I didn't say anything negative about 3D World Magazine. I said I'd never read it and wasn't likely to. I don't suppose anyone here has had a dream and then had someone smash all over the top of it. But for a long time, I've wanted to be a writer and see my name in print. It's an ego boost, I know, and totally selfish, but that's all I wanted. I know what I write isn't commercial quality. I just wanted to have a little chance. And Renderosity gave me that chance. And allowed me to include photos of my animals....silly thing, but two of my babies died this year and it was nice to have a memorial for them. My Sally was 14, my Lou was only 5, but I will remember them with a smile and a tear everytime I look at the magazine. That was worth more than any payment would have. I've never been in it for the money. I've got a job...it pays me well enough. All I wanted to was to be able to enjoy one small moment in time without someone running over my dream with a truck. Renderosity gave me the opportunity to work on a magazine that I thought I'd never have the ability to do. And the greatest compliment was to be invited to work on a new project that would be something the community could really be proud of. And Renderosity has allowed me to meet some truly fabulous, and generous spirited people with whom I am proud to have made acquaintance. It would be nice if people gave the project a chance and took the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way if they really have an interest in it. Because it might be something to be proud of if given a chance. My greatest thanks to the people who have written in to say that they are eager to see the new product. My greatest thanks to those who are willing to give it a chance. For everyone, my sincere wishes that whatever you give, you receive threefold back in return. Happy holidays and my greatest hope that the new year can bring some good news for a change.

"I don't suppose anyone here has had a dream and then had someone smash all over the top of it."

That, as sad as it may seem, is the definition of life - at least for the majority of the population. I do not know too many people myself who have had all of their dreams answered. Even when they are, it is not always in the manner you would like them to be. You should feel lucky that one of your dreams has been fulfilled; some people never get that far.

However, there are practical things to consider as well. There is no sense in trading reality for a pipe dream, either.

I do not think anyone is trying to quash the Magazine idea, just point out things that may not have been seen in the backrooms where it was discused.

All too often, a voice of dissent is seen as being destructive rather than constructive. As long as that perception pervades these forums, nothing of value will come out of these types of discussions. Someone has to ask the hard questions, and someone has to answer them. Would you rather that the questions were not asked until R'osity found themselves in an adverse situation where they were forced to answer them?

Constructive feedback comes in many forms, not just blindly kissing up to an idea and supporting it 110% without considering all of the possibilities. If used correctly, both positive and negative feedback can bring about the changes that are needed and result in a stronger Magazine.

But for a long time, I've wanted to be a writer and see my name in print. It's an ego boost Dialyn, I truly understand the feelings you express here, and I am not trying to minimize them. The first article that I wrote was a three-part article for a genealogical quarterly, and I was elated to see my name in print as well. But the thrill you get from being a paid published author is way beyond words. I sat numb the first time I saw my name on a book cover, and stared at it for three hours with chills running up and down my spine. All of a sudden I was a professional, and with that came the recognition that I worked so hard to achieve. That is what some of us are advocating for others ... that everyone's talent gets the recognition that is deserved. Aquisitions editors look for talent when they select authors for books or magazines. It is not so important whether or not you have been published before ... the talent will show through in a raw manuscript or in print. Some of the things they look for, or will "groom" into you if you are close ... (1) Write clearly and concisely; (2) Don't talk "down" to your audience - imagine them sitting with you and talk as if you are showing them one on one (3) Be thorough ... don't assume that your audience knows the program, and write as if they don't. If a step is omitted, some readers wlil find the tutorial difficult to follow; (4) Don't overuse screen shots ... provide them when they are important to illustrate what you are trying to teach. That kind of thoroughness takes time. Take a look at the computer books you have on your bookshelf ... and reflect that each page of that book was roughly one hour of time by the author. That includes planning the outline, taking all of the screenshots, writing the text, and going through a second time to change technical errors. That is why magazines pay what they do. There are tutorials on the site here ... they are free to others, so they are freely given. However, if someone has to pay to receive a tutorial or article, then it is only fair that those who worked to provide that article get some sort of compensation. It was not my intent to belittle the Renderosity magazine, and I hope it did not appear as such. I don't subscribe to it, but I do have to admit that if the inside of the magazine is as attractive as the outer covers, then it must have been fantastic. If the e-zine professes to be of equal or greater quality, then it would be nice to show appreciation to those who are providing the content that is making that magazine what it is.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. You did after all let me know when you deleted my other 2 posts in this thread for no good reason that I could see. My 3rd post also disappeared though so you have to understand if I am somewhat leery. judith brought up good points. "This site caters almost exclusively to creative people and by not compensating them for their work I feel you negate what you should be trying to nuture... that is professionalsm and higher standards with due compensation." I also agree with Cyberstretch "I would very much like to see this "Submission and Subscriber Agreement". And Penguinisto "I don't mind a bit that R'osity is a corporation (LLC, whatever), and that you're wanting to sell me things. OTOH, I find it an insult to the intelligence to see an attempt to spoon-feed the masses something that clearly is not." Early on someone directly asked how much this will cost. What are the subscription prices? Are they the same or less than the print magazine? One would expect less. "Up to the moment Poduct Reviews" can be tricky. Sure you won't have a merchant reviewing their own products (one would hope) but will these product reviews be about Renderosity Exclusives? If so, there is some serious conflict. The magazine is tied into the Store here. "New fresh content on a regular basis" Again, how does this work? Is it updated weekly? Monthly? Daily? How do the subscription prices relate? Do you pay a monthly fee for something that's twice or 4 times a month? "an online magazine gives us the chance to have interactive tutorials,...to have graphics show in layers so you could actually see a graphic being created" This could have been done just as well with a print magazine, a CD and the web-site. The disappointment for some is losing the actual physical creation. The physical magazine also lent more credibility to being 'published'. I don't assume that all that glitters is gold. As for the preview. it seems odd that only a chosen few will be able to look at it. How will you decide who gets to preview? It has been pointed out that many places give a sample issue. Will there be a 'light' version available for preview for those that don't get chosen? "the free items ... exclusive to the magazine for 90 days... 90 days after publication, the article reverts back to the author and he is free to post or resell" So everything that you pay a subscription for, if you wait 90 days, you can get for free? "Other mags pay for articles. Well, some do, some don't...And they inundate you with advertisements. " So will the magazine area be free of Renderosity banner ads and such?

