Hey, guys!
It's that time... I need to pass the torch. Although this doesn't take up a lot of time, it's just one more thing on a growing list of things I need to do.
So, if someone would like to take over this blog as DigiSmacker, I can give you the account login information. Just shoot me an email or contact me via FB, and we'll get it worked out.
Or, if someone wants to start an entirely new blog, feel free. :)
963 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 963 Newer› Newest»I think we've got a new DigiSmacker in the works, so thanks to those who stepped up and offered. :)
The blog train is off and running. The best mini I have seen so far is Krystal Hartley's. What bugs me about the whole train is some people made their portions way too big. I think there should be a set amount of papers and elements, such as 4-6 papers and 10 elements. I hate to see people giving away so much hard work, even if 99% of it sucks.
I looked at a few of the posts in the blog train, and I really love the colors. I don't have time today to download, but will be choosing some of them to download later.
Or those that create a kit to sell with the colors and give a cluster for the freebie.
In the August post, several people were saying they thought OSD would be going away soon ... why do you feel that way? It's a new store but seems to be growing. They have a pretty diverse group of designers. Why all the OSD hate? I haven't spent a lot of time there but it seems like an OK place to me. Is there something I don't know about?
This is the first time in ages that I've downloaded anything from the train, but the color pallette's not terrible and it's not so themey.
Downloaded the following:
Snips and Snails Designs
AK Designs
Mandy King - mainly for the stitched newspaper frame but kept a few other items, though not a lot
Aimee Harrison
Pardon the Mess
Sweet Digi Scraps - nice papers, tossed a few out of focus and bad recolors elements.
Just Jaimee
Digital Harmony Design - Mostly kept papers, downloaded for the grid and daisy paper, elements were almost all badly colored/recolored.
Digilicious Designs
Wishing Well Creations
Christine Smith - got rid of the butterfly (wish the fold wasn't there or at least not so severe)
Krystal Hartley
Pure Creativity
Urban Fairy - was dissapointed upon downloading and tossed it all
5-There has also been a lot of hate posts about scraptakeout, so I'd take the hateful comments with a grain of salt.
7 - Thanks. I've been a bit out of the digi loop for a month or so and was wondering if I'd missed something specific or if it was just the usual negativity.
I actually like this colors this time too. A lot of people don't have theirs posted, but I grabbed:
3 lil monsters - cute banner
Sweet digi scraps - antique feel
Just Jaimee - love the papers
Sanko Studio - cute doodle imgages
Willow Grace Designs - cute papers
Daybreak Scraps - love the stamps
Wishing Well Creations - just love the take on the theme
Designs by Krista - love the blue/gold combo
Amber Shaw - stamp frame
Midnight Owl Designs - pinwheels
Down This Road - cute alpha
Pure Creativity - love everything
Designs by Angel - irresistible post-it guy
I liked the colors, but found the vague theme frustrating in terms of how to categorize it within my files. However, I found several designers with items I'll want to keep:
3 Lil Monsters
Aimee Harrison
Dana's Footprint
Digi Deborah
Designs by Angel
Jen C Designs
Just Jaimee
Krystal Hartley
Kit Kart
Lorie M
MagsGraphics
Meta W
Midnight Owls
Mandy King
Pixel Scrappers
Sanko
Scraps by Missy
S Kelly D
Three Owls
Wishing Well Creations
And, while personally, I'm not a fan of templates as the offering for blog trains (because in this case, I'm looking for kit pieces), I REALLY liked the one from Created by Jill so I snagged that too.
Several blogs I visited did not have their part up, but 20 blogs with items that I can use is not too bad.
:)
To the person who was asking about designers who talk about political issues on their personal FB pages. I think you should just unsubscribe from their personal FB page. Most of them have a Business Page anyway. You can Like that if you want to maintain a more customer-designer relationship. They probably didn't want to ignore your friend request in the first place, nor did they want to unfriend you and cause hard feelings. But they have a right to assert their opinions on a personal page. They are real people too.
Can someone share a link for the train. Thank you :)
Never mind - found the train :)
#11- I think they were talking about designers fanpages not personal ones.
#11 The OP was asking about their business pages. They have every right to post their views on personal pages. She was asking if it bothered you if they made a political statement on their business pages.
Personally it doesn't bother me. As long as their products are what I am looking for and I like them then I will buy, regardless of their views on politics.
A few years ago, this was a hot-button issue at DST. Designers were posting their political opinions in the NSBR section and it caused a ruckus. Same with CTs.
There were some CTs saying some pretty strident things, and designers got flak for it.
People should be smart enough to keep politics and religion out of their business dealings.
Just another example of all the unprofessional behavior in digi.
#16 I can see where you are coming from however I do not think that it is unprofessional to mention your views in a NSBR thread. Yes they are designers but they are also people that are entitled to an opinion. The forum was Non ScrapBook Related, they were mentioning their opinion as people not as designers and CTs.
I admit that when people believe things politically that I think are ignorant, I can't help but to think less highly of that particular designer. It doesn't mean I won't buy from them - I might or might not depending on how they handle themselves. If I think they act like an idiot about something, I typically will not support them by buying from them in the future. I think politics and religion should be kept out of business. Because its hard for some people (me) to support someone's business if I believe they are supporting inane things politically. Right or wrong, it's a fact. Smart designers, in my opinion, keep politics and religion OUT of their businesses.
