Flash Kit v2.0 - Your ideas here!

FlashKit is ungodly slow right now, but think about the reasons at to why: too many people!

Don't get me wrong, too many people is a fine thing, and I'm not at all complaining, but here is what my proposal would be. I haven't read through this thread so please excuse me if it is a repeat. But here we go:

The greatest strength (and weakness) of FlashKit.com is the pure number of people that belong to this site. I know that just over winter break (for those of us north of the equator [which brings to mind a question for those down under, do you call December "winter" or "summer"?] the number of members on this site was only 100k. Now we're at (or by the time you might be reading this, past) 150k members!

One of the major features that FK has unlike any other site is the amount of tutorials that the site has. Here's an idea: let the developers who create those tutorials sell them! In return for letting the tutorial developer sell his/her tutorial, you can charge a nominal commission off of each tutorial. I would make all basic level tutorials free, and then charge for the others.

Doing this, you'll need to realize that you *will* lose some of the traffic that the site has. So what? What is the impact? All that means is that you'll save on bandwidth and weed out some of the less serious people who are not willing to pay a nominal amount of money. The other drawback is that many of the younger kids who use this site and probably don't have credit cards don't have the ability to pay, even if they wanted to.

I think that the most important thing for everybody to realize is that FlashKit is only going to be well funded if the money comes at some level from "the people who use THIS site." Regardless of whether Internet.com gives FK a lot of money or some other group, the bottom line is that those companies are only interested in funding FK if they can get money from us. We have to ultimatley be the ones to put out the cash. Frankly, I think that it is to our out-of-pocket benefit, and FK's 'recievables' benefit if some other corporation (like Internet.com) doesn't act like a middle man that will just skim off of the top.

Finally (sorry that I'm going off here), I think that FK 2.0 HAS to make some posts expire, which will save TONS of space. What I propose is forcing FK members to save a post in their "myFK" section if they want for it to not expire (and be deleted) within 30 days. I would also kill people's ability to post large pictures via the boardrooms. That simply eats up too much bandwidth. If not that, than please at least encourage people to post *SMALL* picts.

Some of this stuff is kinda "bah humbug", but the bottom line is really what counts here. Everybody needs to recognize that. Now I'm going to go and read what everybody else's ideas are. :) Thanks for reading through all of this if you got this far!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by casthigh
dudes at FLASHKIT:

You´re looking for ways to make the site more financially viable to generate sufficient revenue to support the operation??

Are you kidding? You´re owned by INTERNET.COM: this "Internet Holding" has enough M1 to support 1000 Sites like this one (..and pay my rent in the meantime....!.

If you´re willing to start making an additional profit source I find that Cool (I come everyday here and I´ll have no problem to pay a fee), but making an argument like "we´re growing way to fast and we need money" sounds silly to your loyal members...

btw, This site is the number 1 Flash resource on the Net!!
KUDOS for your awesome work & Vision ,and I´ll be very happy to pay for a membership (..but please without bull****)

CASTHIGH

---

I have to say that I pretty much agree with this analysis. But, it is also important to look at the flip side: Internet.com isn't going to give a lot of money to just some "really great flash developer's site". They care ultimatley about how they are going to profit by owning this site, and that means that FK may need to show that it can in fact be a profit making entity.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by karnak
Isn't this thread about how to make flashkit better? not about how to make money..?
..eh so pmineault already mentioned this but I would strongly suggest a closed FAQ forum for the boards, surely this could become a prominent forum and extremely helpful for those that want "personalized" help for things and also want a single forum to search through... this could be a great addition to the boards! :)

good luck, hope the new site is coming along smoothly. :D

---

Actually, no. One of the main questions FlashKit asks is for our ideas on how to make money. Furthermore, what is the problem if try to add our ideas on how "flash kit can be better" in a financial way?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by a_slosh
Whatever you do, do not make everything in Flash. It will just be a pain in the butt for you guys to try and keep everything's size down and for us to have to download everything.

I think in a few years time when broadband becomes the norm, as against the exception, then you can think of doing that.

---

I have to second this. **Even if** those of you who think a flash site of this size would be more efficient, consider how often we use links to cross reference previous posts, etc. Flash eliminates all of those possibilities.

