What's happening???? Mr. Larson???? Options.

Is this site still operating? I get the idea that it's not. A right pity.
One option might be for one of us who is tech savvy enough to take over this forum from Paul if he is not interested anymore or for Paul to selll the forum to someone who wants to run it actively.
To all members here..I have gone hunting for similar photo forums to this one as an alternative and after a lot of sifting and looking came up with two.
It's difficult to find one that is similar to Bytephoto as most are lots bigger and more difficult to navigate and one gets lost in the multitude of users. My criteria were a nice interface, easy to navigate, free uploading to the sites own servers with a reasonable amount of space, friendly and interesting community with critiques and contests like here and not too big ( that's difficult because most are very big)
Anyway I came up with the following 2 on my shortlist: Please check them out and make your comments known here after perusing them.
Please add your own suggestions as well and possibly you are a member at some other site you would like to recommend. It would be nice to join a site where we BytePhoto guys could meet up again.

http://www.aminus3.com/

http://www.myshutterspace.com/

Regards
Freds

[Buddy4344]

Fred,
I share your concern and know others that do. I know someone who may be interested in inheriting this site if we can get in touch with Paul.


I checked out the two links. Both interesting sites, but similar to others I have found such as Betterphotos.com where I often post. The problem with all of these is that the comments tend to be of the "nice shot" type. Byte has been the only site I have found where a good debate and specific feedback is available. This is a special niche which has created Byte's value. I am open to more suggestions, but am interested in one where even if one dislikes my images, I can find constructive feedback.


Thanks for taking a lead on this discussion.


Buddy

[skeuos]

Fred,

Thanks for starting this thread. I was actually coming in to do similar, but you beat me to it. Nice work

Since I sent Paul and Stephen pm's last spring when the site went dead, I can see when they were both last here. Stephen is long gone, having not logged on since March 12th. Paul was last logged on September 16th, just over a week ago.

I've been an advocate for volunteer mods for a while. Every time I suggest it (after Frank (I think) brought it up first), there is no response. Let me try once again - at the very least, this site needs a few members with the authorization to act as moderators and judges for the weekly contest, to cover those weeks when admin can't. There are quite a few talented photogs here - ones whose opinions are greatly respected, and have been here a while - that I'm sure would be happy to cover in a pinch. How about it, Paul?

Otherwise, I'm with Buddy. Too many sites treat "nice shot" as an acceptable critique. I stopped posting on Betterphoto partly because of that (critiquing is so useless there, that once the contest became for paying customers only, I saw no reason to post). Webaperture, flickr, etc, all fall into that category. Critical feedback - especially negative - is essential. Anyone else have any suggestions?

steve

I'd much prefer if this site could be "saved" I have been scouting the web but nowhere can I find a site that even remotely offers what Bytephoto does. Most ( even the 2 links I posted) are too large and cumbersome and there are so many members that one gets lost in the crowds. I love this site for it's personal touch and friendly community spirit. Not too big and not too small. Also the great interface. I hope there's a way forward. I like Steve's idea of a site administrator/s
I,m sure that between us we can come up with a workable solution. If not...we must come up with a site we could all migrate to as a group. I haven't found that site yet. Maybe someone else knows of some feasible sites?
Regards
Fred

[northbeach]

Paul and I had an email correspondence a couple of months ago and he told me he would be willing to sell the site if he could find a buyer who would retain the integrity of the site. He is overwhelmed with work it seems.

This is a business, it has re-sale value. So, before you all decide to attempt to run it by committee, I suggest you contact Paul in person.

Sheila.

Originally posted by northbeach
Paul and I had an email correspondence a couple of months ago and he told me he would be willing to sell the site if he could find a buyer who would retain the integrity of the site. He is overwhelmed with work it seems.

This is a business, it has re-sale value. So, before you all decide to attempt to run it by committee, I suggest you contact Paul in person.

Sheila.

You are right Sheila. I have removed my post about this from the contest area as you requested.
At the moment there is no plan or alternative
but I have sent Paul a copy of the post.
It would be nice if Paul could join this thread himself and let us know what his plans are as far as this site is concerned.

Here is a copy of the email I sent to Paul:

What's happening???? Mr. Larson???? Options.

