APUG.ORG to PHOTRIO.COM Migration, Final Details.

[pentaxuser]

On the surface it all looks straightforward- at least to a computer illiterate such as me but given the very low percentage of subscribers, my worry is whether the changes will persuade the new hybrid and digital members we attract to subscribe or persuade existing non subscribers to subscribe. It would appear that if they join but don't subscribe we are no better off than before.

pentaxuser

 

[removed account4]

fantastic news, i can hardly wait !
been here for a little while and could see
for years how this could only be a win-win thing for sean.

so looking forward to another buncha years on phototrio,
seeing and learning how bob carnie (and others ) do their print making magic !
john

 

[juan]

Photography has moved on over 15-years. So have I. My most recent camera purchases were a brand new Nikon D750 and a Kowa SETr from 1968. I print in both albumen and inkjet. It sounds like the new site will support my interests.
I'm also bothered by the lack of subscribers. I haven't had a job with a regular paycheck since the crash of 2008, but most years I've found money to subscribe to APUG.

 

[Sean]

On the surface it all looks straightforward- at least to a computer illiterate such as me but given the very low percentage of subscribers, my worry is whether the changes will persuade the new hybrid and digital members we attract to subscribe or persuade existing non subscribers to subscribe. It would appear that if they join but don't subscribe we are no better off than before.

pentaxuser

Good points, but if hyb/digi traffic numbers are decent, then the targeted ads served in those areas could actually remove the need for any subscriptions on Photrio.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Go for it, Sean. You have my support 100%. As one of the first subscribers to the site back in 2003, I have experienced so much good from being here. It's very sad to know that only 1% of the site actually contributes funds. That's not exactly a broad base to make the site viable financially. Thanks for all the things you've done over the years!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Go for it, Sean. You have my support 100%. As one of the first subscribers to the site back in 2003, I have experienced so much good from being here. It's very sad to know that only 1% of the site actually contributes funds. That's not exactly a broad base to make the site viable financially. Thanks for all the things you've done over the years!

+1 (although I've only been here for 10 years, as of next month).

I love this site for what it is, and what it has been, and I don't think that that's going to change much with new migration, other than to bring in new members/subscribers/advertisers, and maybe some old ones who left because they needed more than what this site could offer them.

 

[ME Super]

I for one am looking forward to the change. Yes, I do have a smart phone (having recently upgraded from a feature phone) and do occasionally take quick snapshots with it. But I've always loved projected slides (and now B&W prints and B&W IR prints as well), and love the process of shooting with a film camera. After getting a 620 box camera and falling in love with medium format (I can take square pictures again!) but not loving the hassle of spooling 120 film onto 620 spools or the cost of film somebody else already respooled, I moved up to a simple TLR. I chose the model TLR I did because of postings here on APUG. I've also made some friends on here and learned a lot (Hi PE!)

Do I do the hybrid photo thing? Yep, mostly analog -> digital, but occasionally I go digital back to a slide (Dwayne's Photo does a nice job at this). It'll be nice to be able to show some of my digital photos on here, (tagged as digital of course, so analog purists won't have to see them! 8)) and learn a bit about scanning too.

 

[ozphoto]

+1 (although I've only been here for 10 years, as of next month).

I love this site for what it is, and what it has been, and I don't think that that's going to change much with new migration, other than to bring in new members/subscribers/advertisers, and maybe some old ones who left because they needed more than what this site could offer them.

I couldn't agree more with Rachel's sentiments - this is exactly how I feel also. It appears to be a seamless migration that gives you a choice while retaining the core elements of APUG, and I'll reserve any negative judgement or comments until I've experienced the new site for myself.

If this migration is the difference between APUG surviving or its slow, painful demise, I'll take the former any day. Let's be honest, to survive in this digital day and age, one needs to adapt, and it appears that you have done this well, ensuring that the principles and core concepts of APUG remain while being supported on the fringes by digital and hybrid photography as well.

As always, others MMV.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I fully support this move, and I am excited to learn new things on printmaking. I am also open if John Callow agrees to host the Second Conference here in Toronto. We had a great time in 2006 , I got to meet Sean and many others, some who have become lifelong friends. This photography community is unique and I hope to see it prosper for Sean and his Family , and as well become the go to resource for photographic information... I remember waiting for the mail and my Picker notes, somehow I feel this site has the same quirky vibe.

As a professional printer for others I have seen the digital wave take over every aspect of my business life, but lately I have been making more wet prints than ever and I think it speaks to the need of hand crafting or producing something by oneself. This site has a tremendous amount of expert advisers that can help one through the pitfalls of crafting a great image.

There certainly will be glitches over the next year or so but I will hang in and hope to contribute where I can to this wonderful resource.

 

[winger]

+1 (although I've only been here for 10 years, as of next month).

I love this site for what it is, and what it has been, and I don't think that that's going to change much with new migration, other than to bring in new members/subscribers/advertisers, and maybe some old ones who left because they needed more than what this site could offer them.

