I have multiple sites so instead of creating multiple posts I will list them all here.

All suggestion are greatly appreciated. Especially if someone actually replies...:D

http://www.pdfoto.com - My Public Domain Photo Project.

Doing work on this site on a dialy basis.

Tell me what you think. Sign up. Give feedback. Get involved.

I welcome your opinions.

__________________
My Cool Projects
http://www.pdfoto.com Public Domain Photography
http://www.zoggin.com Community Site Project

Zoggin - Open Source Software Project.
-- This site has few if any reasons to make the big decision to switch. The assumption seems to find numerous permutations in unclear statement of purpose (after reading the full mission), little or no information, no featured software, no side-by-side comparisons, rankings, use centered information. There is just too much to list because the site isn't about software, or helping windoze users -- it's about the open source idea. Suggestion: Visit the Apple "Switch" campaign, check out sites the ignorant windoze users go to for free software. Concentrate on plain old good software, then explain open source, including commonly held misconceptions.

The blog is -- drum roll, please -- a blog.

The Public Domain Photo Project seems to be organized well. There isn't much there, including an articulated strategy for gaining the critical mass this sort of site needs. The logo looks a bit jaggy.

I really appreciate your input... Really.

That is the best advice I have received to date on the site. This is exactly what I was looking for when I asked for help.

I will take you points to heart and be sure to include a better mission statement for Zoggin. The side by side comparison idea is good, shows how much thought I put into it. I don;t know why I didn't think of that.

You said use centered information. What do you mean by that? Centered I mean.

The site is in fact about the Open Source idea and I was hoping to build some sort of brand for people to switch to OS. I need to work on it more obviously.

It's brand new and I only came up with the idea this past month. The domain itself isn't even a month old yet.:)

I have been using Open Source for about 2 years and love it. I just figured I could give something back to the open source community for their work. I want to distribute the programs on CD, and make the ISO available for free download of course. Very similar to OpenCD.org

In fact OpenCD.org is the inspiration for my site. I want it to be a site for Windoze users to "make the switch" to OS.

Thanks again for your help and if you have a site I would be glad to link to you. Keep up the advice. I sure could use it.

Anything else?

__________________
My Cool Projects
http://www.pdfoto.com Public Domain Photography
http://www.zoggin.com Community Site Project

In an ideal situation, you would consider how to profile users coming into the site: navigation, motivators, etc. OS isn't as much of a motivator as, say, does the software do something the user needs done. This would be where you'd compare Word 97 and Abiword for, say, the five common office tasks.

Tasks being those the user performs in trying to reach an objective, hence use centered. Thinking this way, you might then integrate photos from the photo site with templates made for Abiword.

Since your site is still in flux, you may find something to link to on my site. Click my site button "WWW".

had a real problem trying to get any of your links to open up.......is there a problem?







www.scaffoldtowers.co.uk

Which site? there should be no problem... what specifically happened? would it just not load?

__________________
My Cool Projects
http://www.pdfoto.com Public Domain Photography
http://www.zoggin.com Community Site Project

Hey Crux,

I fixed the logo thing, and have added some instructions on the site. I also added about 25 forums and posted TONS of info in about half of those forums.

Any suggestions on getting visiting users to sign up?

It seems I am getting traffic and a pretty good amount of it, but people do not seem to sign up or stay long. Apparently I am not explaining things well enough about the site or not giving enough of an incentive for them to register on my site.

I have added a WEB LINKS section in the Galleries where people can add there links as well as a "Your Site" forums.

I figure these two things alone might help. YES?

I don;t know. I am happy with the traffic I am receiveing thus far, but it seems I just need to provide better info. I am at a loss.

I have tried thinking like a user, and this is hard being the site designer.

What do you think will be the best way to get people to register and post?

__________________
My Cool Projects
http://www.pdfoto.com Public Domain Photography
http://www.zoggin.com Community Site Project

In the old days, you offered code for free because chances were many people were programmers who'd share with you. What concerns many people now is that's not true anymore. People will take what's free and coversions will be low. In essence the ten percent is devaluing the other ninety.

You really need to explain how there is an established model, which you follow, whereby contributing makes good sense. Opinions aren't worth the paper they aren't written on. Who's going to be for this and think all photographers should do this? Freebie seekers.

Where are these pictures ending up? I'll give you a hint or two.

Very True.

I agree that posting my "link code" so people can link to me is a relatively good thing but the low reciprocals and slow rate at which they are placed doesn't really work any more.

The one thing about my site is there really is not an established model thus far. There are some that are similar but my project goes beyond and transcends the "freebie genre" and other free sites out there.

This is a "sitestyle" lifestyle and a project which I believe has great probability of success given the fact that people want free images.

But it's not just about FREE PHOTOS and artwork.

The logic behind it is very similar to the Open Source software community but obviously in a different format. ART

Art researchers and photo editors are always looking for work. FRESH work being the key here. If I can generate interest and convince people to get involved with something more than just a "freebie site" and get them to contribute, I believe that more will join the movement.

This is a revolutionary NEW twist on an OLD idea. I am in no way saying my entire idea is NEW. It is logically simple and a very powerful way to get work in front of buyers.

The logic behind this is: Once there is a proven track record and archive of Free World Class imagery available to the public then it will become one of the largest, and perhaps the best site of it's kind on the web.

Researchers, photo editors, and individual artists can use the works on the site for whatever they want. That's part of the idea. They will not have to pay hundreds of dollars for works, and it will also promote the contributing artists website and COPYRIGHTED works.My public domain photo project is a marketing vehicle for artists as well as a valueable resource for those searching for high quality World Class images. All of it on the project site is and always will be free.

This will spread through "word of mouth" and everyone who goes to the site will see instantly what the site is about and be able to decide within seconds whether they would like to contribute to the site and get involved.

At least that is my hopes. One way or the other the site is up and running and I hope it grows and becomes as popular as it's potential.

Everyone get involved... help it grow guys...

__________________
My Cool Projects
http://www.pdfoto.com Public Domain Photography
http://www.zoggin.com Community Site Project