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Community Center F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Nov 26 7:01 am)
Subject: New Changes Coming for the Magazine!
I just received the email asking about the balance for remaining issues of the printed magazine. I would be interested by the subscription to the new online version except that there is no mention of how much that subscription will cost. Any idea about this ?
- agiel - www.linfa.net
To paraphrase from someone who said it so more eloquently than I ever could... PAY for free stuff? PAY to get help and tutorials?? PAY for reviews that are free anywhere else??? You people must be getting awfully desperate for cash... I am counting the days until this site goes all pay, you are on your best way.
L'ultima fòrza è nella morte.
Oh, I don't think the people subscribing will find things that are available anywhere. The magazine was something special...something that couldn't be found just anywhere. I think the magazine team is going to make the online version something special too. You can hold me to that, if you want to, because I'm proud to say I'm participating in the project. You don't have any obligation to subscribe, of course. But I think the people who do won't be sorry.
I agree with dialyn and as a member of the team, I'm very proud of the upcoming issues. I'm definitely excited about the new "Experience". There can be no doubt that the magazine is fascinating, informative, and a very central part of the Renderosity community. The cover art on issue 1 was so appropriate. A wonderful thing was born in creating the magazine and more wonderful things will follow as the magazine matures. I really believe those who grow with it will be totally delighted.
Isn't all of the content in the magazine given freely to Renderosity? The only costs being the printing & shipping? Will there still be a print version of the magazine?
Calypso Dreams... My Art- http://www.calypso-dreams.com
sorry guys... you have NO custom here. Have a look at the Forums. everything you are offering is already there! Eg : freebies.. hold the phone.. you have a FREEBIE SECTION. Tutes? again.. you have a section for it! reviews? sorry I make a point of never reading reviews made by ppl that sell stuff for that program, conflict of interest ya know? Talk to famous artists? well, I can do that aleady ya know... so again, sorry. this is a way bad idea for this site. please, go back and think again!
The reviews are not written by people who sell the stuff...I don't know where you got that information but it isn't true. I can't say what may be in the contents but consider this....an online magazine gives us the chance to have interactive tutorials, to have animation, to have sound where appropriate, to have graphics show in layers so you could actually see a graphic being created. It will not be a duplicate of what is on the forums in and in the free areas and galleries, but an opportunity to open up possibilities. If you are closed to the idea, don't participate. But I see this as a wonderful chance to enhance our services. BTW, it's easy to complain before something exists...how about making some useful and constructive suggestions so that we can be sure it knocks everyone's socks off when they see it? THAT would be a good idea. There is no on on the magazine, NO ONE, that doesn't want to see this be worth someone's time to look at it and the modest cost of the subscription. I think it will be a creation the community will be proud of.
What about my questions? Isn't all of the content in the magazine given freely to Renderosity? The only costs being the printing & shipping? Will there still be a print version of the magazine?
Calypso Dreams... My Art- http://www.calypso-dreams.com
I think Dee-Marie would be the appropriate person to respond to your questions, which is why I did not try to address them. I can't speak to your questions because I'm not involved in the budget side of the magazine. I think we all hope that there will be a print version of the magazine at some time in the future, but whether it will be a subscription item, or an annual compilation is not for me to say. Not all of the magazine content is available on the Renderosity site....anyone who has seen the magazine knows that there is content beyond what is available here. And that will be true of the online version, I'm sure. I hope that helps. Anything else I would say would be speculation and I'm sure no one wants to read any more of my meanderings on the topic.
Hi everyone,
Let me see if I can address the great questions that you have all posted.
hmatienzo : Thank you for your questions of why pay for freestuff when you can get it for free on the Renderostity site anyway.
Answer:
The Renderosity Interactive Magazine, will not be like the Renderosity site.
Due to the nature of the not wanting to give all our surprises away before we launch the first issue, let me just say that all the tutorials, articles, interviews, product reviews, that will be featured in the Renderosity Interactive Magazine will be of the same high quality that we have featured in our printed version.
Exclusive to the Renderosity Magazine is going to be the key word to answering your question :)
Caly
Isn't all of the content in the magazine given freely to Renderosity?
