Just got back from being out of town and quickly scanned the hub and didn't see much going on. Still eagerly waiting the CT announcements of Rose Farver and DST. Let's move on from CT's this entry and discuss posting layouts in galleries. I scan the galleries when I am in a slump looking for some inspiration. Sometimes I come across a layout and think why would they post that? I realize other countries are more liberal about sexuality, and scrapping "tough" times is therapeutic, but do they all need to be shared online? What kind of layouts / subject matter has made you feel uncomfortable? Do you post every layout you create on DST? Do you only post your best work? What are your reasons for posting layouts in public galleries? Discuss this or whatever other digi drama pops up this week.
Oh...and a trivia question for you...What is the name of the World's Most digiscrapped dog?
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haha.. I think the worlds most digi-scrapped dog has to be the one owned by Mrs2a50 ;) Closely followed by my own dog! LOL
I post layouts at DST because I have to, not because I want to. Non-CT layouts I generally can't be bothered uploading anywhere though, because it's such a PITA.
I haven't really seen anything content-wise that makes me cringe though. I'm pretty open minded and it takes A LOT to offend me. Sometimes I feel sorry for the kids involved when its a LO about developing boobies or something equally as personal, but I can't say *I* get offended by anything.
Yes, you are very close, what is the dog's name though?
Still catching up on my blog hopping while being out of town....added two more links for you all to check out. Seems there is a "Digi critique" blog that has opened up, and has pissed off some designers. They don't like it when someone from within turns on them. Personally, I will like to see what she says, and the aftermath that will follow. Although I will admit some of her red arrows are pointing out stuff this average Joe must be missing.
Roxie's the dog, right? lol
Yeah, Roxy is the orange one (the most scrapped) and Abbey is the grey one that mustn't be loved as much cos she rarely features :(
I only post CT layouts or layouts with my own products. Because I have to. Otherwise I keep my layouts to myself, since they were created for my family, not the world at large. I try to keep highly personal stuff out of the ones I'm posting.
The most-scrapped dog that I've seen is Worf at SBE.
I'm interrupting the topic to complain about poster 5 on this thread. why does this poster always jump into a thread and suggest something from DD that has nothing to do with the OP. nothing in that list suggests a playful baby.
HOLLA?
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?s=88450f78e9d33a8832d00e194d4bd4cd&t=133392
The only off-limit subjects that I would never like to see are: puberty - blossoming boobies, 1st menstruation and anything sexual in nature. None of these subjects are necessary to be scrapped to start with and most certainly not for public scrutiny. I pity any child whose mother would even think about publicising their impending womanhood for all the world to see. It's tacky, distasteful and most of all it's disloyal. How any mother could do that to her child is beyond me.
7:06 here again to say oops. I mixed this Cassie with the other one. whoops. anyway same point.
i don't see anything out of place with that post. The Op was after words to use on her DS's layouts. Perhaps cassie thought those brushes may be something the OP might be interested in.
Yeah, Roxy is the orange one (the most scrapped) and Abbey is the grey one that mustn't be loved as much cos she rarely features :(
___________________
Maybe Roxy is just more photogenic.
Yes...Roxy is the answer, with bonus points awarded for naming the other less recognized dog. Anonymous wins the prize points today. Sadly, prize points are good for nothing here.
I used to have a couple of on-line galleries when I did the CT thing. Then, after I saw how nasty this community could get, I removed all layouts to asure my family's privacy. I don't enjoy scrapping stock photos so I had no choice but to stop CTing. I cannot say it was a hard decision. What's going on with CTs these days is just sickening.
I only post CT layouts at DST. I post almost everything I make on a personal blog that only my family reads, and I don't bother with credits and all that stuff. I hate when I see layouts of nekkid KIDS (not babies), houses with addresses in plain site, invitations posted with personal information, and layouts of lots of kids that you know those parents have not given permission for their kid to be posted on the internet.
What digi Critique blog????????????
The blog owner puts links to the other scrap blogs on the front page, you can find the link to both of the critique blogs there, and also the pirate trash blog.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=372929&cat=all&limit=last7
10:00 Do you always talk out of your ass?
Yes...Roxy is the answer, with bonus points awarded for naming the other less recognized dog. Anonymous wins the prize points today. Sadly, prize points are good for nothing here.
___________________
Abby.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=372804&limit=last7
This one has 50+ comments and was also in GSO.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=372804&limit=last7
This one has 50+ comments and was also in GSO.
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Well - from browsing quickly at those 50 comments it appears she's one of the scrappers from Czech Republic. They always give a ton of comments to one another.
They couldn't find pictures of those kids with clothes on?
Europeans are much more open about their bodies and human sexuality. It is not uncommon to see women walking at a community park, topless. Why would clothe their kids if they don't clothe themselves?
Sorry, but in this day and age of internet predators, why would you post those layouts online? I don't have an issue with the photos, the layouts are beautiful, but it makes me sick to think if there are pervs cruising the internet, and a mother gave them the material to get off on.
It's true that many Europeans have different ideas about clothes, however you would think that Shannon wouldn't allow these types of layouts in the gallery simply because pedophiles could come in and start copying all those layouts! I personally don't understand why the Moms don't think about that but I would think someone would be looking after this.
http://www.myscrapbookart.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66757
Yes, when I am home alone with my baby and a photographer, I am often topless too.
I wouldn't want to show a LO like that because
a) my employer, friends, relatives, pastor etc. would see it and it would embarrass me
b) I would look ridiculous in that pose - the woman holding the baby looks like a model. I don't.
