that's coming on the market. There are probably several dozen very very good options, and we only know of less than a dozen.
54
« on: April 04, 2016, 18:48 »
For selling digital stock... which we are. Looks very nice. 
55
« on: March 22, 2016, 23:25 »
56
« on: March 22, 2016, 23:08 »
Not sure how helpful this is.
https://twitter.com/TabbyTalker
Its very helpful. I won't bog you down with details though. Next relevant question: Did you forget your password, or the email you used for the account? That is, to reset your password?
57
« on: March 22, 2016, 22:58 »
Can you provide a link to your account?
58
« on: March 22, 2016, 17:34 »
Honest, I'm more worried about what's going on in Europe, Belgium, France and with ISIS. The President becomes a figurehead after the election. People overrate the power and control of one person. It's not like the 1800s
Actually it is like the 1880s The President has never had much real power - it was designed that way from the beginning. For example, only Congress can declare war or appropriate funds. The President proposes a budget, but then Congress will do what they want and if they don't appropriate the money then nothing will happen. That's why Trump shows a remarkable lack of understanding about how the Government works when he says he will do things that can only be done with the approval of Congress - it is not like being the CEO of your own company.
However, the President is far more than a figurehead and recent Presidents have found ways to get more power for themselves. A bad President can cause tons of damage, especially if Congress is on their side. They are in charge of diplomacy with foreign countries and can persuade Congress to do the wrong thing. For example, Bush II talked Congress into invading Iraq with faked evidence about weapons of mass destruction, and also as a personal vendetta against Saddam for a supposed plot to assassinate Bush I. A figurehead would not be able to lead the country into war. Who is in charge is very important and those of us who can vote need to take the coming election very seriously.
I appreciate comments like this that mention history, original intentions, and original structure. That is extremely important.
59
« on: March 21, 2016, 15:41 »
There are a few agencies that require special upload considerations. I only know of two: - pond5: To my knowledge, they require vectors to be uploaded in a ZIP file with a preview.
- Alamy: You can supply a spreadsheet that contains metadata that correspond to file names.
Part of my project contains a special stock-exporter for such requirements, so that users can have these things automated. If possible (the more info the better) I'd like to obtain a list of unique upload needs for various agencies (unique from the usual my-file.jpg my-file.zip format)Second, if you can supply links to the template files that some provide, even better.
60
« on: March 18, 2016, 22:53 »
Politics and religion....there are no winners.
They really are the same thing.
61
« on: March 18, 2016, 14:22 »
From the comments I get the impression its a little more rare, but still an issue. I have experienced a lot of hack attempts and spam emails though, since the first days of my running a site. I'm grateful I haven't been struck yet.
62
« on: March 18, 2016, 05:33 »
For the benefit of new people, you should explain your history with Symbiostock.
I'm guessing that guy is not new.  "Experienced Fraud on Your Sell-Direct Site?" This I am asking because I'm attempting to gain an idea of the frequency and nature of such things while I continue to work on my current project. This answer could apply to photoshelter, sellmedia, graphpaperpress, random-indi-shop, etc. What you answered: "No fraud, but hack attempts" was the type of input I seek and appreciate.
63
« on: March 18, 2016, 04:45 »
Yep, credit card fraud, so its not as uncommon as you make it out to be. Sorry to rain on your parade but fraud is everywhere, no one is excluded and neither is Symbiostock.
Why do you mention Symbiostock? I use GRFX...
64
« on: March 17, 2016, 20:47 »
The President in particular is very much a figureheadhe wields no real power whatsoever. [] His job is not to wield power but to draw attention away from it. (4.14 footnote)
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I'm not qualified to judge the potential of a would-be president, but I do like to observe how they became an option in the first place.
65
« on: March 17, 2016, 15:34 »
Its common on agencies to have sales reversed for fraud.
I think I'm on 5 years of selling direct now, and I *think* I've only seen one fraud occur from the buyer (I use paypal exclusively).
