An Open Opinion to all pin fans - The Hobby is Changing (IMO for the good)!

I have been part of the pin trading phenomenon for a little over 2 years now. I joined DizPins in the summer of 2010, and when I came back from our honeymoon at WDW in October 2010, I learned DizPins was closing, and I was invited by the Mods here to join a little unknown site (at the time, LOL) called Disney Pin Forum. I think I was one of the first ones to join. In two years, this site has grown exponentially, and in turn, PinTalk has grown as well, both filling a void left by DizPins. Now we have learned that new people are going to be having a hand in PinPics, and they offer a promise of things to change, and while the upcoming changes are not known to the public, in my opinion, this should be something to celebrate, not fear or fret.

The people who started PinPics have been doing a public service to all pin traders for many years, and while the fans have helped out with pledge drives to pay server fees, etc, improving for the next stage of the hobby might have not been possible had new blood not gotten involved. IMHO, I do not see any reason they should or need to share their upcoming plans with the public until they are ready to implement them, as to not to get hopes up should it not work right, or have others try to steal their ideas. However, we have been assured numerous times by Figgy that they will still have a hand in the process, and should things not work out, they will be more than willing and able to re-assume the reins:

Figgy said:

Hi Guys,

So I am gonna weigh in here on a few of your concerns. Yes we are still involved in this whole process we talk to Anthony and Samantha almost daily and we are also still moderators on both pintalk and pinpics. We aren't going anywhere. Second the core of what pinpics is right now with the TA, and access to your pins etc will always remain free. If additional major features are added those may not be but what you have right now isn't going anywhere! Third if for whatever reason they can't continue to run the website it will come back to Britt and I hopefully this puts your fears to rest about what if scenarios.

I know that they have a lot to tell you about their plans and they are planning to post something in the next day or so. Changes don't happen over night so give them some time to let you guys in on what is in the works they are gonna give you plenty of notice before they actually make any upgrades to the site.

hugs,

figgy

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So they might charge for advanced features. OK, so what? I would hate to see the server use for PinPics and how much they have to pay per month. If by giving us new features that aid in our trades, and they charge a 1 time yearly fee, or a small monthly fee, which helps offset their costs, who are we to complain? You do not have to pay the fee, but you know, then you do not have access to the advanced features. Kind of like those online games, where you can play for free, but some areas are only for paying customers.

We have people posting about things being scary, etc, and you know, change can be scary (I remember my divorce in 2008), but until you see the results of the changes, there is no need to worry. There are good things to change as well (my new marriage). Talk of lawyers, lawsuits, things of that nature do nothing but try to rile up the public, and we do not know even know what to riled up about! If specific people have issues with the new management, they should be handled privately, not aired out for everyone to see, comment on, and worry about.

Something else to consider: How many of us remember getting up at 3:00 AM EST every Monday for new releases on DS.com, and now those are very few and far between. So now the availability of pins have changed for 95% of us in the hobby, and you know, the hobby changed! But we grew and learned new ways to get pins due to that, and in fairness, when PinPics changes, we will learn new ways again, and grow as a hobby, for those willing to grow, at least

My $.02
Thanks
Bill

Where is the like button? (and before the naysayers come along... note the word "opinion" in the title of this thread )
I also find it hard to imagine how much bandwidth pinpics is using and how much it costs to take care of that. And no matter how you feel about the changes... it is pretty difficult to complain about a free service, even if it is something we all are so dependent on.
I for one am going to keep positive thoughts at the forefront, and continue to help out in this hobby where I can. After all, we are all (hopefully) here for the same reason-- because we love pins!:hug:

Nicely put Bill While reading your post, I remembered a quote I had seen in Dyma's old siggy:

I have to say I don't know what the fuss is about and I am personally glad to see someone starting a thread that states the simple facts.

The site has changed hands, changes will happen, hopefully for the betterment of its loyal fans and of the hobby. Just let it happen, its going to happen any way and screaming about it and stamping your feet isn't going to change anything. Its just going to start a riot. I'd personally prefer to wait and see what happens. I am excited for the updates and look forwards to seeing what pin pics will hold for us in the future.

Thanks, nice postive opinion. So far so good. I couln't do it so i am soo soo happy someone wants to take over! As long as i dont loose my collection! lol when i started collecting seriously i thought to myself "i need to catalog these pins somehow", and i was printing paages on everysingle pin---then i found pinpics and thank goodness. I also personally do not have a problem paying a fee for such a helpful website. So i wait in breathless anticipation. (tim curry rocky horror quote) NOW LETS TRADE!

I withhold any judgment (positive or negative) until dollar amounts are discussed. Anything early is just speculation and paranoia. Two things that cripple this country daily...

Great post!

*clap*clap*clap*clap*


Keep calm, and keep trading on.