Will there still be a print version of the magazine?
Answer
At this time, we will no longer be producing a printed quarterly version of the magazine.
As to the Magazine content as practice with many magazines, the submission of articles and artwork to the magazine is considered a joint service.
Contributors offer us an article or image, and in return we promote that artist by featuring them within the magazine. It is a common practice in the publishing trade and is a win win situation for all parties.
As both an artist and a writer, I know how hard it is to get published for the first time. Being featured in the Renderosity Magazine has helped to promote many artists and writers, by giving them the opportunity to become a published writer or artist.
Which is a very prestigious honor to be published.
Kaibach
Your questions: I make a point of never reading reviews made by ppl that sell stuff for that program, conflict of interest ya know? Talk to famous artists? well, I can do that aleady ya know.
Answer
All of our product reviews are conducted by Renderosty members [Most have been written by our very own magazine staff, and I know none of them are software corporate execs] we do not feature product reviews by companies we may interview software corporate members, in our View from the Heights series but our actual product reviews are conducted by our Rosity members who are very eager for you to know all sides of a products performance be it good or bad :)
As to the famous artist Series I am so very proud of that section of our magazine. Vicki Shane, our star reporter has done an outstanding job with interviewing famous artists from all areas of the Art world. In our recent magazine [Issue 8], she was able to not only get one, but three very popular artists to sit down with her and share their private thoughts.
This was exciting for the both the magazine as well as the Renderosity Community, to have Rowena, Julie Bell, and Boris Vallejo featured within the Magazines pages. Vicki has several other interviews lined up for the Famous Artist series for future issues of the Renderosity Interactive Magazine.
As to you already knowing famous artist, and thus no need to read about them in our magazine maybe we could get you to do an interview with some of the Famous Artists that you know, we are always looking for new areas that would interest future readers :)
Thanks for your questions, Sincerely, Dee-Marie Renderosity Magazine's Senior Editor in Chief
"I just think it might be nice to criticize it AFTER people have had a chance to see it."
It may be nice for people to be able to see it to criticize it before paying for it, too.
But that's just me.
I don't assume a product is good before I get a chance to view it, either.
Sorry, it had to be said.
Hi CyberStretch
I agree with you, that you cannot praise a product before you view it - but dialyn has a great point about not critcizing something that you have not had a chance to review :)
Everyday, we as consummers, purchase products or services with a leap of faith :)
Prime example - when we go to the movies - We have seen the previews - and in some cases we have heard the promotions from the people who have created the movie - but until we actually plunk down our money, buy our popcorn, find the perfect seat, and the lights go out and the movie starts - we have No idea what we have just paid for.
And, you are saying ... well a movie is only a few dollars - I don't know about you, but going to the movies is a big expense for me. Usually a light dinner for two before hand [pizza], and you HAVE to have the popcorn and pop, and the price of a ticket usually starts around $7 a piece. So for two people, for one movie [that I have no idea if I will end up loving it or hating after my 2 1/2 hours are up] I have just spent well over $20.
There will be a front page to the magazine that will be open to the non-subscribers - We will feature the Magazine's content, have some article blurbs, and let you have an idea of what is inside - it will be then be up to you the readers as to what you what kind of "review" you give us when you are finished with the experience :)
Dee-Marie
Cyberstretch, seeing it before criticizing it is fair. I am sure there will be opportunities to see a preview. I just don't like people jumping on the naysay wagon before there is a product. Isn't it reasonable to hold judgment until we can roll out the product? And of course there will be people who don't want to subscribe because they think all content should be free and they shouldn't have to pay for anything. That's okay. They don't have to subscribe. And there will be people who take a quick glance, decide it isn't for them, and don't subscribe. That's okay. No problem with that. And the people who subscribe, don't like it and want their money back. I understand that. But for the people who complain before they see anything... well, I think you can suspect what I'd say if I wasn't such a genteel lady born in an age of better manners than this. You surely all have a lovely weekend, my dears. I am taking a stroll out of this thread now.