LDpro

Quote:

---

Originally posted by aa
i also would be willing to pay for access -- but not more than $5 or $6/month -- if it meant a fast forum, less hangs, etc.

the time i sit and wait for things to happen on this site is worth that to me.

we've been enjoying free resources here for quite a while. maybe it is time we all chipped in a few dollars.
[Edited by aa on 01-31-2001 at 02:48 PM]

---

Try per year. If you charged a nominal, one-time $1 fee for a member to use the site upon joining or their next post, all of your problems would be solved for a very long time. Keep in mind, there is no disad to losing people. They'll come back, I promise!

this is in reply to Beamerboy's comment on the first page about charging memberships...DONT'T! what the hell is going on here? the best part about this place is that it's free, full of KNOWLEDGE! not merchandise. 150 bucks a year? that's like what my gym memberships costs, and then restrict stuff only to those who pay? isn't that simply a division of the community you've built here. You have no idea how great someone is at flash or how much that can contribute, but your are basing that on how much money they have to spend. I could be a college kid who has been using flash since version 2 and know a boatload of script and want to share all my knowledge, but because all my money goes to books and I can't pay your membership then you exclude me? that is not right and that is agianst everything this place is about.

if you need to make money then why not try selling cd's of all the flash movies? burn them yourself, but then you have the issue of rights and royalties to the people who created the fla's.

please dont...

$9 dollars and some change a month ? $150 a year ? what are you guyz smoking ? You guyz are doing so well.. leave the $ out of it.

FLASH KIT UNIVERSITY:
You guys should set up some lesson plans and examinations. Then offer certifications in Flash. I know there is more to it than that but a good brainstorm session would give you plenty of ideas.

For income....
1. Sell a printed version of all the tutorials.
2. Sell a CD version of all the tutorials.
3. Sell a CD version of all the .fla files.
4. Sell a CD of all the music files.


** ADDING a membership fee would put you at a disadvantage to other Flash sites.

** Selling your collection of movies and tutorials would give you an advantage to other Flash sites that do not have the collection you have.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by bantha
this is in reply to Beamerboy's comment on the first page about charging memberships...DONT'T! what the hell is going on here? the best part about this place is that it's free, full of KNOWLEDGE! not merchandise. 150 bucks a year? that's like what my gym memberships costs, and then restrict stuff only to those who pay? isn't that simply a division of the community you've built here. ... that is not right and that is agianst everything this place is about.

if you need to make money then why not try selling cd's of all the flash movies? burn them yourself, but then you have the issue of rights and royalties to the people who created the fla's.

please dont...

---

First let me say...

First, let me say if there is a way to keep this site completely free and still make money to support the people who put lot of hours into running it, then by all means...

It so easy for you to say don't do this, don't do that...fine, you pay the monthly server costs that this organization pays. At $12.50/month ($150/ year), I was proposing an executive membership to those that want more out of Flashkit - specialized services. You pay $150 for your gym membership. Why? Because it is a service and you want it. In this life, you get what you pay for. How many people go to a movie and spend the $12 Canadian ($8.30 US) we are forced to pay? I do, why, because I like the larger more comfortable seats, the better sound systems, the larger screens etc. Service, service, service. You cannot expect all the extras without paying...Oops, what am I talking about. That is exactly what some, and before I get blasted, I said SOME, people expect these days (I am speaking directly to those few people who use warez copies to support their businesses - if you make money then buy the DAMN software).

I was not proposing to abolish what is already key to Flashkit, a community where flas can be submitted and downloaded freely, nor was I proposing to charge for the flas submitted freely, not that you could. I was proposing an executive membership fee, for the extras that are very heavy on the resources department, for those willing to pay to help support the cost of this site:

- Complete tutorials - construction and deconstruction;
- High caliber example sites (and I mean high caliber);
- Fla upload support program;
- Access to test flash beta programs;
- Discounts to special flash events and free (only to make us feel like we are getting some free) executive, a member Flashkit t-shirt.

All these kinds of frills cost money. Everyone starts *****'in when there are too many banners, so you have to get your money somewhere. Why not from members who are willing to pay for those extra frills. Some of us members use Flashkit to help them learn so they can support their livelihood.

Let me finish this off by saying, if there is a way to have all the frills in life without paying, then where do I sign AND while you are at it, show me where I can get the free Porsche too.


[Edited by Beamerboy on 02-16-2001 at 10:45 AM]

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Beamerboy
It so easy for you to say don't do this, don't do that...fine, you pay the monthly server costs that this organization pays. At $12.50/month ($150/ year), I was proposing an executive membership to those that want more out of Flashkit - specialized services.

