Do we want Random Gallery Picks back?

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There's been a lot of discussion about bringing back Random Gallery Picks, so I thought it might be a nice idea to see how many of us are actually interested in the feature.

If I understand the problem with Random Gallery Picks was that loading thumbnails incurs load on the server upon every front page view, much like the present loading of thumbnails for classifieds items. Maybe one could find some technical solution to lessen server load (such as only displaying them for logged-in users), but in all probability (without knowing the details) bringing back Random Gallery Picks would mean incurring some kind of compromise, which is why I've listed some suggestions here. (Because some of the suggestions are non-exclusive, one can vote on more than one, even though for some of the options it doesn't make sense.) This is a bit hypothetical, but I think a general sort of image nevertheless could emerge.

Philipp
 
Sitemistic,
I respect your opinion, I really do. But may I say that probably you don't see the point because you didn't know the site when the random gallery was on the front page. I think that you would have another opinion if you knew how the site was running before some changes. Maybe I'm wrong, if so, my apologies.

BTW, the classified gallery doesn't bother me since it's at the bottom of the from page; and I fully appreciate its economic usefulness. But I would like to have the choice between the random gallery and the classified (or the freedom to see both of them). Maybe logged members could enjoy this freedom of choice. So my choice is #3: Yes, even if only logged-in users see Random Gallery Picks.

Best,
Marc

PS: don't forget to vote here too: What about displaying the picture of the winner on the front page?

sitemistic said:
You've pretty much covered the choices and I ended up voting no. Not because I'm not interested in the Gallery, because I spend a lot of time looking at photos in the Gallery, but because I just don't see a reason (and I've read all the threads on the topic) to put these images on the site's home page.

Gallery is listed in the top horizontal menu. That's all I needed to see when I first visited this site to know where the photos were. And while I think PhotoPost navigation is a little confusing at first for newbies, it integrates well with vBulletin and is the site owners choice. And doesn't take long to learn to negotiate.

I just don't think an image or images on the home page would add to the site.
Click to expand...
 
I thought something was missing!

The random photos allow me to enjoy other work and style because I will not normally spend any time whatsoever looking at individual member's collections. Just too much trouble and I may miss out on different shooting styles.

The random images mean a lot during my work day when I have little time to surf the site.
 
There is a whole thread with more than 1200 views about this issue and the surrounding ones.

It is the "kettle" thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49431


Since we are talking about internal affairs of RFF, making a public poll doesn't sound to me appropriate.

Let's us all return to outsopoken friendship and influence by argumentation, rather than by public demos.

At the "kettle" thread I made my opinion more than crystal clear, several times, but if you force me to public confrontations, I will have to keep quiet and stop any further intervention. I prefer a less perfect RFF rather than one where hands are twisted by force.

Philipp, my good friend, I beg you to close this thread and pour your arguments to the place Stephen asked us our opinions.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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sitemistic said:
Ah, it's all just opinion, anyway. I'm not sure it really concerns management if opinions are expressed publicly...since all these threads are public ones, anyway. In the end, the owner, as he should, will decide what to do. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to him that this is an outspoken group who will conduct a poll of just about anything. 🙂
Click to expand...


Ah, what a nice PR for misbehaving within reason. Well, from this moment on, don't count me in "this outspoken group", but among the other side.

Cheers
 
If the random gallery makes this website stop working proper then why keep bringing it up? I know where the gallery page is and I go there when I want to look. Personally I much prefer the classifieds because they are time sensitive and a unique and enjoyable aspect of this website. Things are just fine here. Our galleries are not as community oriented as flickr, that's not a bad thing...there are many great discussions here that never happen on flickr. Use sites for their strengths rather than trying to make a one size fit all. Sheesh, I'm opinionated in the morning...
 
Ruben,
For once I don't understand you point. Ther's nothing wrong to discuss this issue here. The "kettle" is about a lot of issues ...besides I don't like boiling discussion ... no just kidding.
Now, we have pros and cons arguments, it seems to me quite appropriate that we vote. We can discuss this matter on and on, at the end we have to know who support the random gallery and who does not. If I read you correctly, you support this idea. One more vote for the random gallery then.
Philipp, you took a good initiative with this poll.
Best,
Marc
 
I don't understand the point of voting if the random gallery BREAKS the site? I remember when they tried to bring it back because everyone was asking...the site went down and was intollerably slower to load.

One thing about this place has changed. There are a lot more people coming to the homepage than there used to be. I just think that people come here to talk. The gallery is a nice feature, but it's the discussions that are our raison d'etre.

What's the point of asking people to vote if the voters are not properly informed of the consequences of having that random gallery? Sorry, I don't mean to flame about this issue. I remember when the gallery was brought back by popular outcry only to ruin the site for a number of days---now that bothered me. I've said my point.
 
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The problem is that it generates a random gallery for every single visit to the home page. This can easily be cured by having the software generate 1 gallery per 24 hours (or whatever interval).
 
RML said:
The problem is that it generates a random gallery for every single visit to the home page. This can easily be cured by having the software generate 1 gallery per 24 hours (or whatever interval).
Click to expand...
This would work fine for me, too.
/Jobo
 
sirius said:
I don't understand the point of voting if the random gallery BREAKS the site? What's the point of asking people to vote if the voters are not properly informed of the consequences of having that random gallery?
Click to expand...

