Hi guys,
I read somewhere  that the project was abandoned? is it true?
 I'd love to hear your opinion about the pros, the cons.. anything that can help.
thank you

It is a wordpress theme/plugin and there are alternatives. I agree, a waste of time.

For some. For most photographers who are building a site to sell their own photos, no.

That was a big part of the selling point of SY, and after about 200 people signed on, only a few saw benefit from, and that was likely because they have multiple sites linking back and forth to each other. Most of the 200 sites, which included some excellent photographers, saw no benefit from having those links back and forth to other photographers. In fact, one could argue that it might even draw a buyer away from your site to somewhere else.

If you don't spend a WHOLE LOT OF TIME marketing your site, the networking feature is useless, IMHO. 

Plenty of threads on this forum on alternatives, some from even the last couple of months. Look for self hosting threads.

For some. For most photographers who are building a site to sell their own photos, no.

That was a big part of the selling point of SY, and after about 200 people signed on, only a few saw benefit from, and that was likely because they have multiple sites linking back and forth to each other. Most of the 200 sites, which included some excellent photographers, saw no benefit from having those links back and forth to other photographers. In fact, one could argue that it might even draw a buyer away from your site to somewhere else.

If you don't spend a WHOLE LOT OF TIME marketing your site, the networking feature is useless, IMHO. 

Thats not SEO

Quote from: cathyslife on May 05, 2015, 06:58

Plenty of threads on this forum on alternatives, some from even the last couple of months. Look for self hosting threads.

Why dont you just name them instead of giving people the run around...

Alternative would be interesting.
Wordpress + Woocomerce + free Digital Media plugin + vat plugin.
If there is such a setup we just need a crowd founded searchengine that we can all promote. Somthing like a non profit foundation.
Everyone who wants conected to the searchengine pay a membership fee.

Yes somthing like that. But in non-profit organization funded through small membership fees . Its just a dream I know...

PicturEngine

Would PicturEngine replace one's own individual site (Symbiostock or other)?

I hadn't heard of it before but just looked at the site (http://www.picturengine.com) and now am curious.

Thanks!

Would it work for vectors? I'm not sure.

I really love this place.. thank you so much for your help and the info.
easydigitaldownloads is interesting indeed and I may consider the mentioned theme if the developer is continually updating it (seems he does!)

PicturEngine

I don't think that's ever getting off the ground - I know it's still around, but it's slow, the image display is (IMO, if I think with a buyer hat on) not appealing and it'd be quicker to check 2 or 3 of your favorite sites

Quote from: cathyslife on May 05, 2015, 13:04

https://graphpaperpress.com/plugins/sell-media/

that looks very good! Does it needs only WP or Woocommerce too?

It is a plugin for wordpress. GPP has themes that integrate right into the plugin, but when I had my site, I used a different theme from photocrati (http://www.photocrati.com/)  because there wasn't much choice in the GPP themes. Since then, they have added more choices for themes, tho.

Quote from: r2d2 on May 05, 2015, 13:11

Quote from: cathyslife on May 05, 2015, 13:04

https://graphpaperpress.com/plugins/sell-media/

that looks very good! Does it needs only WP or Woocommerce too?

It is a plugin for wordpress. GPP has themes that integrate right into the plugin, but when I had my site, I used a different theme from photocrati (http://www.photocrati.com/)  because there wasn't much choice in the GPP themes. Since then, they have added more choices for themes, tho.

thx. They hopefully have a VAT solution ...

Also, when I click on "isolated objects" in the header bar, nothing comes up.  And "man" only brings up mangoes.  I think you need to work on the interface a bit more.

Yep, Symbiostock was a BIG waste of time. I am curious why Leo begin new project for illustrators. Is it the same plan to make a platform , to sell some theme and then to abandon the project? I had a symbiostock site, upgraded theme for nothing!

100% agree.

