Hi all. I thought I'd try something, that will hopefully not devolve into a traditional caedesian food fight. ;-)

I've created two new polls, which hopefully will give us, and the management (Geri and co.) some idea of who's here, and why. (As in, why are you here in general, as opposed to how you originally came here, and in what way do you participate?)


It might prove to be informative. So please take a moment, and answer as you see fit.
I've left the option open to add other voting items.

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Poll&id=41

http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Poll&id=42

General comments..

Initially, was just surfing the net and came across the site.

No real specific search terms, as in 'wallpapers' or that of 'desktop wallpapers', etc. ... lead me here. (Can't quite recall the 'how' on this note.) And my desktop was one of the default Window ones. Pleasant enough, and much more preferable to that of a single colour or non-colour.

Then, having taken the tour of the Main Galleries, as they stood at the time ... started to dress up and personalize my desktop.

Then, thought about posting some work. As the community seemed helpful in their comments on one another's works/images posted.

But ... it took some time before I took that creative leap of faith.

Before that all important first step was taken, registered and started commenting and hanging around the "Asylum"; aka the "Offtopic" discussion forums.

Got comfortable with the inmates there, and was prompted to start sharing my own creative efforts.

In fact, the first image I posted/uploaded (and that was not deleted shortly after uploading ... the first actually being a fractal ... tested the waters with this one) was to that of a site contest. A photographic manipulation. Ended up with a honorable mention. (Which, blew me away, truth be known.)

Took an immediate interest in CGI and what with Apophysis being freeware ... started to dabble with the program.

The rest?

As I believe most of yous that know me would say.. is commenting history.. verbose.. commenting history. :oP

Thanks for starting these polls Les.

Thanks Rob, and to Les for the "quick links". Bet these would go well on the front page for those who don't visit the forums.

Les? Sheesh! :p

Woops! Sorry.

A dear friend told me about the site and how cool it was to post a photograph and learn how to improve from people all over the world!
Soon it will be 7 years ...Oh My :) ..(Feb 14th) that I had my first glimpse of the site.

I was hungry to learn more and I did....and no, I did not frequent the discussion threads for 2 years (didn't even look at them), I was totally captivated by what I saw in image quality and critique on my images as well as everyone else's.

I feel very blessed to be able to give back a wee bit of all that I have been given while here.

Les, Mimi, thank you. The purpose of these two polls, however, isn't to ask how/why you found the site.

Rather, I'm asking of those that are here, how do you participate? What do you take away from the site, and/or what do you feel you contribute?

Thanks. ;-)

My reasons for being here have evolved... started off as just wanting wallpapers, and being impressed that there was always something new to look at, whereas it was possible to plumb the depths of other wallpaper sites in a couple of days or less.

I also liked the 'favourites' feature... to me it was a new idea, that you could make sure all the pictures you liked best were just where you could go and look at them!

In time I was learning about new applications and techniques I would otherwise not have heard of... for instance, if I was looking at a fractal wallpaper and the artist said "I made this using Xaos," I would go to have a look at Xaos and try it out for myself. I learned as much from people's submissions as from tutorials or discussions... and it does frustrate me when descriptions say nothing about what software was used.

Nowadays I'm less inclined to submit my own pictures; what keeps me here is largely human interest. I read the discussions to find out what people are thinking, what do they like, and why...? Also, more and more, to keep in the swim with people whose names and 'voices' I have come to recognize. The internet would seem a cold place if they disappeared. ;-)

A good friend used to send me amazing desktops from here, he gave me the link to the site 5 1/2 years ago and i was hooked, met awesome people on here who took the patience to show me the basis of Apophysis and how to improve my very bad photography..

As for posting I enjoy dabbling in Fractals and photography (when I get the time) and I like to share my work with others so like me they get great desktop which might also get them thinking on how it's done and try for themselves..

"How do you participate? What do you take away from the site, and/or what do you feel you contribute?"

Upload/post ... infrequently.

That behaviour changed for me over time.

Not so much anymore for showing new stuff and/or getting feedback ... most are (/were) along the lines of disseminating site information, sharing resources I've come across, et al.

I.e. ... newer releases of software/programs - Apophyis for one, highlighting an on-site tutorial, discussion thread, etc..

Still keep my eye open to learn new stuff from other member's postings, though. I have a box seat for that, given the '+' in front of my username.


Contribute?

Try to help via constructive critiquing, directing members towards resources, tutorials ... that may be of some use to them creatively.

And of course, offering up words of encouragement.

Six of one, half a dozen of another ... for balance. So to speak.

Oh, almost forgot ... and to contribute to Rob's polls/discussion threads.

Do I get a gold star now?

:oD

I want a gold star too... I'm always contributing to Rob's threads. :-)

Missed his question... as to what we believe we contribute to the site?

When I post something, it's at least partly in the nature of "giving back a little," having received so much in the way of great desktops, information and inspiration. I also (rarely) post larger images on occasion, as it's hard for those with large monitors to find desktops that fit.

When I link to a Photoshop brush, tutorial or script used in the making of a wallpaper, it gives credit but it also offers others something new to try.

A gold star? Ok...first prize for taste in threads :p

Les, sorry. Not enough room in the budget for a star and a pony.

Forget the star, the pony is the utmost priority!

Obviously..

*bump*

Anyone can post a poll. I just found that out.

Congrats...? So let's see what gets asked, and by whom. Could be quite.. interesting.

"let's see what gets asked, and by whom"

Perhaps we should make a pool on the subject?

(or a poll, even...)

What the L, do both.