#18- I agree 100%.
In the August post, several people were saying they thought OSD would be going away soon ... why do you feel that way? It's a new store but seems to be growing. They have a pretty diverse group of designers. Why all the OSD hate? I haven't spent a lot of time there but it seems like an OK place to me. Is there something I don't know about?
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Just because some people said it would close, doesn't mean they hate it. Who said they hated it? No one.
I'm guessing the reason they are saying it's going to close is because of Wild Dandelions or whatever that store was called. Had the same group of people, or near enough, and it closed in less than a year.
People should be smart enough to keep politics and religion out of their business dealings.
Just another example of all the unprofessional behavior in digi.
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Not just in digi. Don't be so insular. But I do agree with you about religion and politics being kept out of business, unless that is their business.
7 - Dear Jen (or posse). No one actually even cares about craptakeout. Get over it.
It's a mediocre store full of mediocre designers run by mediocre admins. Doubtful that anyone feels anything beyond mediocre about it.
That's not hate. That's casual observation from a digiscrapper.
7 - Dear Jen (or posse). No one actually even cares about craptakeout. Get over it.
It's a mediocre store full of mediocre designers run by mediocre admins. Doubtful that anyone feels anything beyond mediocre about it.
That's not hate. That's casual observation from a digiscrapper.
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Jaime it's not because you were kicked out of there that it is mediocre. Get over it.
Jaime it's not because you were kicked out of there that it is mediocre. Get over it.
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Not the OP but when you think you know who is posting, you look stupid and when you tell someone to get over it, you've lost the argument.
I agree with the business and politics/religion being kept separate but I am wondering everybodys opinion on CT members doing work that is religious based. Or kits/wordarts that have Religious quotes?
#24 They both said to get over it. So do they both lose?
25: I ignore them, but I understand that there is a market for those who do them.
I agree with the business and politics/religion being kept separate but I am wondering everybodys opinion on CT members doing work that is religious based. Or kits/wordarts that have Religious quotes?
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I have no problem with a designer saying - Jesus is my lord and savior - however, I do have a problem with a designer saying - Jesus is YOUR lord and savior. Do you see the difference? I view religious quotes, kits and layouts the same way. If they are just talking about themselves, it's fine by me but if they are trying to force their ideas on to me and telling me I'm wrong, that's a different matter.
I don't even have a problem with a designer saying - I don't believe in abortion - however, if they said - I don't believe in abortion because it's evil - that would rile me.
#24 They both said to get over it. So do they both lose?
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Yep
23 - I'm post 22 and I don't even know who Jaime is. I'm a digiscrapper and I don't think cto is even worth the time it takes to look honestly. It has nothing I'd want and it doesn't stand out as any other than POSSIBLY a mid-level store and that's being VERY generous. Which is by definition. Mediocre.
Finally made it through this month's blog train. Not great, but not awful either. At least the colors are pleasant.
What's with the designers who can't follow the rules (like having your portion be at the top of your post [HotFlash]), only posting the link before and after you [Scraps by Missy]), not posting at all [Trixie and others])? Serious lack of professionalism, IMO.
"What's with the designers who can't follow the rules..."
............
Rules are for those people not creative enough to come up with a better way of doing things.
#32: Pish posh. Following the rules has nothing to do with creativity.
why on earth do designers shadow brushes?? That is the most horrible looking thing I have ever seen! (ahem http://www.alisarah.com/)..
#34 - i hate when i see ugly shadows anywhere but it really irritates me when a DESIGNER does it ... geez, you're supposed to KNOW BETTER!
Not just in digi. Don't be so insular.
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Not being insular at all. Any professional should keep politics and religion out of business, but since this blog is about digi-scrapping, I addressed the lack of professionalism in digi.
My staying on topic does not mean that I'm excusing any other unprofessional idiot that starts preaching and screaming about politics and religion in their workplace.
What's with the designers who can't follow the rules (like having your portion be at the top of your post [HotFlash]), only posting the link before and after you [Scraps by Missy]), not posting at all [Trixie and others])? Serious lack of professionalism, IMO.
Sep 2, 2012 9:59:00 AM
Totally agree. I took the time to ride the train this month, since I saw all the posts about the colors being decent.
Lots of unprofessional designers out there. And even more blogs that are a cluttered, ugly, hot mess.
WTF? I dl'ed My Babies Scraps' portion of the blog train for a couple of the papers. I had to delete about 10 previews of OTHER kits of hers in the folder. If I wanted to see a preview of all of your kits, I'd go to your store! Grrr.
It took you how long to delete them?? Seriously! Freebies are a form of advertising. Designers use them in various ways. If it was something you purchased, yes, I'd say highly annoying, but a freebie? Delete and say thanks for giving me something for free! I can't believe people who will complain about free things!
#38- I'm with you on that!
totally agree with you, 38.
Designers who are obnoxious like that won't get any business from me.
^agreed
why on earth do designers shadow brushes?? That is the most horrible looking thing I have ever seen! (ahem http://www.alisarah.com/)..
