Is DPC THAT unique of a community?

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/12/2008 07:55:46 PM · #1

(triggered by this thread and many others like it)

I am always so impressed and intrigued by the things that go on in this community. I have friends & family that don't quite understand or don't seem to believe the things I tell them about this site. Makes me wonder if this community is really that unique. I have never heard of any other community site that brings people together in ways far beyond virtual than this one. Then again, I haven't looked that hard. Are there many other niche communities that even come close?

What are your thoughts on how this place compares to similar or larger or smaller community sites (YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Meetup, etc.)?

Would this site work if it weren't centered around a common topic/passion/hobby? For some members here, photography plays a very minor role in the appeal of this place.

I really am curious...

BAMartin

Apple iPhone 5

03/12/2008 08:09:05 PM · #2

I have personally experienced and witnessed actions by this community that I have never seen anywhere else. My own personal tragedy is forefront in my mind right now, but also the replacement camera for Hotpasta recently. Anyone else remember the huge manhunt for Stdavidson when he went missing?

I have been a member of other large websites centered around a common interest but never have I seen any site that compares to this one in terms of community involvement. As to your questions, who knows. Its all a beautiful mystery to me.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/12/2008 08:27:41 PM · #3

Like Barbara, I've witnessed many, many instances of this community really pulling together and responding to need. I have seen instances of this elsewhere, but never to the degree, nor with the frequency that it happens here.

joynim

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

03/12/2008 08:29:08 PM · #4

So what is it about DPC that makes it different from the other online communities?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

03/12/2008 08:29:20 PM · #5

This is the only site I know of where a member can say, "Hey I'll be in [pick a city, any city] next weekend. Anybody wanna GTG?" and instantly meet up with familiar faces. People here have been known to raise money for good causes, retouch photos for Katrina victims, organize flowers for a member's loss, give equipment away to young talent, offer surprise birthday wishes, program web sites, author tutorials, and donate memberships to complete strangers. We're constantly on the lookout for theft of another member's work, warning of scams and alerting each other to great deals. Heck, a handful of fools even volunteer to take abuse from the other members on a regular basis. It's the only site I've ever paid money to join. Yeah, I'd call that pretty unique. ;-)

dponlyme

Nikon D3000

03/12/2008 08:29:46 PM · #6

I am new here and I have to say that this is the most active photography site I have seen in terms of a community of users. There seems to be a lot of people who are devoted to this site. I feel lucky to have found it.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

03/12/2008 08:32:25 PM · #7

Thanks Barbara. The "helping those in need" is a big part of what I am talking about, but other things come to mind - those things actually do center around photography - like the global collaboration projects like the Christmas thing we did a couple years ago, the international workshops, the GTG's, the career successes of so many of our members who attribute much of it to this community.

I think my curiosity stems from the fact that this is really the first and only community type site I ever really got involved with and it would just seem like a lucky coincidence that I came upon the best on the web. ;-) Although out of 10 years I spent in the Navy, I was only on one ship and that was 25 years ago and many of the folks I served with still claim to this day that it was by far the best ship/crew they had been a part of and most of them had been on 4 or 5 ships for 2-4 year periods. So maybe it's my Irish luck. :)

cryan

Nikon D700

03/12/2008 08:36:32 PM · #8

Ya know I've been around here for two years. In that time I have seen this community come together for our members many times. Its one of the main reasons I've stayed. Maybe it is the love of photography that keeps us together but I feel rather than think it has more to do with just a good group of people from all over the world wanting to share life. Once you are here its hard to leave and in some cases if you voice your intent to leave, you are usually talked out of it. Its a place where we can come to learn and share and feel like we belong to something greater. Is it really that unique, hell yeah. I wouldn't be here if it were just run of the mill. Tried that, left that. Here i stay.

gwe21

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

03/12/2008 08:37:01 PM · #9

When I stumbled upon this site, I was impressed with this community, how quick others here were to respond to my posts and help and give feedback when needed.

I like the diversity this group brings, and its refreshing to be part of a community that has so many different viewpoints.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/12/2008 09:07:32 PM · #10

I don't think it is a huge coincidence that this would be the first community that people would put into and be impressed that they are getting something out of it. other communities that don't measure up to dpc would be passed over and forgotten.

I also think it is not a coincidence that this is a relatively affluent group that in many cases has come to grips with the idea of putting money into a worthy place. makes a difference. i think.

taterbug

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

03/12/2008 09:21:04 PM · #11

I'm here for all the free cheesecake.
And Bruce really enjoys it too...when he's not out keepin' gators away.

