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Messages - tiramisu

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1
Now I don't want to be banned from here for repeating myself, but let me say once more: Regardless of the nature of the problem, the support and feedback from iStock is abysmal. Also, if the issue was a routing one, why did all work fine  for everyone until iStock upgraded it's servers at the start of March? Why also can you suggest would they be asking about Canon cameras now?

One last question: why are you defending them?

2
Ok, we have to disagree there, mnb. The site doesn't and hasn't worked for a bunch of us for so long now and we've been given no alternative way to upload or idea of when this might be repaired.. People keep asking, very politely, what's going on, but days and then weeks pass with precious little feedback from iStock. In all of this time no real explanations or apologies were given. I just don't think that constitutes professionalism and you may have a different opinion but it really isn't the service you'd expect from the microstock leader.

3
Routing issues are notoriously difficult to sort out quickly - somewhere between them and you there will be some computer which isn't working right. Someone brighter than me can probably point you towards a howto for route - tracing .... which would probably identify the point on the chain between them and you (or you and them - more significantly) which is causing the problem.

Thanks for your advice but if you read more of the thread you'll see that offers of assistance were ignored.. We all want this fixed sooner rather than later but, as Leaf and CJ said, until this becomes a problem that is widespread, iStock's priorities lie elsewhere.


4
mnb, maybe you could help us out by posting your knowledge to the thread yourself or informing the technicians  for us..They seem to be struggling with it and haven't made it very easy for those who want to switch ISP's - I want to know which ones to avoid but they won't tell me that either.
It's the 7th week now and the last word we heard from iStock was that it may be Canon cameras that are to blame.. It sounds far-fetched but you'll see it there in black and white. It's too late for me regardless - I'm about to lose my internet connection altogether.. I just hope that other contributors affected get it seen to before the 2 month mark. Btw, sitemails don't work either, but only sometimes..

5
mnbvblah, istock hasn't even identified the problem yet.. or do you work for them and know something i don't? maybe you can make me feel better about things after you read this thread right through.. (please notice the dates)

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=32235&page=1


6
That does make all those customers and suppliers who support Walmart and iStockphoto but don't demand the service they pay them for, look very foolish indeed!

It's not like we hold no sway over these companies - we are their livelihood! Without us, they would not exist! Isn't it a bit pathetic of us to roll over and suffer the abuse? What I'm trying to point out is that we don't have to endure this neglect simply because they happen to be the market leader right now. Smarter competing sites are soon going to attract more business if the service isn't up to scratch. It's not that I'm asking iStock to change anything (yet) - all I want is the same basic functional site that existed 2 months ago! The simple fact is that they are a 50 million dollar company who can't get their site to work consistently.
I now have a portfolio that's more than 3 times larger on other microstock sites and there are bound to be others also taking their business elsewhere. I'd like to expand my iStock portfolio too but they have made that impossible. We only have ourselves to blame if we let this go unchecked.

7
iStockPhoto.com / Chronic iStockphoto Uploading Disability
« on: April 13, 2006, 01:09 »
Warning: long rant. Posted this elsewhere but it's something I need everyone to know :
I've been hoping someone else would bring it up, but I can't contain my frustration any longer. For almost 6 weeks now a small minority of iStockphoto contributors around the globe have been unable to upload AT ALL due to what iStock claims are 'ISP problems'.
It's possibly affecting a lot more users than those who politely post about it on the iStockphoto forums as there are bound to be a few applicants who face the same problem when they go to post their three initial images for review, so it really is costing iStockphoto as well as the photographers.
However, it seems the company has grown so huge that it doesn't need or care about these few contributors, as iStock staff appear to be largely ignoring the issue and offer us only, on average, one update on the problem per week. That is, unless you have the nerve to threaten to post other stock site URL's as a temporary distraction.. in which case they respond with ferocity in an attempt to intimidate you into not speaking out again.

I think that, after 3 - 6 weeks of twiddling our thumbs, most of us are either taking steps to switch to another internet service provider or looking elsewhere to sell our work. I'm choosing the latter as the former isn't a possibility where I'm sharing a network. There has been no other option provided, apart from waiting possibly another several weeks for iStock to either solve the problem or simply give the official word that it's one that is impossible/too difficult to fix. I have indeed received this response, in not so many words, from technicians so that may make me a fool to believe they're actually taking any steps towards remedying the problem.. I understand that complicated problems with different ISP's located in different parts of the world are difficult to address but why the inability to admit defeat? This would at least allow us to make an informed decision about what we might do, ourselves.

I could go on for a few more paragraphs about my disgust at this neglect of what is a very serious site glitch and the attention and time invested into trivial things like 'forummeters' and 'steel cage battle-viewers' but I'm sure that would be best expressed to iStockphoto management directly.. if only they would allow free speech on the forums I could air my woes there..

I realise that this is probably too much to ask from the microstock market leader but it's mighty unprofessional and unbusinesslike of iStockphoto to not even provide even so much as an apology for the inconvenience caused, much less our financial loss. The arrogance is truly astounding considering the rising popularity of their competitors, alot of whom offer more than twice the commission on image sales and a much higher quality of service to contributors and probably customers as well.

