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Author Topic: What happened?  (Read 30044 times)

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« Reply #75 on: February 26, 2014, 13:08 »
+8
Really? Bunhill is about the only one making any sense, actually looking at things from a business standpoint. Others just seem to be coming to the defense of the person who clearly doesnt want to be bothered with it all anymore. How many times has the threat of abandonment come up? How many times have posts disappeared? What about the disappearing forum?

FWIW I think that Leo has done an amazing job. From a software perspective I completely understand his frustration. There is only so much that one person can do.


« Reply #76 on: February 26, 2014, 13:15 »
-6
Really? Bunhill is about the only one making any sense, actually looking at things from a business standpoint. Others just seem to be coming to the defense of the person who clearly doesnt want to be bothered with it all anymore. How many times has the threat of abandonment come up? How many times have posts disappeared? What about the disappearing forum?


FWIW I think that Leo has done an amazing job. From a software perspective I completely understand his frustration. There is only so much that one person can do.



He did. I was there for 8 months. You are correct, it cant be done by one person. Why on earth he is here posting some of the stuff he does is beyond me.


By the way, the definition of a ponzi scheme ( words i never used) which has nothing to do with this situation:


http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/ponzischeme.asp

« Reply #77 on: February 26, 2014, 14:10 »
-3
I purchased the plugin a few months ago, I didn't buy it for the networking features, only because it appeared that it was going to be supported for some time and seemed to be heading somewhere and I wanted some reliable, secure software with licensing ability to sell images directly. I've read enough drama about it now to realise that I chose the wrong software and should have spent more time reading the various forums before committing myself to many hours of work setting it up. This software could have a future but I feel only as a commercial plugin, with a clear roadmap, the networking is a nice idea but personally I don't think it's viable unless the plugin is paid for only and would probably only work successfully if all sites are networked automatically. As it stands and as previously mentioned in this thread it only takes ones small security flaw.... thus no longer worth putting any effort in too.

« Reply #78 on: February 26, 2014, 14:11 »
+2
Quote from: cathyslife stockphotos.com link=topic=22029.msg367091#msg367091

Good one Shelma. So you disagree with the statement that the more links a site has, the more seo advantages? And do you disagree with the statement that the more people recruited, the more links that means for those people? In a way, seo is pretty much a ponzi scheme (if thats what you say is a ponzi scheme). The games that have to be played to get any traction with seo is kind of a game.

I think it's well understood that more links are good but what I don't understand is the perception that anyone did something underhanded or fraudulent in creating additional avenues to create links. They had the initiative and coding skills to create master search engines, analyze and share data reports, etc. Good for them they put effort into alternate means to drive traffic to their sites. I certainly don't fault them for it or think they somehow stabbed me in the back. In fact, I appreciated those efforts.  As for the links included in the theme, which were explains as a thank you to some involved in early development, there was always the option to turn them off.  I guess I'm just perplexed as to what part of this was unfair or a scheme to benefit some and deprive others when everyone has the same options they could pursue.

farbled

« Reply #79 on: February 26, 2014, 14:58 »
+9
I purchased the plugin a few months ago, I didn't buy it for the networking features, only because it appeared that it was going to be supported for some time and seemed to be heading somewhere and I wanted some reliable, secure software with licensing ability to sell images directly. I've read enough drama about it now to realise that I chose the wrong software and should have spent more time reading the various forums before committing myself to many hours of work setting it up. This software could have a future but I feel only as a commercial plugin, with a clear roadmap, the networking is a nice idea but personally I don't think it's viable unless the plugin is paid for only and would probably only work successfully if all sites are networked automatically. As it stands and as previously mentioned in this thread it only takes ones small security flaw.... thus no longer worth putting any effort in too.

What part of Leo concentrating on paid stuff (plus supporting anything needed for the basic theme) didn't you read the first few times you brought this up?

If you're not using the network side, what part of the software are you not finding viable? Which security flaw are you referring to? All a customer needs to use for the actual site is an email address. Payment, etc is run through Paypal. I'm confused by your statements and I'm curious what plugin you bought?