I have heard p*rv*rts create a lot of 'virtual' kiddie p*rn and some of these images could be used so I think it's better to keep them private.
Plus if people start posting half n*ked pix, the pervs could catch on to DS galleries and ruin it for everyone.
I put the * in not to be a prude but because I heard unsavory people will actually goolgle these words to find listings
Oh my holy hell! That layout is just gross! What was she thinking?
I can't believe how prudish some people seem to be. I mean just because things like this aren't as acceptable in the US doesn't mean they are bad or wrong. I think both layouts look nice (and I live in the US). There are no inappropriate body parts showing at all.
I do see the concern about perverts but the same could be said for layouts with children that are dressed.
I don't post to public galleries at all anymore. I pulled all my LOs from online galleries when the digi community started getting so nasty and competetive. I doubt that I'll put them back because it saves me lots of time not to deal with the uploading issues at DST, and frankly, it's very nice (and another timesaver) not to have to worry about crediting ad nauseum.
DST has turned galleries into nothing more than advertising and competition, so I'm done with it. Scrapping is much more fun now that I'm back to doing it for myself and my family only.
I doubt that I'll put them back because it saves me lots of time not to deal with the uploading issues at DST, and frankly, it's very nice (and another timesaver) not to have to worry about crediting ad nauseum.
----
I can identify with this poster. It takes so much time listing the credits, it takes the fun out of posting my layout in a gallery.
I know what you mean...so much of the gallery scene ends up getting focused on hawking products (and I'm a designer)!
I post layouts using my designs but I end up thinking of them as product samples that double as gifts...
BTW what does everyone thing about people leaving TDC...
Jofia--> Shabby Pickle
Joe Designs --> Oscraps
Darcy Baldwin --> (Not sure)
Is Shabby Pickle considered 'higher on the food chain' than TDC? Jofia seems rather artsy for the SP cute mod style...
I thought that about Jofia too, SPD is not her style really.
Maybe the designers that are leaving TDC have seen that it's not very professionally run.
I wouldn't want to be associated with a store whose owner sends her CT to smear another designer's reputation and who *giggles* in the DCR about posting customers' private information.
Who owns TDC?
Kimberly Giarusso (sp?)
BTW what does everyone thing about people leaving TDC...
Jofia--> Shabby Pickle
Joe Designs --> Oscraps
Darcy Baldwin --> (Not sure)
_______________
Scarletheels media is gone too.
Kimberly Giarusso IS a disgrace to the digi community.
did she do anything else besides the one smear to faith? i am just curious.
Not that I ever heard. I've been around for awhile too.
She took part in the malicious scandal in the DCR posting CONFIDENTIAL customer information.
http://bp2.blogger.com/_vhlAZVwwdqA/SHQjGv3-JEI/AAAAAAAAABM/iDt31JFXM-8/s1600-h/KimberlyGiarusso.jpg
That is why she is a disgrace to the digi community!
I had a customer service incident with her right after she took over TDC. There was a "free with $10.00 purchase kit, so I bought 10.00 worth and didn't get my free kit. I emailed her, and she said sorry, that deal expired a couple days ago. But there was no expiration date on the ad, and it was still being advertised on the site. I asked for the kit links and she wanted me to pay 7.00 bucks for the kit. I said no thanks, and that was the last 10.00 I ever spent in the store, so I am glad designers are leaving, I might purchase from them somewhere else.
These designers left before the "scandal" screen shots were posted for all to see. Nice try, designers store hop all the time, let's not try to take credit where it is not due.
Well regardless if they are leaving for other reasons, it's to their advantage. I will purchase from them if they don't have their products at TDC and from the way it sounds, so will quite a few others.
TDC blows. I won't spend there at all. Luckily, the few designers there whose work I like also sell somewhere else.
Doe anyone know why Sylvie is leaving SBG?
Joe designs did not leave TDC he was fired....
@@
Sure.
Anonymous said...
Joe designs did not leave TDC he was fired....
July 12, 2008 2:52 PM
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Back it up, Ms. Drop-n-run
Back it up, Ms. Drop-n-run
July 12, 2008 3:36 PM
She can't.
This is just more crap spewing from Kimberly G. and her minions.
Actually Joe Designs is most likely at Oscraps because his wife (Kitty Designs) is there and that way they can sell as a team.
Scarletheels was at Catscrap and FPD last time I looked plus she has her own store...
ROFLMBO @ "Ms Drop-n-run"
good one!
It's kind of amazing that TDC is still in business with someone like Kimberly G. as owner.
That place is a mess. Unorganized and a pain to navigate. Clicking on sales never takes you to any valid information. Almost all the good designers that were there have wised up and moved elsewhere.
After seeing Kimberly's latest bout of bad behavior, I won't be shopping there, ever.
Anonymous said...
Doe anyone know why Sylvie is leaving SBG?
July 12, 2008 1:41 PM
===========================
Where did you hear this?
Anonymous said...
Doe anyone know why Sylvie is leaving SBG?
July 12, 2008 1:41 PM
===========================
There's an announcement she posted at DST - she's letting people guess her new shop...
It really seems like musical chairs with designers lately...
Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Doe anyone know why Sylvie is leaving SBG?
July 12, 2008 1:41 PM
===========================
There's an announcement she posted at DST - she's letting people guess her new shop...
It really seems like musical chairs with designers lately...
July 12, 2008 8:04 PM
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With all do respect while alot of what you say is true (revolving door designers) I like Sylvie and really don't see her as that type. She has been at SBG ever since she started like a year or longer. which is a world record in this crowd.
Sylvie has been at SBG almost 2 years now. In my very humble opinion, she is one of the kindest, most talented designers. Her style is different, very unique, and clearly her own! I do think that SBG might not be the best fit for her right now. I can't wait to hear where she'll be!
Sorry I didn't mean to infer anything bad about Sylvie. I was talking about the recent flurry of moves.
To me the best fit would be Catscrap as it is European and arty...so that's my guess...
I think Catscrap is a good guess for where Sylvie will end up. Someone thought Little Dreamer, which would also be good. I know she's done a collab with Jackie there. They both have that funky artsy style.
hmm...new designer coming to SSD soon. who can it be?
I didn't ask where Sylvie was going. I was just curious as to why she was leaving. I thought she was a good fit at SBG.
hmm...new designer coming to SSD soon. who can it be?
___________________________________
I think it's probably Darcy Baldwin - just a guess though!
hmm, it's interesting to see how Shannon feels about her responsibility with regard to the things she lets designers get away with:
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If it makes you feel better to come here to "shame shame" me, then you're welcome to it (for the time being. I'll only keep this thread open as long as it's productive). I've taken responsibility for the only part of this that I personally feel responsible for. And I'm not sharing further information with you on what has happened to other parties because that is no more your business then the personal information that was already shared.
You can hold on to this as long as you'd like to. We are not legally required to moderate these forums. We do so because we want to this place be a place of integrity. I put as much time into this site as possible but babysitting the forums is not the only thing on my to-do list. I also like to participate in the forums so I can know the community as artists and on a personal level. I have the newsletter and the advertising. Emails upon emails. Technical issues. And I do still have these 3 little ones and a husband that I'd like to spend time with from time to time. I have 24 hours in my day, just like the rest of you. I do my best but I can't do it all and neither can my moderators. That's how I choose to run DST so please do not dictate to me what you think my job should be. If you're disappointed in how something was done here, I apologize. If an apology and the action I have recently taken is not enough to appease you then there is nothing I can do about that. I do what's right. I don't jump through hoops.
If you have issues with designer mentality, then have the courage and maturity to contact the designers who have offended you and explain your feelings to them. It doesn't do them any good to complain about it on a forum thread that isn't directed at them or in any other venue. You have a problem with a person, you contact the person.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=133828
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Digi scrappers desperately need a place that is CUSTOMER focused instead of one where the owner is ennabling the bad behavior of unethical designers.
I was personally affronted by her posts and will have nothing more to do with DST and Shannon. She proven, over and over, to be a lying conniving person who cannot be trusted. She does whatever she feels will generate her money; regardless of who may get hurt. BTW, her "ignorance" spiel won't save her, it her business and she has a responsibility to know what's going on w/in her organization.
I'm just bummed by this latest turn of events :(
I just can't stomach DST anymore. Anyone have any suggestions for a forum or community that's customer friendly, yet open for discussion about products and stuff from multiple sites?
We are not legally required to moderate these forums.
*********
But she is legally responsible if something happens that is illegal, no?
I think this needs to be discussed more openly, not hidden in the questions forum!!! The way it's worded, it makes you believe it was never posted outside DCR but it was posted by someone @ scrap obits!
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/
showthread.php?t=133828
But she is legally responsible if something happens that is illegal, no?
July 13, 2008 4:47 PM
I guess Shannon thinks she's above the law.
I think this needs to be discussed more openly, not hidden in the questions forum!!! The way it's worded, it makes you believe it was never posted outside DCR but it was posted by someone @ scrap obits!
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/
showthread.php?t=133828
July 13, 2008 4:50 PM
ITA, but it looks like Shannon and her crew are keeping it as contained as they can. A lot of her defenders are out on the blogs, too.
They can't hide the truth forever.
think this needs to be discussed more openly, not hidden in the questions forum!!! The way it's worded, it makes you believe it was never posted outside DCR but it was posted by someone @ scrap obits!
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/
showthread.php?t=133828
July 13, 2008 4:50 PM
The fact that Shannon didn't sticky this in the chatter forum (which is the most populated and viewed) as well as the announcements speaks VOLUMES about her integrity and intentions. If she truly wanted most of DST's members to see it, she would have made sure it wasn't tucked away the way that it is.
And that is what makes me sick! Are the DST members the ones keeping her in business? Are they not her boss, in a sense that should be informed of this sort of thing? She sent an email to everyone when someone was caught doing something wrong a while back didn't she? Why is there not an email going to everyone about this??? After all the talk about email's addy being sold & how all these store owners & designers swore they never would do that, only to find out they put your most personal information up for anyone to steal?
I just can't stomach DST anymore. Anyone have any suggestions for a forum or community that's customer friendly, yet open for discussion about products and stuff from multiple sites?
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certainly not MSA...they have had complaints because the paid members were being out shined by better designers so now you have to be careful you don't anything to piss them off.That place has gone down hill recently!! Once in a blue moon you may get an interesting topic discussed but not to often.
I'm beginning to think there isn't a forum that's semi-interesting with an open gallery without all the BS.
Alternatives to DST? Are there any forums out there that are truly for the customers and open to product discussions from multiple sites or designers??
I'm beginning to think there isn't a forum that's semi-interesting with an open gallery without all the BS.
July 13, 2008 6:06 PM
Sad to say it, but I have to agree. I wish that I had a place to suggest, but I haven't found one, and from the sounds of crickets chirping since the subject was brought up, no one else has found one either.
I think the whole DCR brouhaha is overblown. A lot of this is being stirred up by "Naughty Pimptress" who was hounded by a few designers - Shannon is right - she needs to take it up w/whoever is harassing her instead of running her mouth at DST and all over the smack blogs trying to stir up trouble.
The only designers who would have made the mistake of posting information about a customer they suspected would have been store owners - since I'm not a store owner I never read those posts and I'm sure 99% of the designers in the DCR didn't either cause it's not exactly an interesting subject.
I sell at a large well known store and my store owner NEVER posted anything at the DCR of that nature. I think it was a few people who used bad judgement.
That personal information has been shared concerns me as well. I'm a huge shopper, I spend money everywhere because I'm a hoarding fool. However never once did it came to mind that information could be shared like this....
The idea that people suspect your a pirate because you spend much money is scarry to me.
Setting up a forum is an easy thing to do, but then getting it moderated and having people to actually obbay to the forum rules is another story, cause CT members are everywhere and yes I'm a CT member as well, so what do you look for in a 'new' forum. No advertising, no CTM it's gonna be boring all of you soon, cause there's nothing to complain about :)
The only designers who would have made the mistake of posting information about a customer they suspected would have been store owners - since I'm not a store owner I never read those posts and I'm sure 99% of the designers in the DCR didn't either cause it's not exactly an interesting subject.
I sell at a large well known store and my store owner NEVER posted anything at the DCR of that nature. I think it was a few people who used bad judgement.
July 13, 2008 10:22 PM
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Unfortunately it's these people who used bad judgement that now makes the general scrapping population suspicious of all the store owners and designers. If a few could do this and get away with it, who's to say it didn't take place on a larger scale? And that's the whole problem, we don't know. And even for scrappers not directly involved, just the mere thought of private information being shared is enough to turn anyone off of a site pirate or not.
Unfortunatley, the personal info was also posted on blogs for the world to see, not just hidden in the DCR forum!! Everyone should be asking why they need to have private spot designers when things like this are posted all over the web....if it's open, then maybe they would be more careful about what crap the spew & share about people that keep them in business!!
Unfortunatley, the personal info was also posted on blogs for the world to see, not just hidden in the DCR forum!! Everyone should be asking why they need to have private spot designers when things like this are posted all over the web....if it's open, then maybe they would be more careful about what crap the spew & share about people that keep them in business!!
==================
OK, I have access to the Social Security #'s of my company's clients. If I post that all over the web is it my company's fault? No, I have been guilty of a breach of confidentiality.
Same w/the 'designers' who shared those screenshots with 'smack blogs'. Those 'designers' violated the confidentiality agreement they agreed to when they were admitted to the DCR. Their behavior is reprehensible.
As someone who's been on the DCR for a while I can assure you there was no willy nilly information sharing. I guess some store owners were worried about large purchases only because some fraud artists go from store to store racking up huge orders - then they download the product and try to get a Paypal chargeback/refund. I didn't pay too much attn to this cause I don't own a store but it seems to me like this would be a legitimate worry if you owned a store.
I sell at a large well known store and my store owner NEVER posted anything at the DCR of that nature. I think it was a few people who used bad judgement.
July 13, 2008 10:22 PM
^^
You know, I would have once considered TDC a 'large, well-known store' that was above the sharing of personal information. Then I saw the screenshot of Kimberly G. plastering someone's personal info. and laughing about it.
Now, I feel unsure of what stores to trust. At this point, I'd only trust stores/designers that weren't active in the DCR.
But since the DCR is so TOP-SECRET, I'm just sh** out of luck. I should just quit spending completely. This community or industry or whatever it wants to call itself is just tanking. DST bears a huge part of the responsibility for that.
I should just quit spending completely. This community or industry or whatever it wants to call itself is just tanking. DST bears a huge part of the responsibility for that.
July 14, 2008 11:23 AM
__________________________
Hmm my sales certainly don't reflect that. They're better than ever.
Hmm my sales certainly don't reflect that. They're better than ever.
July 14, 2008 12:03 PM
Oh, I believe you. @@
And I'm sure that you're very active in the DCR and you've never seen any wrongdoing there. And DST is just the greatest place ever and advertising there is the reason your sales are better than ever.
whatever.
But since the DCR is so TOP-SECRET, I'm just sh** out of luck. I should just quit spending completely. This community or industry or whatever it wants to call itself is just tanking. DST bears a huge part of the responsibility for that.
LOL
That's a crock considering people have posted all the drama from the DCR right into the blogs so give me a break if one doesn't know what's gone on in the DCR hasn't read the blogs.
Also my sales have never been better either so if you just go be DST then you are looking at a very small segment of the digital community. The majority of my sales I know don't come from DST so I'm not sure why you think digital scrapbooking is getting tanked. DST is not the end all and be all of the digital world.
The majority of my sales I know don't come from DST so I'm not sure why you think digital scrapbooking is getting tanked. DST is not the end all and be all of the digital world.
July 14, 2008 12:34 PM
So what are you doing hanging and posting at a blog that is ABOUT DST?? It must matter to you in some way if you're checking out the latest gossip about it.
I'm sure there ARE plenty of sites that are doing fine and have nothing to do with DST. But those stores and their designers wouldn't even bother with the blogs.
July 14, 2008 12:03 PM
Oh, I believe you. @@
And I'm sure that you're very active in the DCR and you've never seen any wrongdoing there. And DST is just the greatest place ever and advertising there is the reason your sales are better than ever.
whatever.
July 14, 2008 12:18 PM
_________________________________
My sales have not suffered in the least. Trust me, if I noticed a dip in sales due to any negative attention surrounding DST I would pull my ADs and participation immediately. I am running a business and although DST is not the largest source of my visibility, it is part of it. I'm thinking most people that are saying they will no longer be purchasing from this designer or that designer for whatever reason really don't make up the majority of my customers anyway. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing as I have never been involved in any of the ugliness I've read about on this blog and others. (And for the record I see at a large consignment store and my store owner have never been involved in the silliness either)
What she said.
===============
Is anyone else sick of designers hopping from store to store and making cutesy guessing games out of guessing their new locale? I'm just tired of it.
I suppose I should do a giveaway at "The Happy Place" but everytime I go there I get nauseated and have to leave.
Now, I feel unsure of what stores to trust. At this point, I'd only trust stores/designers that weren't active in the DCR.
===============
Wow, that's pretty unfair to most designers who participate in the DCR.
Consignment store designers would never have a reason to post customer information as orders are handled through their store and not directly with them..so you are really only talking about a small handful of store owners who were concerned about possible fraud.
Even the Kim Giarusso post was in reference to someone who had pirated kits on their blog at one point. People were worried she was going to resurface as a pirate and rip them off.
Even the Kim Giarusso post was in reference to someone who had pirated kits on their blog at one point. People were worried she was going to resurface as a pirate and rip them off.
July 14, 2008 2:00 PM
It doesn't matter what Kim G. suspected anyone of. She was unethical and violated quite a few privacy policies in doing what she did. If she or any other store owner thought someone was a thief or a pirate, they needed to report it to the proper authorities and let them handle it.
Store owners are NOT law enforcement, judge, or jury. Every single retail business deals with theft and dishonesty in one form or another. There are ways to handle it professionally and within the boundaries of the law.
Those store owners who posted customer information were very unprofessional and there is NO excuse or justification for it.
IMO, those who try to wave it off or make excuses for designers and store owners like Tandika, Kimberly G, etc. are just as unprofessional and dishonest.
Wow, that's pretty unfair to most designers who participate in the DCR.
^^^
Oh well, too bad. Designers have been ennabling and excusing each others' bad behavior for way too long. Maybe instead of hiding issues like site hacks, sharing of personal info., etc. from customers, designers should have stood up, done what was right and spoken out.
The only ones I now feel like I can trust are ones who never got involved with, or distanced themselves from the DCR before things got this bad. My money. My choice.
Sorry, but I am going to hold it against a designer if they sell at a store where the owner was involved in sharing personal info of customers. The designers should find another store to sell in. I didn't say it'd be easy, but I certainly won't put money into the pocket of a store owner who shared personal info. It's just like a brick and mortar store. If I don't like the business practices and publicity the store receives, I'm certainly not going to shop there. I'm also going to be cautiously watching the stores that have individual designers who were involved in these practices.
Can anyone even find where you can delete your account at DST ro do you have to have the Almighty Shannon and her band of toadies do it for you? I've looked all over in my account settings and can't find where I can delete my account.
^^^
Hmm, I can't find a way to delete your user acct in the user cp, and there's nothing listed in the FAQ section.
It looks like the only way to do it is to submit a help ticket. Why am I not surprised?
certainly not MSA...they have had complaints because the paid members were being out shined by better designers so now you have to be careful you don't anything to piss them off.That place has gone down hill recently!! Once in a blue moon you may get an interesting topic discussed but not to often
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I agree - I'm afraid to post anything at MSA now because I feel like I have to worry if someone is an MSA sponsor or not. Lately, posts were removed if they sounded too "promotional". Perhaps this is partly why it's so 'dead' all the time! I wish there were someplace we could just talk openly about whatever we want to talk about!
Sad to say it, but I have to agree. I wish that I had a place to suggest, but I haven't found one, and from the sounds of crickets chirping since the subject was brought up, no one else has found one either.
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There isn't one because every forum is tied to a store. The exception is DST and MSA (but MSA is tied to a list of designers so it's really the very same thing).
So - In Shannon's thread, she said it wasn't anyone's business what happened to the designers that shared information. She also stated multiple times that posting personal info. was against the policy of the forum.
So I want to know: DID ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THEM? Were there any consequences for these store owners? I believe it was Kim G and Stacy C. Were there any others? Did they get removed from the DCR?
Oh well, too bad. Designers have been ennabling and excusing each others' bad behavior for way too long. Maybe instead of hiding issues like site hacks, sharing of personal info., etc. from customers, designers should have stood up, done what was right and spoken out.
============
The reason no one spoke out is
a) No one gave a crap about the piracy posts in the first place or read them unless it concerned their stuff being pirated
b) No one is going to get all that upset about the 'privacy rights' of scam artists and pirates
c) The 'proper enforcement agencies' could give a crap if a designers work gets pirated. Designers are pretty much left to their own devices to deal with the massive amount of pirating that goes on.
d) The designers who 'stood up' to this chose to do so by publishing screenshots of customer information in Smack Blogs. Not very impressive ethics if you ask me.
e) Lumping 'designers' together and expecting them to act like some sort of ethics vigilante squad is ridiculous.
f) Finally, I had no idea that what those designers were doing was even wrong. I mean if they want to compare notes about pirates affecting their business it seemed pretty reasonable to me.
Playing the devils advocate here...Do you think the pirates are promoting the current drama about the sharing of personal info because it gets the focus off of them and onto the designers.
I agree that nobody, designers included, should share real names and real location of "suspected" pirates. But it was brought to light and Shannon closed the law and order thread. Why are we continuing to carry on about what was posted in the DCR months ago.
It makes me wonder who exactly are the ones continuing this subject.
I wish there were someplace we could just talk openly about whatever we want to talk about!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Pretty much you can talk about what you want at DST. Why can't you? Sure the "happy" brigade may not like what you say. But if you say your opinions in a calm mature manner, I think you can say what ever you want at DST.
I am not a pirate, but I do have a problem with customer information being shared for two reasons.
1)It's against paypal policies and it's against most store policies. It's also against DSTs policies, and this is where it was happening.
2)Running around playing detective and getting all paranoid can get out of hand. There were designers making spreadsheets, and comparing their gallery LOs to store purchases, among other things! Blacklists get started based on false rumors and accusations (look at what happened to Faith when Kimberly G. and Mz. Amylou went after her with completely ridiculous accusations!)
Well - I'm not a pirate and I'm not in the DCR. I'm just a scrapper who has read the apology post and some of the smack blogs.
I think it's horrible what happened to Naughty Pimptress. It sounds like she made a mistake early in her career, and there was a group of designers that never did forgive and forget. Just reading her side of the story, I get this picture of the designers (with mob mentality) making accusations and bullying her until her reputation was ruined. And it made me sick that Shannon hinted that she was partly to blame for her situation. I just hope the parties involved have some consequences for their behavior.
Interesting viewpoint...There does seem to be a great interest on the other blog from the owners to keep fueling this "outrage". Even MsP said her piece and is moving on.
*****
Playing the devils advocate here...Do you think the pirates are promoting the current drama about the sharing of personal info because it gets the focus off of them and onto the designers.
No I don't think it's the pirates trying to get the focus on someone else, it's people like me who as a consumer is OUTRAGED over what has happened.
This was a big slap to the digi community. We are the ones who buy products and we are the ones who feel like we have been betrayed. Now we fear our personal information might be available to people that have no business with it, and we fear that our purchases or buying habits might make us "black balled" amongst store owners and designers for possible piracy.
The pirates don't give a damn about any of this. It's US, the BUYERS that are UPSET.
I thought Shannon's apology was appropriate coming from a business owner. Very political yes, but at least she acknowledged that what happened was wrong.
What I wonder is why the designers themselves have not apologized for their actions.
I don't think they really think that what they did was wrong. They keep saying that they only shared information on pirates. But they have not proved that Naught Pimptress was a pirate. And her side of the story explains some of what happened. But still yet the designers have not responded to this situation at all.
The pirates don't give a damn about any of this. It's US, the BUYERS that are UPSET.
_________________________
I completely understand people being upset, but I would bet next month's scrapping budget that the pirates are the ones that sent the screen shots to the darkside and started the entire incident.
Sure because of this, a place where designers could go to discuss possible piracy has now been closed. I think there was another forum that the designers started to discuss pirates and the FBI investigation that got closed down also. Everybody says to turn them in to authorities and quit being digi police, but really the designers are just trying to protect thier interests, because the authorities really don't care about digi scrapbooking.
But have the designers managed to control the situation. NO! You've managed to piss off the pirates which makes them pirate more. You've managed to piss off your customers, which makes them not want to buy from you. Do you think this is a good way to conduct business?
The pirates don't really hurt your business because people hanging out in pirate groups are not buying from you. Adobe figured this out...so can you.
If you put your energy into your business, reward your existing customers instead of making them think that you consider them potential pirates, and improve your design and computer skills you will find that your business will exponentially grow. Sitting around focusing on the bad (pirates) will only bring you and your business down. You need to focus on the good (customers) and your business will thrive.
But have the designers managed to control the situation. NO! You've managed to piss off the pirates which makes them pirate more. You've managed to piss off your customers, which makes them not want to buy from you. Do you think this is a good way to conduct business?
The pirates don't really hurt your business because people hanging out in pirate groups are not buying from you. Adobe figured this out...so can you.
If you put your energy into your business, reward your existing customers instead of making them think that you consider them potential pirates, and improve your design and computer skills you will find that your business will exponentially grow. Sitting around focusing on the bad (pirates) will only bring you and your business down. You need to focus on the good (customers) and your business will thrive.
July 15, 2008 1:58 PM
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Amen Sista!!!
I couldn't have said it better!!
Amen Sista!!!
I couldn't have said it better!!
July 15, 2008 3:08 PM
Another AMEN here!
I get this picture of the designers (with mob mentality) making accusations and bullying her until her reputation was ruined. And it made me sick that Shannon hinted that she was partly to blame for her situation. I just hope the parties involved have some consequences for their behavior.
July 15, 2008 8:14 AM
EXACTLY!
I don't have much hope for the unethical designers getting consequences at DST. Shannon was very snitty in a reply that asked about that at DST, and she has a l-n-g history of cowtowing to the designers. She will do pretty much anything they want her to since their ad dollars are her big moneymaker. I guess it's so true that everyone has their price.
All the ennabling, covering-up, and sweeping under the rug is beyond old, and it's what customers are so fed up with and why we're to this point with the us vs. them mentality and high levels of distrust. Shannon and all her designer pals have made their beds. It's hard to feel sorry for them or dole out endless "second" chances.
Professionalism and customer service is huge in retail. Working at home is NO excuse for being unprofessional.
Interesting viewpoint...There does seem to be a great interest on the other blog from the owners to keep fueling this "outrage". Even MsP said her piece and is moving on.
===================
ITA - if they really 'cared' about privacy they would have blacked out the names and personal information listed in the screenshots they posted for the entire WWW to view. But they were more interested in creating negative drama about the evil DCR than the privacy of the individuals whose info had already been compromised. The people that run that blog are foul mouthed and hateful and I wouldn't bank on them having pure motives at all. If they didn't have a pot to stir they wouldn't have any business.
Every designer who thinks all the unethical store owner behavior and info. sharing was just a-ok or "justified" ought to have the guts to say it over at DST and let the customers' dollars fall where they may.
