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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> Who runs this place?
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Showing posts 76 - 100 of 168, (reverse)
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 02/11/2007 07:15:29 PM · #76
As for WHO runs this place?... Drew and Langdon do. And if we don't like it we can leave. This is NOT a public domain. Period.

Who Runs This Place
 02/11/2007 07:19:12 PM · #77
Ok, I'm done with the sympathy now. Please crawl back under your rock.
 02/11/2007 07:20:38 PM · #78
Well, I tried the 'cedew' rule down at my local pub tonight and challenged the landlord as to why he charges me almost 3 earth pounds for an ale that costs pennies to make - I'm now looking for a new local!
 02/11/2007 07:51:51 PM · #79
How come we have to pay for long distance? I think the phone companies are making money from that. Who runs the phone companies? I want to write them and tell them I will set up my own phone network and not charge extra for long distance.
 02/11/2007 09:41:05 PM · #80
Hmn. Cedew may have some kind of point for those who like to shop around for the best price or freebie. But I consider that what I get here for nothing as a registered user is pretty damn good. And yes, I plan to join. Thing is, most of us like this site for a great number of reasons, not least of which is the responsiveness, courteousness and intelligence of the administrators. Question of neighborhood and $25 plus or minus in annual rent. Caveat freebie emptor. (Would appreciate the Latin for freebie from someone).
 02/11/2007 09:44:27 PM · #81
I'm half tempted to buy him a gift membership...
 02/11/2007 09:50:33 PM · #82
Originally posted by alanfreed:
I'm half tempted to buy him a gift membership...


Don't waste your money...he wouldn't know what to do with it! Except to maybe whinge that he doesn't get enough benefits for his money!! (Or your money in this case!!)
 02/11/2007 10:06:54 PM · #83
Not to fear... that was the insane half of me speaking. The wise half knows better :)

Originally posted by Judi:
Originally posted by alanfreed:
I'm half tempted to buy him a gift membership...


Don't waste your money...he wouldn't know what to do with it! Except to maybe whinge that he doesn't get enough benefits for his money!! (Or your money in this case!!)
02/11/2007 10:09:01 PM · #84
Originally posted by alanfreed:
Not to fear... that was the insane half of me speaking. The wise half knows better :)


The wife? LOLOLOL ;)
 02/11/2007 10:16:59 PM · #85
Hi Mike ( cedew). I'm not sure if you're for real or if you're just trying to stir things up for the fun of it.

You make a point about the $25. Yes, there are other photography sites out there that are free. Maybe even some that have a sense of community. I'm not sure. I had joined one (free photo site) before but found I still spent more time here and have not participated at the free site for quite some time now (months).

What do I get for $25?

1) The contest's are fun, challenging, have pushed me to learn new techniques and I've taken on photo subjects I probably would not have otherwise.

2) I get a place to ask questions, about nearly anything (photography or not) and get quick honest answers.

3) For $25 I help offset some expenses this site incurs to be here in the first place. Sure, DPChallenge probably makes some money off of advertising, etc...but you know what? There is NO advertising for the members site - NONE. That makes for a more pleasant environment certainly. I'm sure there are perks for the $25 (portfolio space, etc... for me that's secondary). Have I mentioned how proactive the site owner is? Langdon is constantly tweaking this site, listening to user feedback, and enhancing this site for everyone.

4) Speaking of environment...for the most part, this community is fun, pleasant, and overall congenial to everyone. Site Council is in place to help in monitoring the forums and help keep this a comfortable place to hangout.

Can I get some or all of the above at free photography sites? Maybe. Could I spend $25 on dinner? Easily. How about an evening out dancing? For sure. Movies? In a heartbeat.

How about the price of friendship? I've met people here at DPChallenge I can honestly call friends, and not just cyber friends, but real live people that I've spent time with at various events (GTG's they're called). For this, there is no price tag.
 02/11/2007 10:29:55 PM · #86
Originally posted by idnic:
The wife? LOLOLOL ;)


Ha ha... very funny, and completely untrue. I'd elaborate on that, but I think my wife is calling...
 02/11/2007 10:52:06 PM · #87
You're right dude. This place sucks!!
 02/11/2007 10:54:43 PM · #88
Originally posted by alanfreed:
Originally posted by idnic:
The wife? LOLOLOL ;)


Ha ha... very funny, and completely untrue. I'd elaborate on that, but I think my wife is calling...