"Everyday, we as consummers, purchase products or services with a leap of faith :)"
That may have been more true pre-Internet, but anyone with access would be foolish not to seek out all information regarding the purchase - be it movie tickets, a video card, a sports car - before plunking down the cash; be it a dollar or a million.
Whereas the costs of an online magazine are far less than printed, why not make the entire first online issue a "selling point" for future versions? Why should the members trust the selected blurbs vs having the ability to gain the full experience? Do you honestly think the Members do not know that R'osity will - like any company - promote what they think are the best parts and leave off the bad or not-so-good? Marketing is nothing new, people have become used to the usual tricks of the trade.
===
"Isn't it reasonable to hold judgment until we can roll out the product?"
Isn't it also reasonable to be able present your opinion (ie, "I wouldn't pay for a subscription to any nontangible thing.") without being criticized when there is nothing yet to review?
Attached Link: Poser City
"I think the magazine team is going to make the online version something special too." Point of order. It's not a magazine if it's online. It's an E-zine. "But our actual product reviews are conducted by our Rosity members who are very eager for you to know all sides of a products performance be it good or bad :) " Really Dee Marie? I've never read one word of criticism for P5 in your publication or any other software now that I come to think of it? "As to you already knowing famous artist, and thus no need to read about them in our magazine maybe we could get you to do an interview with some of the Famous Artists that you know, we are always looking for new areas that would interest future readers :)" If that wasn't a wise ass comeback remark then I've never read one. Very unprofessional of you IMHO. I do realize you are being baited a bit here but you just can't let yourself go to flinging one liner comebacks. You get paid to do your job. That's all the quantification you need. I think the magazine was something special if not altogether objective in it's reviews. I have really enjoyed the excellent glossy artworks in the issues Ive received. But, I feel you guys should have sucked it up and filled all existing subscriptions before switching formats. Obviously the venture was losing money, so abandoning it was a business decision. Everyone here should be able to understand. But, seriously, this whole "Online Magazine" concept is shameful in my opinion. It's an obvious attempt to hang onto the income from magazine sales while eliminating the cost of its production. Why not just have Tim make one of hisoh so popular posts declaring it not profitable instead of this worthless spin? "It's an Online Magazine". I'm a 26k modem connection. I think I'll pass. Regards, BrentIf you want to up your content game, get schooled to be a pro with Sixus1 Mentoring today!
Brent - I have known you for a long time, I was a member of your site and we have talked many time in Rosity Chat [under my ladynimue nick :) I am overly surprised [and a bit hurt] that you would even in the slightest way think that my request to Kaibach was anything but very real and very sincere! I do not, nor would I ever make a remark that would be anything else but! Especially when dealing with magazine issues. The magazine is Always Looking for content - and although Vicki has provided all of our Famous Artist interviews to date - I am very open to hear from all Rosity Members who wish to create content for the magazine. That is not to say that we accept every article that comes to us. We go over every article and accept or decline them for numerous reasons. As to the Renderosity Interactive Magazine - It is still a Magazine - Actually e-zines have been come to be liken to newsletters - if you do an online search using the word ezine or e-zine, that is what pops up the majority of the time. The Renderosity Interactive Magazine will retain the same feel and look as the Printed product - but with additional innovative and interactive features. We are very happy that you have enjoyed the Printed version of the Magazine - and we hope sometime in the future that you will reconsider and give the Renderosity Interactive Magazine. Sincerely, Dee-Marie
Hi again, We respect your opinions and we look forward to reviews of the magazine when it comes out :) As I stated above, we will have a preview page - and I promise that it will not hide the "bad stuff" cause, as with the printed version, the whole magazine will be of the same high quality - if you ar a current fan of the Rosity Printed magazine, you will not be disappointed in the Renderosity Interactive Magazine :) Dee-Marie
"We respect your opinions and we look forward to reviews of the magazine when it comes out :)"
Well, let's hope you can convince people to buy before seeing, first. Even print magazines offer free samples before requesting subscriptions - or you can check them out at the library, and their costs are much higher. I guess R'osity feels that they can be different because the content is of some higher quality.
