Credits for a lottery?

[Phoenix Wynde]

BioRust, a happening place with happening people. Resources, forums, battles, and even a nifty gallery to display our art. What could possibly make this site better than it already is?

That's a question I've recently given some serious thought to.

Being here for some time now, enjoying the people, art, and general atmosphere of the site, I've often wondered, "what am I to do with all these credits?".

The resources section is great. Artists, like myself, get to upload some right on items, such as brushes, styles, and so forth. It's a plethora of Photoshop bliss for those looking to expand their artistic needs.

But what if, let's say, someone like myself creates their own resources and doesn't have any use at the moment with the available downloads?

Or, what if the resources available are "out of taste" for a specific need, or someone has "the whole set"?

This leads to the accumulation of many a credit, such as I have experienced.

This got me thinking, how about implementing a lottery of some kind where people may "purchase" items such as art programs, artistic literatue, art supplies, and so forth?

We could even have our own resident artists put their own prized work up for grabs, heck, even their own prized resources no one else has.

Whether this be a lottery, a point/purchase system or both, this could very well possibly open doors for the artists on this site, and newcomers would have more of a reason to stick around rather than create an account, make some posts, spend the credits, and leave.

I'd certainly like to see what my fellow BioRustiers think about this.

[notjustgraphics]

I am all for improving BioRUST (If it's at all possible) but I'm not sure I follow your idea...

I think you are suggesting that there be a way to convert your BioRUST Credit into currency to purchase relevant items with...

The problem with that concept is that the money, ultimately, would have to come from someone's pocket... ie.. if you have 4000 credits you want to trade for a book or software package.... who is going to purchase the book or software in exchange for your credits?

Even considering that you could find a willing participant, it kind of goes against the intention of the credit system in the first place... which is to inspire active participation within BioRUST's forums. If one could simply trade something for credits, they would likely strip the resources and move on.

I too have amassed a considerable collection of BioRUST credit I will likely never need.

Man1c M0g could increase the value of the credits, making them harder to earn, but that would likely increase the number of pointless posts in the forums.

Lets face it... those who venture upon BioRUST are likely looking for a resource of some kind... It's a small percentage who take the time to really see what it has to offer and stick around.. Most grab their brushset and move on or find the info in the forum and never return.

Now! If BioRUST could attract corporate sponsors to offer certain inventives in exchange for advertising, you may be on to something, however, this would likely increase the number of ads we all hate or reduce the effectiveness of the Google AdSense program that most of us don't even know is on this site... right there at the bottom of this page... see it.. little grey box says "Ads by Google".... This helps Man1c M0g fund this site... we can't allow anything to take away from that...

I think we all should collectively focus on improving the resources that are available... add more brushses, patterns, tutorials, etc...

This will increase the value to new visitors as well, but mostly, it will keep things fresh for the regulars.

If you post something to a thread in the forum, why not submit it to the resource section as well...

Mike.

[Phoenix Wynde]

What if we were to collaborate with local schools?

This could not only gain BioRust and the school positive attention, but open doors to a much younger audience, allowing them to take advantage of what BioRust offers to the artists.

Yet, you also make an interesting point, who's going to purchase the items?

These items, of course, don't always have to be purchased. Second hand items work just as well as new items. These could be donated from the school's students, as well as us here at BioRust. Students and artists alike could hold garage sales, bake-offs, and the like to raise money as well.

Maybe I'm just a little too hopeful with that idea.

Yes, it's sad. People just take what they want, then leave. It happens. I was just looking for some way to do my part for the BioRust community other than add to the available resources.

However, your point is noteworthy and appreciated.

[notjustgraphics]

I definitely admire your enthusiasm and I think you have some great ideas..

Don't let me sway you from something you think will work.

Keep in mind that we have active members here from Estonia to Sweden, from Canada to Africa, from Egypt to the UK....

Hopefully others will contribute their thoughts to this thread.. I'm sure you're on to something... it's just a matter of getting just the right solution!

Mike.

[Chica-X]

Some good points have been made, I don't know what I would use my points for at all. But one idea, would be to after maybe 500 credits, maybe a free download... as in not to take credits away for whatever download they do here.

I can't add much else, I don't know a whole lot about the way things run around here..

[Phoenix Wynde]

Originally Posted by Chica-X

Some good points have been made, I don't know what I would use my points for at all. But one idea, would be to after maybe 500 credits, maybe a free download... as in not to take credits away for whatever download they do here.

