JediDefender.com Forums
Collecting => Customs => Customs Community and Group Projects => Topic started by: CHEWIE on June 14, 2005, 12:39 PM
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Finally, www.thecustomalliance.com has updated! I spoke with Dan Curto, and according to him this should go on the rest of the month (if not through July) - let's hope so!
:P
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Yikes... this site was down for 3 whole days!
Anyways, yeah - there's been some updates at www.thecustomalliance.com finally! Mostly just Clonetrooper repaints so far, but hopefully we'll see some new stuff from the customizing community show up that is all new.
:P
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Post deleted by user.
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I have quite a bit of stuff there actually -
http://www.thecustomalliance.com/cook/default.asp
It usually takes a few weeks or longer for stuff to show up on there. Dan Curto runs the site all by himself, and has a ton of updates lined up for the next few weeks. Never fear, your stuff will show up eventually.
:P
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O ok cool I was kinda wondering lol . I added some of it to that FFURG site also just for the heck of it . This site is still the best one I think though its got better info and help . ;D
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Curto said that the new daily custom updates were supposed to start on the 7th and it is now the 9th. Come on Curto, you are falling off your game! :P
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Maybe there should be two people to do updates and not just one. ::)
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I don't think people really appreciate the amount of work it takes to maintain a gallery like that. One of my biggest frustrations working on thejawa.com'c custom section was maintaining the gallery. The majority of images people send in need to be edited in some way - usually the file size is too big, the picture is out of focus or the image wasn't cropped. This needs to happen to minimize the data going onto the server and to allow the largest image sizes possible for folks to view them.
Add to that the time to make a thumbnail image and then the time to code the html pages and it is an enourmous commitment of time for someone, who is volunteering their time, to make to get a single gallery up.
Until I started doing it, I used to wonder why it took Dan so long. Now that I know what it involved, I have the deepest respect for what Dan does accomplish.
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I totally respect what he does too, but look at these updates he's mentioned -
On 7/78 - So be sure to come back next Sunday 8/8/05 for the return of the DCU2005! No, really....I mean it.
On -7/1 - TIME-OUT! Due to the fact that I'm on my company's annual shutdown week, The DCU 2005 will go on hiatus until 7/11/05. Come back then and I'll continue with more custom Clone Troopers and the new theme I hinted at yesterday.
Both of the above times have never come to fruition.
Then, a few past examples -
3/22 - Sorry folks....I have to delay things AGAIN. Due to an extrememly busy work schedule and the holiday weekend, I'm postponing the mini-daily updates until next week when I get back. I'll resume things on Wednesday. Happy Easter! (NO UPDATE FOR A MONTH)
3/7 - Come back on Wednesday (2 days) for a new update! (NO UPDATE CAME FOR OVER A WEEK)
And that happens again, and again, and again. He's told me numerous times through email that he'll have my photonovels back up on a certain date, and it never happens... yet he updates Rebelscum sometimes 5-6 times a day.
I totally understand he's busy. It takes an enormous amount of effort and a love of customizing and the customizing community to even start up a site like that. But, I do wish that he'd ask for some help. The site just has too much potential to be lacking from updates like it has been.
The only thing that REALLY irks me though, is Dan is usually very good at replying to my emails. But about a month ago in an email, he told me he was changing all of the titles of my photonovels. I was shocked to hear that, and asked him why he would consider doing that, and what names was he considering? Since I asked him, he has not replied to any of my messages; and I have sent him several. I don't know why he would do something like that and just assume I would be cool with it. And then avoid answering my questions. That's the one thing that I have an issue with. I like Dan and think he's a good guy. I'd just like an explanation.
I've seen a similar situation though at www.niubniubsuniverse.com with a lack of updates. I guess it seems that so many people are now having their own hosting services and the "big customizing sites" are losing their pull? I know the customs section here has really picked up.
:P
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Yup. Dan's not much on due dates. I'm still waiting for his special april 1st makeover surprise. :o He didn't say what year though.
I use the site more of a reference library when I look for ideas than look forward to updates. I started my own web site to update when I have something new. I then send Dan a large number of pictures when I see he is posting new stuff.
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The problem is finding people that have the skills to do photo-editing and html coding. Most people who have those skills in the community would rather run their own sites. Even when you have a site management program like Frank has, it makes it more difficult because you need people trained in those programs to help which limits the pool even further.
That being said Chewie, I'm planning to bring back theJawa's custom section again later this year -- if you have the photo editing and html skills and want to help, I won't turn it down :P
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I've offered my services to Dan many a time. I've been writting html since, oh...before you were born. ;) I also know sql, asp, java and .net (c# & asp .net). I also have the photoshop skills. He's not looking for help.