Leo now creates a pseudo elite closed platform for illustrators (forgetting about dozens of photographers who paid $100 for Pro plugin and other stuff). What will be next when Leo abandons this project ? Vrfx - a platform only for videographers ?

As far as selling direct goes - I am getting way better money without having the store, cart, set-up prices etc on my website. I have just a beautiful gallery with clear information that if someone is interested in licensing my picture they can just contact me. Then the money I get from a single picture usually vary from $100 to $1000 (it comes with with nice personal contact or even a new business partnership). I recommend zenfolio, smugmug, squarespace and many more professional and solid companies - just the opposite of symbiostock, grfx and derivatives.

admin edit - modified for content. 

Quote from: Dragomir Nikolov on May 09, 2015, 13:34

Yep, Symbiostock was a BIG waste of time. I am curious why Leo begin new project for illustrators. Is it the same plan to make a platform , to sell some theme and then to abandon the project? I had a symbiostock site, upgraded theme for nothing!

He's said many times that he is supporting legacy themes. What is broken on your site that has made it a waste of time?

That's the point that keeps being (deliberately?) forgotten here.

My "legacy" Symbiostock site is working fine. I'm about to start uploading dozens of fresh images.

At some point, I may rework it into a new theme, but for now there's no reason to jump ship.

I would have to know who Robin is before I let his code loose with my whole portfolio. There has to be some accountability. Who's to say that there hasn't been a backdoor left in to give him access to my whole port, which he can then monetise it by giving away hosted on some Chinese server and offering ads? I knew who Leo was, Robin, I have no idea, just saying.

The SEO part of symbiostock is a big plus though

absolutely, @Semnickphoto -- so much so that I sometimes wish this would be made available for other uses beyond Microstock photography...

So, aside from any hiccups there may be with the new Dev, the Symbiostock idea and general structure is a great thing. Still worth looking into, IMHO.

Well I can only speak from my experience... My legacy site has thousands of images, i have worked a lot trying to keep new content coming and it does have a few glitches and uploading issues but in the end of the day its MY site, MY sales. If it doesn't sell its because of me and me not making good enough pictures or nor making enough marketing.  I cannot blame sales on Leo or anybody else that is my responsibility.

 I am grateful for the people that have put a lot of effort in Symbiostock, certainly i wouldn't have been able to do all that by myself. Not ready to jump ship to Robyn, I don't know him and only time will tell if its worth it.  But I know that it there's a monthly fee I would probably not be able to afford it. So i will keep my site as it is now in the legacy theme and hope for the best!

Very well said, Pablox.

I've watched Symbio with interest... but stayed on the sidelines.  IMO: Symbiostocks global search engine needs improvement.  For example - there should be a way to separate photos from illustrations and commercial from editorial.   

Symbio could be a great success if its global search tool is comparable to established agencies.  To compete with agencies Symbio needs to look like an agency... while loudly proclaiming it's artist direct fair trade origin. 

I love the software part, works great, etc, etc. The networking part I wasn't keen on, except to maybe get together half a dozen or so like minded, like priced and like quality portfolios, and make something happen.

Exactly right. I would have loved to pull together a like-minded group of nature/wildlife "specialist" photographers under the Symbiostock umbrella, pool our images into a coherent search engine (which would exclude the irrelevant, oddball material that sometimes popped up there), and then together aggressively promote the entire group's work.

Doesn't seem like that should have been too hard, but there weren't enough of "our kind" in the network to make it work.

I'm still game to discuss something like that if anybody else out there wants to take a stab at it.

Quote from: farbled on May 10, 2015, 22:23

I love the software part, works great, etc, etc. The networking part I wasn't keen on, except to maybe get together half a dozen or so like minded, like priced and like quality portfolios, and make something happen.

Exactly right. I would have loved to pull together a like-minded group of nature/wildlife "specialist" photographers under the Symbiostock umbrella, pool our images into a coherent search engine (which would exclude the irrelevant, oddball material that sometimes popped up there), and then together aggressively promote the entire group's work.

