Just read the newsletter and I am glad to see they are trying to limit the number of posts advertising new kits etc. in the gallery.

Takes away the viewing pleasure when you know some people only post layouts as a way of advertising their new kits and never post at any other time.

Whilst I am interested in what is available to buy, there are many other ways for them to get the word out!

Jules

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I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
- Jennifer Unlimited

Jules,
I'm glad you started this thread as we also wanted many of the commercial designers to know - we don't in anyway want them to stop posting. That is far from the case... it's the fact the some of the sites out there have anywhere from 8-15 or more designers promoting their site and products. If they are required to post 2-3 layouts EACH.... do the math... that adds up to a lot of layouts posted; in a nutshell for advertising purposes. But with the mass amount of "creative team" layouts growing by the day; we felt the need to get it under control before that is all that we have here at Scrapbook-Bytes.

If anyone has any other suggestions, who is commercial, to help curb this or an alternative solution -- feel free to post it here.

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Partly due to this "issue", I've decided to go non-commercial....I DON'T REQUIRE the CT that works with me to commit to "so" many layouts - but to use what they can with their photos and I do it because they are people who I LIKE, and who I have always admired. It's a GIFT to them. The last day of February will be "it" for my CD sales and I won't be selling here on Digital Bytes anymore.

I think this "fear" of seeing layouts that feature commercial work is quite sad and I truly think all that is going to happen is cause frustration among people who like to post a lot of layouts that happen to use elements that they purchased - now I just wonder what to do with the several hundred dollars worth of product I've bought and DO use when I'm not busy working on my own stuff. I mean, you've got a FINE line drawn here and it needs to be CLEARLY defined or some people will feel singled out!

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*holly*

Holly - it's too bad that you seem to think you are being singled out.

This is not the case... it's merely the fact that some sort of line - no matter how grey - needs to be created and discussed as though there are commercial designers out there the majority of the site is made up of members here to learn and share.

There is no "fear" of seeing layouts posted... where is this presumption from? And it was not directed toward people who happen to use elements from other resources - it's directed, and as stated, to those store owners and creative team who are posting for the sole intention of promoting a product only! Big difference over just posting a layout that "happens" to use someone's stuff.

As we mentioned we are open to discussion and suggestions on this; but fact of the matter being; we have received NUMEROUS comlaints from members regarding this "type" of posting and as admin it's our job to help address those complaints as best we can.

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~ SBB Owner/Founder ~
Visit my blog!

Amy - you know that I emailed you regarding this that it isn't directed at SBB - but the issue itself is a tough one and that the rules need to be VERY clear - not grey - only because you'll continue to receive complaints by those that will use the grey area to their advantage. I know, I know - can't make everyone happy. And, I NEVER said I was singled out. But, because Jane Doe doesn't like so and so and they think they are abusing it do you get on to that person for it - what makes so and so better than someone else and can post. Does that make sense?

If sites don't want Creative Teams to post stuff - then say - ONLY designers can post layouts and only ONE using their kit. I'm only trying to state that it's still not clear.

And, as I stated in my prior post - this is ONLY PARTLY the reason I'm going non-commercial!

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*holly*

I personally do not have "a fear" of seeing layouts which feature commercial work. Far from it, I enjoy seeing the new stuff available and what the different members do with it BUT there are many layouts posted which are created with kits which are not yet available for sale or are just about to go on sale! This is what I object to. Let them put their money where their mouth is so to speak - by all means praise the kits once they have actually spent the dollars on the kits after they go on sale.

I myself have purchased more dollars worth of kits and cd's than I care to count but have never posted any layouts prior to them being made available to buy!

I have no affiliations with any site, don't design or sell any kits (and have no wish to either), I am purely a computer scrapper for my own personal pleasure and don't want to visit the gallery and see it turn into a BIG AD campaign. I doubt when SBB was started these problems were envisaged. This is purely my personal opinion as a member of "Joe Public".

With the trend in digi scrapping still on the up, I can see why the admin. staff have found the need to try and implicate some rules. It is all very well for the designers and the creative team members who have something to gain but for me it becomes plain boring to keep reading the same blurb on layout after layout spelling out the wonders of whichever kit/cd they happen to have used at the time.


I have made many good friends here at SBB, many are now on creative teams and design teams. I am still allowed to have an opinion and mine is that I would rather not see this flash before my eyes everytime I click on a layout or thread in the forum.

As for defining the line and people feeling singled out, well if it was your site, how would you feel. People taking advantage and advertising for free when there is an advertising package available.

This issue won't be an easy one to solve but I am sure somewhere out there an answer will be found that will suit all parties.

Today is the first time I have voiced these concerns and wouldn't have done so if I hadn't read the newsletter. I am glad I read it and found that other people do think along the same lines as me (probably not designers or creative team members either)! And no this is not the "green eyed" monster, as I said before I have no wish to be either, I am happy just being a "digi scrapper" for pleasure.

Amy & Kristie - I hope you find the solution!

Jules

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I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.
- Jennifer Unlimited

Everyone -- this is not directed to anyone specifically, never was anyone ever meant to feel singled out and if this is the case we do appologize. We were hoping to leave a little discretion to the creative teams and designers out there who post layouts specifically for purpose of promotion. And yes there is a very fine line. Most people know when they are getting close to that line and as Digital sites go we are extremely lenient in regards to posting layouts from other sites design teams.

What would everyone think of have a "designer Posting day" just like we have "ad days" -- would this be something of interest? We could work out the details later if this is something everyone may be interested in.

We are truely here to please our members and want to make sure that this community stays cohesive as the industry becomes bigger. We are all creating this new path together and that means that we are going to have to listen and learn.

Let's keep discussing this I know that we can work somethingn out.

Thanks

Here's my concern. I am on the CT for 2 sites/designers. However, I have bought and continue to purchase kits from those sites with my own money to use for my own personal collection. My most recent layout in the gallery was done with a kit I purchased for my own personal use, but it is also from a site where I am on the CT. I didn't post the layout to promote that site, but because I wanted to share the layout. If, as Kristie suggests, we have certain days that are designer days, then can I not post my own personal layouts using kits from those designers on any other days?

I scrap for myself and don't make layouts for creative teams that I wouldn't otherwise be making for my albums. When I go to make a layout, I usually choose something from the sites where I am on the CT, not to promote that website, but because I'm lucky enough that those designer's kits match my style. My point is that you will never be able to know *why* I posted the layout... to promote, because it was a layout I wanted to share, etc. So when you say "no layouts to promote websites", I wonder how you will draw that line.

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