Smells like a purely financial ploy to me, like many other "initiatives" as of late.
Greybro: If that wasn't a wise ass comeback remark then I've never read one. Very unprofessional of you IMHO. I do realize you are being baited a bit here but you just can't let yourself go to flinging one liner comebacks.
For as long as I have know Dee-Marie...I have never known her to sling a "wise ass comeback" as you suggest. Based on my dealings with her and seeing her interact with other people, her response to Kaibach was a sincere and honest show of interest in having Kaibach do some interviews. It was an <>invitation not an intimidation!
That was a cheap shot Brent, not something I would expect from you and I'm very disappointed to see you take it. That cost you some of the respect I had for you. It takes a big man to admit when he's wrong...let's see how big a man you are Brent.
That fact that a quip is completely out of character for deeMarie was entirely my point. "I am overly surprised [and a bit hurt] that you would even in the slightest way think that my request to Kaibach was anything but very real and very sincere! I do not, nor would I ever make a remark that would be anything else but! Especially when dealing with magazine issues. " You've always seemed very sincere to me. I'll take you at your word on that and just say that I apparantly read more into it than was your intent. I end up stepping on my tounge almost everytime I post here. And for the record, I didn't mean that as some sort of attack on your personal integrity. You've been nothing but professional in my dealings with you. So, my apologies if you felt attacked by me earlier comment. It just seemed edgy and out of character for you hence my comments. I'm not happy about the "Magazine" switching formats and in general and less and less satisfied with the community changes that have become common place. On the other hand I think TRMP is running better than it ever has from my perspective. Being something of the old guard myself, I always feel this sense of loss when I feel a bad direction being chosen. You know, like your football team decides it's only gonna run that darn statue of liberty play on offense. You know it's a mistake and you feel compelled to speak up.
If you want to up your content game, get schooled to be a pro with Sixus1 Mentoring today!
Personally, when I pay for something, I want it to be something I can keep. With the magazines, I will have them untill I want to get rid of them (Knowing me, I'll always have them, concidering I've even kept onto magazines my dad and grandpa had going back to the '50s and '60s despite both of them no longer being among us). With this "interactive magazine", once they are removed from the server, they are no more, so I can't go back and read them (as I often do). Here's what I found for definition from a dictionary "A 'zine is a low-volume, periodic publication distributed to satisfy the publisher's whim rather than for profit." Seeing how r'osity is, I have to agree, that it is not a e-zine. I have to agree with stretch in that it seems to be more for monitary reasons. I do have to disagree with greybro, Dee aint the type person to do sling anything.
Thank you so much for re-viewing the words in my post. That is the downside of communicating with "finger-talk," you just can't see or hear the emotions and true feelings behind the words. So, it is understandable that mere words on the screen can be easily misconstrued. Huge hugs to you, and the magazine team really does respect and welcome your input. We really do want to know what you would wish to see in the new Renderosity Interactive Magazine, as well as what you Do Not wish to see :) After all, the Renderosity community will be our main focus for the magazine's content, and we want to bring you information that you want to read and view! We really do care about your input :) Huge Hugs to you Brent, and thank you for your kind words and sincere comments as to your concerns of the direction the magazine will be taking :) Dee-Marie
Hi Hell, I love typing that - it just seems do decedent :] As to keeping things for a long time - I understand what you mean - I think most artist's are tactile-beings. To add to that, that Printed version of the magazine was very sensual - It was a visual delight, the paper felt "rich," the ink smelled expensive, it was something to be devoured, and savored; That was just the first impression, before even turning to the first page. The magazine team has worked very hard to make improvements with each printed issue, and with each issue the quality has only gone up. Yet, I have faith in this new venture, and the same amazing magazine team that will continue to strive for excellence! As to the new direction of the magazine: it is not being produced for profit - nor to satisfy the publisher's whim [as mentioned in the previous posting], but instead the magazine will continue to be produced for the enjoyment of Artists. The Renderosity Magazine and the new Renderosity Interactive Magazine is after all, created by artists, all members of the Renderosity community, with a strong devotion to the Renderosity community. Our main goal is to produce a high quality magazine, that has been and will be enjoyed by our past, present, and future readers. We care - we put our names, our talent, our time, and our unconditional dedication and devotion into the magazine. It is our labor of love, and we will do everything we can to meet the high expectations of our readers. Dee-Marie