Doesn't seem like that should have been too hard, but there weren't enough of "our kind" in the network to make it work.

I'm still game to discuss something like that if anybody else out there wants to take a stab at it.

it's possible to do this but we may not have the numbers -- it would be easy to put together a mini-network search, but there'd need to be enough people involved to make it worthwhile.  i'd support any effort to do this - either by improving the current searches or supplying the database access for someone else to do so.

the current search can't separate commercial from editorial since each site decides how that might be done.  using specific keywords would help, but would require enough people using thse codes.  to date there has been litle interest and few suggestions on how to improve the searches, so i've concentrated on features i can use on other sites such as interactive contact sheets and image galleries.   

Honestly, I can't recommend it because there's no sales tracking.  The only way I know what sold is to hold on to the emails.

Honestly, I can't recommend it because there's no sales tracking.  The only way I know what sold is to hold on to the emails.

You are probably one of the very few who actually has to even worry about that. Most others never make more than a few sales. 

Hi guys,
I read somewhere  that the project was abandoned? is it true?
 I'd love to hear your opinion about the pros, the cons.. anything that can help.
thank you

--- Quoted from other board, so nicely blocked and sealed by the New-Symbio Police out there... --

-----
Quote from: shotupdave on May 06, 2015, 14:11

    Quote from: cascoly on May 05, 2015, 13:14

        Quote from: shotupdave on May 05, 2015, 04:55


            ....
            3. You killing Symbiostock by claiming Symbiostock is a trademark in your property.

            That is is a claim that you have to prove. And if Leo gave him the rights to the name, it is his right to do so.

            ....


        get your basic facts right ----

        it's Robin who must prove his claim, since he makes it such a prominent part of his offerings --

        Leo sold Robin the rights to the new version of symbiostock, but no rights to anything related to the original symbiostock

        Leo COULD NOT have given robin the trademark robin claims, since Leo NEVER TRADEMARKED the word symbiostock.   Leo SPECIFICALLY made symbiostock a brand that ANYONE could use, and said so EXPLICITLY in this and other forums, many times.  Leo ENCOURAGED anyone interested to register domain names that included symbiostock, such as symbiostock.info and symbiostock-network.com -- that made symbiostock difficult if not impossible to ever trademark due to common law and prior usage



    Again you show nothing but ignorance, first you made the claim the robin did not register it, now you are saying leo did not. having a website with the name symbiostock has nothing to do with the product. we do not use common law in us federal laws. so agin you are wrong.



 what I said was correct:
   Robin has not registered a trademark for symbiostock
  Leo did not register a trademark EITHER

the US most definitely considers common law usage as part of trademark law - a simple google search turns up many sites top explain it for you
eg
http://www.bitlaw.com/trademark/common.html

----- end qoute -----


@cascoly:  +1
--> ...I liked that one -- and soon these clowns will also try and tell us that in the U. S. they don't speak English -- but "only" American :)))

People are freaking out because they know their long term income is f##>ed. Self hosting won't save it.

Quote from: Dragomir Nikolov on May 09, 2015, 13:34

Yep, Symbiostock was a BIG waste of time. I am curious why Leo begin new project for illustrators. Is it the same plan to make a platform , to sell some theme and then to abandon the project? I had a symbiostock site, upgraded theme for nothing!

100% agree.

Leo now creates a pseudo elite closed platform for illustrators (forgetting about dozens of photographers who paid $100 for Pro plugin and other stuff). What will be next when Leo abandons this project ? Vrfx - a platform only for videographers ?

As far as selling direct goes - I am getting way better money without having the store, cart, set-up prices etc on my website. I have just a beautiful gallery with clear information that if someone is interested in licensing my picture they can just contact me. Then the money I get from a single picture usually vary from $100 to $1000 (it comes with with nice personal contact or even a new business partnership). I recommend zenfolio, smugmug, squarespace and many more professional and solid companies - just the opposite of symbiostock, grfx and derivatives.

admin edit - modified for content.

