Honestly I don't know how people will respond to this? Negative or positive? I don't know, all I know is I have to say it.
I have already made a poll about it and it seems the majority weren't even aware there was a new system, most people actually thought it was a bug...says a lot about it already. Anyway... I have sent and inquiry and I can now officially confirm DA is running a new front page system. Let me explain what it basically does. The 'popular page' called so because popular works are featured there has changed. The new system is designed to give a leg up to more 'undiscovered artists'. Basically? the system no longer works according to favourites like the old system did. More obscure categories are granted priority over more popular ones e.g Fanart-anime manga- movies TV would be replaced by a image with a lower fav count from Fanart-digital-vector. Before I get lynched by people accusing me of being annoyed/jealous because my own work is no longer featured on the front page? I am annoyed because it is a misleading and deceptive system. It is also grotesquely unfair.
Why is this bad to make it easier to get on the front page? making it easy to get onto the front page is the whole problem. There is no sugar coating it, DA is a very very competitive place and that is what makes it a great site. It actively pushes people to improve, take risks and learn how to network to reach the front page. This new system is unstable and pointless. People will reach the front page but it will be because of a fluke not because they have built up a fan base of people who genuinely enjoy their artwork. It will be completely inconsistent.
DA had a great system, a lot of people will disagree, but the competitive atmosphere is what made this place interesting. It had an edge on other sites because their system wasn't as smooth, their interface wasn't as aesthetically pleasing and there wasn't such a big drive to 'make it'.
I know DA did it out of good will, but I firmly believe it is a mistake. They will lose their 'popular' artists who will go else where because of this bias attitude. No one started popular, they were made popular by the community because the community chose them. I really like this site and I would hate to see DeviantArt ruin it like it is doing.
I think the new system would have been a brilliant idea if they had created a new page for it alongside 'popular' and 'newest' instead of it acting as a replacement. This would give those who are tired of the same old same old, a place to go find new stuff instead of that being the only option for everyone.
I will give you an example of how this system would look. The folks up at the Broadcasting Standards Authority decide that the Ipod is getting too much screen time. They drastically cut its air time, and only let it broadcast at night time so the new product can get a leg up. Is that fair? Is that how things work? I am sure there would be public outcry and law suits shooting left and right.
But the thing about DA is we don't really get a say, DA is a free site so they don't really have to abide by their members suggestions ( though it is a good idea considering their members are their income..not a good idea to piss them off). They have done a few things people disagreed with. e.g making journals into deviations. A lot of people are also saying that they are doing this new system so people will buy more premium memberships? I don't really buy that but I think they are trying to make their site more 'friendly' to new comers. But alas I am rather convinced they are doing it wrong.
What do you think? Do you like the new system or do you think its a mistake?
If you are opposed to the new system please let DA know, and spread the word. They won't do anything if no one says anything. I have also openend a threat about it on the suggestion forum here [link]
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
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I mean, I know I'm nowhere near there yet, and probably not anytime soon, but this new system thing kind of makes me want it less.
You also say people who have built up a fan base. This isn't about art anymore, it's a contest for having most people like you and your art. Great idea... How much time did you spend thinking about this?
"I will give you an example of how this system would look. The folks up at the Broadcasting Standards Authority decide that the Ipod is getting too much screen time. They drastically cut its air time, and only let it broadcast at night time so the new product can get a leg up. Is that fair? Is that how things work? I am sure there would be public outcry and law suits shooting left and right."
Your example is just perfect for how shallow your idea is. This stuff is purely about publicity and money, same things you seem so want.
There are more art-forms than just digital art, manga/anime and fan art alone and I for one think it's good that the frontpage is now made to reflect that.
One thing I don't like about the popular page is that a lot of people already watch them... so there's a good chance that we all have it in our inboxes already. I'm also tired of all the nudity. I guess there are some tasteful ones... but mostly not, IMO. (But everyone has different tastes, no?)
One thing I like about it is that I get exposed to some of the more popular things... However, sometimes this can be extremely annoying (Ex: "I've seen enough of My Little Pony!") or sometimes it can be great (Ex: "Yes! More Homestuck!") So the personal likes idea seems pretty good : D
I definitely think they should add a new page for it. I love how on the footer I can choose between popular and new deviations. (I think those are the choices, I haven't touched it in forever.)
The front page was inconsistent to begin with. Popularity goes with current affairs, signal boosting and what people like, not the actual quality of the artwork. And while commercially, art does come down to competition, it doesn't have to be the same for a website that specialises in making art, and not purely popularity contests. I do agree with the fact that if DA wants to implement this kind of system, then there should be a third option other than "Newest" and "Popular," because it is indeed neither. But with that said...
The front page shouldn't constitute as a factor on whether someone's art is good or not. It is a spotlight, and gains attention, but it's ultimately quite flawed. It's not about 'working up the rungs of the deviantArt ladder,' it's about finding out what people like and identify with, and then working with that. And if you enjoy drawing the kind of things people like, then it's a double-bonus. But it is very, very far from consistent.
I do agree that DA should be more honest on how this system works but... yeah. Apologies.
However, will DA listen to us and change things? The only thing they changed was the Sta.sh system for journals when they read a lot of people complaining about it. The rest, I'm pretty sure they ignored us >_>UU
Not to add the front page now it's full of "crap" in my opinion. I know; "popularity" doesn't always mean "quality", and "unknown" artists need exposure as well. So I agree and disagree at the same time with this new system.
I don't understand why DA doesn't keep things as always. I don't like most of changes DA has done since I joined. The best DA system was the one I knew in 2007.
Before, people were complaining that just the popular artists came on the front page... better said, whoever had an ocean full of watchers would have a really high chance on coming on the front page as it seemed -almost no matter how good the art was. There was partwise the biggest crap on the FP or just total mainstream muck.
Some of the artists that came steadily or really often on the FP, just were drawing mostly the same stuff over and over.... no matter how good the technique is, but drawing all the time for example kitties or lolita girls etc... should that really be on the front page?
Then again have been times when no "good" art seemed to be uploaded in the last 8 or 24 hours and again were people complaining. Numerous journals about "wtf, what's going on with the FP?! why is there just crap!!" ...and so on, you know the story.
I have to admit it, I hardly noticed much difference now.
When you explained how the new system works.. the new system might be a bit unfair... or well, I wouldn't call it that -rather not that well thought out. A third option might be something good, but then again would people always find something to complain about.
Personally, I get creeps when I see like right now, a collage of some stupid plushie of an so popular comic-serie, or a stock image of a bee... or a very simple made pic of some strange...blue and violet thingies (dunno how to even call it).
As said, that's my personal taste, this isn't meant to bash these pictures or something.
Just wanted to give some kinda example... But even if there are a couple of people that say that the new system is unfair and bad, it indeed does give a chance to some less seen artists on here... there might be the ones that just think "wth?" when they see it on the FP, but it's a fact that it gets seen.
And that's probably why the guys that are responsible for the system, won't see any reason to change it.