Has anyone experienced any sort of customer fraud on their sell-direct site?
66
« on: March 16, 2016, 14:59 »
@PaulieWalnuts insight appreciated. More practical reasons based on practical experience, based on actual sales. This is gold in terms of my own decision-making, so thank you for sharing.
@Cascoly also underscoring the previous insights.
Since I'm building this package with minimal interdependency, I can save this part of the system till last, while I wait for more insights to trickle into this thread. In the end, the target will have been hit perfectly, which is what I'm hoping for.
67
« on: March 16, 2016, 00:49 »
wordplanet Thank you very much.
Your comment helps me to understand how others are using / depending on such things in a practical setting. Thank you for the time you spent writing it.
68
« on: March 15, 2016, 22:34 »
My current sell direct site is one size, one price. I found it too cumbersome otherwise and besides, photo quality is such nowadays that even buying a small size photo can be blown up. Its too hard to police usage and I have better things to spend that time on. I don't really consider myself in competition with any agency. They have their customers and I have mine. Different worlds altogether.
Insight appreciated! Your site is very easy to follow as well.
69
« on: March 15, 2016, 22:04 »
I have a question for the sell-direct-experienced people, so I can make a proper decision in the software I've been working on.An elephant experiences the world different than a mouse, and an ant experiences the world differently than both of those. Each one practically dwells in its own universe. I've found the same to be true of selling direct, VS selling via agencies. We are like the mice or ants, with our own advantages, unique and wonderful. But trying to be another creature is full of folly. There are a few in this industry who are very very experienced in selling direct. Others are experienced enough to know what is practical. I'd love to have your guidance here. I find many questions converge on the OPTIONS and the related LICENSING system, especially when one considers the future of downloadables in general. I don't go on assumption, but rather everything should have a sound purpose. The more experienced the sell-direct opinions given, the better. Essentially there a few ways we can go:
The Simple System: - One product = One Download. No size choices.
- One license page that all products refer to.
- One price, no confusion.
This is my favorite because general sell-direct users are not lawyers, do not have easy access to lawyers. Its simplest to design for, simplest to expand on, and its simplest for users to follow. I also don't think (personally) size choices are necessary anymore. I also feel it is the most honest. Best of all, its most appropriate for a "product-agnostic" system, where users might want to sell other downloadables, like 3d models, mp3s, or books.
The Multi-License/Options System- Multiple Options / Sizes / File Types.
- Multiple Licenses.
- Multiple Prices, Based on Options.
My least favorite. It forces average sell-direct artists to become something they usually are not: Legal experts. Its hard to design for, hard to expand on, and hard for the webmaster AND his/her customer to follow. It offers too many options, bogging down the process of sale. Also, I wouldn't call it an "honest" system when executed by sell-direct people who cannot enforce licensing (much less design it properly).
Yet I find the insistence is on the second one, by most people, especially photographers. To be perfectly honest, there are only two reasons I would design the second option: - Sell-direct experts insist on it for reasons I have not yet considered.
- Keeping up with the competition, who include it.
Otherwise, I see little rationale in including it. The software I am designing is so far well-aimed, except for this issue which is highly subjective. Please give your opinions, and give your experience / case examples where its possible. Another thing to consider: Our future is a highly downloadable one, with the advent of 3d printing, gaming, virtual reality, books, and more. I think our traditional licensing system is based on ideas that are expiring. Please give your comments on this as well, and how licensing should be approached future-oriented.
POLLOnce I've gotten some feedback and isolate a few possibilities, I will post those options as a poll and keep the thread active for a month or so, so I can arrive at the best solution.
70
« on: March 15, 2016, 20:00 »
And?
Trump winning...seriously!?! 
"and justice for all" or "you will reap what you sow" in the end all is fair. I don't vote
71
« on: March 15, 2016, 18:25 »
I preferred it when there was no voting system at all.