« Reply #80 on: February 26, 2014, 15:04 »
-9
Quote from: cathyslife stockphotos.com link=topic=22029.msg367091#msg367091

Good one Shelma. So you disagree with the statement that the more links a site has, the more seo advantages? And do you disagree with the statement that the more people recruited, the more links that means for those people? In a way, seo is pretty much a ponzi scheme (if thats what you say is a ponzi scheme). The games that have to be played to get any traction with seo is kind of a game.

I think it's well understood that more links are good but what I don't understand is the perception that anyone did something underhanded or fraudulent in creating additional avenues to create links. They had the initiative and coding skills to create master search engines, analyze and share data reports, etc. Good for them they put effort into alternate means to drive traffic to their sites. I certainly don't fault them for it or think they somehow stabbed me in the back. In fact, I appreciated those efforts.  As for the links included in the theme, which were explains as a thank you to some involved in early development, there was always the option to turn them off.  I guess I'm just perplexed as to what part of this was unfair or a scheme to benefit some and deprive others when everyone has the same options they could pursue.


Everyone has their own opinion about what is happening and what is not. I know what I believe, and if you don't believe it, that's ok with me. No one here has to believe me, everyone can do their own research and come to their own conclusions. I know that the networking in SY, for me, doesnt work. I know that it IS working for a few. It's functionality I don't need, so I have scrapped it. If others don't want to, that's ok with me. Some people are using the site just as a site. Thats cool. I didnt want to hassle with the problems every time an update was done, and the constant up and down of the projects future was too dramatic.


Most photographers cannot code, create master search engines, analyze and share data reports. Those that can, have a huge advantage over the rest and every single site that gets built helps them along with more links. If YOU want to call that a ponzi scheme, underhanded, or whatever, you can. I call it NOT what was presented as the original networking idea. Could I do those things if I wanted to? Sure if I wanted to spend my time becoming an seo expert. Just isnt what the SY wordpress theme was designed to do. It was designed for us photographers to sell images and be networked to provide seo advantages. It is not doing that. Ask the other 160 or so people in the network, not me.

« Reply #81 on: February 26, 2014, 16:10 »
0
I purchased the plugin a few months ago, I didn't buy it for the networking features, only because it appeared that it was going to be supported for some time and seemed to be heading somewhere and I wanted some reliable, secure software with licensing ability to sell images directly. I've read enough drama about it now to realise that I chose the wrong software and should have spent more time reading the various forums before committing myself to many hours of work setting it up. This software could have a future but I feel only as a commercial plugin, with a clear roadmap, the networking is a nice idea but personally I don't think it's viable unless the plugin is paid for only and would probably only work successfully if all sites are networked automatically. As it stands and as previously mentioned in this thread it only takes ones small security flaw.... thus no longer worth putting any effort in too.

What part of Leo concentrating on paid stuff (plus supporting anything needed for the basic theme) didn't you read the first few times you brought this up?

If you're not using the network side, what part of the software are you not finding viable? Which security flaw are you referring to? All a customer needs to use for the actual site is an email address. Payment, etc is run through Paypal. I'm confused by your statements and I'm curious what plugin you bought?

Instead of being sarcastic please re read my post properly -  I bought the Symbiostock professional plugin - perhaps if everyone had done the same the developer wouldn't have pulled the plug.  If the software is not being actively worked on then at some point there WILL be security flaws and incompatibilities. Although the developer has said they will keep it updated, he is only one person and obviously as it is not returning any revenue and his heart is no longer in it, we will have to wait until he has the time to do so. You may be happy with this scenario if you're using free software, I am not, it is not good business sense.  It takes time to develop a site which = money, and it is pointless building foundations on software that is no longer being actively developed unless you have the time and the programming skills to do it yourself, thus in my opinion the software is no longer viable.


farbled

« Reply #82 on: February 26, 2014, 16:41 »
+3
If the software is not being actively worked on then at some point there WILL be security flaws and incompatibilities. Although the developer has said they will keep it updated, he is only one person and obviously as it is not returning any revenue and his heart is no longer in it, we will have to wait until he has the time to do so.
OK, so basically you just don't believe him, despite him answering your question in the original newsletter. Just wanted to be clear. I also missed the part where he said his plugins weren't making revenue. (Uh oh, here comes the sarcasm) I guess as a self employed developer it would make sense for him to abandoned the parts that make money, and his paying customers, even after he has said he wouldn't?

farbled

« Reply #83 on: February 26, 2014, 16:44 »
+1
You know what? I apologize for the sarcasm. It is beneath me. The product speaks for itself and doesn't need help from me cheerleading. Just seems like you're making a whole lot of something that hasn't happened.