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Agh! warning label next time, the blog was so bright.
Not being insular at all. Any professional should keep politics and religion out of business, but since this blog is about digi-scrapping, I addressed the lack of professionalism in digi.
My staying on topic does not mean that I'm excusing any other unprofessional idiot that starts preaching and screaming about politics and religion in their workplace.
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Fair call.
why on earth do designers shadow brushes?? That is the most horrible looking thing I have ever seen! (ahem http://www.alisarah.com/)..
THAT is the most horrible thing you've ever seen? I've seen so much worse. I think her blog is kinda cute, love the whimsical flowers.
#45 - I thought her blog was cute too :)
45 I think her blog is cute too. And the shadowed brushes are not quite right, but maybe they didnt stand out enough against her papers to be seen? She probably should have used less shadow or maybe a softer outer glow to make them pop without making them float. But I have seen far worse.
Agh! warning label next time, the blog was so bright.
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Bright but cute. You should go see the one after her. That is too much.
http://www.noteablescraps.blogspot.ca/
48- Well, you DID warn us. LOL
The weird thing is, she has a really cute blog of a book she wrote, really cute. Maybe she hired someone to make this one for her without seeing a portfolio first. lol
Cute? Now I understand why there is so much crap in digi.
I noticed ScrapMatters is having a designer call. Any reason why someone would NOT want to apply there? I'm considereing it, but I know they've had a lot of changes lately.
^^^^^^^^^
I would like to know too!
I am a designer at SM and I would say go for it. Amber is a really good owner. She seems very organised and on the ball, never late with anything and pays much earlier than Andi ever did.
What about the whole closing/not closing thing. Is SM stable?
#54 - I think it is.
What about The Studio designer contest ?
http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/gallery/g1423-week-1-entry-3a-moonrise.html
^^ Oh my.
Is SM going exclusive again? What about the designers already there?
There are some really bad entries in the Studio design contest. If any of you are even half-way decent, you probably have a good chance to win. I haven't had a reason to download anything yet. Really sad.
I think this shows promise http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/gallery/week-1-entry-3a-moonrise/p104823-sweet-heaven-by-aadesigns.htmlapart from that cream flower thingy with the bow. The mini-kit is a bit realistic for my style but I think its the best of the bunch.
^^^ Ha! I get a 404 error: Gnarly, dude
I like this one: http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/gallery/week-1-entry-3a-moonrise/p104776-moonrise-at-summers-end.html
anyone downlaod it?
I like this one best: http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/gallery/week-1-entry-3a-moonrise/p104864-moonrisendc-round-1-by-emeline.html
#60 - the cherub in that kit is very badly shadowed and highlighted
#61 - nice, but the moon on the tag looks out of place.
#62 - again, nice but the shadows and highlights are all of whack with each other
I am a designer who has been in the industry for many years, and I am known. I am thinking about a change. If you could design anywhere, where would you choose to design and why?
Did anyone see the last newsletter from Oscraps? There's mention in there of a special announcement for designers (specifically) this weekend. Designer call?
#65 That's the rumor I've heard.
64: It depends on your style.
64-I'm not a designer, but a CT member for a few different designers at different stores. I prefer a store with a friendly forum. The designers at the store doesn't really impress me. My suggestion is to find a really honestly friendly forum, and try to design for that store. By honestly friendly, I'm not talking about the clickish ones, but ones that really care about the participants--all the participants. I'm ready to be pounced on now.
Is Oscraps a good place to sell? I get the newsletter, it seems like Anna and Kitty are the only ones who release new things on a regular basis.
Isn't 21% commission for an exclusive store a bit small? That is the commission mentioned in the SM call. I might have considered applying except that 21% does not seem so good for an exclusive place, since it means I would have to leave my current store.
A small rant about word art. I've been searching for days and coming up short.
Shouldn't it be somewhat appealing to the eye?
I mean, it's called word ART, otherwise, you should just just call it font sneeze.
Oy, did no one apply to Krystal Hartley's CT call? Did you see the people she took? No one really stood out to me from that team.
#72 - I liked several of them. I wouldn't say they're "special", but they make beautiful layouts and seem to be active scrappers. What else were you expecting? The next layout making Picaso?
A smaller commission from a bigger store can mean you make more in the long run.
A smaller commission from a bigger store can mean you make more in the long run.
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Does it have that much traffic and sales to be worth it?
Depends on the store, I guess. My sales last month were $3200 at an exclusive store. If you're making $1500 at two stores, than it might not be worth it. If you're making $500 at two stores, than it might.
I'd say 20% is the average for an exclusive designer so that's slightly less but does the commission include the PP fees or does the designer pay PP fees and comission? If there are no more fees to the designer then that's not too bad really.
Do most stores charge their designers for PayPal fees or a hosting fee? What is common?
As far as good stores go I've never heard any designers from SO complaining. A few of them that I'm friends with have said they'd never consider going anywhere else.
#69 maybe that's why they're going to hold a call. Jenn Labre just left there for SO. I wonder if any other designers are leaving or retiring.
I would think that Paislee Press and One Little Bird make more money off of one release than a lot of other designers make off of four.