I hear you Sirius, and you opinion is sound. What do you think of Remi's interesting suggestion about the technical difficulty.
RML said:
The problem is that it generates a random gallery for every
single visit to the home page. This can easily be cured by having the software generate 1 gallery per 24 hours (or whatever interval).
Click to expand...

The question would be then: if it was possible to get the random gallery back, would you like to get it back?

Now if you want to vote for/against another suggestion, please have a look here: What about displaying the picture of the winner on the front page?[/B]

Best,

Marc
 
Marc-A. said:
Ruben,
For once I don't understand you point. Ther's nothing wrong to discuss this issue here. The "kettle" is about a lot of issues ...besides I don't like boiling discussion ... no just kidding.
............Best,
Marc
Click to expand...


Then I will explain myself better.

a) Stephen takes the healthy initiative to open a discussion about improving the imagery side of RFF. In his opening words at the front page he makes clear the decision will be taken by him and a very small group formed by the moderators and Memphis. Hereby Stephen words:

We are looking at ways to give more image emphasis at RFF. Ideas are up are for discussion. Nothing is set in stone. The final decisions on what changes implement will be made by myself, the moderators, and Memphis (leader of the imagery promo team). Changes have to be doable within our software. So don't expect a new site. We are looking to improve this site, not invent the wheel again. Once we try something new, if it does not work, we will try something else. In the end though, RFF will become a more image focused forum. Click the heading link above to join the discussion.

Stephen


b) a great discussion opens, with more than 1200 views, in which the issue of the Random Gallery comes forwards, perhaps as the main axis there.

c) then my friend Philipp unilateraly decides not only to open A PARALEL THREAD BUT to make a public POLL about the Random Gallery.

At this point we should better analyze the character of this poll. There are polls and polls. Some polls deal with who smokes and what is the color of your underpaints. Fine.

But when you take the initiative to make A POLL CONCERNING INTERNAL ISSUES OF RFF you are going to split the neighbourhood between a majority and a minority. YOU ARE TELLING THE MINORITY: YOU ARE A MINORITY. And by this way you are disrupting any possibility of consensus or compromise.

In our present case it is even worst, since you are narrowing the field of manoeuvre of Stephen, the owner of the site. Instead of appealing to his reasoning you are FORCING HIM TO IMPOSE, a very unpleasant situation. You are forcing him to impose since you are creating an obstacle, a wall, he will either have to demolish or demolish.

d) Therefore I call all RFF to boycott this poll, and continue the discussion at its original thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49431

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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Here's my 2 cents worth:
I miss the two Random Gallery Picks photos.

I am NOT clear as to whether Stephen and the Mods WANT more sponsoring members [with or without 3 stars]...

And, if members are sponsoring at, let's say $25- per year...
- What do the members gain?
- How is that income good for the site?

A clear example of something that has worked well, is the $2- Classified Ads fee, administered by Jorge.

Finally, I sense that some "feathers have been ruffled," above. There is no reason to get embroiled in conflict, over Random Gallery Picks, or not.
Cheers, Mike ;-)
 
I brought this up a few months back and many people agreed with me that the Random Gallery should come back. So it did come back briefly but everyone thought it bogged down the site too much and it was removed again. End of. I did appreciate that they gave it a go!
 
I haven't voted simply because my view isn't really expressed with the options.


I very much enjoyed the Random Images simply because they were random and would often allow me to view images that have been in the gallery for a long time that I would never have seen otherwise.


If this function causes the site to bog down or crash then logic decrees that we lose that function from the site. Its a shame but a simple fact. However, I would very very much like to see this site or sections thereof become more image orientated. We all enjoy discussing photography, be it the gear, the techniques or even the experiences but the end result is surely the images. I'm not suggesting this site becomes wholly image orientated but simply to expand this area more.


One of the things I like most about RFF's Image Gallery over Flickr ( for example ) is that it is a slightly smaller community with a central gallery in which to post. We're not splintered all over the site with different groups and we therefore get to view a huge range of differing forms of photography in the one place.


As such I thank Stephen, the moderaters and Memphis for trying to improve the site in this regard. I look forward to seeing what they come up with and hope it will work and prove popular, if not then they/we go back to the drawing board and try something else. If Random Gallery Images were able to work in some way I'd be very happy but I'm also interested and intrigued by any alternative and new developments they may come up with.


For me, simply knowing that RFF is trying to accomodate the needs and desires or all its users rather than simply one section is enough to make me happy.


Live long and prosper brothers etc etc etc
 
Bring back the random gallery.

As I mentioned elsewhere, this isn't an issue of gear or images or even commenting per se, it is an issue of visual freshness. The current fornt page is the antithesis of fresh. It is completely static from a visual standpoint, and mostly static from the standpoint of text.

The random gallery would at least freshen up the visuals.
 
It's deja vu all over again...again

I actually suggest a "Click here to see Random Picks from the Users Gallery". That way, if you want to see it, you have to click it. If you don't, you don't. That way the "server load" issue won't be an "issue". Unless they keep on having a cowboy approach to site maintenance, of course...
 
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