Although it's a sad commentary. I've noticed more and more as I spin through Poser marketplaces, particularly Renderosity's because I hit it so much, that much of the stuff for sale now looks like the freebies section a few years ago. Not saying it's low quality -- far from it. It just seems like more people are chosing to sell than give away. And sadly, I'm beginning to understand why. Over the last several months, I've been getting more and more harassment because of freebies I have up. I'm not talking about bug reports -- I appreciate those so I can make my stuff better. I mean out and out harassment, insults, cussing, demands, threats and worse. My spirit sister, who has been watching this happen to me more and more often and seen me stress about it more and more, finally summed it up well in an e-mail after an exceptionally hard weekend. What she said: "And if you could do it easily, if I were you, this would be a good argument for selling your stuff rather than putting it in freebies in the future. Some people obviously don't appreciate the gifts; maybe they'll appreciate something with monetary value. And if they don't, then at the very least you could be getting some compensation for putting up with their bullshit." It saddens me, but I'm beginning to think she's right. It seems to be a sad facet of human nature that "without price" is mistaken for "without worth". On one hand, I enjoy giving away some of my creations for free. It's great when someone sends me an e-mail thanking me because it was just what they needed. I've also gotten a number of e-mails asking for help unrelated to a freebie because someone saw my work, and I'm complimented and delighted to be considered skillful enough and nice enough for someone to come to me for help. God has blessed me enough that I can afford to give away freebies, and I used to enjoy doing it. On the other hand, it seems no good deed goes unpunished, and I'm not sure how much more punishment I can take. I imagine if I added up that positive messages they'd outnumber the negative ones, but right now it wouldn't be by much. As my spirit sister also said, "I've seen bratty kindergarteners with less sense of entitlement than these clowns have subjected you to lately." Maybe this is atypical and I've done something to make myself a target. I don't know. I have some close-to-done projects that I haven't decided if I'll sell, give away, or just sit on. I'll figure it out when they're finished. It makes me wonder, though. At first I thought the increase in the marketplace was more hobbyists needing their Poser habit to be more self-supporting, but now I wonder if maybe many of them decided it was better to block out many who would enjoy their work if they meant they wouldn't have to wake up to another flame from a true Poser Dork.

Don't let the actions of some people dicourage you from doing what you do, If they don't appreciate what you do, well.. like moma used to say "let e'm hang themselves with their own rope" (kinda funny cause I'm Hispanic.)well anyway I for one appreciatewhat you do, I just hven't said because I'm not signed on half the time, I appreciate when people do something good and give it away and why not, it has worth to me, when my family first arrived in this country (good'ol USA) we had nothing, our firt furniture was give to us by my aunt, it's been 15 years and we still have it (reapolstured of course), well I guess what I'm tryin to say is...most of us here at RENDEROSITY forums appreciate you and your work, keep at it and god speed.

Thats really hard to believe, about the harassment for free stuff, I am moving towards the MP here (I have 3 things up) but I made them specifically for teh market place, I put a vast amount of things in the free stuff as well, but they are made for my pictures and animations and then I figure if I wanted something like that then y not post it here cause someone else will prob find it useful, or at least want to take up hard drive space on their boxes. But I have never had anyone say anything bad about them, only three people, that I can remember in the 2 years I have been coming here, have gotten in touch with me about them with thank you's; but never once harassed me about them. That is really unfortunate that that has occured to you (and it seems more then once as well.) I hope that you continue to produce for the community free and otherwise.

If I ever make anything for the Marketplace, it'll be because I could use the money, not because of complaints.

FyreSpiryt, Have you ever thought it just might be some wacko Merchant?? That thinks you are taking away there business!!! I do, I would never comlaint about freestuff. I honestly think some of the freebees have been and are my Favorite poser things. This whole Poser5 price thing has everyone now in an up-roar. But wait untill there sales drop because people are saving for poser 5. They will probably blame freestuff. I've spent hundreds at Daz,MKP,DNA but the buying has Stopped for me. I also have a new computer on order. So I'm looking to free-newstuff. Look at Koz's Hair-no charge-FREE Bat Lab-Free ISO-Free Rudy-Free These guys give the very best. You do wonderful work, do not let some insane people, ruin your giving heart. Thank you for all you have given to the Poser People. Free's Good! The beauty of nature, and kindness of people are free. Chin up! Be proud you are in the group with Kozes and Iso, bat and Cooler, on and on. Thank you again.

Here. Here. Don't let'em screw with your head. Ignore them and do what you do. You're in charge, nobody else. Q

FyreSpiryt, you have always been one of my favorite freebie givers. I really hope this doesn't discourage you but let it be known if you do decide to sell you will then be one of the vendors I buy from. Thank you for all your wonderful stuff

Thanks for the feedback, guys. It's really nice to hear. Maybe I've just gotten a bad run recently. It can be so draining, though. Maybe I need to be more liberal with the "block sender" button. ::shrugs:: I was joking (mostly) with my spirit sister this morning that maybe I should put a politeness requirement in the readme, so next time someone throws an obscenity at me, I can respond with "you are in violation of your license agreement." ^_~

I think maybe you're being too polite to the "idiots" who think it's cool or clever to hurl insults at people just because the free gift you gave them doesn't work exactly how they want. As I said once before in another thread the Free items are a gift from the creator to the rest of us & we should all be thankful that people take the time to do these things. Next time you want to hurl insults at the person who made your latest download just remember without these people we'd all be stuck with what came as standard with poser, nice tho they are they would be very limited without all the extras. Rob

The politeness requirement sounds like a great idea! Just put it in the "Notes and Requirements," or maby a "money back guarantee" if they're not completely satisfied. I know it happens, but I'm still amazed every time I see or hear of some (explicitive deleted) complaining about free stuff. Don't let them get you down...

The first problem I've seen Free Stuff providers encounter is the cost of hosting the Free Stuff. Sadly bandwidth is expensive. Free Web Site hosts don't want to host Free Stuff. Paid web site hosts have been known to give huge bills to Free Stuff providers. (I still remember one or two people who said they received a bill for $1,000!) Why should someone pay for the privilege of giving something away?! Lately I've watched the raging battles over the issue of licensing requirements concerning free or commercial use. These threads are long, heated, and numerous. Don't you think Free Stuff providers eventually get tired of all the controversy and insults? Remember the old saying: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth?!" At this point I don't even remember what kind of freebies FyreSpiryt offers. That's not important. I do recognize a generous artist, and sympathize with her pain and uncertainty. My own inclination is to "go commercial," and not to worry about it. I'm sure FyreSpiryt has already "given back" to the community. Every artist has the right to try and make a few dollars to support his/herself, or at least help pay for their "Poser Habit." I've been going over the same issues myself, and the best I've done is to "take a vacation," and see just what I might have to offer that is of "commercial value." Ron

Attached Link: http://www.geekantics.net/render/submit.html

I'll be happy to host your free stuff for free (see link, currently have 300+ Gig of monthly bandwidth sitting idle,) and I'm not the only one who will. Ron, totally understand all of your other points, even though I love the free stuff. I'm one of those poor souls who's talent/skills can't keep up with his enthusiasm. :) Another reason to go commercial (at least a little, and in the U.S.) is that it may help justify poser and accessories as a business instead of a hobby. That means all expenses related to it (Poser 5, other software, internet access, etc) are tax deductable...

Don't give up on the folks in the community yet. :o( I can't believe people have actually sent you nasty emails about your free stuff. That's just ridiculous.

In my experience...I have seen many a freebie artist have to turn to marketplace or subscription site due to excessive bandwidth costs. Usually caused by people who can't understand the concept of not using a damn download accelerator despite HUGE signs on some sites specifically requesting they not be used. :o|

I just went pseudo vendor myself (just a few weeks ago actually)....although I still give out mucho freebies, I can't post them here because Rosity is like a bandwidth black hole sometimes. I have to be sparse on posting on my own site too now because of it. Not long ago I was actually contacted by my host about my excessive bandwidth and summarily charged a sum I won't disclose (but it was ALOT.)LOL!

I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope that you won't let it discourage you from offering freebies in the future. I will say that I don't think it would be a bad idea to submit to the marketplace. Why not let your habit support itself? It's an expensive one. LOL! Really expensive. Bad Credit causing expensive sometimes. ;o)

On a nicer note...I have actually had someone grateful for my freebies purchase me a gift certificate. So you see...some people still appreciate the freebies. They are the ones you should pay attention too....the rest are just so much garbage that should be thrown out on the curb to me munched by the garbage truck . grin

Just so you know...I appreciate your freebies. I am horrible about sending emails. (Odd...considering I love getting them when I do. Hmph!) Anyway...THANK YOU!!

Oh yeah...and being a vendor means ya can write some 3D purchases off on your taxes. WOOHOO! Who needs more roads and schools? ;o)

ATTENTION ULTRA-SENSTIVE TYPES - THAT WAS A JOKE. I REPEAT IT WAS ONLY A JOKE.

To be blunt... F*CK 'em. Unfortunatley there's always that loud obnoxious minority that overwhelms a quite majority. Look how a small group with a large mailing list can change what we see on TV. Anywayz I personally am eternally grateful for all the free stuff. I'd never done half the stuff I have without it. Now I admit I am a hog and DL just about everything, but when I do use it I try and give full credit. Now that I have the URL for Geek Antics I hope to balance my MP stuff with some cool freebies. Keep up the good work! Jon

PS. Why did I go straight to the MP? Well 2 reasons. First I'm pretty much strapped for cash and I thought I could make a little lunch money on the side... No I don't claim anything on my taxes, altho' it sounds like a good idea ; ) Second, not being a web head, I really didn't have anywhre to post stuff. but that's changed so hopefully you'll see some stuff o' mine coming up.

Everyone, thanks for reminding that a majority of the Poser community are great people. The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want to make everyone pay for a few jerks. I think maybe c1rcle's right and I need to let myself tear loose on one or two of those dorks. I may toss the politeness requirement in the next few uploads because I'll admit I'd get some small perverse pleasure from being able to tell one of those guys "Not only are you a jerk, you're in violation of the license agreement. You wanna try that again, or just delete the file?" ^_~ Everyone, thanks again for the TLC. You've no idea how much I appreciate it.

I think it's good enough to get the positive feedback from "the good people." It helps you get through the day! Take care!