Oh. I'm not closed to the idea.. just that I'm applying some logic. this area supplies a tute to do effect A I don't have a sub for this area, so I goto the Forum and ask for help there. Coupla hours later, I get info on how to do effect A. What does this do to your subs area? or do you remove the post in the forum that tells how to do effect A? Freebies in a paid area? please.. get this right. if they are in a paidfor area they are not free. Subscriber exclusives maybe. if they were free, you would not have them in a paid subs area would you? as for the artists I know.. sorry... the main one, My Father took a look at this and other sites and made it quite clear he ain't interested... something about 'cloned figures' (before anyone complains about that opinion, please note he's been hand-sculpting figures for over 30 years and painting with oil's since he was 10 - he appricates the work ppl put in, but can see the lack of choice in poser figures at this time)
I have one more issue to go on my subscription so I'll be able to see it before deciding on continuing. I do prefer the physical magazine to an e-zine, personally but as there's only one more issue for me, it's not that big of a deal. Like DeeMarie described, it's the physical aspect, the visual, etc and being able to have it away from the computer that I enjoyed.
I have a suggestion though. Post a 'lite' version for people to try the first time. Lots more work I realize but you'll be giving people what they want and that's a chance to see what it is they're considering subscribing to. A front page may work but if you give them a little bit of a foot in the door as a freebie they'd be more likely to honestly review it.
...... Kendra
Hi Kaibach Thanks again for your input - How does Bonus Gifts sound instead of freestuff :) Also, does your father have a website that features his sculptures? I would really love to see his work. In college that was the one class I regretted not taking - a sculpting class [I did get to take fencing - but that is a whole different tale]. Thanks again for your input, we are open to all ideas. Dee-Marie
Hi there Kendra, I know you will love Issue 8, I am still waiting for my copy to arrive too - hopefully today :) Yippie!!!!!!! As to a mini preview site - I am sure as we get closer to the launch date, we will do as you suggest and we might even hold an open house for a few select members - A kind of review board :) I will be sure to put your name down as one of the potential testers :) Wishing everyone a happy holidays Dee-Marie
Attached Link: http://freelancewrite.about.com/library/weekly/aa012802a.htm
*As to the new direction of the magazine: it is not being produced for profit - nor to satisfy the publisher's whim...but instead the magazine will continue to be produced for the enjoyment of Artists.* Oh, so the price will be the bare minimum to cover bandwidth costs? *Contributors offer us an article or image, and in return we promote that artist by featuring them within the magazine...Being featured in the Renderosity Magazine has helped to promote many artists and writers, by giving them the opportunity to become a published writer or artist.* I can see how that may hold more weight if the magazine continued to be printed and available in a paper form. Of course there are a few reasons to write for free but I have freelanced before. Even if it just $1 an article/image it means more to be both published and paid. From the article at the link- "Sometimes you need to take yourself and your writing career seriously enough to insist on being paid." So what happens to those that had a print subscription that hasn't ended? Can they be refunded for the magazines that won't be happening in print?Calypso Dreams... My Art- http://www.calypso-dreams.com
FYI: the free items for the cd content is exclusive to the magazine for 90 days. Everyone submitting content signs a contract stating the content wont be distributed until the time period has expired. The provider also has to state they are the copyright holder of the material. ( I wish the marketplace had a contract on paper like that.) I didn't care for the way the bonus content was set up for issue 7. It was hard to work through a detailed tutorial having to be on-line to read it. It was new change and adjustments needed to be made. Several changes have been made since then. The tutorials are in downloadable formats for off line viewing. It makes it easier for those of us that start a tutorial one day then attempt to finish it later. All the content we were used to seeing on the cd is on the site. Instructions were provided for burning your own cd. These changes will make it possible for rosity to continue producing the magazine which is a good thing. I look forward to viewing the continuing evolution of the magazine.
