Various programmers have offered help here before - some even got to contribute a bit (Niall comes to mind). But this is Langdon's site and there is a good chance he doesn't want a bunch of strange hands on his code and accessing his server. Besides, a giant overhaul, if not a razing and rebuilding, would be needed in order to have a responsive framework type of site compatible with today's devices. If you really hate being the last kids playing with what's left in an abandoned building, probably the best thing to do is build a new clubhouse elsewhere. Which is a pain inna neck in its own right. Ok, all out of sunshine for now ;-)
I'm afraid DPC is caught in the empty bar cycle. Nobody wants to go into an empty bar.
I whole heartedly disagree.
Some of my best daze were spent in dark,smoky, old empty country town bars.
1. You can snag a beer before the bartender comes back from the kitchen without being caught.
2. You can play the jukebox without interruption and dance like no one is looking.
3. You can convince the owner that if you paint a mural wall of sunflowers above the shuffleboard table his business will pick up. Trading art for beer of course. And it works.
You people worry too much.
Go find an empty bar and have fun, alone.
Right, and I also prefer an empty bar. But they tend to go out of business.
These discussions are worth having and solutions worth exploring, but all under the acceptance that nothing relating to the site's functionality will change. That said, my bar stool is thoroughly worn in and has completely conformed to my ass. I'm here til the end. If only to stir the pot and cause some trouble once in awhile. And when it inevitably ends, there will be a hole in soul.
I've been in 681 Challenges and have voted in everyone of them as well as many I have not entered. I have voted 107,738 times and received 107,514 votes.
My idea for improving the voting record would require a considerable change in the system. One that I don't even know would be possible and I know it would get a lot of criticism but here it goes. When I play golf we make it more fun by betting a few dollars on different things during the game. Sometimes we play in teams against each other. Sometimes we bet on the closest to the hole on par 3's. etc. etc.. It makes the game more fun, interesting and challenging. The bottom line is that ribbons are nice in DPC but they are usually won by the same photographers most of the time. So my suggestion is to offer Actual prizes. It could be money, products or even advertiser involved discounts. Make challenge rules in such a way that even average photographers can win and be rewarded And make it that everyone has to vote. I believe this is a suggestion that would help DPC to improve and grow. I think the core concept of DPC is terrific, I just think that in order for it to grow it needs to metamorphosize otherwise it will be stuck in mediocrity or may just die as many companies do that do not transform over time.
I suggest going backwards to go forward. The two week challenge period screwed up the code base for running DPL. Flip the challenge format back and run DPL again.
GolferDDS makes a good point - there are insufficient rewards for people to stay involved. In addition, there doesn't seem to be any consistency in results - which drastically reduces the ability to learn. For example, you get killed vote-wise if you enter a picture where the horizon even appears to be slightly off level - but then gets the Blue with an average of 7.2679.
I used to vote (and enter) in almost every challenge. But, for me, it came down to time invested - voting in every challenge fell away. Then, entering every challenge. I still enjoy dpchallenge, and the folks here are wonderful. But, at this point, my participation is on a time-available basis.
My point is simple - if you start requiring people to do ... whatever ..., those who can't do that - for whatever reason - will stop participating. Not by choice, but because (from their perspective) they were forced out.
I'd argue to let people participate as they can and want to. Increase each user's "rewards" for participating. Move back more to community rather than clique. Attract new folks and give them a reason to get involved and stay active.
Robert, what are we dealing with? Has Langdon any interest in growing or improving DPC?
What is his involvement? Does he look at the site, read forums? He must know it is on life
support, why does he hang onto it?
It seems that until we know what we are dealing with suggestions for changing or improving
it are futile.
Robert, what are we dealing with? Has Langdon any interest in growing or improving DPC?
What is his involvement? Does he look at the site, read forums? He must know it is on life
support, why does he hang onto it?
It seems that until we know what we are dealing with suggestions for changing or improving
it are futile.
He must know it is on life
support, why does he hang onto it?
~400 x $25/yr
Sure, about $10k/y. Minus server costs, minus administrative costs of running the business, yadda yadda. Now take what's left and divide it across the hours he spends every year on maintaining the site. I bet he could make a better wage in a factory job. So sure, that's why.
ETA: Sorry, but the implication that greed drives the behavior of someone who has pretty much singlehandedly created and maintained the place we call home for the past 17 years gets my hackles up.
He must know it is on life
support, why does he hang onto it?
~400 x $25/yr
Sure, about $10k/y. Minus server costs, minus administrative costs of running the business, yadda yadda. Now take what's left and divide it across the hours he spends every year on maintaining the site. I bet he could make a better wage in a factory job. So sure, that's why.
ETA: Sorry, but the implication that greed drives the behavior of someone who has pretty much singlehandedly created and maintained the place we call home for the past 17 years gets my hackles up.
But even only $5000 a year for something running mostly on autopilot would be hard to walk away from. And the sense of ownership from something you've put so much time into over the years, would be hard to let go.
It is clear it's a money loosing venture. I am trying to figure out why he hangs onto it
when it has been on decline for years. Is it an emotional attachment, plans to work on it
when his kids are grown, a tax write-off?.. is there a plan?
Over a year ago Robert said a new DPL was in the works but Langdon had to make a few changes?
Is he still working on them?
We limp along with 30-40 entries per challenge while contest sites like Viewbug have 60.000 entries
for the chance to win "studio lights"? It's nuts!
but it's not a money losing venture.
server space and admin/maintenance do not cost that much in my experience.
and plus, there is on site advertising bringing in additional revenue.
....it makes just enough to warrant inertia.
This would not be popular but raise the subscription rate. Sure, you would lose some people, but you would retain the ones that care the most and you could then finance some other improvements. Ultimately, it would pay for itself.
This would not be popular but raise the subscription rate. Sure, you would lose some people, but you would retain the ones that care the most and you coul
d then finance some other improvements. Ultimately, it would pay for itself.
But it DOES pay for itself. That's kind of the point.
