New photography web site: www.DesktopScenes.com

[ixl]

Hello all,

This isn't strictly related to The PC Guide or PCs in particular. But I am exercising prerogative as site owner to tell you all about it on the forums anyway. ;) (Actually, in general, I have no problem with a regular of the forums announcing a web site anyway...)

I am an avid nature photographer and have created a new web site where I am trying to sell my photos in electronic form as screensavers, very inexpensively. I thought some of you might find it interesting, and any feedback (on the site, the photos or the concept as a whole) would be most welcome!

Desktop Scenes (http://www.DesktopScenes.com)

c

[Mark Miller]

Very cool Ixl,
Good luck , and I'll probably be buying some for my wife's laptop [she loves the outdoor scenes]
Mark:)

[mjc]

Nice stuff....;)

But, sheesh, this blatant spam......:D

Another fine ixl product.

Good luck with the endeavor.

[Paleo Pete]

But, sheesh, this blatant spam.....

Jeez - our fearless leader spamming our very own forums...what next... :D

Looks good, I'd love to see some of the pictures, I've seen a couple of your shots before and they were excellent. Might have to get on the Windows box and at least check out a demo. Too bad they don't work with Linux. Any chance of Linux support in the future?

Don't like the green buttons though, Chartreuse just isn't my color...reminds me of Beatles album covers and day-glo peace signs on a VW microbus that time at the lake when...never mind...:cool:

[ixl]

LOL.

Yes, that's me.. unrepentant spammer. What can I say. :)

I dunno about Linux, it is possible but only if the Windows version has at least a modicum of success or I get Linux users who tell me definitively that they will use it and can point me to some software to create a saver.

Thanks for the kind wishes, folks. --c

[Paleo Pete]

OK we'll let you slide, just this once...

Do it again and we'll teach Evan to use the cell phone and give him grandma's number. :D

[ixl]

LOL

Well, so far this new concept of mine is proving to be well ahead of its time. Or maybe behind. :)

I created some ad banners to run on the main site and they are being 100% ignored. I guess there isn't as much interest in pretty screensavers amongst PC geeks as I thought. :)

If all else fails, I can always give them away I suppose. ;) --c

[jabarnutcase]

I guess there isn't as much interest in pretty screensavers amongst PC geeks as I thought.
Not so sure that's true Charles......I wouldn't give them away just yet, but maybe make them come up in a Google search for more of the "outside" world?

Not so sure what's involved, or maybe you've already done that, but I like the Site...It's an eye catcher if it's readily available to more viewers with a little more "advertising" you may generate some more interest.

(I just tried a few searches for "Desktops, Scenes, Screensavers etc." and didn't find yours).....Give it some more time. ;)

Another thought is to have a "Free Gallery" with no overlaid text, enticing people to get more....(Something like Digital Blasphemy if you've ever seen that site).

(Edit) I take that back, if I type in "Desktopscenes" as ONE word....There you are! Right on top. (obviously, I don't understand much about getting Site exposure with search Engines) :rolleyes:

[ixl]

Thanks Jabar.

Not giving up yet, just noticing that the average PC Guide user doesn't seem too interested in the idea.

I actually have a Google Adword out now under a few searches. A little interest, not much.

Like I said, it's a bit of a strange idea so I didn't expect a great deal.

Can you explain more about what you mean by a "Free Gallery"?

c

[jabarnutcase]

Hi Charles-
Hope you don't mind, but I guess the best way is to send you HERE (http://www.digitalblasphemy.com/) .

Notice there are some "Free Gallery" Samples that are updated occasionally, but the real "good stuff" is in the Members gallery and the "Buy Stuff" links. :p

I think I was mistaken too....The free galleries do in fact have overlaid text, but rather small in the lower right hand corner.

Anyway, sorry to post a link to some competition, but an interesting site if you haven't seen it before.....And feel free to remove the link if you wish! ;).....or my post for that matter! :D

[ixl]

Thanks a lot for that link and info, jabar. Remove your post? Don't be silly. ;)

I think that maybe the idea of making the demos a bit less "obtrusive" is a good one. I am trying to strike a balance between making them nice enough for people to want to use and "not nice" enough that they will want to buy the full versions. ;) And of course, I do want the site to be seen.