I agree with you Dialyn! I sincerely hope that you all reap what you sow 10-fold! Happy Holidays! beam I didn't say anything negative about 3D World Magazine. I said I'd never read it and wasn't likely to. Because of who they published- indicting what exactly, if not something negative? :) That magazine is really quite a good one, it's a pity to miss out on a good source of information. Akin to cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. Hopefully you'll be able to see the magazine for what it really is- a fount of knowledge. It is always good to keep learning. The mind really needs the exercise. I'm one of those strange folks that actually likes school. What have you learned today? :)

Dialyn, understandable but no one deliberately ran your dreams over with a truck that had your name on it. It's all fine to want something to work but we're also talking about something that involves money here. Not a simple website. Other perceptions will come up and questions will be asked and you cannot expect us to all have the same perceptions you have.
And then there's the fact that the discussion was going along fine until someone you didn't like put in their two cents and did not do any of the things you accused. This will sound harsh but please take it for the suggestion it is. If you're going to do this job you're going to have to develop thicker skin. You can't jump on people who think contrary to your or who hold a different opinion. I agree people should see what it is they're discussing but I too am waiting to see this "subscriber agreement" before making a decision. If I ever had anything in the magazine in the form it's being discussed now, what good is it to tell anyone else if I can't show them or am limited in what I can say outside of the pay section? That right there put's the idea of being "published" in a new light if the only people who can see it are subscribers only.
See how much there is to consider and think about? And expect more questions once we do know more.
All you can do is give the facts you know and don't take the magazine discussion personal. It's not. It's about the magazine.

I want to thank everyone for sharing their concerns. We appreciate your feedback. It is always wise to look at a situation from all the different angles. Our community is strong because we are able to work together and share different perspectives. So, we thank you all. We appreciate your interest in wanting to know all the details. The agreements and the price will be made available at the appropriate time, closer to the release date. Happy Holidays to all! LillianH

Hi Dialyn. I think you truly do owe me a personal apology for your attacks on me yesterday. To say today that you feel like a truck has been run all over your dreams, is something you probably owe me another apology for. Dialyn, I know this is probably hard for you to imagine, but Renderosity's success, and PoserPros success, are not two mutually exclusive concepts. At least not to Russell and I. And though it may also be hard for you to imagine, by dissing PoserPros and me, and any accomplishments I make for whatever reason you are doing so, you are running over MY dreams, and the dreams of thousands of other artists with the same sort of metaphorical truck you fantacise people are running over your dreams with. We too have dreams Dialyn. Dreams of a happy day in this community when artist, and even staff, are compensated for their hard work... or more accurately stated, compensated more on the order of what their hard work is worth. We have dreams of a day when this political war that goes on from Rosity towards us ceases to exist, and we can merely be a normal everyday member here, able to speak our minds, like everyone else. Can you help us to fullfill those dreams? I held out my hand to you in friendship, and a genuinely heart felt show of kindness, to try to give you something I thought you would find joy and happiness in for Christmas, since I feared you were implying you could not afford it at that moment. This was not grandstanding, or attempting to back you into some corner where you had to sign up on our site or else... it is just the only way I had to legally transfer the file to you... purchase it on my own account, and then have our gift certificate code send you the download link. Can you not even accept a gesture of peace and friendship? Is it that I am a "competitor"? Is it that you seem to feel that I am some sort of "enemy" of this site? Even enemies and competitors must be showed courtesy and honor, if one is to retain one's own honor. Long ago, I learned that a worthy competitor is also the most worthy ally. Perhaps someday Dialyn, if my OWN dreams come true, you and I will be friends, able to laugh about all these old bad times, and share good warm feelings of "comrades in arms", both with just and righteous causes, showing honor and respect to one another. That is my Holiday Dream for you and I Dialyn.

Aaah, Mehndi... that nice post will just vanish like your others, LOL... while she gets away with everything as always.

Oh, and Dialyn... I can understand that you need this project for your own purposes (that's not supposed to be as negative as it sounds, sigh), but surely you can't expect everybody else to be as excited about it? Like you said, it's YOUR dream, not ours... We are entitled to choose and make our own dreams come true. Leave it at that.

This thread has digressed from the original post. Locking it now. thanks tammy Renderosity Admin