MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Poll

Whats your biggest reason for following this thread?

I want to host my own images.
23 (23.2%)
I want a fallback plan for when microstock fails contributors.
8 (8.1%)
I really really like the idea of keeping 100% of my earnings.
16 (16.2%)
I am intrigued by the idea of networking independent artist sites and working together.
32 (32.3%)
I'm a microstock agency who wants to keep an eye on this development.
2 (2%)
Its just another way to promote my portfolio, like any other site.
5 (5.1%)
I like community projects. This one rocks.
13 (13.1%)

Total Members Voted: 85

Author Topic: Open Source Platform For Selling Images: Authors and PHP Developers Wanted.  (Read 77149 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« Reply #75 on: January 30, 2013, 19:34 »
0
<?php

and then close the tag...

?>

The rest is just details.

a lot depends on how you learn - when i wanted to learn php to use google maps i bought one of the 'hacking google maps' books, posted the code on my site, then started to experiment with it.  i rarely  write anything from scratch anymore - i use either something similar f mine or find something i can adapt from the web

then use the web to research particular things like how to read a file


Leo Blanchette

« Reply #76 on: January 30, 2013, 20:23 »
0
Thanks jvoetsch! Thats exactly the style I had in mind. I'll get in touch with him :D.

Positive response always appreciated.

« Reply #77 on: January 31, 2013, 21:47 »
0
Do you have plans of selling this theme or give it for free?

If you sell this, I hope it's affordable, special price for MSG members. :D

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #78 on: January 31, 2013, 22:27 »
0
It will be free. I will be selling other (non-essential) components.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #79 on: February 01, 2013, 01:56 »
0
Just a small update:

We're at about the %50 mark.

Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.

I like B because its easier to manage.

Thoughts?

« Reply #80 on: February 01, 2013, 02:47 »
+1
More protection for the full sized files is best.

Microbius

« Reply #81 on: February 01, 2013, 06:31 »
0
Just a small update:

We're at about the %50 mark.

Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.

I like B because its easier to manage.

Thoughts?
+1 for "whatever is safer"

« Reply #82 on: February 01, 2013, 07:50 »
0
Now, this can be BIG! A cooperative agency made by a community of artists?! 100% profit would attract everybody and the chance to make a real opposition to the big greedies would build us respect! Is it utopia? Or are the chances real?
I'm not a programmer, just a photographer and digital artist. All I can think of giving this project is as a beta-tester and my contribution of my portfolio to help build up an eclectic offer of imagery to the buyers. Let the force be with us! ;)

« Reply #83 on: February 01, 2013, 09:38 »
0
B.

It's for those who dont know how to protect a folder.

« Reply #84 on: February 01, 2013, 14:01 »
0
Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.


You might want to consider an option C which would be to use a cloud storage system such as Amazon S3 for storing full-size downloads and thumbnail files: http://aws.amazon.com/s3/

There are some advantages to this over placing files on the site web server:
  • Unlimited disk space and bandwidth metered outside of web host quotas
  • Less strain on web server
  • Ability to generate unique, expiring temporary download URLs for protected files
  • Option to use global content-delivery network (CDN) for speedier thumbnail loading

Just a thought...  I use something similar for toonvectors.com (albeit Windows Azure instead of Amazon).  I'm not terribly familiar with WordPress development, but I'd be surprised if they didn't already have an S3 plug-in for site assets that could be adapted to the upload workflow.

« Reply #85 on: February 01, 2013, 14:12 »
0
I'd vote B, since A could cause a lot of headaches for set up on different hosting situations especially with users who aren't super tech savvy.  A could be less secure if not done right.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #86 on: February 01, 2013, 16:17 »
0
Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.


You might want to consider an option C which would be to use a cloud storage system such as Amazon S3 for storing full-size downloads and thumbnail files: http://aws.amazon.com/s3/

There are some advantages to this over placing files on the site web server:
  • Unlimited disk space and bandwidth metered outside of web host quotas
  • Less strain on web server
  • Ability to generate unique, expiring temporary download URLs for protected files
  • Option to use global content-delivery network (CDN) for speedier thumbnail loading

Just a thought...  I use something similar for toonvectors.com (albeit Windows Azure instead of Amazon).  I'm not terribly familiar with WordPress development, but I'd be surprised if they didn't already have an S3 plug-in for site assets that could be adapted to the upload workflow.


I didn't know about that option! Depending on how extensive their system is, I could automate everything to use it. It would also save me tons of issues regarding slow loading pages if someone on the network is down/slow.

*However* depending on them might be kind of iffy in a largescale operation since they are just another huge corp.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #87 on: February 02, 2013, 21:41 »
+2
Here's a small update anyone following this thread might enjoy:

I've finished the image processor. Its the "guts" of the whole operation. Which means I'm mostly done :D.

Because this is wordpress, and we are trying to keep professional, here is what happens:

Our custom image processor runs and creates previews, extracting meta data, all the stuff needed to keep it low maintenance.

You can process them to drafts for further editing (suggested, for SEO purposes) or process them straight to published stock images. Its automatic.