Is this site still operating? I get the idea that it's not. A right pity.
One option might be for one of us who is tech savvy enough to take over this forum from you if are not interested anymore or have other commitments that require too much of your time.( I am unfortunately not tech savvy enough myself) Or maybe sell the forum to someone who wants to run it actively as the forum obviously has monatary value.
I have gone hunting for similar photo forums to this one as an alternative where members who wish to could migrate to as a group but it's difficult to find one that is similar to Bytephoto and as nice as most are lots bigger and more difficult to navigate and one gets lost in the multitude of users. My criteria were a nice interface, easy to navigate, free uploading to the sites own servers with a reasonable amount of space, friendly and interesting community with critiques and contests like here and not too big ( that's difficult because most are very big)
Bytephoto is such a nice community and it would be a pity if it folded. With all due respect Paul it seems you dont have the time lately to actively be present here anymore. Some members have suggested maybe having voluntary mods to help you or something along those lines. Anyway the situation begs for a solution.
Please join us in the discussion on this thread so we can sort something out:
What's happening???? Mr. Larson???? Options.

Regards
Fred

[skeuos]

Sheila,
Please don't take my comments as any suggestion for the inmates taking over the asylum by force. I'm campaigning for a top-down assignment of moderators - Paul (or Stephen) choosing people to act in his/their stead - not some sort of self-appointment, squatters' rights scenario.

Obviously, if Paul is interested in selling the site to the right person, that is another solution. However, I personally don't have the means to purchase the site, so I don't see it as my place to suggest or prod such a scenario.

Personally, I have no desire to go elsewhere. I also have no desire to undermine the administration; rather I'd like to think of ways to facilitate the running of the site. I agree with both Fred and you that discussion with Paul (and Stephen?) is essential to finding a solution that's best for the site and community. I think we can all appreciate the demands of a full time job, and how it can obstruct side-work. Hopefully Paul will have a moment to breathe soon.

steve

[Buddy4344]

As I stated before, I know someone who runs several web sites ... as a business. Also, my day job is small business investments ... so i am speaking with some authority on the subject. This site fills a niche. As such it has value. Value decays when not maintained. Also, several other web sites, which make some profit, operate quite well with moderator support (at no fee) to help an admin. All Paul has to do is add some good business sense and/or start dialogue. I think I can find a buyer pretty quickly....because it is a nice niche satisfying web site.

As we all have made clear also (and I think we have this right) if Paul does not do the needed admin support, we may move on and we should be able to discuss those options. This actually provides Paul with valued competitive intelligence from whcih he can grow this business if he is shrewd.

Paul: We want you to succeed, but you need to communicate.

Buddy

[KHedquist]

I too hope that there can be a solution to this situation. There are other sites out there and I do participate in those for different reasons. What has kept me here at Byte is both the structure of the site in both navigation and critique, but mostly the community that is helpful and friendly. This is probably the best free site available, which I am very thankful for.

I would hope there isn't a mass exodus from here. Things have seemed to work themselves out for the most part. I am hoping this is one of those times.

The two sites that I participate in (one pay-Digital Image Cafe and one free - PhotoSig). DIC has a separate critique section that is quite large, I don't think the comments are as helpful as they are here. It does have very good contest section that offers prizes. PhotoSig is quite good as a critique site (no contests). It is very large but communities are discouraged. In fact you can be shut down if it looks like people are commenting on each others photos too much.

I think we have something special here that is worth salvaging. Hopefully we will not lose Byte.

kevin

[pippafox]

whatever happens i do hope that it will remain free. i for one cannot afford an annual subscription. as well as this being the best site for its layout, plus, activity and feedback and community, the fact that byte is free makes it hugely attractive.
pippa

[JoeMc]

I have been in Mexico for the last week and I return to the same old crap????
This is by far the best photography site on the web as far as I am concerned.
I have not had a lot of free time lately to participate, but This IS MY site.... I will do whatever I can to presereve it.
Please help us help you Paul.... What can we do to help?
How much do you want for the site:? Maybe It would be something that I would be interested in?
Cheers, Joe

[northbeach]

Ruth has a comment posted in the contest under the "vote" images Paul puts up. She wonders if Fla. had storm damage that might have affected Paul.

Sheila

[Shaggydoo]

I believe Paul lives near me and I know some areas are still flooded after Tropical Storm Faye. Therefore,it's possible he's had some problems after the storm...

[JoeMc]

Hmmmmm Thanks for responding Andrew, I do not think the timeline matches though? Hurricane fay was over a month ago? He has been online since then???
I really believe that if the byte family wants to stay together that we need to plan NOW...I was the person that tried to keep things together the last time that this happened and I got crucified from the oldest member for doing so...Not again.. I learn from my unappreciated efforts.
Cheers, Joe