Am I thinking about this the wrong way? Isn't the 21% the stores part of the sales, so the designer would get a 79% commission? The way SMs ad is worded makes it sound like the designer gets a 21% commission.
Are there any other monthly subscription sites besides DST that seem to have problems making kits available? In past months, they never seemed to have the gold member kit up until several days into the month. Now, they've got a new method that, apparently, doesn't work. Maybe they should just stop trying to make things better since it keeps getting worse.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=308023
By honestly friendly, I'm not talking about the clickish ones,
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Aren't most scrappers clickish? I think most of them use a camera, which requires clicking.
Designers have to PAY to post at DST now???
Designers have to PAY to post at DST now???
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It's always been that way. With the membership you can upload product images to the product gallery and post messages to the releases or what's new from sponsors forum or something.
I think it used to be $10 a year though.
It appears so... they are going to lose a lot of people now. Even for CTM. You can only post 2 layouts per day or you have to pay 29 $ a year.
You know, I am not surprised. With all the products and the layouts (since so many designers have so many CT members and want them to post in the gallery, in the CTEnabling, etc.), that is A LOT to host. I was surprised it didn't happen sooner. I am not the happiest designer about that, but I think it should be part of my marketing budget. $39 a year, is less than $1 a week!
I agree #88, really you get a lot of value from the site for free, I knew when the new owners came in they were going to want to NOT lose money on it. I think it'll hurt CT folks the most as they will have to either pace themselves on uploads or pony up for the membership. On the other hand. $29 a year to make it possible to be on a bunch of CTs seems like good value. You get 12 kits from DST, and if you get 2 kits a month from say two CTs, that's 36 kits for $29, super bargain!
At least it is not $29 per designer one CT's for! That is what? $0.50 a week or so? I certainly would complain if it were $29 per month, but per year? And if the CT REALLY cannot afford it, maybe the designers can add that to their advertisement expenses.
Yes it is a change. Probably not something most people like, but it is nothing drastic either. I was afraid it would be much worse. I am ok with it.
Designers do not have to pay to post in the forums right now, only to upload to the product gallery. Which was marginal, anyway. I certainly won't be renewing. There's only a handful of people that even POST at DST anymore, so I don't see how charging them is a good idea. Ugh.
Those who don't post, won't be bothered by paying and they might not even notice the difference! So what? Several designers and store owners post LOTS of times in the DS&DA, in the New Products, and in the Product Gallery. Heck, some will almost copy and paste their newsletter in the DS&DA. Those who do not post, won't pay, but wont make much of a difference anyways.
Hey, maybe it will separate those who are "serious" designers and those who are just "hobbyists". Wasn't that a complaint in here often in the past?
Where are you seeing this? I don't think I'll pay it, my products get very few views when I post there.
The forums are DEAD! What are they thinking charging more? I think that's the nail in the coffin for DST.
Where are you seeing this? I don't think I'll pay it, my products get very few views when I post there.
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Maybe that is exactly because designers were posting so often everywhere that any thread was pushed to page 2 very quickly, too quickly to have time to be seen. It might do the opposite: you will have time to see the posts now!
The forums are DEAD! What are they thinking charging more? I think that's the nail in the coffin for DST.
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If it is so dead, why are people complaining about it? They should not have noticed. If you complain it is because you wanted to be there in the first place, no?
Hey, maybe it will separate those who are "serious" designers and those who are just "hobbyists". Wasn't that a complaint in here often in the past?
The ones that are serious advertise elsewhere and optimise their search engine metadata.
"otherwise, you should just just call it font sneeze."
that's funny :)
There is no way in hell most of these CT members are going to pay to be able to upload layouts. The reason they are ON 12 teams is so they don't have to pay for supplies. Good luck squeezing $29 out of those tight asses!
How much worth of supplies does a CT member get if they are on 12 teams?
If it is so dead, why are people complaining about it?
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It is dead. Not very many people are complaining about it and those who are, don't even participate very much. Some people just like to complain.
If you are one 12 CTs, you need to get a life! If an average designer sold a kit every 2 weeks for $5.99, that CT member could easily be getting $150 a month in supplies.
Funny thing about Oscraps is that they only feature one or two designers at the top of their newsletters - kitty and charlize... Other designers there release regularly, but it doesn't seem so because their kits are never featured... just in the random list at the bottom. I don't see them doing a lot of promotion or special events.
SM under Amber seems much more stable and a productive environment. I think the rate there seems pretty standard for exclusive stores.
As for DST, this will definitely eliminate many CT. I think it was a mistake.
Hey, maybe it will separate those who are "serious" designers and those who are just "hobbyists".
___________
Can only hope!
I just checked the DST forums, the only busy one is the ISO, which won't be effected by the changes. The general discussion forums are stagnant.
For instance, Scrap Talk still has threads on the first page that were started mid August or earlier! Most of them only have a handful of replies.
I'm glad that members can only post 2 layouts a day. That should stop all those drive by postings and yay for no more blinkies.
I'm glad that members can only post 2 layouts a day. That should stop all those drive by postings and yay for no more blinkies.
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I never thought of that, but I guess it might reduce the extreme pimping of designers by their CT. Maybe they will be more selective? That might actually improve parts of the forum!
You do know that threads get bumped up if someone comments on them, so those mid-august threads are getting comments.
