I put about 3 months into Symbiostock for a very good reason. When your stuck on a sinking ship, it helps to have a life raft.

Truth of the matter - hard facts - successful Microstockers are a hard working group. In fact, you could probably exponentially increase your effort and productivity,  but the question is will your returns match your effort? (See attached pole...)

Meanwhile we've all created Symbiostock as a way to get clear of the negative pattern we're all experiencing.

Pretty much everyone who has developed a site has helped Symbiostock's growth. Then you have those (you know who they are) that put in tons of energy into its core / concept development. But there are a few things that you will always have:

1. Feature Requests
2. Resulting Bugs
3. Need to Fix Bugs
4. More feature requests....

I see this as a healthy pattern since it shows interest and the growth of a new sort of "game changer" in our little careers.

I think the unhealthy aspect of this is we are trapped in a little bubble. This whole idea was hatched and pioneered on www.microstockgroup.com... which is home to illustrators and photographers... not developers.

There are however places on the internet where these groups converge (artists and developers) and I would invite you to go to them and get some attention to this theme as well as the current feature and bug requests. (edit, get them to come here to the central area of communication ) There is a whole business of creative artists and their cousins the web developers...who do not know about Symbiostock. How many microstockers out there live in their own little bubble of Upload/create routine...and have no idea about developments like this? Perhaps you know of just the place to get people interested... maybe a few of those places shown on the bar to the right? 

Who wants to sell video? Who wants to sell sound? Who wants to sell themes, software, and plugins? Who wants to sell pretty much any downloadable product imaginable through the Symbiostock model?

Who thinks Leo is going to have the time/energy to put all this in?!?

We need developers, as I had stated from its initial release. Fact is Symbiostock is simple enough to be refined, but developed enough to show its potential.

Someone told me that unless I'm on top of this constantly, it will fizzle and die. Yet I see that time is going by and that is not happening...but its not self-developing either which is crucial. It would be very unhealthy for SY's life to be completely dependent on 1, 2, or 3 people.

What can you do to help?

Start putting the word out there. If you want a feature or bug fixed, then we have to graduate from this crucial spot of a 1-4 person dependency, and make this more of a group effort in terms of development. Of course nobody is asking anyone to learn any new (hard to obtain) skills, but in fact a little recruiting is needed. Bring them here. Symbiostock has been very positive community-wise.

Thanks for your help everyone! Spread your little wings and fly away!

Someone told me that unless I'm on top of this constantly, it will fizzle and die. Yet I see that time is going by and that is not happening...but its not self-developing either which is crucial. It would be very unhealthy for SY's life to be completely dependent on 1, 2, or 3 people.

I think this person is very smart.  Projects like this need a leader(s), someone with purpose, passion and understanding to be at the helm.

Your work on this project has been steller but I see it all coming apart because there is no-one to lead or control where we are going.  Symbiostock is now a captainless ship.

Like it or not, unless a Leo V2 is found, and brought up to speed this wil be an interesting experiment that will likely fade away.  I wish I knew a person(s) who could take on the position... but alas I don't.

Glenn

On second though (more like fifth thought) forget I mentioned anything. As burned out as I am I'll probably be back after a week for some full time attention again. Obviously this thing is still highly dependent.

In the meantime yes still put the word out there. It can never hurt.

Leo, from all the posts I have read from you I understand you are an amazing dude and you are an incredible giving person. I think its remarkable what you have pulled together. I understand your OP, and I will get the word out there on some forums in Ireland. I will also write a blog post and link as much as possible to MSG. I dont know any developers, but, I will help getting the word out. Thanks again for all you have done so far. Dont get burned out though, take a rest, well deserved! 

Don't panic

That's really good advise! - Everyone is still getting their boat ready and the fishing nets prepared. We still have LOTS to do for months to come, even without any new line of code, before we risk getting stuck by the limitations and bugs Leo's theme has. This won't fade away easily because it already shows its incredible potential.

I am not much of a coder myself and I don't know any software developer who would like to jump in. But I am confident that Leo's work is already exciting and convincing enough to get developers interested once they return from their summer vacation beaches  . Even Leo, after all his hard work, might be still hooked once his summer break is over  .

To me it really doesn't matter much which of cascoly's 3 options this theme will take. Although I fear that relying on option 3 only might have serious limitations so that important changes can't be implemented.