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I have very, very little skills. My photonovels are the ONLY experience I have in anything. And sad to say, that's not much. Sorry Ty... maybe you and Phruby ought to discuss it! :)
:P
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Im with Chewie . I sent 4 pics to CA over a month ago and maybe then some. I even posted a thread on here about it around a month ago or more lol. O well :P
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Well CuDa, I'm pretty sure you have hosting abilities, but if not and you need me to post some pics, just shoot me a PM. :)
:P
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Just a heads up that there are several new customs up at www.thecustomalliance.com. :)
:P
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Finally!
Hmm...What's this HUGE announcement about you?
That was a nice update. Thanks for the headsup.
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The "huge" announcement is just the Rykrof Enloe series I think. He was supposed to upload all of them months ago, but keeps pushing it back. Kind of lost some of its thunder I think in pushing it back so much.
There are some really good customs there from a member that I think I've seen before... is it Scoobaca, or the Real Scooby from Rebelscum?. Here's a link to his page -
http://www.thecustomalliance.com/chalfant/default.asp
:P
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Oh, okay. That's what I thought it was. (Speaking of Rykrof, those are excellent photonovels. It'll probably kick the can out of my 305th one that's still in the planning stage.)
Those are really good customs-but I wouldn't know because for some reason it won't let me join Rebelscum. I put in my preferred username/password and the right e-mail, but I never get a verification email. I don't know, I like JD alot so I'm good. So I don't really know who he is. Sorry, I can't really be of any help.
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That's ok, JD forums in my opinion are a better group. Pretty much everthing that is good over there in the custom section is posted here anyways. Over there, unfortunately there is a lot of immaturity going on.
:P
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Nice to see some updates!!
The last time I visited TCU, I was delighted to see a spate of new photonovels.
Unfortunately, I found them difficult (if not impossible) to read, as English is obviously not the author's native tongue.
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Yeah, I couldn't really get through reading them either... some hard work obviously went into them though.
:P
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Yeah, I couldn't really get through reading them either... some hard work obviously went into them though.
:P
I agree. Some good set-ups, locations and customs....but they were hard to follow, especially since the story takes place in the distant SW future with no existing characters.
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I tried to read TCA's photonovels, but something was up with them and my computer wouldn't bring it up, so I didn't bother.
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There are some really good customs there from a member that I think I've seen before... is it Scoobaca, or the Real Scooby from Rebelscum?. Here's a link to his page -
Im pretty sure that those are Darth Sidious's Customs. I think that was his name. He hasn't been around for awhile, from what I've seen.
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most of my internet surfing is done from work and i'm blocked from seeing a lot of websites, and not just the porn. i can't view rebelscum, custom alliance or even the official star wars website so i can't view who exactly you guys are talking about but here is scoobaca's website:
groups.msn.com/scoobaccascustomfigures/shoebox.msnw
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http://www.thecustomalliance.com/silvera/default.asp
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I remember looking at his work many times. I wonder if he's active at any forums?
He has a very unique style. I always thought this was a cool piece -
(http://www.thecustomalliance.com/silvera/ps-AnakinQuinlan1.jpg)
:P
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Wow, it's like he makes mini-unleashed figures (the good kind ;)). I like the Dagobah Luke with the closed eyes, I wouldn't even know where to begin with that figure.
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not like we'd notice it closing or anything. but is this really the end?>
if curto can't handle the site maybe he should hand over control of it or make it member based? why close it down and abandon it if he can't handle it anymore.....
personally i've loved the custom alliance for like six years now, i've gotten mad at the current lack of progress(this entire year,its almost like a hoilday everytime its updated)
anyways this thread is essentially a save the alliance cry for help!
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I never really used the custom alliance. I started customizing after it seemed to hit its prime. Its too bad though as it seems like a cool site.
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i always used to have a look on the alliance from time to time to catch with the rest of the customizing world...i'll be sad to see it go...u can count me in "SAVE THE ALLIANCE!"
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i love looking at everyones work on there. Good source for ideas too when your stuck. I'll help out to save the site. It should be kept alive.
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ok we got a update, if everyone would excuse me, i've got a foot to remove from my mouth...again!
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i take it that means the allaince is still running?
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yeah, head on over and check it out, he's on a roll. if anything this should just goto show how much we would freak out if it closed its doors. everything explained at the custom alliance......