:hsd: My eyes did a happy dance when it read all the above. :hsd:

VERY good post Billy!



Friend of mine posted this on FB..thought I would share it

judy

I am interested to know what their agreement was with Disney to allow them to host the pictures of the pins and information and how that changes now that they may have a feature that cost money. I only wonder becasue I cannot publish my own pin collecting App in the iTunes store because I wanted to charge money. If the app were free I could do it. I wonder if they are working out those issues with Disney? Or are up for a rude awakening after they launch this "paid for" service?

markheardjr said:

I am interested to know what their agreement was with Disney to allow them to host the pictures of the pins and information and how that changes now that they may have a feature that cost money. I only wonder becasue I cannot publish my own pin collecting App in the iTunes store because I wanted to charge money. If the app were free I could do it. I wonder if they are working out those issues with Disney? Or are up for a rude awakening after they launch this "paid for" service?

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A "Paid For" service is conjecture, though has been mentioned as one idea of many. That is why my initial post says we should wait and see what they have to offer, and says "They might charge".

Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am doing the happy pin dance as we speak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Well maybe not remember my back!!)

Jacqui

Well said Bill!

A "TIGGERIFIC" POST!!!! Let's just keep on "Looking on the Bright Side of things" and (to quote a pretty blue fish) Let's "Just keep swimming".

On another note: Jacqui, I'd pay money (or give you a pin) to see you do your "Happy Pin Dance"!! Maybe in September?? TTFN, Sue

Very good post. I agree with almost all of it. I know my concerns about PinPics have nothing to do with the redesign of the site, new features being added, premium features being made available. In fact, I feel all of those are needed. I also have no concerns about Anthony and Samantha. I and just worried about Lansam and Lenny Schas.

Also, just so that everything is clear...

broncobilly83 said:

If specific people have issues with the new management, they should be handled privately, not aired out for everyone to see, comment on, and worry about.

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This was attempted but no reply was ever given. That is why Tiggernut publicly posted on their boards to try and get a response and again received none. After three weeks, a letter was received from their lawyer. Personally, I think its good for the community to know about the way Lansam deals with legitimate issues regarding their site and their members.

Well said! I love everything about this post!

I'm of the belief that all the secrecy is really just a build up to something great for pin traders and collectors, and they wanna spring it all on everyone at once.

latemetal said:

This was attempted but no reply was ever given. That is why Tiggernut publicly posted on their boards to try and get a response and again received none. After three weeks, a letter was received from their lawyer. Personally, I think its good for the community to know about the way Lansam deals with legitimate issues regarding their site and their members.

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With respect to Tiggernut, I do not think publicly calling someone out on a message board is the way to resolve this. LANSAM has not actually done anything wrong with the pin community as of yet, except not answer attack threads. While I have not met any of the parties involved with LANSAM, I am more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt until they do something to take that away.

Taken from another thread, but I thought it would add to the conversation about the good future of PinPics, as posted by Yenne:

Yesterday I got to see an initial draft of the new Pin Pics home page as redesigned by their professional developer, and I thought it looked awesome. I just figured that might be a great positive way to end this post.

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broncobilly83 said:

Taken from another thread, but I thought it would add to the conversation about the good future of PinPics, as posted by Yenne:

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well that's certainly some good news!

I'll take any good news I can get at this point. I hope the moderators on this board will take the appropriate steps to make sure that we are not shut out of Pinpics and our ability to link to them. I'm just not sure how their "merging PinPics and PinTalk together" will benefit this board. I just don't want to see us forced to choose. I like both and plan to continue on both. I'm holding out hope until the very end. Now, we've beat this dead horse enough. I'm done!!!!

swim2sea said:

I'll take any good news I can get at this point. I hope the moderators on this board will take the appropriate steps to make sure that we are not shut out of Pinpics and our ability to link to them. I'm just not sure how their "merging PinPics and PinTalk together" will benefit this board. I just don't want to see us forced to choose. I like both and plan to continue on both. I'm holding out hope until the very end. Now, we've beat this dead horse enough. I'm done!!!!

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well said.

swim2sea said:

I'll take any good news I can get at this point. I hope the moderators on this board will take the appropriate steps to make sure that we are not shut out of Pinpics and our ability to link to them. I'm just not sure how their "merging PinPics and PinTalk together" will benefit this board. I just don't want to see us forced to choose. I like both and plan to continue on both. I'm holding out hope until the very end. Now, we've beat this dead horse enough. I'm done!!!!

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That is a valid point however, and IMO, not beating the dead horse. I think though since they have been members here as well as have talked to Cicada before, I do not think they will intentionally do anything to PinPics that will force us as members to choose between DPF and PinTalk.

Too funny, I immediately went to hit "Like" as well. It's like a Pavlovian response now I guess?