Totally YAY on the blinkies!!
You do know that threads get bumped up if someone comments on them, so those mid-august threads are getting comments.
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No, they haven't been replied too since mid August, some of them were started earlier than that.
Most of the people who post in the gallery are CT members. The owners of DST aren't stupid. They know designers require CT members to post there. They figure CT members will end up paying to post in the gallery so they don't lose their teams. Sorry, but I am not paying to post at DST. Teams or no teams.
There are better places to post than DST. MSA is one.
Did you ever compare stats online? DST has 33,500 views PER DAY, and DSA has 3,000. Does that really compare? Maybe DST has more than meets the eye.
There are better places to post than DST. MSA is one.
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Honestly curious, how is it better?
If DST wants to charge to post, then why limit the number of postings per day to only two? It's bad enough it's been limited to five, but now they want to charge to make it even more limited? How does that look enticing? You're right about most of them being designer CT's pimping it out, but that's the nature of the business. As a customer, I enjoy seeing gorgeous layouts. As a CT member, limited uploads are a pain in the ass. As a designer, there are more effective forms of marketing nowadays, so why bother? DST has been going downhill for a while now. Making it more pricey and difficult for designers and CT's is a bad idea. If they need to cover hosting, find a better way.
#111- For one, it has a 10 layout limit a day plus it's FREE.
Last I knew, MSA was more expensive to advertise than DSA and DST combined. That may be different now, but a few months ago, that was the case. DSA is a waste, but they have a real opportunity with this move from DST. It would be nice to see them take advantage of it, but I'm not sure the admin and owner care enough to do it.
A note to the DST site owners - Jasper has 3 posts and has on a Jason mask. Do you really think this image from the "community manager of DST" is really a selling point to get money out of people to make the community more user friendly and professional?
As a CTM, I would have had no problem paying $29/year if it were month to month. I'll be letting them know that, too.
I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. Too many designers in that thread expecting a lot for nothing or next to nothing while they expect to be paid top dollar for their own products.
I want to point out that MOST of the whining going on over at DST is from people associated with SSD. With Sara being the ringleader.
If DST wants to charge to post, then why limit the number of postings per day to only two? It's bad enough it's been limited to five,
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Do the math. If five people post five layouts a day, that's 25 layouts; if five people post two layouts a day, that's only 10 layouts. That's already a 15 layout difference with a very small number. Besides, DST has always had a five a day layout restriction. That's not new. They are just going to charge now for the privilege. You don't have to pay to post two layouts.
#111- For one, it has a 10 layout limit a day
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And that's why I don't post there. No one ever sees the layout before it's moved.
I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. Too many designers in that thread expecting a lot for nothing or next to nothing while they expect to be paid top dollar for their own products.
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Got it in one.
With Sara being the ringleader.
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WTF? She wasn't even the first to post. So you hate Sara and SSD, we get that. Now move along.
#114 good point about the month to month, you should suggest that. They might do it, they seem to be open to ideas.
I would like a CT membership that maybe allowed 5 layouts/day but didn't give the free kits for less than $29. I'd pay $10 or $12 for the storage space. I'll have to suggest it.
#111- For one, it has a 10 layout limit a day
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And that's why I don't post there. No one ever sees the layout before it's moved.
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Same for the DS&DA. I remember posting a promotion and the next day, it was off the first page. No wonder there was just a handful of views.
I would like a CT membership that maybe allowed 5 layouts/day but didn't give the free kits for less than $29. I'd pay $10 or $12 for the storage space. I'll have to suggest it.
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Now that's an idea.
#119- No I don't hate Sara or SSD at all so why don't you move along now. Just an observation.
TBH, the cost doesn't bother me. It's like when the rumours about facebook charging start.
Wtf do people think pays for sites to run? It's not free, not ever, not at all.
People always expect something for nothing.
And I realise ads can cover costs but personally, I'd much rather pay a membership fee than see ads (though I do have ad-blockers installed so don't see them anyway but that's not the point)
And I realise ads can cover costs but personally, I'd much rather pay a membership fee than see ads
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Hear, hear!!
I remember reading how people complained that they saw ads in the forum. Now, they complain about another option to not have ads. They complain that they want more uploads, but they complain that their layout (or product) gets kicked out of first page. There is no way they can please everyone.
I also would rather see less but more quality. I would rather see layouts I can take time to view and comment on, then commenting on one and realising that 15 more were posted while I was posting ONE comment. No wonder there are few comments.
There just is no value to a designer, especially now that the people we were "advertising" to are going to be leaving in droves. It was marginal to pay the ten bucks to be honest. And to have to pay to chat with other designers, LOL... I can chat elsewhere.
98-I've always enjoyed participating at DST. So much so that I bought a diamond membership several years ago. By the way, I'm a CTM one of those people that to quote you-
"There is no way in hell most of these CT members are going to pay to be able to upload layouts. The reason they are ON 12 teams is so they don't have to pay for supplies. Good luck squeezing $29 out of those tight asses!"
and I'm not the only CTM that has a diamond membership. Many of us do. So, maybe we're not as tight as you think we are. I don't remember how much the Diamond plan was when I bought it--but I know it was more than 29.00. Oh, and I bought two stores this past week too from designers I don't CT for. Yes, I spend money on my hobby even though I'm on a few CT's.
