Why are my friends leaving Gather? I've made friends and because of cold language and lack of communication you have hurt them. How about this one: "Your article has been declined" This might be better said, "While we were impressed by your article, it does not fit our group at this time. Thanks for entering it."
How much nicer.
What about this deal with Jimmie's fish? Don't tell the man why, just flag him.
Truly, this is the definition of IRONIC. A group that is for communication is not communicating with its members. Come on Gather. Let's hear from you. I smell a death knell. I'll be looking for my flag soon. Ya Voll!"" Capitan Gather.
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Comments: 32
Sue, one of Jimmie's "fish" pictures that he makes was flagged!
If it were in my realm and capacity, I would create an alternative site.
We can all learn from every expereince that we see on Gather, and hopefully we can demand that Gather follow their own words. We need to support those we care about before they leave, and not after they leave. We sometimes wait too long before we decide on a course of action.
No, you don't like it?
I thought only my dad said that...
This is Jimmie's Fish Picture:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977034870
ehh hello?...I have been saying this for weeks, months even. The thing is...both sides are siting the SAME freaking problems. Both sides complaining about the same issues. What I (for the GXd daXn life of me!) can't understand is this...why did it take this long? Both sides are beginning to finally see that the issue is with Gather. Well, wonders never cease.
They have finally stepped up and decided to address some of the issues. Instead of going after each other why doesn't everyone, work together? Slow down, watch what Gather is addressing and doing. Then, collectively (even if done individually, yet representing a group) let the people upstairs know what the members (all of them, as a site!) are okay with, what tweaks need to be made, and what other areas of the technological aspects needs to be rethought out. What behavior you are okay with, and what you are not.
(this is where I would also like to remind you (and them) about content category buttons, a lot of the personal complaints would end with their implementation)
The key however, is to work together. direct your anger in the right direction. Gather wants to make us happy -us meaning as a group of members who enjoy their site. We are there bread and butter, after all. The changes have started, now we owe it to them to wait it out, add suggestions where relevent, and follow their attempt at making and in some cases, upholding the rules.
The same as they owed it to us
...just my two cents.
...hmmm
Sorry, but I really dislike taking bad images into Small World because my own photography is good and I don't see why I should lower my standards ?
Gather originally was supposed to be a place for professional writers and good content and many of us came here when it was proclaiming that it would compensate us for quality content--so how do you think some of us feel when we contribute good work and 60percent of gather is nothing but one-liners and plagiarism?
Do you think I do anything but just delete the rejection notices? And I must get about 5 a day? And I used to writer personal letters to anyone who submitted to Small World, but I don't get any compensation from Gather and it wastes an incredible amount of time for me when I need to be submitting articles to paying markets.
So what should I do? I really can't afford to write to each person, especially when often the content or the image is just plain bad. And I shouldn't have to accept it either. Why should I say something like "I'm impressed" when really I am disgusted by something?
Every group has a definition or statement that gives its scope
Such as Nature Photo Album (About NATURE PHOTO ALBUM: A photo album for all of your nature related photos. ... more)
is supposed to be about pictures from nature
but don't I see some "article" over there labelled "emails" that doesn't in any way fit the definition of the group?
emails
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977035438
emails
why should a group owner have to accept it? Or write a nice note back to someone who can comply with guidelines? Does it enhance the group goals in any way? does it talk about shooting nature or landscape? Does it offer any beautiful picture of nature?
No--but here you are complaining about rejection-- If an article or submission doesn't fit the group, it should be rejected. No one should have to apologize or use flattery.
Wasn't this article mass sent to a long list of groups without caring to recognize anyone's guidelines so that the groups lose their focus? Does it really belong in Nature Photos? or did you just spam a lot of groups with a whining complaint that is just as bad or worse than the emails you are complaining about?
Somehow, this just doesn't work because then you want to be respected but you don't respect others in their efforts to create meaningful groups--
Now I automatically now just reject anything that doesn't fit my guidelines for Small World and I really don't cry for the person because obviously the person does not care about his/her own presentation enough to check the guidelines or look at my work as the model I want.
I got tired of getting pictures of babies and cacti and pet geckos for a group with a very clear definition.
tough world.
and now you will tell me that I am a very nasty horrible woman to explain why I reject things and that rejections don't bother me. it's life, but then I get rejections all the time and really I don't lose any sleep over them at all.
It's just part of life.
This reminds me of the mothers I hear saying, "Mommy loves you but wishes you wouldn't do that," or "We don't do that," and the child continues to do what she was doing and the mother continues to repeat the same message in the same sweet tone, and nothing changes. These children who have not learned to accept that there actually are rules in the world that they must follow, even if Mommy loves them, come to Gather and expect group owners to say, "Sandy loves you but wishes you wouldn't publish your dog article to her satire group," fifty times and still allow the article to remain in the satire group.
I don't care whether the content comes from "serious writers" or recluses who sit around in their underwear in front of a pc all day. I don't care if it's "real" poetry, literary fiction, serious non-fiction, or complete silliness as long as it's well written. Some of the fluff articles contain some of the best writing I've seen here.
I don't want the out and out plagiarism I've seen like cutting and pasting stories from news service sites and the poster taking author credit.
I'm tired of name calling and harassment flagging. I'm tired of people trying to churn out as many things as they can purely to get points.
I know asking people to be civilized is a waste of time but I'd still like to see it.
Mary, Makes sense to me.
Sandy, I have been using the term children for awhile now. And parent too, for that matter. My article"Gather, please control your children" comes to mind.
Nippy, " I know asking people to be civilized is a waste of time but I'd still like to see it. " I do this every day. No one is listening.
Moggy, "Some folks just have some serious control issues." Sometimes the ones who should, don't have enough.