Let me finish this off by saying, if there is a way to have all the frills in life without paying, then where do I sign AND while you are at it, show me where I can get the free Porsche too.

---

let me first say that i'm not trying to start a flame here, so please don't get so defensive or what not(and ease up on the sarcasim eh?). Above you said to start an executive membership for those who want more out of flashkit -specialized services...Dont we all want more out of flashkit? Yes, i think so, but what your saying is not for those who WANT for those who can afford more. I have never seen flashkit as a business or a company, it has always been a community. This is about knowledge and the access to that knowledge. When I used to post tutorials and fla's(as bubbamojo), I never once thought "this is just for the "Executive" type people", I alwasy wanted everyone to have access to the things I learned about flash so I could help them learn too. Any time you try to divide a community by means of status or money, trouble always follows...maybe i'm getting a little to deep here. THis WWW was based on the ability for people to share their knowledge freely.

YOur right, it isn't cheap to run this puppy and I agree. For all you know I could either be a college student living off of 20 bucks for the rest of the week, or the executive member of Brice and Lumberg in Boston who could easily afford 6 times the membership fee you suggested, it's not the money, its the prinicple.

I appreciate your views, yet I choose to disagree.

Im a green NEWBIE who has fallen in love with Flash and with FlashKit (even with its slowness)---but here is something I was thinking...(oh ya and Im pretty smart so listen up).

You have got some real stud Flash people here so why not create a FLASH GUILD of some sort that people can become Members of, ($15/yr fee), can have thier talent or skills evaluated and receive certified Guild rank, etc. etc. etc.

I do Web Sites and would L O V E to be able to advertise that I belong to the 'Flash Guild" (whatever) on my site and my business cards --saying Im a 'Level 3' apprentice flash blah blah blah... I WOULD PAY A NOMINAL FEE AND
KILL ANYONE WHO TALKED BAD ABOUT MY GUILD!! (well maybe not that far)---but how bout that?!?!?

That would be Both USEFUL to YOU (Annual residual Income) and US the Users who are trying to get business or just plain more info!

OH BUT! Dont make the levels exclusively difficult because you would lose alot of us and I would not be so proud of a title such a 'Level 0 Neophite puke'... sorry for rambling.

TVance! (Jesus Saves!)

The great things about web sites is that once they are online the advertising potential for the webmaster is endless. No fees mean that you could keep this site free for the members, while the advertising logos pay for your costs.
With such a large member base, most companys would flock to advertise the cans of drink, or latest sportswear on this site, but most importantly its stays FREE for us users.
We all already buy the products anyway, so its an ironic twist that we get them big companies to pay for something that we want instead of us shelving out even more of are hard earned bucks.
I'm sure it wouldnt bother anyone to see a Pepsi advert on the footer.
Example, FlashTyper sponsered by Orange etc etc.

They pay, we learn. Sound Good?

Thanks for listening.
Dave

Awesome site. Mark, you and your team have completely revolutionized what learning and creativity can create via the web!

Suggestions:
1). Do NOT charge for membership! One of the truly great things I love about FlashKit is that it seems to support "Open-Source Programming". People-Helping-People. The authors of the tutorials/fonts/sounds...etc gave up their free time, wisdom, and gifts, to help others, knowing they don't get a dime. (And technically, it's not Flashkits to sell, is it?) This is TRUE help. There is already too much competiveness in this world. One of the biggest reasons why FlashKit is where it is today is because of just that.... FREE Flash development resources. And because of that FLASHKIT has it's name around the world, and you are PRIMARILY responsible for this rush in FLASH development (besides MM of course). Recognition goes a long way in this world. Keep supporting People-Helping-People!!

2). I say you get your products out there! Promote your website and get some money while you are at it. There are thousands of members who would be willing (and proud) to wear your t-shirts, polo shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, posters, lamps... and things common to a developer... organizers, pens.etc. Just silk-screen your name on existing products, and WHAMMO! haha

Keep up the AWESOME creativity and power of FLASHKIT!!!

--Neelixx

First off...

