Going out on a limb here....

[Marie Weichman]

I'm thinking about this potentially great vehicle ArtHouston online as a way of sharing what is happening in Houston. And then I see the images as they pass by my vision from the website front page... hmmm. Go ahead and call me a bitch for even bringing this up, but can we - together - come up with some sort of criteria that helps put the most eclectic and true sense of Houston's art scene front and center? I ask because "front and center" is exactly where the slide show of 50 images exists for those of us represented by this site. So... here goes my suggestion: limit each member to three images only among the 50. That would allow visitors to see more "branches of the Houston art tree" in one sitting. And, can we please limit the images to actual work or artists working on the work? I know we can select a viewing option when uploading images to our page, so I'm assuming that is where we select the three, (by choosing show everyone or something like that), for everyone to see and select limited viewing for the rest. And how does the rating thing work? I see that we can rate an image or video, right? Will that help somehow or just create angry artists?

Okay, those are my thoughts. Feel free to tell me to jump into an elitist lake somewhere. But if you do, then please also provide a better suggestion than my lame-ass has offered.
-Marie Weichman

[Frank Rose]

This is the kind of suggestion I'm looking for. For now, this is somewhat of an expirament that seems to be working. In the near future I am having the entire website overhauled, including greater customization and changes to this here networking thing. I think your points are valid indeed.

Not sure we need the rating system but perhaps there is a way where the main page photos can be "curated." I just changed the criteria for display as "most popular" versus "recently added." We'll see how that goes.

FR

[melindap]

I agree completely, Marie. I uploaded one photo of a painting and was surprised to see it in the main page slide show. I decided then and there that I had to be selective in what I uploaded and would not upload any of my wacky crap, lest it be shoved onto an unsuspecting audience.
Not elitist at all.

[tria wood]

That makes sense, Marie.

I think that folks are still learning how to use this and may not realize that all their photos might end up in the main slide show unless they check off certain options.

I like the idea of limiting the main photos to artworks/performances, but I also like to see photos of people who are enjoying artwork as well (pics of people at gallery openings, etc.). That's a whole different animal than vacation/family shots, though.

Not that there's anything wrong with vacation/family shots, but just that they're more suited to viewing on our personal pages than to the main page, I think.

[Frank Rose]

You're not a lame-ass Marie. I changed the criteria for display now to "featured" instead of "most popular." So I'll be the curator for now.

Franko

[Nathaniel]

Yeah.. Frank.. I think I selected for all to see.. because I was thinking when they came to my page it would be for all to see. I don't remember selecting for the main page. But I like the way it's flowing.
peace all.

[tria wood]

You made some good choices, Frank!

[DUNE-MICHELI PATTEN]

No noooo Marie, you are not a lame-ass at all. Your discussion topic makes a LOAD OF SENSE. And it seems that the wise [Frank Rose; he's muh buuhhhhhhhdey!!] has duly noted your suggestion and run with it....SCOOOORE!!!!!...now for the field-goal....Yep, Frank has gone and scored the winning point by 'curating' said images into a 'featured' slide-show...and a wonderful job I might add.....AWESOME. It is great to see the activity and passion displayed here in the ArtsHouston online network flows. I'm glad to be here

[ChristianPerkins]

Hey ChinaMarie,

You make a good point. I am not a blogger in the least, but I did join this artists community because
it has such great potential. I was also one of the main contributors of family photos. Martin DeVore
always tells me to share some of those pics I take so much so I posted them:-) My question for Frank is that if I choose to make photos only by me, it applies to all photos? Is there a discriminatory option that will still
allow my art to be viewed? Much love to you Marie!

[Marie Weichman]

Christian - great to hear from you. I know your question was for Frank, but I can answer it. Each image you post has the option to be viewed by everyone, just friends or just you. I select about 3 or 4 images of my work to be viewed by everyone and the other images are marked to be viewed by just friends. That way, when Frank curates which images will be viewed by everyone on the front page slide show, the 3 or 4 imaged of my work that I selected have a chance to be included. Just go back to your images, open each one and make the choice for viewing. Good luck!

[Nathaniel]

Hey Marie, I agree. The mixture of what Houston has to offer as artists should be the focus on the frontpage. Maybe the fun times and things not related to the art and artists can be placed in another space. Hey Marie, watch yourself, Max is getting fired up.Relax Max, lol. its cool and you're not a ((bleep)))..
peace all..