I've been running a free contest all week to give away three copies of Topaz Adjust 5. So far I have 2 qualified entries, so I say your odds are pretty good right now...
Plugs 'N Pixels subscribers already have the entry info; subscribe (free) if you need it. Contest will end late Sunday.
He's been around for years. He runs a site for promoting graphic software, yeah. He keeps us apprised of deals and promotions periodically. He always does it discreetly and he's never been a problem. He doesn't sell us anything directly, as far as I know.
I PM'd him a few days ago, inquiring about his activity, because his posts did seem somewhat spammy, however Topaz markets their products directly. It didn't make sense to me. He responded quickly, politely, and very unlike a typical spammer. Basically, he explained that he is an enthusiast that produces a ezine and he didn't even realize the point of DPC was challenges. It does appear that he offers discount codes on his site, so I would presume there is some kickback from the software publishers for promoting the products. It looks like most of the purchase links on his site go to the publishers sites.
His postings here are certainly promotional in nature, but I don't feel it steps over the line. We do have another member that posts here with copies of his blog postings and no other activity. Is it that different? Ultimately it would be for Langdon and the SC to decide where the line is, however.
If you have been around here for awhile you will know that Mike participates in the forums, he does not just promote. Go back and check the treads he has been involved in and you will see that most do not involve any promotion but instead are either informative or helpful.
Yes he does not enter challenges or post photos but is that all there is to this site? There is a learning and information component.
Besides the fact that he has been around a while, he is promoting a contest to win stuff. If another was to post a link to a contest that had such a nice reward, it would be fine. If there were entry fees or the like, it might cross the spam line, but I for one am happy to hear about this sort of stuff.
There is a link to click if you think a post is spam, no real need to call it out, just click the link. If others think it is spam and click the link too then the post will disappear in short order, if not then it is unlikely to be thought spam by many ;)
Thanks all for your comments! I'm glad most of you can benefit from either the advice I've offered here or my decade's worth of connections in the software industry to get you discounts.
My About page summarizes where I'm coming from (I refer end users to the developers as a convenience; I do not sell anything directly). I spent many years as a news, school and freelance photographer; since the late-'90s I've worked full time in higher ed IT and tend to focus mainly on digital imaging software/post-processing on the side. Any occasional scenic or artsy images I still take are used to illustrate my website; I no longer have the nerve to do weddings and such ;-).
DPC is one of many forums I've found over the years and like Yo_Spiff said, I didn't catch on to the challenge nature for a long time. It's all I can do to keep my site updated and put out the ezines and such, so I haven't jumped in here or elsewhere with entries, galleries, etc.
As for the contest(s), that's something Topaz in particular started up recently and offered me the chance to get involved with. I've made a number of people happy with the free stuff!
If the mods show concern over my software-related posts, that's fine; those still interested can subscribe to my email list and get the info that way. Regardless, I'm happy to keep coming by to offer advice as relevant.
Mike has been around here for a long time. While I can appreciate others concern about spam he is not one to be concerned about. He has participated and commented in other threads, and it's nice to get a heads up on discount pricing and the chance to win a product with one's talent. No cost, no spam, no follow up junk mail, no harassing messages etc.
I participated in one of the recent photo contests to win a free no obligation copy of Topaz B&W Effects, and guess what...I won. I was promptly sent an email direct from Topaz with my serial number and congratulatory message. Had I not entered I would still probably be waiting on the purchase. It made my day. After winning I was not bombarded with emails or other offers from either Mike or Topaz. It was a simply promotional contest, and it was handled very professionally which I truly appreciated. I love the program and it has been a great addition to the rest of my Topaz suite.
BTW, a lot of folks are just getting on board for the Topaz Adjust 5 contest at the last minute so I will extend the deadline until the end of Wednesday, December 7, 2011.
I urge others to participate in the contests as well. You might just win a really cool program. :)
Dave
Wow, I won! You can check out the winners of the Plugs 'N Pixels Topaz Adjust 5 contest including my image of the welder at the plugsnpixels contest page.
I urge others to participate in the contests as well. You might just win a really cool program. :)
Dave
Wow, I won! You can check out the winners of the Plugs 'N Pixels Topaz Adjust 5 contest including my image of the welder at the plugsnpixels contest page.
I urge others to participate in the contests as well. You might just win a really cool program. :)
Dave
Wow, I won! You can check out the winners of the Plugs 'N Pixels Topaz Adjust 5 contest including my image of the welder at the plugsnpixels contest page.
Congrats guys! I knew which forum winner Alan was from, since he posts his real name online (ironically they deleted my contest thread over there, ha!) but not you other two winners. So now I know!
Hopefully Topaz gets in touch with you soon with the Adjust 5 licenses, but in the meantime, enjoy the trial version.