IMHO, an eZine or "Interactive Magazine" is nothing more than any other web site that people can find anywhere on the Net.
R'osity should call it what it is: A Subscription-based web site; nothing more, nothing less.
"we might even hold an open house for a few select members - A kind of review board :)"
Why only a few and not all? Who will be the lucky few to be picked? Based upon what criteria?
I still see no viable reason why the first edition could not be used as a proving ground and allow all members the right to review it in full vs having to take second-hand suggestions from the "few select members" who will be entrusted to do the review.
You raise some interesting points Stretch.
What other websites that call themselves eZines or Interactive Magazines have you contacted and publicly urged them to call themselves what they are? I take it you feel that strongly not only about this particular "Interactive Magazine"...you feel that way about them all and will crusade for them all to call themselves subscription based websites, won't you?
Your concern about the value of the magazine and wanting all members to review it are good, but not practical, IMHO. It would be good, however, if the magazine were set up in such a way that members had the option of subscribing from month to month and a way to opt out of the subscription without penalty if they so desired. That way, the risk is minimized to the same as a paper magazine you buy at the newstand and find disappointing...you don't buy it anymore.
Caly - thanks for your input :) If you have a balance due on your magazine subscription, you will be given the option to either get the remaining amount due you: 1. Gift Certificate 2. a Cash refund [in the forum of a check] 3. or have a years worth of the Renderosity Interactive Magazine for free Dee-Marie
Please everyone - Lets not let our passions get the better of us. And I do realize that everyone is very passionate about their feelings towards the magazine and the Renderosity site. We really do appreciate your input - As to getting a sneak look at the Magazine - I assure everyone that there will enough content for review - that you will not be disappointed. As to the exact details of what we will be featuring and how we will be previewing it - that will be announced at a later date. Right now all we are doing is letting our members know that there will be a change in the magazine's format. The bottom line - is ... 1. We will not be publishing a quarterly Printed version of the magazine 2. We will be launching the Renderosity Interactive Magazine in May. 3. Those who do not want to continue with the new magazine format and have a subscription balance can get a gift certificate or a refund. 4. We will be previewing the magazine, and the details of that will be announced at a later date. 5. Please keep all commments in the thread directed toward the Magazine! 6. Keep in mind the the Member/User Conduct, when posting to this or any ROsity Thread. Members and users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is constructive and respectful of others at all times. Additionally, we would hope that each member/user would do their best to facilitate a culture of collaboration and positive reinforcement, so that we can all share our passion for art while realizing our personal ambitions, and developing friendships. 7. As we get closer to the time of publication we will post more details of the magazine's content. 8. Although we would love everyone to enjoy the magazine, we understand that some will not wish to join in the journey with us. That is fine - and we understand that some people prefer a Printed Version. 9. We already have several members who are contributing to the new magazine format and look forward to hearing from members who would also like to contribute to future issues. 10. A special thank you to all the Rosity members who have supported the magazine in the past, and we look forward to giving you the same quality product as you have grown to enjoy! 11. This will not be an ezine - but a new concept in Magazine publication! Dee-Marie
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You enjoyed the Renderosity Magazine You are really going to enjoy this! Exciting news Stop the Presses Coming in March 2004, Renderosity will launch a new subscription-based Interactive Magazine area. Not just another online magazine - but a "Magazine Experience!" Now you can have instant access to the magazine, be able to download new weekly freestuff, ask questions [in real time] of our online guest lectures, read famous artist exclusive interviews, learn from our interactive tutorials, and get up to the moment product reviews. New fresh content will be added on a regular basis. The focus will be on fun and learning in a professional interactive environment! Keep an eye on the Renderosity Front Page and Newsletters for additional information, as we get closer to launch date. If you have any questions, thoughts for stories, or if you would like to contribute to the magazine, please send an email to mag@renderosity.com. We appreciate your past support of the Renderosity Magazine and look forward to your continued support of Renderositys new Interactive Magazine and the Renderosity community. Sincerely, The Renderosity Magazine Team.