It is such a cop-out to keep trying to justify two wrongs supposedly making a right. How freakin' hard is it to admit when you've made a mistake, apologize, and move on??
I'm so freakin' sick of the designer excuse making that I'm ready to quit spending entirely. And there ARE more than one or two scrappers who feel this way, whether the ennablers want to accept that or not.
Interesting viewpoint...There does seem to be a great interest on the other blog from the owners to keep fueling this "outrage". Even MsP said her piece and is moving on.
===================
ITA - if they really 'cared' about privacy they would have blacked out the names and personal information listed in the screenshots they posted for the entire WWW to view. But they were more interested in creating negative drama about the evil DCR than the privacy of the individuals whose info had already been compromised. The people that run that blog are foul mouthed and hateful and I wouldn't bank on them having pure motives at all. If they didn't have a pot to stir they wouldn't have any business.
________________________________
QFT
What the heck is QFT?????????
QFT Qualified Funeral Trust
QFT Quality Face Time
QFT Quantitative Feedback Theory
QFT Quantitative Fluorescence Technique
QFT Quantum Field Theory
QFT Quantum Fourier Transform
QFT Quest For Tech, Inc.
QFT Quit Freaking Talking (polite form)
QFT Quite Freaking True (polite form)
QFT Quoted For Truth (website; slang)
I'm not sure which one you meant. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know, there are a lot of designers that are not all up in arms about piracy, you just don't hear from them. The ones who are so concerned are the ones that make all the noise. If someone shares my kits, oh well! I am smart enough to know that the pirates are in the minority of scrappers so I am certainly not going to lose sleep over it. There are more than enough scrappers who buy the kit and the fact that I only have to make the kit once and can sell it many times over, makes this issue even less important to me. That's just my opinion though.
July 16, 2008 8:21 AM
^^
It's too bad there are more designers out there with your level of maturity about dealing with piracy. I hope you're a designer I buy/have bought from.
I find it quite interesting that those designers who seem to be the most up in arms about piracy are designers that belong to the bottom of the pile and would otherwise not get any attention.
Any ideas who is doing the critique blog? Is it Tandika?
Not that I am encouraging designers to share customer information, but they could probably figure out who the critique owner is based on the purchases of the bags she has featured.
hmmmmm what makes you think it might be Tandika. I haven't heard her name in a while.
You know, I have to apologize for my snide attitude about information sharing. I have never done it but didn't see what the big deal was w/designers who did if they thought it was a pirate - but I have also seen people get very emotional and irrational and they could easily make a false accusation.
I also agree w/the person who said a lot of the avid pirate hunters aren't great designers. I know a lot of popular designers whose stuff gets pirated a lot but you don't see them on the DCR making a big stink.
I'm a huge believer in karma so I figure people who pirate stuff will reap what they sow eventually.
You know, there are a lot of designers that are not all up in arms about piracy, you just don't hear from them. The ones who are so concerned are the ones that make all the noise. If someone shares my kits, oh well! I am smart enough to know that the pirates are in the minority of scrappers so I am certainly not going to lose sleep over it. There are more than enough scrappers who buy the kit and the fact that I only have to make the kit once and can sell it many times over, makes this issue even less important to me. That's just my opinion though.
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So refreshing to know that someone thinks the same way as me. I really don't give a flying fig if someone pirates my stuff. I hope they enjoy it and make many beautiful layouts with my products. I never understood how anyone in the digi world thought they could stop pirating. It can't be done, so let it go already!
Well, yes it does irritate me if someone steals my products but I don't go on wild pirate hunts. I do this to make money but I'm realistic and I know that those without morals are going to steal no matter what and quite frankly I wouldn't want them as a customer anyway. I think people like that will get back what they're putting out and I'm not going to waste my precious time on them. I have good paying customers that I cater too and they don't have to waste their time hunting down stolen goods. My customers pay for my products and I appreciate them. I make sure they get good quality products, plenty of freebies and they in turn have plenty of time to scrap and make beautiful layouts because they're not wasting their time being sleazy.
The DST Creative Team. The call ended the 7th. Announcement was supposed to have been on the 10th. Today is the 16th and they are still string those poor sheoples along.
Sorry, but it's extremely rude and unprofessional not to even be able to make your own deadline. People are seriously going to fork over $350 to advertise one item/kit, and they can't even pick the team in a timely manner?!
You know, there are a lot of designers that are not all up in arms about piracy, you just don't hear from them. The ones who are so concerned are the ones that make all the noise. If someone shares my kits, oh well! I am smart enough to know that the pirates are in the minority of scrappers so I am certainly not going to lose sleep over it. There are more than enough scrappers who buy the kit and the fact that I only have to make the kit once and can sell it many times over, makes this issue even less important to me. That's just my opinion though.
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So refreshing to know that someone thinks the same way as me. I really don't give a flying fig if someone pirates my stuff. I hope they enjoy it and make many beautiful layouts with my products. I never understood how anyone in the digi world thought they could stop pirating. It can't be done, so let it go already!
**********************
Just think, if all designers had these great attitudes, there would be nothing for us to smack about here. (For a couple days anyway)
I also hope I purchase from both of you.
*bravo*
I also have to agree that the ones making the biggest stink about the pirate issues are not producing stuff I would purchase.
Tandika doing the critique blog...now THAT would be funny.
Tandika doing the critique blog...now THAT would be funny.
July 16, 2008 1:54 PM
Too true LMAO! Besides there'd be nothing in it for her. Who would she be ripping off just by doing free critiquing? Nope can't be Tandika. Besides that, the last couple of critiques have actually been very nicely done, again not something Tandika could pull off.
