I've been at Caedes for a long time. I've watched it evolve. I started out as a great place to find and post nice original wallpaper. But I beleive it has become something much more valuable and important in our lives. It is a relatively safe place for us to expose ourselves to a relatively kind (myself excepted of course) bunch of nice people, many of whom have genuine artistic sense and talent. You'll also find people who will give you a fair and reasonably expert opinion on your work with suggestions to improve it. I feel the wallpaper aspect has begun to fall away as we've become a very large, intense artistic community. Does anybody agree with me? Do we need to redefine ourselves Jerry?

I think it has evolved as you say and indeed it seams that moves are a foot to reflect this. I know that Caedes has mentioned before about expanding the site into different aspects of art submissions and maybe that will surface soon. I personally would love this to happen as most of the work I create is portrait as opposed to landscape - dont know why it just pans out like that. completely agree with your sentiments about the community aspect of the caedes 'family' which I think is one of the primary reasons that keeps pulling us all back here. I think the wallpaper side of the site will alway be important so any changes to it should be complimentary rather than detrimental.

i agree.

I come here when I think of needing a desktop...as philcUK said, I also have a tendency to get portrait and/or unconventional layouts, anticipating a crop perhaps. Definitely not standard layouts for a desktop--nice shots that I think people would appreciate but not good for a desktop.

So in my mind, Caedes.net is the worldwide leader in wallpaper! :P

Did that make any sense?

I agree, MiLo, and, as it says at the top of the page, "Desktop Wallpaper, Art, etc." There are a number of images that I have submitted that are probably not the best desktop designs, as the desktop needs to be fairly plain in order to see desktop icons. In fact, since I started using Caedes "wallpapers," I put almost all of my desktop icons in one folder called "DESKTOP" on my desktop to keep my desktop relatively clutter free. <G> I see much more than "wallpapers" here and that's one of the things that keeps me coming back.
Wen

the only downside to this will be that larger pieces of artwork will require more storage space and more bandwidth load on the Caedes server which will ultimately mean more costs involved. I doubt Caedes recieves sufficient funds a month from donations as it is - so it would be unreasonable to expect more from this unless more donations are made or alternative sources of funding and/or sponsorship could be found.

I don't think they would nessesarily be larger.

Good point Phil.
Okay, I agree that I get my wallpaper here and it's nice to keep changing. But maybe we need to evolve in to some kind of dual site. I just find that the "Community" aspect of Caedes has become the main reason I keep returning. I love seeing young kids getting started, getting encouragment and a few months later their work has blossomed. I've seen it happen so many times. It's heart warming. It does frustrate me that I can't upload some of my better portrait aspect images. Perhaps we could open a Portrait Gallery. That might be all we need. Then there's the mone. I'm going to have to send Caedes some money again. It's been a while and I think we all should contribute as much as we can to maintain this community.

By larger I was thinking it would be pretty cool to have the ability to upload larger images (big enough to get a sufficiently decent art print from) that members could download & reprint if they so wished. not sure how practical that would be - just a thought that i'd like to throw into the mix...

I agree with the whole topic. The site has become more of a community then your run of the mill dasktop site. I have made some fairly strong on line friendships here. And have grown in the area of my work, do to the advice and fellowship here.
I have brought up many time's on images remarks on the site, that it would be nice to have a portrait formated section. I feel that there are so many images that would be better as a portrait. Maybe going as far as raising the rez a little higher for the printing aspect.

I see what you're saying, Phil, and agree that it would be nice to be able to upload larger images for larger art prints. The only potential problem might be with people who might ignore copyright provisions and download images for print and profit. As you suggest, Clayton, it's the fellowship between people with artistic inclinations that really makes this site special.
Wen

This is actually an interesting question. I think you would have to ask 2 people, one who has been PART of this website for a long time, like you or all of us here, and another person who is completely new to the site. For me, I actually came here at first and came here several times later just because I loved the art that was up here not knowing how it was created. I think as we become part of the community and not only understand how everything (for the most part) is done, and even learn the politics, this website loses that original feel and becomes something else for us.

I believe that this definately IS a wallpaper site, but I think that this site seems to focus more on the learning experience while at the same time giving the public some interesting works of art.

I've enjoyed the community here much more than other sites I've seen, such as DeviantArt.com. I think I've seen a general improvement in quality of images over the past year or so as well. I've really enjoyed commenting and helping others on Caedes - and even meeting a few of you in person. Thanks for letting me be part of your group. I'm one who's learned a lot since becoming a member - and still progressing (I hope). :) Are we really a wallpaper site? I think so. That's what drew me in the first place. But in many ways already described, I think Caedes goes beyond most wallpaper sites.