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

03/12/2008 09:22:05 PM · #12

Well, over at boardgamegeek, there is quite a community, too; people who love boardgaming will often meet up to play boardgames and socialise, and attend conventions.
One very impressive thing is the annual Secret Santa, organised by one of the members who's based in South Korea. People sign up and he matches gift-givers with "targets". The gift-givers (who may or may not be "targets" themselves, according to choice) look up their allocated target's Wishlist of games and sends one anonymously (usually through an on-line store). Kind of like the gift-giving we have here, which isn't anonymous (and for which none of my requests have been fulfilled :-()

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/12/2008 09:25:54 PM · #13

The community around Penny Arcade springs to mind too. They all share a common web comic and a love of video games and that's about it. So far they've donated about $3 million over the last 4 years.

03/12/2008 09:34:10 PM · #14

Originally posted by Pug-H:

Kind of like the gift-giving we have here, which isn't anonymous (and for which none of my requests have been fulfilled :-()

David, I've answered at least six ads on Craigslist to get you what you requested:

...but each time I keep getting ripped off by unscrupulous scammers! Seems the CL community isn't quite made up of the same moral fiber that we see here.

I'll keep trying though, cuz dammit, I'm a DPCer!

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

03/12/2008 09:35:29 PM · #15

Originally posted by Gordon:

The community around Penny Arcade springs to mind too. They all share a common web comic and a love of video games and that's about it. So far they've donated about $3 million over the last 4 years.

Donated to who? And was it the company running the site, or the community members?

smardaz

03/12/2008 09:38:02 PM · #16

i can say that i have been surprised at myself as i usually shy away from making "internet friends" but i have become quite fond of many on here. Especially

Sandyp and

roz ......this place really does have a great community of seemingly "normal" people......not including the OP of course ;)

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/12/2008 09:38:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by Gordon:
The community around Penny Arcade springs to mind too. They all share a common web comic and a love of video games and that's about it. So far they've donated about $3 million over the last 4 years.

Donated to who? And was it the company running the site, or the community members?

Well, there's two guys who write the comic and run the site. They donate toys to children's hospitals. It's grown a lot from when they started it. There's more detail if you are interested here.
The radiant vista community is another good example. They give away lenses and cameras to other members every year. Good communities exist in a lot of places.

Message edited by author 2008-03-12 21:39:54.

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

03/12/2008 09:39:43 PM · #18

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by Pug-H:
Kind of like the gift-giving we have here, which isn't anonymous (and for which none of my requests have been fulfilled :-()

David, I've answered at least six ads on Craigslist to get you what you requested:

...but each time I keep getting ripped off by unscrupulous scammers! Seems the CL community isn't quite made up of the same moral fiber that we see here.

I'll keep trying though, cuz dammit, I'm a DPCer!

You needn't get ripped off on my account. ;-) Anyway, that's not what I asked for. I asked for someone to be a one-on-one tutor for

Whiterook, but I don't think anyone took that up....

03/12/2008 09:44:27 PM · #19

Originally posted by smardaz:

....this place really does have a great community of seemingly "normal" people......not including the OP of course ;)

That brings up another point - some people I've spoken with who don't spend a lot of time on sites like this are under the impression that everyone on the web lies about everything they are an do. I used to assume the same thing but in the past several years, my opinion has almost reversed - I think people are more honest and that there are more honest people than there are dishonest ones. You only hear about the bad things. It would be great to hear more stories about sites like this one in the press that show the good side of the internet.

Well gotta go - back to Craigslist to find out where to wire the money for that new Camera - I'm getting an unbelievable deal on it!

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

03/12/2008 09:45:48 PM · #20

Originally posted by Pug-H:

You needn't get ripped off on my account. ;-) Anyway, that's not what I asked for. I asked for someone to be a one-on-one tutor for Whiterook, but I don't think anyone took that up....

Would you settle for World Peace? LOL - I'm just kidding Whiterook - ya know I love ya!

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

03/12/2008 10:09:25 PM · #21

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

It would be great to hear more stories about sites like this one in the press that show the good side of the internet.

Well, this thread isn't the press, but I've personally been involved in:
- buying a new camera for a college student whose camera broke
- buying a new camera for hotpasta when his fell in the ocean because of a very scary experience
- buying flowers for someone who broke her leg
- raising money to fight Multiple Sclerosis (okay, shameless plug), getting donations from an amazing number of DPCers
- writing tutorials and learning threads and spreading what we've all learned
- buying plane tickets for someone to go to her daughter who was in a horrific car accident

and I'm about to give away my first gift membership.

And I really do feel like I'd give my guest room to any of several DPCers who happened to be in town, and that they'd do the same for me.

I regularly use DPC's community now as an example of what can happen online. If you'd suggested this to me 3 years ago, I would've rolled my eyes. Not now.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II