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I go there only occasionally myself so I wouldn't really notice. I do admit though it would really suck if it closed permanantly. But he hardley even updates anymore so maybe it would be for the best if he handed it over to someone else to run.
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My though has been for a while to create a competing site to the custom alliance. This site would have the same format but posting to the galleries would be self service. A customizer would upload their pictures and descriptions and the site would organize them for the customizer. Maybe after the UGP is done.
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let me know when you do that i had the same idea....
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The only thing we have close to this dream is the Star Wars Custom Gallery. Too bad very few customizers know about this site.
http://twcory.com/gallery/Gallery.asp (http://twcory.com/gallery/Gallery.asp)
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well i'm the final update of 06' but as threepio would put it i'm backwards!
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The only thing we have close to this dream is the Star Wars Custom Gallery. Too bad very few customizers know about this site.
http://twcory.com/gallery/Gallery.asp (http://twcory.com/gallery/Gallery.asp)
One more added to my favourites! Thanks, Phruby!
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The site never updates and he constantly steps out for months at a time. My custom page is so outdated, its really annoying. He should pass the site to someone who will run it and not just leave it hanging, it will eventually die.
Anyone else frustrated with the lack of updates?
Or even give a rats ass.
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Or even give a rats ass.
Not even if I had a rat's ass to give.
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Not even if I had a rat's ass to give.
:D
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Have you tried Obi_Robz?
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JOT,
Dan Curto runs the Custom Alliance... Dan's always maintained that he just doesn't have much time to dedicate to it since he's busy at Scum of course, and at the new site he helped launch for other toy lines... I can sort of understand his plight since it's time-consuming to deal with it actually. Definitely further ahead to whip up your own site I think, than to rely on the hosting... It's gotta be a headache when you've got new stuff to show off, and to wait for someone else to upload/update I'm sure.
On a separate note, I'm gonna move this to customizing since, well, it's a customizing topic ultimately. :)
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Personally, I like Curto. ::) He has my respect for doing all he can for the community on top of maintaining a life outside the hobby. When I started customizing I looked up to him a great deal and I still do today. If I ever get back into photonoveling or customizing, he'll be one of the first people I send my work to.
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Dan is a good friend of mine. He says he really doesn't have much time to make the updates CA needs due to family, work and his Rebelscum duties. We've talked about letting someone else take over the site or even making it self service. It's just a matter of finding the time to make it self service or finding someone to take it over. I've volunteered to take over the site a few times. Maybe something will come of it. Maybe it won't. I think it would be great addition to the UGP. Of course, I've still got to finish and publish the new UGP site I'm working on.
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I was under the impression that Dan does not run the site and has not for a long time. From what I read he is a nice guy. My title may have been too harsh. So I will change the title to better express my frustration. Me and several other customizers are send photos and they never get posted. And the constant hiatus.
I understand life is busy, we all know that. But for the sites sake I think the torch of the site should be passed on. I have no web knowledge or I would give it a shot.
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The updates are definitely slow, but like others said, it's because Curto basically handles everything for RS these days and CTR. But, I'd like to see him add a couple of staff members to TCU - it needs it.
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I've harped on this before as well....
http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=14278.msg268536#msg268536
I'm actually to the point where I've accepted the pace at which we get updates..its still laughable to me recalling curto saying its not like we ask you to submit...then being called on the banner reading "join the alliance" in bold print...
but yeah i really don't get why he can't just give it to the fans....
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To Dan's defense, I can understand why he just doesn't give it to someone...
Websites are first, profitable if you want to aim them that way... I don't know that TCA is for Dan, so I'm just saying they can be if his isn't, so I could see not just handing over an established place to someone without compensation. Also, they're like your own work of art as well, so I can see not wanting to just give someone something you made yourself from scratch. Two pretty valid reasons I think Dan doesn't just give the thing to anyone.
Ultimately I think you're better off starting your own site, as many (most) customizers did way back when to show off their figures... There was a time, long, long ago before TCA existed, when everyone just hosted their stuff somewhere online and linked to it when people wanted to check it out. Hell, Photobucket's very easy to use, so even if you don't want to get into a big ole website deal with html coding and all that, you could just use Photobucket.
Speaking as someone that works at a site, it takes a lot of your time... I don't really focus on customizing at all anymore I'm afraid. I've barely touched a project in the last 2 years really, and others have been shelved for longer than that. Between kids, spouse, home, cars, work/life in general, and then the added duties of a website too, it's just hard to find free time... Oh and add in the fact you're still a collector first, tracking down stuff daily, maybe going to toy shows or local collecting meetings and things... It's pretty hectic to add in customizing and running two other websites. :)
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I can certainly understand not handing it over - if TCU were my baby, I wouldn't give it up either. Though I'd consider looking into having an assistant.