DO NOT CHARGE MONEY!

next, I would like to see more swf support in the message boards. If you could change the parameters around in the [swf] tag, that would be great.
This way, you could add transparency, and define variables!

and keep the site mainly html/php, a flash site will be too complex, and large. It won't work for the both of us.
---
You guys are doing great!

uhm.. im kinda wondering..

after receiving over 100 replies, suggestions, debates, critiques, opinions etc from the wide-community about Flashkit version 2 - what does flashkit team think about those ideas? any decision ?

because for me, (and I believe for some other people too) i really would like to know the team's progress in building flashkit v.2... or anything that we (the community) can do for flashkit? maybe some kind of votes to help you decide (such as: pay-site or free-site? html or full-flash flashkit?)

.. anyhow, keep up all the excellent work, guys! :)

I totally agree with team Digital for the CD idea.
I think that from the site u should be able to order like the tutorials CD or the fla CD or the music CD
each would be jam packed with the content on Flashkit and it would be a chance for extra income.
I'd probably buy all three if I had the chance because it would mean offline fk and loads more..
Peace

-Unrealsk8er

my two cents:

a) write scripts that update html files, DON'T keep generating each page dynamically (other than the forums, obviously). Most non-forum content doesn't update more than once a day - you can serve that material as (fast) static html. A little information design goes a long way.

b) javascript pulldown "quickjump" menus make for good section navigation - check out webmonkey.com - very well organized site. Again, a little information design...

c) all the dial-up users are saying don't build it in 100% flash, and they're right - kind of. however, some fast, efficient navigation elements in flash will help spruce up the site at no bandwidth cost - perhaps even a gain. its up to us to start using flash more productively than just "skip intro" intros & over-the-top interfaces. tricks like including all possible states of a nav bar in a single flash movie - which naturally gets cached by the browser - & then using javascript on each page to tell flash which state to display, can actually be faster than image-based rollover navbars.

d) you've got a hardcore readership - a paypal donation system will work very well. just use it occasionaly - special fundraising drives - don't leave it out there constantly; you'll look weak.

This one's a little out there:

e) do a director-based CD that installs a browser-less flashkit application - all interface elements (including the first round of advertising) are local, it just uses online variable files (XML?) to fill in the content - now you've reduced bandwidth & you've got a CD to sell. Updates get downloaded permanently. Get a distribution partner in the UK & the US (so you don't have to ship CDs across the ocean!) and you're laughing. the software could do batch downloads of tutorials, which would all be accessible in a common interface. FlashTyper could even be taken local by having director control Swift Generator! Think of the possibilities!

I am an avid flashkit user and would desperately love to see a faster return rate on page requests. I have been using flashkit as a resource for well more than a year(probably going on two). My main attraction to your site is the abundance of tutorials and sound files. In fact they have been my primary use for your site. I didn't even become a member until about two weeks ago when I sat down and actually browsed through other sections of the site.

To get to the point, if I had to become a member from the start, I probably would have went somewhere else for resources because I don't like the hassle of signing up for memberships much less paying for them. I would have never realized what a great resource and community Flashkit has to offer.

Give away the content to get visitors and continue to increase your member base (even if it takes some of us 2 years to sign up), and charge the advertisers more to make your profits and pay for the site. With a member base exceeding 100,000 you should be able to adequately sell virtual real estate in order to pay for site expenses. If not, hire new sales people.

I have to agree with sbucci. If you had a "Save Flashkit" fund, I would be more than happy to put in $5 or $10 to see the sites performance improve. Put one up for the heck of it and see what happens. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised.

Aside from that, I like the conference idea. A Flashkit conference could make a pretty hefty bankroll and give the flashkit users an opportunity to meet each other in person as well as the wonderful staff of Flashkit.

Here's my personal advice. Charge for a classroom on cd. You could put together a cd-rom that would cater to different classes of flash developers (like basic, intermediate and advanced) as well as offer free trial versions of popular software. Charge $16.95 for the cd plus shipping and voila! A new source for revenue. And the cd could just contain a whole section of tutorials from your website. (I would definitely pay for the convenience of having your tutorials on cd and not having to add to the demise of server bandwidth by visiting the site). You could do the same with the sound archives. Bundle a section of audio onto cd with some trial sound software and put a price on it. People will buy.

Sorry for adding to your database load with this huge reply. Good luck and I'm looking forward to v2.0.

Daniel Arlitt
Web Developer

I had couple of ideas while reading through:

1. Why not do some kind of FlashKit approval for either web-design companies/individuals which could be charged for. It would give potential customers a bit of reassurance and could be linked in with a community of top-class designers. I'm sure everyone who took part would benefit if FlashKit upheld a high quality as i'm sure you would.

