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

[RattyMouse]

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.

Agreed. The APUG name should be somewhere prominent.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Oh well, IMHO all that was needed was a subforum where the hybrid aspect could be discussed, scanning, digital negatives, that sort of stuff. Instead of that, the forum got a way too purist approach, that IMHO drove away both newbies and experienced users. And all that because of a noisy minority that were too sensitive to even read the word scanner...

Anyway, best of luck Sean, I hope everything goes well and the new scheme works nicely. That said, just don't let the APUG name disappear. It should have a place in the new site.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Perhaps we should run a contest to create an instantly recognizable symbol for the "Artists formally known as APUGers"?

Good luck Sean. I plan to still visit regularly and keep up my unbroken record of subscribing. Really, what a small price to pay for the wealth of information on hand here and your years of passion and dedication.

Tilly hat with grey beard in front of rocks and trees with a Zone Meter in hand.

 

[Sim2]

Photrio sounds dangerously near to "fuck" in Italian fòttere (also Sicilian futtìri although the stress is displaced) and French foutre.

Considering that this may be the standard international response to putting the fixer in before the developer or for ph***/shop to crash in the middle of making a complicated selection – (or other as appropriate) then Photrio could be a very suitable name for all!

Seriously, I think that its a good move and I like that whole areas can be 'blanked off' by a user if wanted. As I understand it Photrio could act just as APUG only if that is what is wanted. Think that I will resubscribe soon.

Re APUG branding post Photrio – could existing 'APUGers' have the option of selecting a default wording in their post footers or in the profile bit at the side of a post? Something like "APUG original member" or "In memory of APUG " ? Just an odd random thought.

 

[greg zinselmeier]

change and evolution is to be considered the norm. However there are not too many artists/people who make lithographs from stones anymore, which used to be the norm. This form of image making was at its' height in the 19th century, as was photography.
This move by APUG to include ALL image capture through a lens A.K.A. photography: to host a web site dedicated to that is nothing less than "One more nail in the coffin" of film photography. Due to the fact of how popular digital is, accessibility, and home friendly. I do not object to this move to include all photography, nor do i hold any animosity towards those who wish to see this move happen. But it would be remiss of me NOT to point out the obvious. For the last 20 years or so, I have seen a slow but steady decline in film photography, not just from the end user, but also from manufacturers and distributors, and now chat rooms. I DO think that this move is a necessary, but it does sadden me. Well, at least. . . . . it's an ominous sign!

 

[RattyMouse]

There are so many digital only forums that it's hard to believe that anyone will be interested in the digital version of APUG. In fact, DPUG on its own was a pretty miserable failure and I think that is because digital users were going to places like DPR, or FM, or other forums. There was so much competition that someone had to lose and DPUG was it.

On the other hand, film and hybrid film is a pretty specialized niche and this is where the potential growth lies.

I'm dying to learn more about scanning so I'm hopeful that eventually I can learn that here the way I learned how to process my own film. I can't wait!

 

[faberryman]

There are so many digital only forums that it's hard to believe that anyone will be interested in the digital version of APUG.

DPUG has not proven popular, but I think that may change as APUGers will now have a way to post their hybrid/digital question within the same environment.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Perhaps we should run a contest to create an instantly recognizable symbol for the "Artists formally known as APUGers"?

Good luck Sean. I plan to still visit regularly and keep up my unbroken record of subscribing. Really, what a small price to pay for the wealth of information on hand here and your years of passion and dedication.

I wouldn't... everyone will be calling it "Prinz".

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Will people pronunce 'Photrio instead of Pho'trio?
I know it's late to suggest but Phototrio would be pronounced in only one way.

Maybe writing it Photrìo would stress the right sillable.

Photrio sounds dangerously near to "fuck" in Italian fòttere (also Sicilian futtìri although the stress is displaced) and French foutre.

OK Italian and French are a small part of the planet, but I think it would help if there is a way to say hint the stress is (maybe in the section "who we are" or such).

W-e-e-e-e-ll... ffff... I mean darn!!

Back when Chevrolet first tried to market the Chevy 'Nova' to Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, it failed miserably. Why? Because in Spanish "nova" sounds too much like "no va", which translates to "won't go" or "not going".