What do others think? Is the overlay on my free demos too large? Be honest, I appreciate it.

c

[ixl]

Jabar, here's what my current demos look like:

http://www.pcguide.com/pers/demo_template3.jpg

Does this seem better?

http://www.pcguide.com/pers/demo_template_1024.jpg

Thanks. :)

c

[jabarnutcase]

Yes- I think so....Like you said, less obtrusive and still enticing enough for people to want the "real thing" so to speak.

Just like in the Link I provided...Not sure if you downloaded one of the "freebies", but the writing is rather small and down in the lower right hand corner.

It makes the Desktop Scene still something you would want to use, and at the same time, gets you interested in the rest of what there is to offer.

Just my humble opinion of course...;)

BTW....Really nice Photos!

[ixl]

How about this... better or worse than the previous?

http://www.pcguide.com/pers/demo_template_1024_2.jpg

Appreciate the feedback.

c

[jabarnutcase]

Think I like that one a little better.

What about eliminating the "Scenes from Yellowstone" all together, leaving just the URL to the site in the bottom or corner?

I realize it's part of the "add" so to speak, but the Pics are so nice, it would make me want to go to the site and see what else there is.

Not sure if that's the way you would want to go as it's presently set up though.
Again, that's sort of how the "free" downloads look in the link I gave you.

EDIT- (Then, the "pay" versions would maybe have a much smaller url? Or something to identify it as yours?) :confused:

Some of the other guys should jump in here too....I'm certainly no expert. :p

[ixl]

I think this is about as "minimalist" as I am willing to go on this. It's even smaller still, no more green text, and very (IMO) unobtrusive.

http://www.pcguide.com/pers/demo_template_1024_3.jpg

Whatcha think?

c

[jabarnutcase]

I like that...I definitely think smaller is better.

It's something I wouldn't mind using on my desktop at all even with the "add", and it would still get me thinking about looking into some more "pay" downloads.....Or a CD? :D

[ixl]

Thanks Jabar, I think I will redo my demos with that template.

c

[jabarnutcase]

Glad to help Charles!

However, you still may want a few more opinions before you go changing everything around just because some nut thinks it looks better! :p ;)

[pentachris]

I guess there isn't as much interest in pretty screensavers amongst PC geeks as I thought.

My guess is that a lot of PC geeks are going to find the digital blasphemy type art appealing, while a lot of AOLers and web-savvy grandmothers (like both of my grandmothers :)) who aren't afraid to make online purchases (unlike both of my grandmothers :() may be very interested in your pictures. Yes, I'm doing some stereotyping - please don't take it as an effort to belittle or offend...

Also, I think any of the templates you've shown are just fine. Even on the first one, it looks like less than 5% of the picture is obscured, which is fine for a sample. The only thing I might do is remove the price. Tease them in with the picture, let them see the thumbnails of the rest, then show them the price. Just my opinion.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Oops, hi guys!

Pentachris,
You nailed it on the head. Good marketing policy never posts the price in the first page. Lure them first.

Jabarnut,
I think the word you were looking for is 'watermark'. A translucent id mark across the photo to show it is an example or even to show a copyright. With the unobtrusive mark at the bottom, all one needs to do is edit the bottom of the pic and they are home free. Pirated in other words.

To me it is difficult to imagine where the most interest in this sort of thing is going to lay. What each person wants to see on their pc (or mac) is so varied I couldn't begin to narrow it down.

Some grandma may want family photos of the grandchildren, but another could like anything to do with Beano. LOL! A nautical lover may like the ocean and ships, a sports fan may like players in the midst of the game.

I feel that the 'scenes' will pull in a limited following compared to everyones need for a pc and/or it's repair. Peeps come here because they need to, the scenes are 'fluff'.

Another wrench in the gears (sorry Charles, just being honest), is that some picture programs have a built in screensaver you customize to your liking. AAMOF I have about 4 of them now. One in VuePrintPro, one in some software for a scanner of mine called Easy Photo (the one I use most), another one somewhere's in this pile, and one last one that came on cd from a friend that has many shots of Yellowstone as well as some other sets of scenes.

So what I see is the worth of the photos themselves. Watermark the freebies, and charge for the regulars. Maybe market the slideshow 'engine'?

Sorry if this post is a bummer, I kinda feel bad about submitting it... :(

[ixl]

Don't feel bad, Fruss, I asked for straight feedback and I appreciate yours.

I realize that this isn't something that will interest most people. I am trying to keep my expectations low so I won't be disappointed. :)

I have restructued the site to better emphasize the free screensavers. I am getting a fair number of clicks on the text at the top of the page so we'll see what happens.

Thanks again all.

c