Alan "not so" Freed:)
 02/11/2007 10:55:07 PM · #89
Simple. If you don't like it here....then leave. We are not stopping you and to be honest...it would be mean we wouldn't have to listen to griping.
 02/11/2007 11:02:58 PM · #90

Barry,

Thanks for the explanation. Its tough trying to sift through the others. Comically, I probably will end up paying the annual fee, I just don't like it. I would also say that tnun's comments probably aren't too far from the truth.

I think paying sucks, you guys explain why it works for you, I understand. I hate you, you hate me, whatever. Regardless, I think this thread has run its course.
 02/11/2007 11:20:40 PM · #91
Mike,

If you think you "can't do anything" as a free Registered User, I'd encourage you to check again.

For the first year of the site's existence, it was, in fact, free. At the beginning, Langdon ran the site on an Access database on his work computer. Needless to say, this didn't scale. As the site grew, features were added, and eventually paid membership was needed to cover the escalating bandwidth and hosting costs. When the paid membership was added, the administrators said that all features that were free at the time would remain free, but that users who chose to purchase paid memberships would receive additional challenges and other features in return.

Just a few of the many things you can do as a free Registered User include:

- Post to the forums (you've already figured this one out). You can post your photographs to the Individual Photograph Discussion forum, even if they're hosted elsewhere. We just request that if the photo is more than 30K or 500 pixels wide, that you use a thumbnail or link, rather than placing the image directly in your post. This tutorial shows how.
- Enter either one of the Exclusive Open Challenges each week. While Member challenges are, as you've noticed, a perk of paid membership, there is always a pair of Exclusive Open challenges from which ALL users -- paid or free, can choose one and submit. It is important to note that the "Exclusive" in Exclusive Open means you can only enter one or the other -- that applies to paid members as well as free registered users. This is done to keep the number of entries manageable.
- Peruse the How'd They Do That and Tutorials.
- Browse and comment on photos.
- Select favorite photographers and photographs, and browse others' favorites as well.
- Vote and comment in all Exclusive Open challenges, and comment in Member challenges..

It's also worth noting that there is no time limit on free accounts. People can and do participate as Registered Users for years.

Also, as to the unnamed web host you mentioned in your first message. I'd be curious to know who they are, as I might have a use for such a host for a personal project I'm working on. If you would be willing to PM me that information, I would appreciate it (click on my name at left to go to my profile, and click the Private Message link to send me the info). That said, hosts in that price range often rate-limit data transfers -- that is, you can transfer 2Tb of data per month, but the maximum speed at which the data can be transferred is limited. DPChallenge sees tremendous bandwidth usage between about 23:00 and 01:00 on challenge rollover nights, and that usage would probably exceed that available from most hosts.

Most importantly, though, the administrators of the site put in a tremendous amount of time and energy into maintaning and developing the site. New features are constantly being added, and existing ones constantly improved. The site is attractive, reliable, and easy to use, the atmosphere is friendly, and the community is the best you'll find anywhere, on or off the Internet. I know when I go to work each week, I expect to get paid for it -- as I'm sure you do as well. It's only fair that the Administrators of this site get something for the time they put into making DPChallenge what it is.

What's nice about DPChallenge is that you have the choice to pay or not, and you have the choice to participate or not. I'd hope that in real life, if you were given a gift by a stranger, relative, or friend, that you would not complain to them that the gift is not enough. Think of your free account, and all the features that come with it, as a gift from DPChallenge and the community. It's yours to use and enjoy, for as long as you like, if you choose to do so. If you prefer, you can discard it and walk away -- even then, it's here for you if you should happen to change your mind in the future. To complain that you weren't given more, though, just doesn't make sense to me.

I wish you all the best with whatever you decide.

~Terry

Message edited by author 2007-02-11 23:25:40.
 02/11/2007 11:40:22 PM · #92
Would it be possible to see the stats that this site brings in like bandwith, etc?

I think that for $25/yr, it's deal you can't beat. Well, I reckon if you think that photography is a form of entertainment (and talking with other photogs about any and everything) then $25/yr is a helluva deal. I haven't been here long, and I haven't met anyone in real life; but I'm getting to know people and drool over their work. Now, whether or not the people here know I exist is another thing....

But seriously, did you needa post here with such a negative attitude? The reason why you got so many sarcastic and angry replies is because you so negative.
 02/12/2007 12:37:17 AM · #93
Originally posted by cedew:
So...what do you win...money? Gifts? What?


Actually that's exactly why I joined. The solid gold trophies they give out for the ribboners. You don't know about them because you haven't paid you dues. You also get these great bean burritos when you win the brown ribbon. Oh s&(, now the SC will ban me for telling you. :( I guess I'll have to start posting my stuff on flickr..... oh, I already do. Free too! Please pay your dues. We could use some more 1's in the challenges.
 02/12/2007 03:54:54 AM · #94
You guys are being pretty rude to cedew. He's a nooB. All of you hated it when you were new and people were being jackasses because you didn't understand, so please stop being hypocrites.

As for the paying...I wasn't to thrilled about it either when I first signed up, but after browsing thru several amazing photographs and reading some interesting posts, I bit the bullet. I got so much more from this site than I ever thought I would (trying not to sound cheesy). And yeah, sometimes it sucks and sometimes it's awesome, but not once have I regretted paying 25 bucks. This site consumes you (sometimes in an obsessive way) and as you get more and more involved you'll begin to understand what everyone is gloating about. I'm not saying that paying is going to stop people talking smack or make your photos awesome, but you will most likely gain something here...Besides, I like your style, you'll do well here.

BTW, please fill in the rest of your info under preferences so I can see where you're from. It sounds like your from the bay area (I'm in San Mateo County). So are a bunch of other members, so a get-together (GTG)can possibly be arranged.

Message edited by author 2007-02-12 03:56:10.
 02/12/2007 05:38:22 AM · #95
Originally posted by Blue Moon:
You guys are being pretty rude to cedew. He's a nooB. All of you hated it when you were new and people were being jackasses because you didn't understand, so please stop being hypocrites.



No offense Blue Moon, but from what I have read to date, it would seem that cedew might be the author of his own misfortunes. Attitude begets attitude, and the OP did question the acuity of all members on this site with his initial onslaught.

As for people being jackasses, I can't say that to date I have ever encountered that type of behavior from anyone on this site, and can assure you that I have had some heated debates with some people in here.

As far as liking cedew's style, I can't say that I share your view's in this regard either, as I personally prefer those that take time to learn and know about a community to those that would cast aspersions on the collective without knowing anyone within.

Just another person's point of view.

Ray
 02/12/2007 07:06:07 AM · #96
Maybe he is this guy that we've all been waiting for

Originally posted by idnic:
I'm converted! I quit DPC and will follow cedew forever. cedew is our leader, he decides who will stay and who will go.
02/12/2007 07:34:09 AM · #97
Originally posted by cedew:
Regardless, I think this thread has run its course.


Really? You finally figured that out?


02/12/2007 07:36:17 AM · #98
Originally posted by Blue Moon:
You guys are being pretty rude to cedew. He's a nooB. All of you hated it when you were new and people were being jackasses because you didn't understand, so please stop being hypocrites.



He maybe a nooB (as you put it), but he's also acting like a complete ass. The first does not excuse the second.
 02/12/2007 12:52:25 PM · #99
Originally posted by cedew:
Great job guys(and girls). So the general consensus is that you don't mind that you have to pay because you've found a place you like.

My rebuttal is that you shouldn't have to pay in order to have a place like this. Perhaps it's human nature to dislike change, and you overlook this seemingly small detail. While I see someone making a lot of money off of hardworking enthusiasts, and then being praised for it. Take a moment to quit being offended by someone challenging the place you love, and think about whether or not you want to pay someone else's next Mbz payment.


I'm barely active on this site and I pay because I learn/learned a lot from here and I don't mind paying to allow others to have a free place where they can learn as well. Members help pay the bills and get a little more then registered users do. The owners aren't getting rich from us, do the math. Besides, what you can't see is the other thread in the members section where were all making fun of you. :D Thanks for coming out.
 02/12/2007 12:55:46 PM · #100
Originally posted by cedew:
Who runs this place?


I run this place - don't ever forget it. :P

Oh Art..... me thinks a village is in need of a little "adjustment".
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