I think we have to thank Caedes for designing this site in such a way that it promoted the development of community. I belong to Deviant Art as well, but I don't go much anymore. Some of the artists there are exceptional, but there seems to be less interest in the beginner. I feel one of the great things about this place is that beginners are able to take their first steps and find encouragement. They learn quickly that we all started out not knowing much, and they catch on very quickly. I enjoy giving a little private Photoshop coaching to the teens etc. I suppose we are and always will be a wallpaper site, but we are also much more than that. we've become a bit of an extended family, complete with squabbles and protectiveness. Thanx Caedes.

I'm going to chime in on the larger size point. I personally don't think it is nessasary or a particularly good idea. I think copyright would become an issue. I know for sure i would not be to impressed if i were to post something and someone else took it and sold it. Also, if people did want to get a print of something they like here, i think that is possible now without putting that extra load on the server. I would think that if you were to ask someone they would email you a larger version or sell you a larger version if thats what they wanted. I think the res we get now is pretty good.

yes - I suppose thats a fair point. I guess then it would be down to the individual to make it clear on their submission that a larger version would be available by request or something.

It seems to me that one of the big reasons Caedes.net has grown and yet has retained the sense of community that it has is due to 2 major reasons. The first is the fact that caedes has remained focused on desktop wallpaper instead of branching out into more art forms. This limits his competition, and allows him to ignore copyright issues that would otherwise bring legal concerns that might shut down the site. Second is his surprising lack of meddling in the goings-on of the site. We can criticize him and each other, whine about things (like how much we hate Microsoft :-o), form friendships and relationships, and suggest new directions for the site and the community. This is amazing given that it's his site, and he retains complete rights of control over it.We are fortunate indeed to have this site, and we're lucky that Caedes has managed to chart a course among the rocks and storms of website growth and online community development.

We might want to consider these points when pushing Caedes to add new image types to the site. The new image types will require new ways of dealing with them. Also how useful will these new galleries be when there is no reason to download the images? If they're not useful as desktop wallpaper and if we're enforcing copyrights what will be the motivation to download or even visit the images? I'm not trying to persuade us away from the new formats, just suggesting that there may be ramifications and difficulties associated with this proposal. Any ideas about this?

I totally agree with you, Regmar, on that subject..I came here first, because it was a very good source for desktop wallpapers, with a huge variety of styles.. I stayed because it is also a community.. I would hate to see that lost.. Anything that threatens the community spirit, of the site also threatens the wallpaper side, and that is what brings most searchers here..

regmar makes an interesting point: desktop wallpaper is one of the few uses of copyright protected digital images that is generally deemed acceptable. We wouldn't like it if someone used our photos to make a website layout or to print out and hang on the wall but use on the desktop is somehow different. Wallpaper has an intrinsic functionality which sets it apart from the general art on sites such as DA and photo.net, and I think this functionality creates more interest and participation than would otherwise be given to any art piece.

I havnt read this whole post, so sorry if I re-say anything. But yes- This site has grown very much, perhaps into an "artistic community". I also am ALL for any idea to "divide" the site into photography/fractal/hand drawing.etc... sections. Especially with all the fractal dispute of late. There are clearly those who are mostly interested in fractals and computer art, and there are clearly those who are simply interested in the photogrphy side of things - so why not divide the site? =) Just a suggestion, but I think it would be awesome.

I just think caedes is a wonderful "community" and has a lot to offer. The artists here vary in so many ways, and the ones who are just beginning are treated with respect as far as I know. They need input from the ones who are more experienced...whether it be good or bad critique..it will help all to learn and do better. Comparing notes so to speak is great too. I think that caedes should be left as is, and not be split as far as wallpaper//and other things....let people choose waht they post and what they are searching for. I love how we all get to have a piece of everyone elses part of their world...to see, when we arent able to travel. I too belong to DeviantArt and rarely go visit there. HERE is where its all at..we can ask, discuss, think, see, experience...and the contests? they are such a great idea...it exercies the "other side" of our brain..with a new thing...that we might not even realize we are able to take part in. Thanx Peter for you idea here for this discussion..and thanx a TON to caedes!! Huggggs all around!!

Here ' Here for the Boss I agree with FX. Well done Mr Caedes.

TB.. do you mean divide as in "divide the community into groups of what people are interested in" if thats so.. how would that work for people like me who interested in ALL of the art work not just computer or photography or illustration? just wondering...

Yeah i know, I thought about that too... I guess there is no way around that. But all I know is I still think it would be really cool to have a seperate photography site.. I mean, just think of the awesome things you could do with it, like give it an awsome name - ..."Caetography"..well I guess it impossible for that to really happen, but it's cool to think about anyway.

I somehow don't like to concept of "divide." I'm thinking more along the lines of expand or opening a special section...maybe because it costs more and there may be a lot of Portrait ratio people, we could have portrait uploads open ONLY to cadre members. That would encourage people to send in their 3 bucks a month to have that privilage.

Dont agree with only having cadre members uploading portraits... some people on here have great portrait images.. but dont have the finances to become a cadre... bit unfair..