« Reply #84 on: February 26, 2014, 18:07 »
-1
If the software is not being actively worked on then at some point there WILL be security flaws and incompatibilities. Although the developer has said they will keep it updated, he is only one person and obviously as it is not returning any revenue and his heart is no longer in it, we will have to wait until he has the time to do so.
OK, so basically you just don't believe him, despite him answering your question in the original newsletter. Just wanted to be clear. I also missed the part where he said his plugins weren't making revenue. (Uh oh, here comes the sarcasm) I guess as a self employed developer it would make sense for him to abandoned the parts that make money, and his paying customers, even after he has said he wouldn't?
Farbled, this is just the sort of petty nonsense that spoils forums like this and projects like
Symbiostock. Did you conveniently miss the part where Leo wrote "a year of financial breakdown and stress"?. Stop trying to pick silly fights, this whole thread is full of the childish sort of petty back stabbing and people picking on each other that I would expect to see in a playground of 5 year olds. Grow up!

farbled

« Reply #85 on: February 26, 2014, 18:15 »
+1
Farbled, this is just the sort of petty nonsense that spoils forums like this and projects like
Symbiostock. Did you conveniently miss the part where Leo wrote "a year of financial breakdown and stress"?. Stop trying to pick silly fights, this whole thread is full of the childish sort of petty back stabbing and people picking on each other that I would expect to see in a playground of 5 year olds. Grow up!
That's hilarious because I was seriously thinking much the same thing about your posts! I'm not picking fights, and I was very much trying to stay out of it. But it bothers me to see someone hammering the same asked and answered questions for seemingly no reason other than to tear things down. You have added nothing constructive, and I'm angry at letting myself react to some of these posts. I will, as you say "grow up" and stay out of this thread. There is nothing useful or constructive going on now.

« Reply #86 on: February 26, 2014, 18:47 »
+4
You can call something a Ponzi scheme without actually using the words "Ponzi scheme."

....

It's as if you are deliberately avoiding the business and technical issues because bitching at each other is easier.

which issues?  VAT is being addressed as a plugin;  i'm not aware of any othe rmajor issues -- there are a number of suggestions and wishes for future enhancements, but right now Sym is fully functional for anyone who wants to get their site started

« Reply #87 on: February 26, 2014, 18:54 »
+6
......
I think it's well understood that more links are good but what I don't understand is the perception that anyone did something underhanded or fraudulent in creating additional avenues to create links. They had the initiative and coding skills to create master search engines, analyze and share data reports, etc. Good for them they put effort into alternate means to drive traffic to their sites. I certainly don't fault them for it or think they somehow stabbed me in the back. In fact, I appreciated those efforts.  As for the links included in the theme, which were explains as a thank you to some involved in early development, there was always the option to turn them off.  I guess I'm just perplexed as to what part of this was unfair or a scheme to benefit some and deprive others when everyone has the same options they could pursue.
right --sym's networking does precisely what it was designed to do

networking of sym sites provides hundreds, if not thousands of links to the other members (any site owner can confirm this by using webmaster tools)-- what some people just don't understand is that SEO and traffic is only the first step.  you need to do that to get people to look at your site.  but 1000's of lin ks won't help at all if you don't have something people want to buy. 