A HUGE perk. If you upload a transparent PNG, which many customers want, it generates a transparency preview as well. It follows the same naming convention your already familiar with: stock_image.jpg, stock_image.eps, stock_image.zip, stock_image.png will all be recognized as part of the same stock image. Meta data is always checked from jpg, transparency is always generated from png. See here:

Typical Preview:



Transparency:



You might be wondering, why are the previews so HUGE? Reason: Your relying largely on SEO and internet traffic to get customers. Bigger images = more google value. :D. Plus customers can see better what they are getting.

Watermark - you can easily photoshop your own transparent png watermark, however you want, to the correct dimensions. You upload it to the site, and the site will apply it every time.

This was a significant part of the project. I'll no doubt be releasing it soon.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2013, 21:43 by KonaHawaii »

« Reply #88 on: February 02, 2013, 21:58 »
0
Looking good, Leo! We're keen to have a go at this.

farbled

« Reply #89 on: February 02, 2013, 22:28 »
0
I'm happy to help test if needed. I'm not a programmer but I can muddle my way through code in WP to change graphics and tweak themes and stuff. Love the functionality of WP and this sounds very interesting.

« Reply #90 on: February 03, 2013, 05:11 »
0
I need to buy web hosting but I thought I might as well ask what would be best for this?  I see Bluehost is recommended for wordpress but is there a better option if you're in Europe?

« Reply #91 on: February 03, 2013, 05:24 »
0
OVH is good, but you need to manage server yourself.

« Reply #92 on: February 03, 2013, 19:54 »
+1
KonaHawaii, you need to earn from your hardwork, I'm sure a number of us here are willing to donate. You can put a donate button on your developer site.

« Reply #93 on: February 03, 2013, 20:12 »
0
Definitely following this one. I've got no skills to contribute. Had to shut my own wp site down due to un- up dated WP version getting infected :D

mattdixon

« Reply #94 on: February 04, 2013, 15:50 »
0
Just a small update:

We're at about the %50 mark.

Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.

I like B because its easier to manage.

Thoughts?

B, security is a must.

Am I imagining things or did someone say you were thinking of developing a portfolio link option from site to site?

eyeidea

  • visualize your brainstorm
« Reply #95 on: February 04, 2013, 16:07 »
0
I am very interested in this. I run my current site as WP. I would love to help from a graphics and design GUI standpoint. Message me Kona!
« Last Edit: February 04, 2013, 19:46 by eyeidea »

« Reply #96 on: February 04, 2013, 20:10 »
0
Am I imagining things or did someone say you were thinking of developing a portfolio link option from site to site?


This is something that we'll be adding after our initial roll-out of our (see this thread) product, which will not run on WordPress.

THP Creative

  • THP Creative

« Reply #97 on: February 04, 2013, 22:13 »
0
Technical question, if anyone cares:

I'm at a crossroads here:

A: place full size files above www (root) directory, or
B: Place full size files in a protected (by htaccess) directory, accessibly only by php channeled downloads.


You might want to consider an option C which would be to use a cloud storage system such as Amazon S3 for storing full-size downloads and thumbnail files: http://aws.amazon.com/s3/

There are some advantages to this over placing files on the site web server:
  • Unlimited disk space and bandwidth metered outside of web host quotas
  • Less strain on web server
  • Ability to generate unique, expiring temporary download URLs for protected files
  • Option to use global content-delivery network (CDN) for speedier thumbnail loading

Just a thought...  I use something similar for toonvectors.com (albeit Windows Azure instead of Amazon).  I'm not terribly familiar with WordPress development, but I'd be surprised if they didn't already have an S3 plug-in for site assets that could be adapted to the upload workflow.


Does anyone know anything more about integrating this solution into wordpress, as this would seem to be the ideal solution to my current situation - want my own direct sales site and about to make it, but don't want to pay my hosting company heaps more for all the extra GB's of storage for thousands of high res files. The S3 option would be much cheaper I would think.

I'm not a developer, so don't know the technicalities of it all. Just wondering if there is any easy way to get this to work in WP, perhaps along with Kona's theme or the Sell Media plugin?

« Reply #98 on: February 05, 2013, 03:32 »
+1
Oh, this thread is really great, I already use wordpress for my blog and like it so much!
Here is a good alternative to build a progressive seller community.
Thanks so much for your work.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2013, 03:35 by Smithore »

« Reply #99 on: February 05, 2013, 05:47 »
+1
This looks very interesting.

The thread title is lousy, though - I'm not a PHP developer so I had ignored this up to now.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
1 Replies
5667 Views
Last post January 02, 2010, 09:31
by kaycee
7 Replies
14804 Views
Last post May 17, 2013, 08:30
by jbarber873
9 Replies
7533 Views
Last post May 29, 2013, 05:35
by plrang
3 Replies
3131 Views
Last post July 25, 2013, 12:23
by gbalex
0 Replies
1224 Views
Last post June 07, 2023, 12:09
by Jo Ann Snover

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors