03-29-2002, 02:23 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Awesome images for your desktop and Pocket PC
http://www.mikebonnell.com
I found Mike's site at least 3 years ago and thought it was the best computer graphics site on the web. Finally in October of 2001, I ponied up $11.95 to get full access to his image database for one year and have not been disappointed. I often take his stuff, trim it a bit and then cram it into an image suitable for a theme on my Pocket PC. Right now, I am using one called "Way Master." This particular one I reversed 180 degrees so the key part of the image was off to the left and not obscured by that unimportant PIM stuff. ;-) Below is a screenshot of that, along with another image in his public library called "End Game."
 
When you pay for his content, you get access to over 300 images in at least 4 screen resolutions, with 4-8 new images added each month. Even if you choose not to pay, you still get access to over 50 images in 2-3 resolution sizes optimized for your PC's desktop. So head over there and prepare to be blown away.
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03-29-2002, 02:49 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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After you told me about his site, I became a paying customer too - he's really talented and makes some beautiful stuff!
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03-29-2002, 07:13 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 8
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I dont see why you think that site is so special... The pictures are not that great. It looks like they just used Bryce to make them, A person that has never used Bryce in before could make images like that in about five or ten minutes.
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03-29-2002, 08:06 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5
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I'd agree that the images are nice, and well presented, but I just cannot bring myself to buy into the site. Reason - all the shameless nattering to join the site. I really get tired of navigating through 8 sales pitch screens just to see and perhaps download a free image. Now, I realize that's the hook, all that goes away when you pay, but I want to see what I'm paying for before I buy it, not after a 10 minute sales pitch...
<sigh>
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03-29-2002, 04:02 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by BillCastello
I'd agree that the images are nice, and well presented, but I just cannot bring myself to buy into the site. Reason - all the shameless nattering to join the site. I really get tired of navigating through 8 sales pitch screens just to see and perhaps download a free image. Now, I realize that's the hook, all that goes away when you pay, but I want to see what I'm paying for before I buy it, not after a 10 minute sales pitch...
<sigh>
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Just curious. How would you do it? He can't let you see what you are buying, because then it is already in your browser's cache and you have it. He as a NON-Member site that is pretty ad free. It is only when you go beyond that that you get the sales pitch. Sounds like good business.
Why is there this persistant idea that the things on the internet should be free? I don't think Jason has the hard drive space for me to even start listing the names of the .bombs that thought they had a valid business model by giving stuff away free that have gone out of existance in the past three years. :roll: Reminds me of when people complained that Phillip Torrone's Themes were for sale at $2 each. You'd have though he cursed your family or something. If you don't want it, don't buy it. But because someone is actually {gasp} making money is no reason to complain about it.
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03-29-2002, 05:12 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3
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As an aside...
If you like these images, you'd probably love the site I get my desktop wallpaper from - digitalblasphemy.com. The guy who runs it is a rendering wizard.
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03-29-2002, 05:54 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Maverick
I dont see why you think that site is so special... The pictures are not that great. It looks like they just used Bryce to make them, A person that has never used Bryce in before could make images like that in about five or ten minutes.
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That's like saying that someone with a paintbrush and a canvas could paint like Monet - because, hey, the tools are the same. :roll:
I'm waiting for you to launch your site! :lol:
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03-29-2002, 05:54 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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As an aside...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Harimwakairi
If you like these images, you'd probably love the site I get my desktop wallpaper from - digitalblasphemy.com.
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Agreed - AWESOME site! I've found some great wallpapers there.
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03-29-2002, 09:24 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 361
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DB, here here
I also concur. Digital Blasphemy is really awesome. I actually paid for the subscription, and it opened up an entire world of eye candy for the desktop. Amazing stuff, and I wouldn't hesitate to put it on my iPAQ either.
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03-30-2002, 12:39 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Just curious. How would you do it? He can't let you see what you are buying, because then it is already in your browser's cache and you have it. He as a NON-Member site that is pretty ad free. It is only when you go beyond that that you get the sales pitch. Sounds like good business.
Why is there this persistant idea that the things on the internet should be free? I don't think Jason has the hard drive space for me to even start listing the names of the .bombs that thought they had a valid business model by giving stuff away free that have gone out of existance in the past three years. :roll: Reminds me of when people complained that Phillip Torrone's Themes were for sale at $2 each. You'd have though he cursed your family or something. If you don't want it, don't buy it. But because someone is actually {gasp} making money is no reason to complain about it.
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How would I do it? I am not sure, but I know for darn sure that it wouldnt be with a schema whereby virtually every click gets you a screen nagging you to pay up. Perhaps I would package my art into groups and display one of the images. You buy the package based on that image, or maybe even a thumbnail of each image might be better... Not being an artist, I'm not certain how I would market it. As a businessman, I do know that I would not market anything by constantly nattering at my potential customers.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Why is there this persistant idea that the things on the internet should be free?
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At what point did you read into my statement that it should be free? I don't think his work and effort should be free at all, and never was that stated. I did disagree with marketing approach, and I will continue to do that. While I may not be able to come up with a viable marketing plan off the cuff right now, I know what I would not do. The man's art looks good, I know I'd never be able to touch the quality on my own, even given the right tools.
I'll have to dig through my mind boggling list of favorite websites, there have been more than a few that I subscribed to because they 1) offered something I wanted/needed and 2) Didn't pester me with nag screens, pop-ups and junk like that every click of the mouse. Off the top of my head, Jerry Pournelle's Chaos Manor and Allakazam's come to the fore.
I wonder if people would be so quick to defend Wal-mart if they had folks following you around the store pestering you to buy "Bleepo's Hair Spair" and another one nattering at you to buy "Zippy's feel good ointment"? Lots of people dislike car salesman for this very reason, but on a website we consider it - a business model??
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Linear Mode