« Reply #88 on: February 26, 2014, 19:09 »
0
which issues?  VAT is being addressed as a plugin;  i'm not aware of any othe rmajor issues -- there are a number of suggestions and wishes for future enhancements, but right now Sym is fully functional for anyone who wants to get their site started

It feels almost pointless responding because nobody wants to hear anything other than how great Symbiostock is. But here goes anyhow:

It seems very half finished, at best, to me. Which is possibly why the majority of the sites look so bad. Half the time the rollover previews (where implemented) disappear outside of the screen area. Presumably because the pages have not been tested at all different screen and window sizes. The networking is convoluted and does not look good IMO ( - by which I mean the suggested alternatives). Imagine you were a buyer - you wouldn't bother following all those links to different sites. And very few of the sites are convincing.

A huge amount of work has gone into developing this. It's an achievement. But it isn't there yet. And then it needs to be developed and maintained. For comparison have a look at sites built on the modern Squarespace platform - which is also much easier for users to implement and is maintained 24/7 by a team.

FWIW try doing a search on the site linked to in your own footer for example. All of the links returned by the search are broken.

« Reply #89 on: February 26, 2014, 19:18 »
+1
"FWIW try doing a search on the site linked to in your own footer for example. All of the links returned by the search are broken."
Works fine here.

« Reply #90 on: February 26, 2014, 19:27 »
0
"FWIW try doing a search on the site linked to in your own footer for example. All of the links returned by the search are broken."
Works fine here.



« Reply #91 on: February 26, 2014, 19:38 »
+1
My guess is that those links are to images deleted by the symbiostock site it refers to, and the Global Network Search has not yet filtered those out. If you scroll down the results are fine.

« Reply #92 on: February 26, 2014, 19:42 »
-2
My guess is that those links are to images deleted by the symbiostock site it refers to, and the Global Network Search has not yet filtered those out. If you scroll down the results are fine.

Well that's an example of stuff which needs sorting out. I mentioned this in response to the suggestion that Symbiostock is finished / ready. The page design looks like it is from the mid 90s.

« Reply #93 on: February 26, 2014, 19:53 »
0
Maybe this is more to your liking then : http://symbiostock.info/index.php

mlwinphoto

« Reply #94 on: February 26, 2014, 20:58 »
+2
.....but 1000's of links won't help at all if you don't have something people want to buy.

Bingo!

« Reply #95 on: February 26, 2014, 22:47 »
-11
.....but 1000's of links won't help at all if you don't have something people want to buy.

Bingo!


 :D  It MUST be the crappy images.

« Reply #96 on: February 27, 2014, 05:21 »
+5
Not crappy, but perhaps less in demand. Agencies have big collections of practically  every  subject and it seems that for now the Symsites with illustrations and vectors do best.

Buyers behaviour is also a point you have to deal with. When  buying images from sites within the EU for example, buyers has to fill in lots of personal info for every single image they want to buy, thanks to the complicated tax rules. For buyers that needs lots of images it is perhaps easier to buy a subscription pack with an agency instead.
When a company buys images with a certain agency all the time, they are not going to change that at once too.

It is possible that the next thing is that people with symsites are going to ask for a plugin to let buyers have a sort of  subscription. Not with the extreme low prices, but with the possibility for buyers to download a certain amount of images without the need for all the digital paperwork with every download.

« Reply #97 on: February 27, 2014, 11:32 »
0
Isnt there a bit of witchhunting going on here and doesnt it smell of cult?

Sym had problems right from the start, one of them was the lack of self critique, very obvious now.
Not to mention a few others, that I wont mention now, but did in the past.

Now prove the cult thing true and give me some minuses, since I speak against the true belief.



farbled

« Reply #98 on: February 27, 2014, 11:36 »
+3
It is possible that the next thing is that people with symsites are going to ask for a plugin to let buyers have a sort of  subscription. Not with the extreme low prices, but with the possibility for buyers to download a certain amount of images without the need for all the digital paperwork with every download.
That is one of the best ideas I've seen in a while! Nice. :)

« Reply #99 on: February 27, 2014, 11:40 »
-8
@jpsdk i gave you a plus but i am certain both you and i will be getting an avalanche of minuses. It very much reminds me of the wooyayers at istock. And look where that is ending up.


On the other hand, developing plugins to add functionality is a positive step, but i am wondering if even some of the basic functions of SY are even working correctly. Last i heard, licenses couldnt be assigned easily.


 

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