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Author Topic: Introduction and an update on Symbiostock  (Read 25559 times)

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« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2015, 00:37 »
+15
Do you have a Symbiostock site?

I don't see any links to a portfolio, and I understand that people sometimes need to remain anonymous for various reasons, however, if you want to be a liaison for Symbiostock site owners, I think it'd be nice to know a bit more about you.

I wasn't involved with Symbiostock from the beginning, but did become pretty active until Leo blew his stack a few times and largely torpedoed the community and declared the project done. Right now, before I have any interest in release dates or features, I'd need to have some confidence that this next round of development was going to be different.

Leo gets huge kudos for getting Symbiostock off the ground, but if it's to go anywhere, there needs to be some confidence among those who invest massive amounts of time in getting their sites going that this will stick around for the long haul.

As for a specific question, how is it that a collection of indie self-hosted sites will find customers at a level that competes with large microstock companies? Sounds nice, but building a presence isn't easy and courting buyers when there are some really good (for the buyer) options out there will take some work. Care to elaborate a bit?

Leo

« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2015, 03:33 »
+2
Unlike the previous Symbiostock community effort, I'm rather hoping I can focus more on coding and less on everything else, which brings us to: Robin!

He is a coder like myself and quite experienced in the areas he has presented himself in.

There is more to be said, but this was simply an announcement to state that everything is still running (you can see the original site is up to date) and that there is more to come.

« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2015, 04:43 »
+2
Hi Jo Ann,

Thanks for the questions and comments. I have actually visited your site a number of times and am really glad to see that you are not only using Symbiostock, but actively promoting the project through your slideshows. One of my priorities is to ensure current Symbiostock users like yourself don't feel left out of the loop.

Symbiostock is a fantastic idea. When I first found out about it I was blown away that someone had already actuated an idea that was bubbling in my own mind. Why was I interested in it? The same reason as all of you - I am a contributor, and I want to be able to market my images on my terms. This is the primary drive behind both my and Leo's passions towards it.

This never wavered with Leo - he has been working steadily on the current version, just not been very vocal about it. That's where I come in - I will try to answer contributor questions to try to bridge that gap so you too can be excited about the future of the project, as we both are.

Right now, unfortunately, I can't get into the specifics of certain aspects of our plans because they are still in the developmental stages. What is important, however, is for us to let you know that the project is alive and going strong, and that soon we will be releasing a new version of Symbiostock that should make things like installations, tweaking, and personalization a lot easier. And don't worry - you will be able to seamlessly port your current sites onto the new engine.

You'll get to know more about me as we communicate more, but I hope this has answered a few of your questions.

Thanks Jo Ann!

Robin.

« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2015, 04:48 »
+3


I wasn't involved with Symbiostock from the beginning, but did become pretty active until Leo blew his stack a few times and largely torpedoed the community and declared the project done. Right now, before I have any interest in release dates or features, I'd need to have some confidence that this next round of development was going to be different.



agree. One of the biggest problems in my view.
Such a shame in Symbiostock plugged the power to change the market in a win-win situation for profit of contributors and buyers.

I'm concerned symbiostock may cost a bit ($ 10 month) if it is stable and will be expanded.

But the buyer needs a nice looking global search.
Many buyers do not want a single vendor but an agency feeling.

summarized:

1. stability.
2. nice looking global landing page for buyers.
3. standardized clear licenses.
4. vat and tax improvements.

for that I would like to pay a monthly fee..


« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2015, 10:08 »
+3
*** bad joke alert ***

good to see batman finally got some proper help with the project..  :D


*** serious comment alert ***

I am glad symbiostock is coming back stronger!..

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2015, 10:44 »
+6
This is a great move. Leo is a really good guy but not cut out for the forum side of things as he tends to take things to heart, hopefully with some help he can finally get a bit of payback for all he has put in to the project.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2015, 11:48 »
+9
I don't know what the new Symbiostock will be or what it will look like, but in order to get people on board, in addition to the things already mentioned by others, there has to be a strategy for driving traffic to the sites, or at the very least least honesty about that being every man for himself.

My site gets very few clickthroughs from other sites in the network, and very few people go to another Symbiostock site from mine. My few sales started coming in when I began paying to promote posts on Facebook and when I included a link to my Shutterstock port in my slideshow. Again, few people click through to SS, but I think it gives visitors to my site some assurance that I'm legit and that my images meet some standard of quality.

I plan to invest a little more in Facebook marketing over the next few weeks to see what happens. But having a nice-looking site and good images is not enough....nor is the mutual linking to 100+ other sites.

Just my 2 cents.

« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2015, 13:08 »
+8
I tried with my own Symbiostock site but I think it's the wrong way to go.  I would rather we all paid a bit to have one site that we all contribute too than all of us paying for individual sites.  And the new EU VAT regulations have stopped me selling direct online.


« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2015, 14:41 »
+2
I just wanted to let you know that marketing and driving sales to your media is a high priority, and we are building the entire system around a sustainable, growth oriented solution in that regard.

I think that's the wording people from Stockfresh used when they started. Is anyone seeing any sales there?
Huh.

Semmick Photo

« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2015, 04:23 »
+7
You are asking us to trust you? Quite remarkable when you also feel the need to stay anonymous. How long have you been on the internet? Anonymous persons on the internet asking people to trust them blindly normally doesnt end well. Its not helping me to restore my faith in the project to be honest. Its quite doing the opposite. Your introduction on the Sym forum got 2 replies, thats a reflection of the state the project is in at the moment. Restoring trust should be your number one focus. Anonymity is not going to help you with that.

