Robert M Estall Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 The open aspect must act as a bit of a brake on some topics which is probably a good thing. I wonder if a contributors only forum might descend into a great fee and rights moan. We already have enough of that surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Thompson Images Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Yes from me, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Walker Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share Posted August 5, 2013 The open aspect must act as a bit of a brake on some topics which is probably a good thing. I wonder if a contributors only forum might descend into a great fee and rights moan. We already have enough of that surely? Robert, You are right about fee and rights moans and I see nothing wrong with views being expressed. However the main point of this thread is that perhaps it shouldn't be carried out in view of Our/Alamy's customers. I just don't think it presents a very professional image. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 closed community, closed minds? Why?! because you would restrict the viewpoint of non-contributors, who could be potential customers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Todd Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 closed community, closed minds? Why?! because you would restrict the viewpoint of non-contributors, who could be potential customers That's the whole point of a closed forum. Non-contributors/potential customers won't be able to lurk around our discussions on prices, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 closed community, closed minds? Why?! because you would restrict the viewpoint of non-contributors, who could be potential customers That's the whole point of a closed forum. Non-contributors/potential customers won't be able to lurk around our discussions on prices, etc. I know that, but no-one can work in their own little world any more?...from my brief entry into these forums it seems we have little control over prices anyway..see the post on refunds, for example...what would be better would be if Alamy themselves joined in the discussion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov makabaw Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Anyone still a member of Alamypro, the Contributors only forum? dov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustydingo Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Anyone still a member of Alamypro, the Contributors only forum? dov Been a "lapsed member" for years . . . can't remember the last time I visited, but I do remember how numbingly unfulfilling it eventually became as regular, long-term, experienced and/or entertaining/knowledgeable/creative contributors dropped by the wayside . . . hmmm, reminds me of . . . ummm . . . EDIT: Oh dear, I've upset a couple of red-arrow cowards . . . such fun :-) dd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alamy Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Hello everyone! It seems a good time to step in here having read all the comments so far Having a ‘closed’ or ‘private’ forum (or forum section) pretty much goes against everything we want to achieve here. We recently re-launched the forum and the format you see it in now represents how we believe it to be at its most valuable – open and transparent. Communities and social media in the modern era are a wonderful thing. The emphasis lies in openness and sharing. Excluding people from the conversation based on how ‘experienced’ they are or whether or not they have a certain amount of images with us, or have made a certain amount of sales etc etc is not in our ethos. Even having an open forum with a private section will lead people to feel marginalised and how is it dictated what types of conversation belong in the ‘private’ section and which do not? We've added features that we believe have improved the general atmosphere such as the link to photographer portfolios and the reputation system. The current format allows brand new and even potentially new photographers to converse and mix with others who are just starting out or experienced Alamy members – this is a good thing. Having a closed section could make those who are not ‘full’ members feel excluded from the full community. We don’t want that. Much of the reasoning put forward in this thread here seems to be centered around the ‘open’ discussing of discounts, refunds and customer pricing. Some have questioned why we ‘allow’ photographers to discuss such things on our own forum. The answer is simple – we've got nothing to hide. We strive to get the best deals for photographers and often we are having to compete with quotes that come in much lower than ours from other image providers. Pretending that deals are not made or even having them behind a ‘closed’ door doesn't alter the reality and if anything, allowing new or potential Alamy photographers to get involved in these conversations makes sense. A fresh perspective is good. Look on the other side too. Look at the positive threads. Topics about good sales and spotting usages. Why would it be good to hide those threads away from non-members or inexperienced members? Having a closed off section introduces a number of extra steps for member validation, confirmation, development and general admin. Our efforts are better diverted elsewhere. Your first post here already has to be approved by us, but we feel that’s as far as we want or need to go in terms of ‘vetting’. We’d like to thank you for your suggestions and we do always read them with interest, but we want to confirm that the Alamy forum will remain an open one. Many thanks James Allsworth Social Media Manager, Alamy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Mr Allsworth This is not so much a discussion about social media as a discussion about price sensitive strategies and giving your contributors a place to do that without having it broadcast around the world. I don't know any other organisation on earth that conducts its private business discussions in public (totally searchable) and hides its actual product from those same search engines. I think you not only have it back to front, but you have an agenda for doing so, because none of the arguments you have put forward hold any water at all in my view. It would be very simple to limit one section to contributors who you already are vetting. Can I suggest the minutes of Alamy's next executive meeting are made public too. That would be keeping with the company's claim it has nothing to hide. Regards Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensplace Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Hello everyone! It seems a good time to step in here having read all the comments so far Having a ‘closed’ or ‘private’ forum (or forum section) pretty much goes against everything we want to achieve here. We recently re-launched the forum and the format you see it in now represents how we believe it to be at its most valuable – open and transparent. Communities and social media in the modern era are a wonderful thing. The emphasis lies in openness and sharing. Excluding people from the conversation based on how ‘experienced’ they are or whether or not they have a certain amount of images with us, or have made a certain amount of sales etc etc is not in our ethos. Even having an open forum with a private section will lead people to feel marginalised and how is it dictated what types of conversation belong in the ‘private’ section and which do not? We've added features that we believe have improved the general atmosphere such as the link to photographer portfolios and the reputation system. The current format allows brand new and even potentially new photographers to converse and mix with others who are just starting out or experienced Alamy members – this is a good thing. Having a closed section could make those who are not ‘full’ members feel excluded from the full community. We don’t want that. Much of the reasoning put forward in this thread here seems to be centered around the ‘open’ discussing of discounts, refunds and customer pricing. Some have questioned why we ‘allow’ photographers to discuss such things on our own forum. The answer is simple – we've got nothing to hide. We strive to get the best deals for photographers and often we are having to compete with quotes that come in much lower than ours from other image providers. Pretending that deals are not made or even having them behind a ‘closed’ door doesn't alter the reality and if anything, allowing new or potential Alamy photographers to get involved in these conversations makes sense. A fresh perspective is good. Look on the other side too. Look at the positive threads. Topics about good sales and spotting usages. Why would it be good to hide those threads away from non-members or inexperienced members? Having a closed off section introduces a number of extra steps for member validation, confirmation, development and general admin. Our efforts are better diverted elsewhere. Your first post here already has to be approved by us, but we feel that’s as far as we want or need to go in terms of ‘vetting’. We’d like to thank you for your suggestions and we do always read them with interest, but we want to confirm that the Alamy forum will remain an open one. Many thanks James Allsworth Social Media Manager, Alamy Good post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Thanks for the response, James....it,s good to know that you are looking in :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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