The Big Change
As you should know, on Monday, June 8, Buffalo.com will eliminate Spotted and YourHub. We will be replacing those projects with MyBuffalo.com, a social network that will combine the most important functions of the Spotted and YourHub sites (photos, videos, blogs) with a dynamic social network.
You will be able to make more robust profiles, add friends, message users, use better video tools, upload audio tracks (any podcasters out there?), share content directly on Facebook, MySpace and 20 other popular social sites, and much more. It's a powerful tool and it will be a lot of fun to use - and will eventually stretch into every aspect of Buffalo.com.
What about my stuff?
All Spotted, YourHub, and Buffalo.com email users will automatically be given an account on MyBuffalo.com. Behind the scenes, we are currently in the process of transferring all of your Spotted and YourHub content over to the MyBuffalo.com site.
Keep an eye on your email, too - I will be emailing you your new MyBuffalo.com username and password in the near future. When I do so, I will put up a note on the intern blog.
But the bottom line is that your content will not be lost, and you will be able to access it with your own MyBuffalo account.
Is this going to look/feel just like Spotted and YourHub?
No. It will take some getting used-to. We are still hammering out gallery functionality on the photo section, for example. There is no "admin" section, like We Spotted, either. MyBuffalo.com encourages interactivity and connections between users - it's not as much of a "stop, stare, click" site like Spotted and YourHub.
Anyhow, we ask for your patience and open-mindedness as we introduce the new site.
How about the internship program - will that still exist?
Yes. However, we feel that it is time to make some changes.
In the past few months, Deanna and I have grown increasingly concerned with some of the problems we've seen at the site. We have seen an overall increase in apathy - fewer sign-ups, a decrease in the quality of galleries, and - quite frankly - a little bit of attitude directed towards us, our collaborators, and the venues at times.
As we bring in the new site, we are also bringing in new standards. Since we are starting a new project, we also want a fresh start to our internship program.
And how will you change the program?
Glad you asked.
1.) First of all, some of the old standards apply - 2 events a month, 60-40 on "smile for the camera" for photographers, 3 quotes per story for writers.
On the new side: A MAXIMUM of 60 photos per event. Photographers will be required to include a 100-200-word event summary in their blog after an event (written in your own voice; it doesn't have to be "newsy," but a brief summation of the event). Writers will be required to post 5 photos from their events.
2.) A 30-day limit on requesting events. A common complaint has been that the "big" events are claimed up too quickly. We will honor the current requests we have received, but beginning June 8, we will only accept event requests from activities coming in the next 30 days.
3.) The events list will be shorter. You are welcome to find events that are not on the list, but Deanna and I will be selecting the Top 20 events each week that we would recommend considering...no more massive, sprawling, esoteric events lists. I will miss writing them!
4.) "Interns" are now known as "contributors." Semantical, perhaps, but a change nonetheless.
5.) We reserve the right to remove contributors from the program for failing to meet any of the standards above.
6.) I also can not stress enough that a.) contributors must follow media instructions at events and b.) contributors are not to "book" their own events. We will immediately remove a contributor from the program for failure to comply with these particular guidelines.
7.) Term limits. As of the relaunch, all contributors will be 6-month terms. After 6 months, we will perform an joint evaluation with you, and as a group we will determine whether we all want to move forward.
Lot of rules, man!
Well, we are going to be doing more recruiting and we want everyone to be on the same page - the new contributors and veteran contributors will need to use the same playbook.
When we relaunch on Monday, I will send you a formal list of these guidelines. If you do not agree to the guidelines and would like to exit the program, please let me know.
And finally...
I don't want to come off like Johnny Rulebook. I am genuinely pleased with a lot of what I've seen at Spotted and YourHub. But I also think we have a real opportunity to revitalize the program and make MyBuffalo.com one of the biggest Web successes not only in Western new York, but in the entire nation. I'm serious - it could be that big.