"A car by any other name would run just as well"

 

[Terry Breedlove]

As long as the digital versus analog online wars don't dirty the forums I think this will be a good idea. I personally will disable the digital site but adding the hybrid to the analog might be useful.

 

[papagene]

Sean... I think you know I am 100% behind you and will continue to be a strong supporter of your efforts. Subscription renewal on its way.
Best of luck with the migration.

 

[Luckless]

I must say it is depressing that analog-only interest is continuing to decline as seen by falling traffic and donations here. I'm always trying to convince myself that the segment has stabilized. Guess not!

I know a good number of photographers working with film in the under 35 age range. I don't know of any who use this site for more than skimming notes as they come up on google searches.

Somehow, the community has apparently gained a reputation for being unpleasant and grumpy old men who are scared of change and will take to torches and pitchforks if someone steps out of line or asks 'a stupid question'...

Internet communities aren't built on technology. They're built on those in the community...

 

[pdeeh]

hehehe
Can we have "Likes" with the new site pretty please?

 

[RattyMouse]

I know a good number of photographers working with film in the under 35 age range. I don't know of any who use this site for more than skimming notes as they come up on google searches.

Somehow, the community has apparently gained a reputation for being unpleasant and grumpy old men who are scared of change and will take to torches and pitchforks if someone steps out of line or asks 'a stupid question'...

Internet communities aren't built on technology. They're built on those in the community...

Absolute nonsense. Everything I know about film I learned here. I've asked hundreds of noob questions and never once got anything back but informative answers. Some people here write veritable chapters of books in response to my questions. The amount of time given to me by the membership here is staggering.

 

[faberryman]

Somehow, the community has apparently gained a reputation for being unpleasant and grumpy old men who are scared of change and will take to torches and pitchforks if someone steps out of line or asks 'a stupid question'...

The only time people get really grumpy is when someone mentions the word "scanner". That should take care of itself with the new Hybrid option. Oh, and I remember some guy posted a question about whether he should buy a new camera strap, which was responded to with a fair amount of (well deserved) vociferous eye-rolling.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Does this mean APUGgers will become PUGs? Interested readers want to know.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Will people pronunce 'Photrio instead of Pho'trio?
I know it's late to suggest but Phototrio would be pronounced in only one way.

Maybe writing it Photrìo would stress the right sillable.

Photrio sounds dangerously near to "fuck" in Italian fòttere (also Sicilian futtìri although the stress is displaced) and French foutre.

OK Italian and French are a small part of the planet, but I think it would help if there is a way to say hint the stress is (maybe in the section "who we are" or such).

Thanks! I needed a good laugh today.

 

[Ian Grant]

When you read all the comments it's simple no-one wants a teutonic tilt in the wrong direction. It's about realism and the analog/digital interfaces being part of the site.

I think we need some reassurances about this though.

Ian

 

[flatulent1]

Donation sent. Now open that throttle and let it rip!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... no-one wants a teutonic tilt in the wrong direction. ...

On the contrary, all posts should be translated into German - just think of how many translators would gain employment, plus new German readership.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Out of curiosity, I sampled this site's statistics (shown at the top of the page) at intervals for the last 9 months:

2016.11.16 Members: 80,004 Posts: 1,827,628
2017.02.15 Members: 80,661 Posts: 1,859,382
2017.03.23 Members: 81,001 Posts: 1,873,638
2017.04.05 Members: 81,113 Posts: 1,876,020
2017.07.05 Members: 81,729 Posts: 1,908,065
2017.07.27 Members: 81,896 Posts: 1,914,419

The total membership count includes a large number of inactive members. I haven't plotted it, but my rough estimation is that it shows linear growth. Alas, the number of paying subscribers -- a critical element -- is not shown. I'm sure Sean has even more detailed statistics.

But the point is this, APUG/Photrio is going to need paying subscribers (as well as advertisers) to survive. I think many people here were truly shocked to learn the subscription rate was about 1% and dwindling.

I know a few other non-photo sites have resorted to restrictions on non-paying members, with enticements to pay, and it's always a nasty subject. Sometimes it fails.