I dunno, I don't think they really will leave. The whiners will go and nobody will miss them because they never posted anyway, just dumped lousy CT layouts and ran. I think these huge CTs are the worst thing to happen to the industry if you ask me.
Who were the designers advertising to? Other designers or scrappers who can pay, or CT members who want all their products for free?
#119- No I don't hate Sara or SSD at all so why don't you move along now. Just an observation.
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I'm not really sure how you manged to observe Sara being the ringleader. Just saying.
Well if y'all love this Jasper guy's ideas so much, why aren't you in there patting him on the back? All I see are people who are upset because they're being asked to pay for something they can get somewhere else for free.
"advertising" to are going to be leaving in droves.
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Who exactly will be leaving in droves? The CTMs that either get your product for free already or don't want it, or the designers? And what droves? There are no droves at DST, not for four or more years.
Well if y'all love this Jasper guy's ideas so much, why aren't you in there patting him on the back? All I see are people who are upset because they're being asked to pay for something they can get somewhere else for free.
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I don't hang at DST and people will always find time to complain. It's not that big a deal for the average scrapper. It's only going to be a problem for the designers who want a lot for almost nothing and the CTMs who are on thousands of teams.
#131- It's funny how out of all the comments made on here so far, you pick the one about Sara. Just saying.
It's only going to be a problem for the designers who want a lot for almost nothing and the CTMs who are on thousands of teams.
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If the designers are not making enough money to pay that, maybe they should review how many kits they give away to CT members!
Maybe the problem at DST is that it is too big. It started small and free, now it is HUGE and costs more. Did you ever see the stats? there were over 1200 designers who signed the agreement, last I looked, there are almost 300,000 registered members and over 3 million posts. Any designer in there available to purchase it and run it?
#131- It's funny how out of all the comments made on here so far, you pick the one about Sara. Just saying.
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That's because it was one of the first comments, go back and re-read. Funny how you missed that.
#137- Actually no it wasn't. There were a few before that.
Did you ever see the stats? there were over 1200 designers who signed the agreement, last I looked, there are almost 300,000 registered members and over 3 million posts.
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Stats are just numbers. Most of the 300,000 members don't post or even visit on any kind of regular basis. I bet the real number is closer to 3,000, and I'm being generous. At least half of the 1,200 designers no longer design.
As for the number of posts? Pshaw, that's old posts. Mos of those would have occurred in the heyday of DST, which was over five years ago.
#137- Actually no it wasn't. There were a few before that.
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Sigh. It was the only stupid one that pointed out one particular person as being a ringleader. I don't see any other posts doing that, do you?
Falls on floor - Shannon posted in that thread
As for the number of posts? Pshaw, that's old posts. Mos of those would have occurred in the heyday of DST, which was over five years ago.
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Right, things have been added up over many years. How many product previews are still in the gallery while the designers are long gone? How many layouts are still in the gallery while the members are long gone? Who pays to host them? and don't suggest to remove them. I saw something similar to that a few years ago when they wanted to delete or archive old old layouts and people screamed that it was not faire, that some people had only DST as a gallery and they would loose all their work, and blah blah blah. Yes they are just numbers, old numbers, but they add up to numbers on the bills too whether the designers or scrappers are still around or not.
#142 - what exactly is your point? I'm in agreement with you about the cost and I don't see why you responded (#136) to my post (#134) the way you did. Did you just misread it?
#143 I might have misundertood what you meant. I thought you were saying that the numbers didn't matter since those posts were old ones. If it is not the case, ignore my post (I cannot delete it). I think I need coffee.
#140- Sigh.
I think removing old product galleries for people that are no longer designer would be worthwhile for DST if the cost of hosting is so high.
I think they should delete layout gallery postings over 2 years old, and product gallery postings over a year old unless you're willing to shell out extra for the storage space. There ARE other places you can use to store your layouts, and most of the postings are CT layouts the purpose of which is to advertise product. After a year it's reasonable to delete the ads. I think if you don't post something within a year, your profile should be deleted. There were people getting all het up in that thread tonight who's last post was more than a year ago, and the post before that was a year before that!!They are obviously just using the site as a personal storage space or something, and not interacting as intended.
That said, all those millions of posts take up space, and the 35K page views they get cost a lot of bandwidth.
I find it very ironic that when they tried adding ads everyone screamed, now they try getting users to pay and they scream... who exactly do you think should pay for this site? Santa? Either you pay or advertisers pay, the scrap-fairy doesn't do venture capital.
One thing for sure all the ones complaining on DST are SSD people.
Yep, some of those people complaining were hypocrites.
One of them had just over 800 posts and yet almost the same amount of layouts. A real participator.
Another one 300 posts and 200 layouts.
Another one with 200 posts and 200 layouts.
They are all just pissed and losing their dump and run and free storage. Good riddance I say.
In all honestly, from someone with a baby and a partner living on a single low income... $39 really isn't that much to pay.
One thing for sure all the ones complaining on DST are SSD people.
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Yup. 16 pages and it's nothing but SSD complaining. You sure are right! Seriously - if you can't complain about SSD, then you're day just isn't complete, is it.