Well I think that the MAIN reason I always come back to this site, is not only because it encourages beginners, but because of the way this site was architecturally built. I don't know about you, but I went to DA after being a member here for months, and I never went back there because it was just so confusing compared to this site. The functionality of this site is so easy to use, and read. Maybe one effects the other, who knows, but I really like how this site looks. Even just the way it LOOKS makes it look more friendly and more like a community.

To me, the larger networks like DA and a bunch of others looks more disorganized even and I think that has alot to do with the fact that it is so large. I like how this site is reletively small compared to some, and it retains this sence of community and people easily build reputations here.

yes, this site is designed very well. (another reason it is better than DA is that it is much less dreary looking). Now was it just my imagination or did I hear rumors of caedes redesigning the site...?

Exactly Radge!...the way caedes is "built" works so well. Its easy to maneuver in...has tons of talent...interesting subject matter...and many little amenities..is that spelled right?lol....
So whats all the chit chat for?...heh! I love these discussions...it is definitely a friendly site. But of course, there might be somone lurking around the corner who causes a bit of a tiny "tornado of sorts"....but caedes sure keeps up on things very well...rumours eh? yes I think I heard a bit of those whispers too..........hmmmmmmmmmmm...lemme think..............

well.....that Caedes website design contest WAS a long time ago... :)

Just a quick word to add to this post
what i like most about this place is the people, then the art, where else can you go and meet so many quality people who are only too willing to help you out wherever they can? whilst we live in countries located all over the world with many different cultures and we may not agree on every subject, you get the feeling that we are a community in every sense of the word.
i put a lot of the credit to the standard of censorship placed on everyone by the mods, and to caedes for the thought put into the direction of this place.
as for the art ... there are far more experienced people here to comment than me ... all i know is that i love it !!!!

He's been busy frittering his time away getting an education or something daft like that - word is he will have more time on his hands shortly..

Very well said, fantom! DItto!!

Yes, I do agree Caedes is much more than site to find nice wallpapers...to me, it's more a place where I can give my opinions, share experiences and my artistic talents, be appreciative and feel appreciated by others who understand the world of art...I feel truly inspired, happy and at home when I'm here with all the other kind and helpful caedians... ^_^
Thankyou everyone!

Oh you said caedians eh? I thought it say comedians!! WHEW...^_*

Very well put, Fantom (Russell.) The cultural diversity here is marvelous. The "community" on this site transcends superficial differences between those who frequent this site in a delightful way.
Wen

I thought she said "Canadians". I feel so left out. Fae, I think you've introduced us to a new term.

Hehe, I couldn't think what else to call ourselves :P

Brethren of the Spider perhaps? :D

Lol, yeah ^_^...I dunno...as long as people understood, I'm not bothered :]

I don't even look at the images any more, I just come here to read the arguments about who ruined who's c-index...

Agreed Sam:p.

I thought spiders had 8 legs..

ok, Brethren of the Deformed Spider in that case. :D

Personally, I think this site is better like this than just a regular wallpaper site, it's different and even though I haven't been on the site since the beginning, I think it's better this way.

We are agreed. The site works well in it's duel function as both an online community and as a wallpaper site. I think many of us WOULD like to have a gallery for portrait ratio images. Some of my best are toplong. I really appreciate all the contributions.

Over the years i've stuck with the phrase, "If it's not broken, don't fix it!" And it's true about Caedes. The site is well balanced in the way that we get to taste a little of everything. I love the "New Images" Category since I look there almost every hour. It doesn't limit you to any one type of photo so I even get to see images that I wouldn't have thought i'd enjoy. Everyday I look forward to seeing new images posted, and not only by my favorite Photographers. I actually found this site by random. I was looking for Nature Wallpapers and clicked on the Caedes.net link but meant to click on another site. Low and Behold, this wound up being my favorite! Alot of my friends and family visit here periodically since I've told them about it and they think it's Great as well. So if you ask me, I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe more Mushroom photos, hahaha!

Well stated...the only thing I suggest is that special category for "Non-wallpaper" submissions to the community in the form of portrait orientation images that we can simply enjoy looking at.

I agree Peter, but maybe they can just intergrate the new Portrait resolutions suggestion into the existing Landscape layout? I would also like to see some higher resolutions. My monitor supports 1920x1200 so I would love to be able to download photo's of that caliber.

Being pedantic it does say under Caedes (desktop wallpaper)! However when i first came across this site i put 3d and fractal images into Mr Google and this was the top of the list after the search engine had done its business. After admiring and looking on in an aspirational sense I think "wallpaper site", does not do Caedes justice @ all! There is more soul to the work on show here than that.

thats really weird that a website can "evolve" but it has in many ways its
its a great site and i mite not b much of an artist but i love admiring other peoples work and trying 2 do good myself.
great topic
makes u think