For me canstock just doesn't work. Even Crestock is doing better having a few cheap sales every month. BigStock or 123rf are doing MUCH better for me than canstock.

I think it should be the "Big 4" 

agree

in my opinion there is one negative of one type of EL on BigStock - an option that allows "any other use". That's too broad so I deselected it. Other ELs on BigStock, and on other micros are basically more money.

Yes it is indeed pretty clear. What I said is that it's a new requirement.

I have my own generic model release which simply says "Date" for each model, photographer and witness and it was accepted everywhere until last week. (I always get it signed during the shoot).

So this is a remark for non-exclusives who use generic release - make sure you have field "shoot date" on your release, not just "date".

And of course "shoot description" field that was the initial subject of this thread

Stockxpert organized a contributor's conference in 2008: http://www.microstockdiaries.com/stockxpert-contributor-conference-reviewed.html

Later in 2008 StockXpert organized a teleconference for contributors, related to their program with photos.com

iStockapyple already mentioned (initially were open to any contributor, but since couple yrs ago only for exclusives)

Fotolia once organized a gathering in Berlin, if I recall correctly it was open for contributors

Microstock photographers organize themselves too:

Shutterstock contributors organized European meetings two times: http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65037

iStock minilypses are common

I doubt very seriously that such cap would make any benefit for SS.

(and I don't see such patters after being 4 yrs on SS - I see some jumps and drops).

What happens at Fotolia it�s just unacceptable.

Could you elaborate on what is "happening" there? Perhaps I missed something. The only thing I am aware was the recent issue with the tax forms, but that seems to be resolved...

I had fewer ELs in Jan so my total is below November-December, but the number of sales is about the same as the past few months.

In fact, this is something quite easy to address if you apply a systematic approach. I am getting nearly 0 rejects for artifacts for the last +/- 10 months if not longer:

* shoot exclusively in RAW , not too high ISO
* good exposure, particularly no underexposure, and no pulling shadows up
* very little or no sharpening when processing RAW
* if converting RAW to separate file before opening in photoshop use TIF not jpeg

in result you should see very little artifacting (BTW check on the edge of shadows at 400%-500% zoom).

What I am doing next with 100% of my pictures is applying TopazLabs DeJPEG filter (photoshop plugin). There is an old free version and there is up to date commercial one which isn't expensive. The "official" purpose of the plugin is different, but it helps very nicely to remove that little artifacting. The key is to apply DeJPEG at very low settings, don't overdo it. I made several presets for different degree of artifacting/noise; and I am thinking about making a tutorial about that when I have some time.

When applied at minimal settings, DeJPEG filter smoothens areas without detail while keeping details sharp, and adds a very little noise. This is an example (crop enlarged to 300%):

the version "more DeJpeg" not only smoothened stronger, but also has more noise added.

Maps is a subject for rejection since very long time ago (years).

A simple workaround for conceptual pictures is to draw your own low-detail contour map.
Just to give you an example it took me around 10 minutes to hand-draw the world map used in that picture, using graphic tablet and one of existing world maps:

I would say Dreamstime, because

* I would have said Shutterstock if you already had experience, but entry exam isn't easy for completely new person
* istockphoto - same issue with entry exam though it's easier with 3 photos
* fotolia - no exam but too unpredictable, not so good learning from being there
* stockxpert - unpredictable future and entry exam though not very difficult
* others - not worth your time

My own first site was istock - but that was in 2005 when I knew nothing about microstock and I didn't know any other site - just found about istock in a forum post.

When I passed a certain threshold and I considered my microstock income to be meaningful, I created a list of instructions and passwords for my wife to log in to each site and request earnings as they accumulate. 

Same with me.
Was thinking about doing that for a while, and a sudden death of one of my friends from heart attack at age of 42 triggered me to actually sit and write those things.