Leo has not created an pseudo elite closed platform and he has not abandoned the old theme. Your money has not been wasted either. Leo has made a post on his new board about your pro plug ins.

Grfx can sell anything that you can upload. Robin and Leo have an agreement as far as hosting goes. Robin will host photographers and Leo will host illustrators. What you sell on your own site, and with which plug in is your choice.

What you sell on your own site, and with which plug in is your choice.

And there's the true gist of the current situation. I'm a photographer, but I'm probably going to migrate to grfx because I know Leo and trust him.

Same here. Fortunately, my old symbio site continues to work just fine. I hope I can just wait a few months until all dust has settled and decide then which route to go. I actually like choices and also notice already a hint of "competition is good for business". 

Same here regarding my "old sym" site.

And I agree: settling dust and vigorous competition should do some good for both the "new sym" and for grfx.

Leo has sold Symbiostock to Mr. Murarka.

Whohoo!!! Can we now actually attach a last name to the mysterious "Robin"?

Can someone move this to the symbiostock section of the forum.

Quote from: r2d2 on May 14, 2015, 14:35

Quote from: marthamarks on May 14, 2015, 12:00

Quote from: JoRodrigues on May 14, 2015, 10:32

What you sell on your own site, and with which plug in is your choice.

And there's the true gist of the current situation. I'm a photographer, but I'm probably going to migrate to grfx because I know Leo and trust him.

I can understood this but on the other hand Leo has sold Symbiostock to Mr. Murarka. Thats it. Than grfx and the blocking Robin blabla.

In german i would like to say "Kindergarten". 

For me its quite clear that i dont work with one of this platforms.

that's where the confusion is -- robin has rights to moving on with symbiostock -- but he does not have exclusive rights to the name, or the original software or anything to do with existing sites.

and robin is further muddying waters by actively pushing his symbio-plus etc to illustrators, despite a supposed agreement to split

I think what will happen is the 'new' symbiostock will wither  away when people realize how much robin is planning to charge for 'plus' and global search, and older symbiostock sites will be able to migrate smoothly to grfx

that would be the market solution in an ideal world, indeed! (And I do believe in free markets as they are on record to have solved most any problems adequately throughout all of history. Curiously never governments or Super-Elites like the US-Feds or detached Brussels Eurocrats -- as an aside here.)

As just one actor in that entire scenario, I will move in Leo's direction and go for the far superior grfx Plugin.

Hey Sharpshot - you should consider using the new Symbiostock, even as a test run to see if it works for you. Having your independent site going definitely takes work, but with the development and growth we've seen in a short while, along with the networking components that will be released soon, it may breathe fresh air into the independent arena.

You can give it a try for free here: http://symbiostock.com/

You can even import all your legacy stuff into the new site. Of course, there are no guarantees of sales as the independent market is still a new concept, but keep in touch. Once it gets more traction, don't hesitate to try it out.

Back to the topic: Do you recommend Symbiostock?

NO!

It's important to distinguish between legacy Symbiostock (which many people have had different experiences with) and the new one.

Thus far the new Symbiostock is having no issues and moving along speedily (over 100 happy contributors in a month). If you are a user of the new Symbiostock and have any problems, do let me know.

your own symbiostock forum shows MULTIPLE issues people have had  w the new version -- bugs are to be expected with any new release and these seem to be getting fixed, but it's misleading to say there have been NO issues

can you provide links to some of these 100 sites? 

what happened to the 'artist network'?  "Here we showcase the plethora of artists who make up our Symbiostock community."   with 100 sites there are still no links here???

Think imma just install grfx now ... It's coming up on domain renewal and I'm still on the fence :/

Never freaking mind updating php to 5.4 starts puking up errors about imagick again.