I don't post much at DST and my gallery is actually small and out of date. I go there a couple of times a month to see if it is interesting, and it isn't. I am a designer, and I also go there sometimes to check in on pirate sites and blog trains. Certainly there is no value to me paying to post there and paying for that kind of community. I don't require my CT members to post there - I stopped that a couple of years ago when the it started to slide. So I will quietly leave. I am fairly certain dozens if not hundreds of designers will do the same.
Hundreds of designers? I doubt very much that the designers who participate at DST would reach the high double figures.
I guess you didnt see the comment that 1200 designers have signed the designer agreement.
#154 - I guess you didn't see the comment that at least half of those designers don't design anymore and besides, I'm sure I used the word PARTICIPATE. Why, yes I did.
Since I just said I am a designer who rarely participates I thought you might have connected the dots that many designers who go there rarely will just stop altogether. It certainly isn't going to encourage increased use.
I guess most people posting here are designers? I think $39 a year for them is well spent money, but as a CTM I'd never pay to post my layouts.
Interesting to see how designers look upon CTMs. We're just tight, we just want stuff free. I guess this means you don't appreciate the actual work we do. Then why have CTs?
Since I just said I am a designer who rarely participates I thought you might have connected the dots
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There were no dots to connect.
There were no dots to connect.
^^
Sorry it was hard for you. I said I was a designer who didn't participate much who would just quietly leave, and I suspected hundreds of others would do the same. You then came back and said there weren't hundreds of active designers - which proves you didn't understand me since I was never talking about active designers.
Not very active and quietly leaving has nothing to do with how many active designers there are.
Rather than go over to DST and sort through tons of pages, I'm hoping you guys can answer a question for me. Are they going to honor the Diamond Memberships? Or will Diamond members still have to pay?
Well that should give people food for thought!!
seems to me Diamond members are going to have to pay. Diamond membership didn't mean not paying. Those with Diamond memberships still had to pay the $10.00 to post in the product gallery and forum.
"Diamond Members: The Diamond Memberships have been permanently closed, but our forever special Diamond Members will continue to receive the perks of the gold membership for life, keep displaying "Diamond Member" in their profile, and receive a discount on the new Designer Membership. "
So the Diamond members will keep what is now $29 for life. If they want the Design Membership, it might be the difference, which is $10 a year... sounds like it is exactly what it is now. Absolutely no change for all the Diamond Members from what I understand (although I just assume they would pay the difference of $10)
No need to go through the whole thread. The answer is in the first post, in the announcement itself.
Considering the new guide lines, I don't have the time or inclination. Bye bye DST so glad to have known you. ROFL
That's how I read it, they are not taking away anything that's paid for. The Diamond memberships are the same, pay $10 extra for designer access. The people who've paid the $10 actually do ok because they get the $39 membership for the remainder of their subscription.
Huge conflict of interest for Sara to be raging about DST when she owns a competing site.
^ Can you blame her seeing opportunities? LOL
Not at all, but it takes a huge pair. Can you see the CEO of Burger King walking into a McDonalds and starting a mutiny over the cleanliness of the bathrooms?
Guess that would be fun to see actually.
Sure Sara's place might be free, and might have a higher limit of uploads, but I would not like it if I posted a layout and then 2 other CT members posted 10 each and my layout is off the page. How would that help MY layout get exposure for my designer? It might be more convenient to be able to upload everything on the same day, but in the end, what is the benefit if nobody has time to view them?
148-I'm NOT an SSD person, and I complained.
OK here is my take. The community feel at DST has gone down since a long time (it is nothing new). Why? Because it has gotten so big. Victim of their own success at one point? Then, because it was so big and had lots of traffic, designers started using it as a huge free advertising platform (finding ways to advertise without paying $10 a year), with their CT pimping their products everywhere. People have complained how commercial that whole site had become and there were less and less "scrapbooking chitchat", discussion and helping each other. It was all about this new kit, this sale, this promotion. Maybe some (not all) of the designers should look at how they have freely used that site, for their own exposure. Maybe those designers could start being part of the community themselves instead of letting their CT do the advertisement, and their ad person doing the new products posting, and flooding the forum with commercial stuff. A community is what people make it.
Just my 2 cents.
For those that are saying CTM's post and run--I'm a CTM, and my ratio is about 2-1 posts to layouts. I may not be the typical CTM, but to lump us all into one pile isn't a fair comparison. I do admit that when I first started ctm work I didn't post in the forum as much, but the site grew on me and frankly it's the only forum that I don't have to post in. Maybe that is what made it appealing. Although the designers I ct for don't actually have forum participation as a requirement, they appreciate it. I do try to participate in a few.
Maybe some (not all) of the designers should look at how they have freely used that site, for their own exposure. Maybe those designers could start being part of the community themselves instead of letting their CT do the advertisement, and their ad person doing the new products posting, and flooding the forum with commercial stuff. A community is what people make it.
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totally. I've noticed the people that got pissed off the most are the people who never contribute to conversations, answer questions for new scrappers or even bother to post much beyond promoting themselves.