I disagree. When I went through the mentor program Tandika was very charming and helpful.
She only got tweaky in the end when someone(s) blatantly were not following her terms of use, not crediting her, and started sharing her tutorials. She over reacted and closed her subscription site which pissed alot of people off.
It was a shame really because she had a nice following and those of us who paid for the subscription were loyal. Once again, the pirates ended up getting more attention than the customers and the outcome was a disaster.
Yeah I agree, Tandika was always super helpful and well spoken - I think she just went off the deep end when more people pirated her stuff. I think she was kind of burning out on digital to begin with and it was the last straw.
How come pirates always get the blame when a business fails or the business owner conducts herself in a way that is less than professional. Until these so-called business owners start to actually face their problems and own up to their mistakes, the same shit will go on and on and on. I am so tired of the passing-the-blame game.
Yes, Tandika's tutorials were pirated, but it was she who could not control her behavior afterwards, started throwing tantrums and behaved like a spoilt rotten two-year old. And as a side note, Tandika has always been a condescending bitch. It was in her nature and the blow-up was just a matter of time.
Luckily, there are professionals that have a healthy attitude about their business. I wish some of you, that speak up here, would do so publicly so I know who you are and I can support you.
Ditto on the comment about bad designers leading the pack of pirate hunters.
I have defended the DCR several times but that doesn't mean I like everyone there...I just don't think there's a big 'conspiracy' or anything...
Designers range from super professional individuals that quietly go about their business to first class drama queens who can't separate logic from emotion. I have definitely noticed a pattern of designers taking a lot of stuff personally instead of stepping back and being more businesslike.
I think the wisest course of action one can take with regard to piracy is to have the links removed at the site to which they are posted, take a deep breath, move on and appreciate your customers. I've been hit hard lately, but I won't let that turn my energy into negativity.
You know, there are a lot of designers that are not all up in arms about piracy, you just don't hear from them. The ones who are so concerned are the ones that make all the noise. If someone shares my kits, oh well! I am smart enough to know that the pirates are in the minority of scrappers so I am certainly not going to lose sleep over it. There are more than enough scrappers who buy the kit and the fact that I only have to make the kit once and can sell it many times over, makes this issue even less important to me. That's just my opinion though.
July 16, 2008 8:21 AM
Luckily, there are professionals that have a healthy attitude about their business. I wish some of you, that speak up here, would do so publicly so I know who you are and I can support you.
Well thank you! I wish I could, but I don't want to get flamed by the designers who ARE pirate obsessed! I do hope you guys are my customers too! ;0)
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=134921
Hurray for Shannon for removing the person's name.
The thing that has always struck me about piracy is that it generally involves people that were not going to buy the items, anyway. So really, the loss to the designer is minimal, other than emotional angst. And as someone else mentioned before me, I like to think that what goes around comes around. I wish it could have my name on it, but it will happen.
I do not think that "pirates" are adding the fuel to this DST/DCR fire.
Were pirates happy about be outed in the DST? Probably not. However most of them would have never known anyways because they are usually not store owners. And if they get blocked from a store they were accused of pirating goods from, well, chances are they did not purchase from those stores anyways.
But just like those who are PROVEN to be pirates, these designers who shared personal info and went on this out of control witch hunt will have a shadow cast apon them in this community.
What happen to msp was sad. Very sad. And it should have not been allowed. And when she replied to the "apology" at the DST, it then became her fault that it was carried on. Not the designers who accused her with no proof, and not shannon for allowing it to happen.
The DST and Shannon in general takes NO responsability for ANYTHING that happens.
Why would someone want to do business with someone like that?
Sorry, but it's extremely rude and unprofessional not to even be able to make your own deadline. People are seriously going to fork over $350 to advertise one item/kit, and they can't even pick the team in a timely manner?!
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I'm not at all surprised - it's just so typical. Most of these people have never really worked in the real world - where it's simply unacceptable to miss deadlines.
Anonymous said...
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=134921
Hurray for Shannon for removing the person's name.
July 16, 2008 9:39 PM
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I get an INVALID LINK on that. Want to either post correct link or FILL us in on WHO Shannon removed?
Anonymous said...
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=134921
Hurray for Shannon for removing the person's name.
July 16, 2008 9:39 PM
----------------------------------
I get an INVALID LINK on that. Want to either post correct link or FILL us in on WHO Shannon removed?
I would post the *correct link* but that was it. The link has know been removed.
I missed the post too. What was it about, why was it deleted and not edited?
It was about piracy and piracy threads are not allowed at DST anymore.
Apparently there is a pretty active 2+ tears - yahoo pirate group that got ratted out. Some of the designers that had kits there were alerted. But I don't know why the thread was deleted...the yahoo group was not named or linked.
good. glad she deleted it. I'm sick to death of piracy this and piracy that.
The people that know not to do it, don't. The people that do are going to do it regardless of those stupid graphics and "Pirate Police Brigades."
So what has happened to The Dark Side? It is deader than a door nail.
Micheline Martin is now at ScrapArtist.
yeah whoopdeedoo.
Is she one of the ones who keeps hopping around?
Apparently. She moved to Sweet Shoppe not that long ago (maybe 6 months?)
Did Shannon ever announce the designers who applied for the $350 privilege of providing kits for this new CT team? I have never seen anything further on it. The post above mentioning how late they were on the CT announcement made me giggle. I would think they would need designers before CT's, but that's just me talking out of the left side of my brain lol
The DST CT was announced yesterday.
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