 

[Two23]

I don't think having digital and film forums under one roof is a big deal. I would bet almost all of us here use both, depending on our whim. I own a Nikon D800E with state of art lenses, and use that regularly. However, I also own a plethora of film gear starting with lenses from the 1840s and 1850s, a modern 4x5 & a 1926 Korona 5x7, a collection of early box cameras, pre-WW2 folders, a 1942 Leica, 1954 Rolleiflex, and my most modern film camera is a 1983 Nikon F3T. I have as much fun shooting any one of them as I do another. The last camera gear I bought was a 1938 Kodak Bantam Special. My next planned purchase is a Nikon 300mm f4 PF for use on the D800E & D5300. I'm still looking for an 1870s vintage rapid rectilinear. I shoot gear from every decade of photo history, and own a half dozen formats. I just like to go out and take photos! I can't be the only one here.


Kent in SD

 

[RattyMouse]

Out of curiosity, I sampled this site's statistics (shown at the top of the page) at intervals for the last 9 months:

2016.11.16 Members: 80,004 Posts: 1,827,628
2017.02.15 Members: 80,661 Posts: 1,859,382
2017.03.23 Members: 81,001 Posts: 1,873,638
2017.04.05 Members: 81,113 Posts: 1,876,020
2017.07.05 Members: 81,729 Posts: 1,908,065
2017.07.27 Members: 81,896 Posts: 1,914,419

The total membership count includes a large number of inactive members. I haven't plotted it, but my rough estimation is that it shows linear growth. Alas, the number of paying subscribers -- a critical element -- is not shown. I'm sure Sean has even more detailed statistics.

But the point is this, APUG/Photrio is going to need paying subscribers (as well as advertisers) to survive. I think many people here were truly shocked to learn the subscription rate was about 1% and dwindling.

I know a few other non-photo sites have resorted to restrictions on non-paying members, with enticements to pay, and it's always a nasty subject. Sometimes it fails.

How many members are active (posts more than once a year)? That number would be interesting and far, far lower than 82,000 I am sure. Would it even be 1,000?

 

[Sean]

Out of curiosity, I sampled this site's statistics (shown at the top of the page) at intervals for the last 9 months:

2016.11.16 Members: 80,004 Posts: 1,827,628
2017.02.15 Members: 80,661 Posts: 1,859,382
2017.03.23 Members: 81,001 Posts: 1,873,638
2017.04.05 Members: 81,113 Posts: 1,876,020
2017.07.05 Members: 81,729 Posts: 1,908,065
2017.07.27 Members: 81,896 Posts: 1,914,419

The total membership count includes a large number of inactive members. I haven't plotted it, but my rough estimation is that it shows linear growth. Alas, the number of paying subscribers -- a critical element -- is not shown. I'm sure Sean has even more detailed statistics.

But the point is this, APUG/Photrio is going to need paying subscribers (as well as advertisers) to survive. I think many people here were truly shocked to learn the subscription rate was about 1% and dwindling.

I know a few other non-photo sites have resorted to restrictions on non-paying members, with enticements to pay, and it's always a nasty subject. Sometimes it fails.

Sadly the growth seems to be replacing the exact amount who leave or stop visiting. It's kept the total active/logged in numbers quite static for years. The overall unique visits are also quite static. Then what happens, is the newer registrations have been less likely to subscribe and often the basic sub for 6 months. I think the new site could easily double our activity and open the door for some great re-investment into new areas (Portfolios system, maybe even a Flickr type system, also original paid content/articles, even staffing, etc).

 

[Sean]

How many members are active (posts more than once a year)? That number would be interesting and far, far lower than 82,000 I am sure. Would it even be 1,000?

it's been stuck at around 850 actual logins per day, 200 or so less on the weekends. I don't have exact numbers as not every single apug member logs in every single day, but lately we rarely break 850 in a day. This has been the case for a couple years now so when you factor in that stat + less subscriptions, things could go down hill fast. I'd rather see those numbers in the 2,000 logins per day and consistently increasing traffic. This would give us the boost we need, and I'm fairly confident Photrio can pull that off once we get rolling.