As for time to customize, one has to really be devoted to do so when having so many other obligations. I have a hard time doing it still, but customizing is still my favorite part of the hobby. I'd probably lose interest if not for that aspect of Star Wars.
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To Dan's defense, I can understand why he just doesn't give it to someone...
Websites are first, profitable if you want to aim them that way... I don't know that TCA is for Dan, so I'm just saying they can be if his isn't, so I could see not just handing over an established place to someone without compensation. Also, they're like your own work of art as well, so I can see not wanting to just give someone something you made yourself from scratch. Two pretty valid reasons I think Dan doesn't just give the thing to anyone.
Ultimately I think you're better off starting your own site, as many (most) customizers did way back when to show off their figures... There was a time, long, long ago before TCA existed, when everyone just hosted their stuff somewhere online and linked to it when people wanted to check it out. Hell, Photobucket's very easy to use, so even if you don't want to get into a big ole website deal with html coding and all that, you could just use Photobucket.
Speaking as someone that works at a site, it takes a lot of your time... I don't really focus on customizing at all anymore I'm afraid. I've barely touched a project in the last 2 years really, and others have been shelved for longer than that. Between kids, spouse, home, cars, work/life in general, and then the added duties of a website too, it's just hard to find free time... Oh and add in the fact you're still a collector first, tracking down stuff daily, maybe going to toy shows or local collecting meetings and things... It's pretty hectic to add in customizing and running two other websites. :)
I had to jump in when seeing the title of this thread, but JJ spoke the gospel already. Dan's been a friend of mine for years and for a time we were going to do some joint work on the Alliance, but it didn't come to be. Running the Custom Alliance is just a hobby side gig for Dan, he gets nothing out of it other than providing another outlet for customizers to display their work. Working on Rebelscum and CoolToyReview, along with several other collecting projects he's involved in, no doubt takes up most of his time. My advice would be as already mentioned to build your own site or use one of the many free photo hosting networks to display your wares in a more quicker form. But don't stop submitting to the Alliance, just know that your work won't get put up right away - hell The Power of the Customizer (http://www.thecustomalliance.com/potc) hasn't been updated in 5 years :D - but eventually it will be and that will only bring more attention to your work.
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JOT,
Dan Curto runs the Custom Alliance... Dan's always maintained that he just doesn't have much time to dedicate to it since he's busy at Scum of course, and at the new site he helped launch for other toy lines... I can sort of understand his plight since it's time-consuming to deal with it actually. Definitely further ahead to whip up your own site I think, than to rely on the hosting... It's gotta be a headache when you've got new stuff to show off, and to wait for someone else to upload/update I'm sure.
Too lazy to post in my own words on this matter, so this will do. This pretty much sums up my thoughts.
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But don't stop submitting to the Alliance, just know that your work won't get put up right away -
Thats just what i did. I used to feel the same frustration. I understand dan has a real life outside customizing, but in my opinion, it has always been like that. When i joined there in 2003-ish, it took him a year just to add my page. i bugged him a few times and was told, it would be up soon, after a year, i told him to just tell me if my page will never go up, so i can stop looking for it. It finally did but I figured that i would never get updated so after my first batch, i never submitted anything again.
What i did do, as JJ suggested, I made my own site.
But in dans defense, i can barely make the time to update my own site, let alone the hundreds and hundreds of other peoples customs he gets each year.
So thanks to him, i have my own site. even if it hasnt been updated in 6 months and counting!
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I really can't understand what you or anyone would complain about the Custom Alliance. Dan is a great guy. Yes, he might not have time to update your page everytime you submit a custom, but does he charge you ($) for you to post pictures? No, it doesn't cost anything, so really you should have nothing to complain about and take some of these other suggestions the members came up with. Find a free picture host for you to make your own updates and just be happy Dan likes the hobbie as much as he does and provides us with a way to show case our work all together (when he has time ;)).
roron corobb
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I've actually been working on a new ugp site that will include a guest gallery. It's just been very slow in coming. I am looking for help. I'm willing to host your pictures for free and make a gallery for them however I need your help in getting it designed. I need someone that can design graphics and knows html. The web technology the server will support is very basic so we won't get into anything very fancy like .net. If you have time to help me, please pm.
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my prob with dan was that he never gave me a y or no answer. I woud have respected a rejection but he never even gave me that. he gave me answers like "...." or " " there you go. what a **** tease!.
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I just wanted him to plug my site