I want you to be a part of a site we can all be proud of, and I hope you stay with us during this exciting time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me immediately.
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7 comments:
Wah! Wah! A maximum of 60 images? On the bright side that makes our jobs alot easier. That helps in those crowds that give you the "cold shoulder for SFTC shots. I mean hey! We only need 36 people photos at most. On the down side if you go to the fair or a really good concert then you will probably end up not shooting some great shots. You can't tell somebody Hi I'm going to take your picture for Buffalo.com when you get there. Then shoot your 36 photos then later some great looking photo shot ops occur. What then miss those ops? I guess so since we can't drop off the ones that weren't as good if we've already said "you'll be on ___.
I agree, I think 60 can be pretty small! People really like event photos since they are unique, especially concerts. Any consideration to upping the limit as long as the ratio is met? Also, Ben and Deanna, can you elaborate more on Media Rules? I've been at events where there is food. If someone in charge of the event offers is that stepping over the line? I've seen comments going both ways. Thanks.
Well, in terms of partaking in food, drink, or promo material at events - I would say that is on a case-by-case basis, but the guideline I would use is to remember that you are not a "guest," per se, and you shouldn't necessarily expect to have the same perks that a guest would get.
BUT, that being said, at large events, oftentimes it is no big deal if you have a snack from the fruit-and-cheese crudite or a drink from the bar or something like that. I would just be careful not to go overboard, or to do so at the discomfort of others, including the hosts. (not that either of you ladies would ever do that!).
I think that when you see the new MyBuffalo it will make a little more sense why we want to limit photos to 60 per event, at least for now. MyBuffalo does not have the same gallery-style functionality as Spotted. This is something that will be implemented in the future, but for now, it would be overwhelming to put hundreds of photos into the system without the "frame" of a gallery.
Plus, we want to encourage quality over quantity. I would rather see 60 good shots that 200 pictures of people's backs and blurry guitars. MyBuffalo offers us a chance to make a fresh start, and I really think that the contributors - the folks who represent the site - need to be held to a higher standard.
I am absolutely open to comments, thoughts, debates, and discussions on these points - so please keep them coming!
And - Erica - to expand on what you asked (maybe I should read these comments slower):
If someone offers, no worries. Go for it.
And media rules - I mean things like "three songs, no flash;" or "please only take photos during these particular times/places;" or, for the writers, "interviews will be conducted at such-and-such a time."
Basically, at any event, the writer or photographer needs to follow the instructions of the folks who are in charge. I will try to get that info to you well in advance of the event - but it is contingent on the photographer or writer to check in at the event site and talk to a director or house manager or organizer to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
I know from experience that nothing is more embarrassing than getting "scolded" at an event...and there are few things more uncomfortable from my end than having to field an angry phone call or email from someone who felt that one of our contributors was out of line.
I want to to stress that this happens RARELY, which is a big sign of the professionalism and responsibility of our writers and photographers - but we have had some "situations" in recent months, more than we've had in the prior history of the program, so it is time for us to get a little more stringent about enforcing the code of conduct.
60 images vs 200 blurry shots shouldn't even be a choice. It's a given we won't give you blurry shots to just fill up the gallery.
However are you firm on the 60/40 or is that a minimum? I mean if you go to a nice outdoor concert at Artpark and can get 50 SFTC shots but can only shoot for 3 songs you'll probably only get about 10-12 "realy good enough" show shots. Couldn't we do more than 60/40 like 75/25? etc
The 60-40 rule is to make sure people keep in mind the importance of "smile for the camera" shots...going over is absolutely fine! I have no problem with that at all. Kudos to marc, Darleen, and Erica for posting excellent SFTC galleries over the past week.
Thank you for the compliment Ben. Darlene, at the event I was at last night, it was so packed I had a hard time getting pics of the event. I got 45 good pictures and only 10 are of the event...I think the SFTC pictures are really the most important part.
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