Anyway, welcome to the project. Good luck with turning things around.

« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2015, 14:37 »
+1
I have nothing new to add. Jo Ann and Ron have said all I would have said myself. I have a line that I often use: Trust is always at its strongest just before it gets broken.

When you have something to tell us, come back and we will tell you if we are interested or not. You had our attention and you kicked the whole lot of us in the teeth.

Jo

« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2015, 01:55 »
+2
I have nothing new to add. Jo Ann and Ron have said all I would have said myself. I have a line that I often use: Trust is always at its strongest just before it gets broken.

When you have something to tell us, come back and we will tell you if we are interested or not. You had our attention and you kicked the whole lot of us in the teeth.

Jo

Jo, please speak for yourself.

While I am not happy how things developed I 100% understand Leo's decision to practically abandon his VERY ambitious project. I don't feel in no way being "kicked in the teeth".

One issue has been that Leo tried to shoulder all of the coding required for Symbiostock himself alone. If that has changed now then it should be viewed as a positive step toward reviving the project. There's no reason at all to scare Robin away with suspicion and outright hostility.

Although I am not holding my breath, why not just wait and see?

Justanotherphotographer

« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2015, 04:11 »
+5
.....When I first found out about it I was blown away that someone had already actuated an idea that was bubbling in my own mind.....

This concerns me slightly because I remember not too long ago an anonymous programmer coming on the forum with a similar idea and being told about Symbiostock. They then got really arrogant and started slating the project saying how they could do better in one afternoon (or something similar). Can you at least let us know you aren't that guy?

If anyone can find a link to that thread that would also be good because I can't track it down right now.


« Reply #16 on: April 21, 2015, 22:25 »
+1
Robin, I'm looking forward to seeing more info on the changes.  I did notice your offer to give credit on past purchases of the pro plugin towards future hosting or premium themes beyond the free option. I appreciate that and hope the new version is as easy a transition as it sounds like it will be.


« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2015, 22:52 »
+3
Hey Karen, thanks for that. The transition should be reasonably simple.

I've been receiving notice from legacy Symbiostock users who say a strange update has shown up for their sites - I have no knowledge of this and this has nothing to do with Symbiostock. I'm not entire sure how or why that is happening, but I recommend you not upgrade in case it breaks your install.

I am looking into the cause and will get back to you.

robin

since you haven't replied in the sym forum, please address the issues of eula (open ended & subject to change without notice) and your now claiming trademark status for symbiostock

these are MAJOR stumbling blocks for anyone considering the 'new' symbiostock

« Reply #19 on: April 29, 2015, 22:39 »
+12
... You'll get to know more about me as we communicate more, but ...


I guess we will get to know Robin by his communications:

http://www.symbiostock.org/forums/topic/some-forum-guidelines/

In case it gets deleted (click thumbnail for full size)...


« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2015, 00:47 »
+2
Claim on the symbiostock.org:

"Every capture is your creation.
Take control of your art."

With CENSORSHIP? I think he is killing Symbiostock.

« Last Edit: April 30, 2015, 01:02 by R2D2 »

« Reply #21 on: April 30, 2015, 07:39 »
+6
"the future of symbiostock is large, focused on generating money for artist"

I don't know why that statement keeps being used. symbiostock is a Wordpress theme. It is up to the individual person to generate their own money. Symbiostock does NOTHING but provide the software.  ::)

marthamarks

« Reply #22 on: April 30, 2015, 08:19 »
+2
... You'll get to know more about me as we communicate more, but ...


I guess we will get to know Robin by his communications:

http://www.symbiostock.org/forums/topic/some-forum-guidelines/

In case it gets deleted (click thumbnail for full size)...




Thanks, Jo Ann, for posting the original link and your screenshot. Very interesting!

I just clicked the link and went to "Some Forum Guidelines" only to find there's no opportunity to comment there: "The topic Some Forum Guidelines is closed to new replies."

Looks like SYS is now Robin's way or the highway.

marthamarks

« Reply #23 on: April 30, 2015, 08:36 »
+2
I just read a comment by long-time Symbiostocker Christine on the "new Symbiostock" blog. Very thoughtful, as usual: http://www.symbiostock.org/forums/topic/thoughts-and-ramblings/

The only non-Robin response to Christine is from Cascoly (AKA Steve, as long-time Symbiostockers know). And below Cascoly/Steve's avatar, it's noted that he is "blocked" on that forum. The forum is just getting re-started and already a long-time, active, positively-contributing member of "old Symbiostock" is blocked?

More censorship per the "forum guidelines," I guess.

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #24 on: April 30, 2015, 09:08 »
+6
symbiostock is a Wordpress theme. It is up to the individual person to generate their own money. Symbiostock does NOTHING but provide the software.  ::)

Absolutely true. And I think (among many other reasons) this is why many people are disappointed by it. If Symbiostock had been sold here simply as a WordPress theme that allows you to process, watermark and sell your own images, and sales and marketing are up to you, much angst could have been avoided. But the developers, and now there are several, keep pitching this as something much more.

I appreciate all the effort everyone's put into it, but it's time to be honest and say this is a theme. When it comes to sales you're on your own.


 

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