Is there anyone out there also suffering this handicap who has any ideas or can anyone offer any suggestions as to how we get this addressed properly? If you were in our shoes, would you report this behaviour to Mr. Getty?

I would post a link to the thread where you could all read about it but in the interests of avoiding the iStock Gestapo I hope you might track it down yourself if you're interested : 'To all those who CAN'T UPLOAD, click here' in the main discussion forum.
There are severe penalties imposed (ie. banning) on those who 'misbehave' or criticise istockphoto on their forums and I realise this is just another form of oppression which defines the relationship between contributor or employee and company but this is an issue that is long overdue for some attention. I'm trying to turn microstock into a business but dealing with agents as unreasonable as this makes it a less than attractive proposition.

End of rant! Thanks for reading. All thoughts and comments welcome!

8
General Stock Discussion / Re: StockXpert
« on: April 07, 2006, 08:16 »
Well, reading this thread has inspired me to give Stockxpert a try. Thanks for the gentle push in the right direction! I was approved today and have uploaded 10 pictures in no time at all, but the thumbnails aren't showing up.. Is that normal? I've gone to the trouble of categorizing them and that was nice and speedy so hopefully they'll load properly later.
I have to say I've visited the site before and admired it's style, but now that I'm a submitting member, it's even more attractive. Much faster to use than others I won't name and very intuitively designed.
Definitely one to watch! Thanks for the tip!

9
New Sites - General / Re: bigwhitebox
« on: April 07, 2006, 07:53 »
Hi!  I'm new to the Group, and I have to say this forum has been a great find...very imformative and helpful! ;D

Thanks for the info regarding BigWhiteBox...I signed up with them this morning.  Registration was no problem, and I sent an email to the Administrator (Dave Baiiley), regarding possible streamlining such as multiple uploads and alternate ways of obtaining model releases.  He responded almost immediately, and was very helpful.  (He said since they are just starting out, they haven't initiated a multiple upload mode, but that will probably be in the future.  Same with the model release situation.  He is very willing to listen to comments and ideas.)

And it supports good causes!

I highly recommend checking this site out.  :)

Sue

It was my pleasure introducing you - thanks for taking the time to sign up and try it out  - also for requesting the additional improvements on our behalf :)  I haven't had any communication with the site owner/manager but my impression so far is that this is a site run by people that value photographers more than your average stock site.

I really like the site.  It displays your photos at best advantage.  The thumbs aren't micro-sized (even for microstock--ok, so it's not funny.  I'll keep my day job.).

If we can help with advertising and feedback, I'm sure the site will fly.


Appreciate your positive comment again, Greg. I have now posted links on the three microstock forums I've found. Please let me know if I can support your BigWhiteBox recommendations elsewhere..

I am tempted to advertise the site on my iStockphoto profile page - what do you reckon - could I could get away with it? Seeing as I haven't been able to upload an image in oh.. about a month, due to their ongoing technical issues, I can't see the harm in it, as long as I carefully disguise the link it might just work!





10
New Sites - General / Re: bigwhitebox
« on: April 06, 2006, 07:59 »
The unlimited uploads is one of it's winning features I think. I do agree that the submission process could be streamlined but like CJ said, it's still in BETA mode.
Let us know when you get a response to your IPTC info suggestion, leaf. I've uploaded about 30 photos so far and would like to increase this number faster.

P.S. To whomever made this forum (leaf?) congratulations! it's the most lively of it's kind and I've found it very useful and informative. I reckon I'll become a regular user. Thanks! :)

bigwhitebox stock photos

11
New Sites - General / Re: bigwhitebox
« on: April 06, 2006, 05:56 »
I'm sure if he knew you felt that way he'd work on including that - let him know before you give up! We must also remember the cause and the voluntary labour involved.

12
New Sites - General / Re: bigwhitebox
« on: April 06, 2006, 05:43 »
That would have to be one of the first improvements I'd suggest.

Fortunately with such a small library your images are easy to find and a good selection of keywords is  not vital, but I'm sure it's a feature that we will see soon.

13
New Sites - General / Re: bigwhitebox
« on: April 06, 2006, 05:25 »
Great you signed up! The site has been working seamlessly for me so far.. If you continue having problems don't hesitate to email the admins/site manager.
To increase profits, spread the word to all you know (buyers included) and upload your very best images that you think will sell for 5 pounds.

14
New Sites - General / bigwhitebox
« on: April 05, 2006, 22:40 »
I have been telling all of my friends about Big White Box.com.

There are several things about this innovative new stock site that make it stand out from the crowd:

1. You earn 2 British Pounds per image download (US$3.50) while raising money for good causes

2. Yes, 60% of money from all images sold goes directly to charity organizations including Oxfam, Save the Children and Care International rather than to the site owners themselves. You can see a live breakdown of total funds raised right there on the site.

3. Your photos are stunningly presented. You really have to see it to believe it. The image previews are HUGE with a watermark that actually compliments the image rather than detracting from it.

The site is still very young and needs contributors so now is the best time to join and submit a few of your best pics. I think the image review time is currently the fastest around.

Go check it out!


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