+1 here, too (to Thomas' and Rachel's posts).

I've always been in favor of keeping APUG as analog as possible because it's a refuge from the myriad of digital and film-bashing sites. But I shoot with anything that records an image. I'd love to see more of how Bob Carnie is doing things and find some ways to use some of my sensor-obtained images in the darkroom. There's a wealth of knowledge in the people on this site and it's saved my butt many times. I hope I can return the favor.

 

[Colonel Blimp]

I will support any change that makes this forum more sustainable and a bigger source of income for those (i.e. Sean) who spend countless hours and money working on it.

 

[jeffreyg]

I look forward to PHOTRIO. While most of my photography is analog I also do some hybrid and digital. To me each one is a different medium and the image is what is important. Many artists work in more than one medium. We are fortunate to have choices these days and I appreciate that the new site will encourage a greater exchange of ideas and knowledge. To increase the numbers of subscribers perhaps advertisers can issue some kind of discount coupon to subscribers only and those who are not subscribers should be charged a fee for classified listings. It is only fair that those who benefit have a little skin in the game.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[faberryman]

I ran an ultra high end audio website for seven years before devoting myself full time to photography. The vinyl and digital aficionados occasionally got into heated arguments about which was better and why, but most of the time everyone got along fine. Some digital guys bought turntables and some vinyl guys bought DACs, each expanding their repertoire of music. If I had run them separately, the vinyl site would have been small, and the digital site would have been just another one of a million digital sites. I think Sean has the right idea. The ability to choose analog, hybrid and/or digital is brilliant, and should leave everyone happy.

 

[dasBlute]

Besides Sean, the site's great assets are the people and their discussions, knowledge shared, stories, insights, etc..
This site is essential to me, move it forward, keep it going, whatever it takes, I think we all benefit from this.

 

[MattKing]

I do think that it is a mistake to not retain and make some use of the name "APUG".
Something like the "APUG Division" of Photrio.
And a nice "History" page.
I hope my relatively more limited interests don't result in my effectively screening myself from some of the interesting but not strictly on topic stuff, like the "What are you listening to" thread.

 

[Chrismat]

'Something like the "APUG Division" of Photrio.
And a nice "History" page.'
+1

I like MattKing's idea about trying retain some use of the APUG name, but aside from that I fully support the change.

 

[MattKing]

Oh and Sean, if you don't mind, I'm going to have limited access to the internet for a week or so starting on August 16th, so if you could just re-schedule this a few days later it would be much more convenient for me.

Isn't it wonderful having such reasonable customers.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

I too am disappointed them move is necessary, but with less than 2% subscribers it is hardly surprising.

However, if this is what is needed to make the forum viable, then I will go with it.

I am a 100% analogue person, so I am glad I will be able to shut off the none analogue content.

Good luck with the move Sean.

Martin

 

[Truzi]

Despite my disillusionment with the site, I sincerely hope this metamorphosis goes well and brings the desired results.

There was a bit of a journey before I landed here... I tend to be a "loyal customer" unless a vendor demonstrates I am in folly.
In 2010 a local pro-shop did just that. I realized I increasingly could only rely on myself, which is when I began visiting APUG in earnest (weekly, at the least). I eventually became a member in 2012, and even subscribed for a couple years. This site was a beacon of light, to use a cliche.

Although I've not been a member long, I have seen APUG grow. I'd often visited since the early 2000s when search results pointed here - so I've been familiar with APUG for quite some time; almost from it's inception. I will miss the branding very much.

While it is academic at this point, I doubt I'll use the non-analog parts much, as I already have good sources for that to which I am currently loyal; I'm not the type to forsake one thing simply because something new comes along.

 

[mr rusty]

Not been so active lately either here or in my darkroom due to a house refurb taking all my spare time, but still subscribing. I'll go with the flow. Sounds good to me.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

If I understand correctly, things will mostly improve. We can turn off content and search results from the "Hybrid" and "Digital" areas if we so choose so we (should) only see content from the "Analog" forum. Of course, there will be 'leaks' because there are always a few 'gotchas' with every leap forward, backwards or sideways.

 

[markaudacity]

bring me a Flickr replacementtttttt

 

[markaudacity]

I stopped when I was stripped of my TapATalk functionality with no replacement.

Me too. The APUG site is better than most in a mobile browser, but it's still a lot to take in on a tiny screen, and I don't like having to have a tab for every different forum open.

If only Tapatalk would release a Windows version...

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I support the migration because I want to see the site survive. It should be doable: in the guitar forums there are separate areas for electric, acoustic, classic, etc. No need for animosities.

... I'm going to have limited access to the internet for a week or so starting on August 16th ...

"For a week or so starting on the 16th ... ". Going to see the eclipse? I'll be in the center of totality. Heh. It'll probably be pissing down two inches of rain!

 

[Two23]

Did not realize things were so dire. Just signed up for the $39.50 + fees option.


Kent in SD