Change Style and Graphics Requests (Unpaid)

[JacquiiDesigns]

RE: Style and Graphics Requests (Unpaid)

I truly believe you should drop the (Unpaid) from that forum title. Allowing both paid requests as well as unpaid requests in this section might be more ideal than not. Reasons:

1. Maybe the forum title is a bit confusing, as members post threads, expecting that designers are going to spend hours on a design for them at no cost. That's simply crazy.
   
   
2. There are currently 698 threads in the section, a good majority of which have 0 posts. I would suspect this is so because the designers whom might be interested in assisting would like to be paid for their work. Thus the threads with 0 responses...
   
   
3. The majority of posts in the actual Request for Paid Services section are for coding projects. I would say the ratio is 1:10 coding jobs... Instead of throwing all paid graphics requests into what mainly is a coding requests zone, a section specifically dedicated to paid/unpaid graphics requests would better 'organize' the forums.

I understand that there might be some who'll do a probono job -- I've done plenty of them myself -- but most will not. I'd say the majority of requests being completed in the section is shoddy work at best. Well - maybe that's a little harsh, but the 'unspoken' statement when you have only unpaid graphics request is this: Pay top dollar for your vBulletin license and dress it up in a paper sack.

I think that's the wrong message to send LOL

So perhaps this forum should be entitled "Style and Graphics Requests", with the option for the OP to select a prefix "Paid" or "Unpaid" -- Simultaneously we respect that graphic designers are deserving of reimbursement for both their time and creativity.

Another option may be to add a sub-forum in the actual Request for Paid Services area for Paid Graphics Requests.

Anyway - Tis just an idea = thanks for the consideration

Jacquii.

[Digital Jedi]

I've always assumed the reason they keep them separate is to keep paid requests from being commented on. That way monetary compensation discussions are kept in private, while unpaid requests get community input.

[metalguy639]

There are lots of design related stuff in the Paid request area, I'm sure you have seen them. Its not all coding I get quite a bit of work from that section. But personally for me I never stray into the "unpaid" section. I don't work for free, so I just simply never look in there. LOL

[TheLastSuperman]

Another thing to consider Jacquii is this, not all the request are simple so some do not post replies as it takes ages to type out the type of guide required and to go back and forth until the OP is confident in their abilities to tackle it themselves. Not only that, some of the requests are for complete conversions of styles from 3.x to 4.x which takes time including custom CSS and template edits the lot of it when some of the current style sites still up and running have not updated some their own paid styles from 3.x to 4.x! Basically some of those requests how shall I word this, I mean it with all honesty and sincerity however those requests should be "known" in a common type of sense way that they will not be answered or replied to unless they put forth the effort themselves and delve into styles or take it upon themselves to hire someone. metalguy639 is not too far off base with his comment about not going there, for some they never visit due to the sheer amount of time it takes to fulfill what most assume are simple and quick requests, they instead avidly look for paid requests and that's the chance you take, when you post in unpaid request you hope someone is nice enough to take the time out of their day to make it happen for you otherwise you must in a sense .

So to me it's a touchy subject, some feel if they post there an answer is required, some want simple work for free, some complex, some are not aware of the complexities of their request as well, and ultimately some do know the amount of time it takes and realize it won't be completed or they should try to hire someone. It's one of those situations that makes it hard to present a good defense or offense no matter who's ball it is and I feel there should be a place for both type of requests, some get lucky and receive free support and work so that's better than not having the area imo!