Photo Software Maker's Forum at RFF ?

Photo Software Maker's Forum at RFF ?

  • Yes, its a great idea!

    Votes: 36 62.1%

  • Maybe, but I'm not sure how it would fit in

    Votes: 12 20.7%

  • No! It would not help RFF members.

    Votes: 10 17.2%
  • Total voters
    58
  • Poll closed .
What advantage would a software vendor have from associating itself with a bunch of grumpy old farts that still consider the switch from LTM to M mount a case of sad degeneration? We'll probably shower insults on each and every new release, and demand a return to some mid nineties version that could still run on a Mac Classic...
 
This thread is a hoot!

We don't pay a penny and bite the hand that feeds!

All you have to do, if you don't want thread in the fora, is to not visit it.

What? Too simple...?
 
But would I like to have another hand that feeds the forum, but might want to delete threads that criticise its product or mention competitors products? There is a risk involved in any dependent relationship. And when all is said and done, even the nicest, smallest software vendor will have a MBA-trained public relations department that can be far more offensive and aggressive than the current small legacy hardware businesses we have for sponsors...
 
sevo said:
But would I like to have another hand that feeds the forum, but might want to delete threads that criticise its product or mention competitors products? There is a risk involved in any dependent relationship. And when all is said and done, even the nicest, smallest software vendor will have a MBA-trained public relations department that can be far more offensive and aggressive than the current small legacy hardware businesses we have for sponsors...
Click to expand...

You are not going to lose either way, unless you are subsidising RFF in some way and risking your investment? If you are, then I apologise.

Are you?
 
I feel uncomfortable with this, mostly for reasons that have already been stated.

A forum like RFF could not very well accept sponsorship from one particular brand of camera, or it would become the Leicanikon forum for rangefinder photography.

One of the fun parts of this forum is the fact that we can freely discuss cameras, lenses, films, scanners and bags from any brand or maker. I would like to be certain that this still works for software too. What can be more liberating than releasing a righteous rant at something that got your cockles up?

We already have a section of the forum dedicated to scanners and scanning, Do we need one that is married to a brand?

We have sub forums for Leica, Nikon, canon, etc., but these aren't sponsored by the makers. We provide free bandwidth, and that is ok, because it allows us to say what we want.
A subforum, sponsored by a (dominant!) software brand, could be very interesting and informative, but if it was a camera brand, say Nikon, the canonistas and the olympians and the like-a-Leicas would be justly alarmed.

If I really need information from a certain major photographic software company, it is easy to find : tutorials abound. When I want to discuss that software, I would rather not be beholden to that software company.

I think I'll vote no.

I'd rather we were sponsored by small fry. Near monopolies and market dominators are too big for comfort.

cheers

P.S. How would the Tri-X fans among us react to being sponsored by Ilford?
 
Another skeptic here for so many reasons already stated. But, I won't dismiss the idea outright. Ultimately, this is the head bartender's decision and we are all here via his generosity.

Is there an "exit strategy" should things not go as anticipated? And how would we know (measure) that things aren't going as anticipated?

Also. Does this open the door for other "corporate sponsors" to have similar fora? Any consequences with that?

My gut feeling is to give this software forum a try and see how it goes, but to be sure there is a way to gracefully back out if necessary. It seems to me Stephen likes the idea overall.
 
lukitas said:
I feel uncomfortable with this, mostly for reasons that have already been stated.

A forum like RFF could not very well accept sponsorship from one particular brand of camera, or it would become the Leicanikon forum for rangefinder photography.

One of the fun parts of this forum is the fact that we can freely discuss cameras, lenses, films, scanners and bags from any brand or maker. I would like to be certain that this still works for software too. What can be more liberating than releasing a righteous rant at something that got your cockles up?

We already have a section of the forum dedicated to scanners and scanning, Do we need one that is married to a brand?

We have sub forums for Leica, Nikon, canon, etc., but these aren't sponsored by the makers. We provide free bandwidth, and that is ok, because it allows us to say what we want.
A subforum, sponsored by a (dominant!) software brand, could be very interesting and informative, but if it was a camera brand, say Nikon, the canonistas and the olympians and the like-a-Leicas would be justly alarmed.

If I really need information from a certain major photographic software company, it is easy to find : tutorials abound. When I want to discuss that software, I would rather not be beholden to that software company.

I think I'll vote no.

I'd rather we were sponsored by small fry. Near monopolies and market dominators are too big for comfort.

cheers

P.S. How would the Tri-X fans among us react to being sponsored by Ilford?
Click to expand...

If you read my posts you would realize that sponsorship is not involved.

Its funny to see members adding things to the discussion which are not part of the discussion, and then vote against their own additions. LOL.

Stephen
 
One thing for sure. We are all grateful for RFF and want to make that clear. Regardless of what is decided. (Sorry I spoke for others, but I think its a good risk this time).
 
Still, the question remains valid.

Would it be ok for Leica to host a section about leicas? And a guy from Nikon moderating a section on Nikons?
Or would they just be there to answer questions, not to moderate them?

Seems I had more than one question, sorry.
 
It's unlikely I would visit the forum at all. The risk of wading through topics that only partly discuss the issue I need a solution to, would be as big as it is in Google.

When I need a specific issue taken care of, I look for the answer on YouTube. It allows me to scroll forward and move on if the clip proves useless.

So, bring the forum on for those that get their info from it.
 
Transparency is the key - providing the source and context is made clear then all users will be fully informed and can make their own decisions on participation. It sounds useful to me, as a predominanlty film shooter.
 
I have tons of questions to ask, even though I am analog shooter with some digital I'm sure they could help. I'm concerned with color processing, I have my processing methods but fine tuning is a problem. Plus, there are so many terms that are confusing or undefined, these could also be cleared up.
 
Ranchu said:
Americans aren't generally as servile as some other populations might be, perhaps you've read something about it...
Click to expand...

Americans are generally more displeased than other populations. Which is precisely why such a forum like the one that is being proposed sounds like a great idea. Imagine having the ear of the company that makes products, instead of pretending like our ranting and raving without such an audience really matters.
 
sounds good to me

sounds good to me

I do a lot more reading than writing here.

The possibility of having open discussions with the likes of 'Adobe' would be interesting. Nothing to lose. Some knowledge to gain. Maybe. Depends how forthright the discussions are. How 'honest' the reps are, from whatever company it is.

If the owner(s) of rff are good with this, so am I.
 
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