+1! (Sorry, couldn't resist)
72
« on: March 15, 2016, 15:43 »
You could always start your own forum and implement your own rules. 
I have been coming here for 10+ years. I ignore the trolls, pontificators and blowhards, and use (and appreciate) the honest, intelligent information given by those who know their stuff. I am pretty sure everyone here knows the difference.
The great thing about any forum is that you don't have participate. You can go somewhere else or start your own if it isn't doing what you think it should. I think Leaf does a great job.
^^
73
« on: March 15, 2016, 13:42 »
Leaf has some complex politics / social issues to mind as a moderator. I don't envy him. I wonder, though, if a small change might make a big difference. The voting system, small though it is, changes everything - adding a level of gamification to what could otherwise be a sincere conversation. It increases engagement, but also increases volatility. I noticed, for instance, the downvote is no longer available. I think this would solve much (though I am not the one that has to live with these ideas!) but I will mention them: - VERIFIED badges (or some verified sign) should be available to people who are genuine real users.
- Voting system should be shifted toward how positive, ingenuitive, or constructive a comment is. Not merely how "profound" or witty it is.
The aim is credibility. People are less likely to be obnoxious if it directly impacts their personal professional image. A fake persona, on the other hand, is practically a license for destructive or subversive behavior. For many the forum is just a big game or entertainment. Some are using it constructively and its a professional necessity. I'm extremely interested in seeing this forum improve because it really can empower the right people for success, hence I comment this much.
74
« on: March 13, 2016, 22:21 »
The problem is multifaceted. You could probably even get scientific on it (though I am no scientist). - A forum based on an industry with high work/low reward ratio for most. Dissolusioned people with something to say about their feelings...
- A forum is a perfect and ideal atmosphere for busybodies, like warm meat in open air is to bacteria.
- Most forum culture has a tendency to degenerate over time anyway.
- Moderation often stifles expression for most, especially for those who have something legitimately negative to express for a good reason.
- No moderation allows the bolder people with less restraint time to gain dominance, ruining the experience of those more sincere.
The internet in general alters social behavior and instincts, and artifcial communication mediums can sometimes encourage narcissistic (selfish) behavior. Studies in this has shown a very unique and new generation that isn't ready for "reality" because their main source of interaction is through social networks, gaming networks, computer chats, etc. As someone above mentioned, communication in general (especially in a forum like this) should have an objective, a purpose, and a constructive result. In normal society you can almost instantly tell if a person is acceptable to you to speak with, shares your interest, your education, your values, etc (birds of a feather flock together). The internet alters that as well, and it takes great skill to see the persona behind the words. Natural and normal (productive) people will eventually be displaced from the forum environment by the less productive regardless of the forum subject. Add yet another dynamic - industry agendas, which allows a bit of crowd manipulation, playing on the emotions and state of the people here. So we'd love to have a simple answer to a complex problem, but like any economy or system, nothing is simple, especially with the "human" element. Most forums at least have a "forum rules" post that everyone is required to agree to. If people's intent was innovation, it would show. But often people just need a medium to vent ... and I think that is what MSG has become by necessity, since few can innovate in such a way to make a difference.
75
« on: March 13, 2016, 21:27 »
I see myself posting less and less on this forum over time. I've done this on a number of forums...where the your interest declines over time, so you don't visit anymore.
For this particular forum, it's lacking engagement in the sense that many people don't want to share ideas, strategy and technique. There is critique, advice for newbies and then there are debates, but it never gets too deep because contributors are holding back.
I used to visit and post on videogame forums often because we were able to share strategy and techniques for defeating enemies and discovery of secrets. So we keep going back to learn and share. There isn't that kind of engagement here. If you are not very successful, you share your frustrations. If you achieve success, you don't want to share too much. It's a strange dynamic for sure and it doesn't make for deep engagement.
Great stuff. The whole post. Your speaking my language. If you have access to netflix, you should watch this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3214002/
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