I can't add much else, I don't know a whole lot about the way things run around here..

How many points is it per download now, I forget?

I think your idea sounds cool. We could do something along those lines, but let's say make it two or three free downloads, depending on what is being downloaded.

I'd love it though if we could raffle off our points, like maybe once a month or every few months. There could be various prizes of different value. Not anything huge, but something beneficial to the community, like literature or maybe even a fancy sketchbook.

[Bub]

This has actually already been discussed. Like a store to use Biocredit for money. This initially arouse when Biorust sold it's first T-shirt. Biocredits were released around the same time.

I will continue to stand by my original opinion that this is a great idea to me, but there need to be limitations that would have to be decided upon.

Edit: 1 point per download now I think. Maybe 2.

[notjustgraphics]

Hmmm...

what about a Feature Gallery...

It would take some scripting from M0g but some might find the prestige of having their own feature gallery on BioRUST a nice perk... the contest could run sequentially... say each month you make a bid for the gallery... the highest bid is permitted to exchange their credit for their very own permanent feature gallery... a seperate little palce on BioRUST for just their work...

It would have to be limited to say 1 gallery per month or something, but I think even a couple of dozen galleries would be feasible...

Any thoughts?

Mike.

[StormGirl_blue]

what about limiting gallery space to a points value..
certainly keep it open to 5 images for 0 points..
I think you will find that the members that actualy post or contribute to the community would be using more space anyway..
the ones just popping in for resources wont need to post "nice." just to get space because they probably wont be interested in using more than a minimum, (unless they just want to use it as a free image host).

Dewdman your sugestions are fantastic..but.. they seem to come back to be needing some sort of funding..
maybe something like e-books could work.. except that someone has to take the time to write them..lol.. perhaps the first one could be a collection of tutorials made into an e-book (not for resale)
or
a featured member each month. we could bid with points to be that member.. would be great for thoes that are working professionals, this way the add is not actualy comming accross as an add..

[StormGirl_blue]

OO Im so sorry Mike I did not read your latest post before I posted that one..
lol great minds..

[notjustgraphics]

StormGirl!!!

I think I love your idea... it solves two issues with one idea... well, with a little adaptation...

What about a limit of 1 post to the gallery per day... always free... but in order to post a second image to the gallery in the same day, it would cost 10 credits (or a rational amount) and the third image the same day would cost 20, and so on...

This prevents gallery flooding to a point, gives us something constructive to do with our credits and gives Man1c M0g a tonne of work to do...

I like the idea of being able to trade credit for T-Shirts and stuff... i'd be happy to have a BioRUST t-shirt... however, ultimately, someone will have to foot the bill.

Unless someone is willing to donate the t-shirts and printing for free, or in exchange for some advertising or something.

Mike.

[Phoenix Wynde]

There's a lot of great ideas here to play with.

I really love the gallery idea, but that in a way takes from those who're short on credit, say newcomers. Unless, of course, this credit we have is split into two types of credit, "gallery credit" and "resources credit" and newcomers receive a decent amount for both, but not enough to just post and leave.

As for donating items, I'd have no problem with that if it's beneficial to our community. However, the best I could do is perhaps second hand books.

[Chica-X]

Featured gallery's even totally out of this subject would be nice too, just to have a featured front page snippet. Where you can click and then are welcomed by that specific gallery. It think that would be neato. Of course, I still can't contribute to any of the ideas you all have now, but they are all great!

[Phoenix Wynde]

Originally Posted by Chica-X

Featured gallery's even totally out of this subject would be nice too, just to have a featured front page snippet. Where you can click and then are welcomed by that specific gallery. It think that would be neato. Of course, I still can't contribute to any of the ideas you all have now, but they are all great!

Chica, what makes this community so great is the fact that people like you DO offer input on what they'd like or what they're already happy with.

Afterall, this isn't a contest, lol. Your opinion counts just as much as mine or the next person.

Take a look at how many people have read this post and compare it to how many people actually commented on it. Any input is great and I thank everyone for that, no matter how "popular" an idea may be.

This is what community is, working together, and I'm all for it.

[Chica-X]

Your right more people need to be involved. It's hard when competing with other websites though. I find with the smaller websites, that you get more of a community feel, rather then being at a bigger site, where it is all fued and negativity. So far being here, it's all been positive, so I am hanging in the ride.