I think DST can reinvent itself as a place to learn, to share and to support scrapbookers, and this is a great opportunity to make that happen. Some good suggestions FINALLY coming up on the forum thread.
Some good suggestions FINALLY coming up on the forum thread.
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I wonder if they would have gotten so many good suggestions if they had only asked for suggestions? Many designers/scrappers/members might not have bothered. But now that it touches what they took for granted forever, they suddenly wake up!
I think the prices should be adjusted a little, but I dont have a problem paying more for designer access.
Would Sara's site survive if all the designers and CT members were to use her forum as freely as they have used DST in the past? I knew DST had a big gallery, but I had never looked at the numbers. They have over 1.5 MILLIONS of layouts, and over 10 MILLIONS comments. No wonder it costs them an arm and a leg!
#179- DSA is worse than DST. You're lucky if you get even a view in that gallery.
#180 - and I bet that all those designers "moving" over there will get better exposure... not.
If there is a mass exodus to a single other site, I don't thing that single site would survive the wave.
#182- Everyone moving will mean that those "free" sites will have to host more and I can't see Sara eating the costs on that.
Sara's sure hoping for that mass exodus, though... have you seen the status updates on the DSA facebook page? "We have a 10 upload limit and it's all FREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"
10 uploads a day is shooting oneself in the foot. It looks good but not worth it if you don't get viewed.
I can't see Sara eating the costs on that.
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Then everyone will go back to DST when she has to set limits or start charging?
To be honest, I don't really see the point of the product gallery at DST. I paid the fee to have access to it, but I think I've only added something a couple of times. I can't imagine I really got any benefit from it.
The same goes for the layout gallery. Does anyone actually look at layouts there, or do people just use it as a dumping ground to fulfill requirements?
I wouldn't have a problem paying a fee for the private designer areas, even though I don't participate much.
#184- Yeah LOL! No thanks. Free or not, DSA is slow and worse than DST.
#185- I would think so. I can't wait to see that happen.
I am probably like most people: I am not thrilled with this changes but I am willing to pay the $39. Anyone else?
There is one bright side: Those who are making $50 a month probably won't spend it, so it will weed some people out.
There is one bright side: Those who are making $50 a month probably won't spend it, so it will weed some people out.
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Silver lining. They will go to DSA!
Anonymous said... 172 Sure Sara's place might be free, and might have a higher limit of uploads, but I would not like it if I posted a layout and then 2 other CT members posted 10 each and my layout is off the page. How would that help MY layout get exposure for my designer? It might be more convenient to be able to upload everything on the same day, but in the end, what is the benefit if nobody has time to view them?
Sep 5, 2012 8:19:00 AM
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MSA is 10 a day too and that new site, Real Life Scrapped is unlimited, but no one is bagging on them, just Sara. Why is that?
Anonymous said... 184 Sara's sure hoping for that mass exodus, though... have you seen the status updates on the DSA facebook page? "We have a 10 upload limit and it's all FREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"
Sep 5, 2012 9:51:00 AM
That's not new. I've been uploading there around 15 layouts on weekends since iNSD. She didn't change it just because of DST. Promoting it now is just smart business.
MSA is 10 a day too and that new site, Real Life Scrapped is unlimited, but no one is bagging on them, just Sara. Why is that?
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Maybe because it is the only one mentioned in that thread? Go post them if you want everyone to check them out.
Or maybe because she's actively posting in the thread on DST, and promoting it on FB?
Anonymous said... 193 MSA is 10 a day too and that new site, Real Life Scrapped is unlimited, but no one is bagging on them, just Sara. Why is that?
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Maybe because it is the only one mentioned in that thread? Go post them if you want everyone to check them out.
Sep 5, 2012 10:33:00 AM
Both of them have splashed it all over facebook, just like she's been criticized for doing. I'm not a fan of hers but in this instance I don't think the criticism is fair.
Both of them have splashed it all over facebook,
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I didn't get splashed. I would not know as I am not following them on Facebook. I am only following the thread at DST. And I am probably not the only one.
Jen seems to go about her business in a more professional way which could be why Sara is getting bagged on. I didn't see Jen being pushy and rude at DST like Sara was.
I had never heard of real life scrapped. How long has that been around?
AND...my $.02 if any forum/gallery was artistically appealing, that would be a reason to post there.
Come on people, if your business is digital design, DESIGN something pleasing to the eye or hire some talent to do it for you. I can't take any of them seriously when they are so ugly.
I had to LOL @ Allison Pennington saying she couldn't post at DST because of the color. I AGREE!
#198- I thought that was funny too LOL!
Part of the reason forums and galleries are ugly is that everyone uses the free VBulletin software. We looked at all kinds of forum software for our site and the ones that weren't VB were slow or had very limited functionality. Paid ones weren't much better. Or they were too hard to integrate with a gallery.
Most of us don't have the resources to have one custom built, so we resort to the cheap/free option.
I'm not in love with the colors, but they had a contest and only got 5 responses even remotely workable, 4 of which were too ugly to see the light of day. Seriously. The winning one they had to go to the designer and ask for changes. So unless you submitted something awesome, and somehow it got lost, I think they were just working with what they got. And that was after offering a $500 cash prize for the winning logo! With all these designers around here surely you'd think people could offer better...
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