2. How about offering some sort of optimisation of peoples coding. Members could send you their flash and you could optimise it for file size and speed/quality. You could charge according to the amount of time and effort it would take. The alternative to yourselves doing it is to have a group of members who could provide this service instead. A user could submit their request to the member group who could tender bids to optimise the user's flash.

I really like the idea of printable tutorials. That would be a godsend.

I'd also like to say a huge thankyou to everyone who contributes to FlashKit as it's really helped me to learn. I only started with Flash about 5 weeks ago but already i've programmed my first 3D movie and written custom animated cursor scripts etc thanks to submissions which i've learnt from but never copied. So THANKYOU... and thanks to FlashKit too such an excellent site. Hope my ideas may provide some help to you. I'll be submitting soon...

well theres a lot of suggestions on making money
Couldn't u just try and opt for other means to fulfill your financial needs. Flashkit is a recognised name and i'm sure there are people out there who are willing to cash in on the name.
as for the debate on flash or html
ultrashock looks real good but i wouldn't say the same for it's reliability.
Flashkit's better off in html. But i think u could put up an intro in flash. The intro at ultrashocks real groovy
But i know the guys back here have it in them to kick butt :)
The layout shouldn't be changed at all.
thats about it

U GUys aRe The BesT
Peace!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by toddvance

Im a green NEWBIE who has fallen in love with Flash and with FlashKit (even with its slowness)---but here is something I was thinking...(oh ya and Im pretty smart so listen up).

You have got some real stud Flash people here so why not create a FLASH GUILD of some sort that people can become Members of, ($15/yr fee), can have thier talent or skills evaluated and receive certified Guild rank, etc. etc. etc.

I do Web Sites and would L O V E to be able to advertise that I belong to the 'Flash Guild" (whatever) on my site and my business cards --saying Im a 'Level 3' apprentice flash blah blah blah... I WOULD PAY A NOMINAL FEE AND
KILL ANYONE WHO TALKED BAD ABOUT MY GUILD!! (well maybe not that far)---but how bout that?!?!?

That would be Both USEFUL to YOU (Annual residual Income) and US the Users who are trying to get business or just plain more info!

OH BUT! Dont make the levels exclusively difficult because you would lose alot of us and I would not be so proud of a title such a 'Level 0 Neophite puke'... sorry for rambling.

TVance! (Jesus Saves!)

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by banglafreak
my suggestions:
optimize, but keep the boards the same. i have made 550+ posts and dont want to go back to zero. also, it would waste a whole lot of helpful content

---

Yes, make them better, (add [br], and speed), but don't delete the data.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by 3SkinsDeezine
The great things about web sites is that once they are online the advertising potential for the webmaster is endless. No fees mean that you could keep this site free for the members, while the advertising logos pay for your costs.

---

...

Quote:

---

They pay, we learn. Sound Good?

---

The bottom has dropped out of the online advertising market, reducing the average advertising rates to less than a 1000th of what they were 2 years ago. Sites that have depended on advertising revenue (UK's biggest gaming site Barry's World for instance) are going out of business.

The reality is that advertising isn't the savoir of "free" services on the web, at least not to the extent that everyone was banking on. Sites like FlashKit need to justify their cost to their investors or make revenue in some way.

everyone click on banners...

you are already waiting for flashkit so click banners while you wait. this generates revenue and they open in new windows anyway.

-dag

Flashkit v2.0 sounds cool.

As many other people have said DON'T charge for membership. Flashkit is as far as I'm aware the only good Flash site around, and this is because so many people contribute and get back because of the free open source environment. If you start charging, you'll actually start losing money because of the losses of users. I know I for one couldn't afford to pay.

Also some upgrades that I think would be good, although the Flash stuff is going great, how about some help with backend, and scripting technologies that work together with Flash?

Also having special expert chats and things like that seem a good idea.

Although I live in Australia, a good FK money raiser would be to send some of the more experienced staff around America, for paid forums, which could raise money for FK and give a nice break from all the hectic work.

Anyway that's my .00002 cents. Sorry if I repeated other people.... I couldn't be bothered to read through all the posts. Guess Flashkit is just a popular topic.

Keep up the awesome work, guys!

I have to agree with everyone on the speed issue, faster please.

But having read Boomers comments and visited Dreamnation, why not hav a flashed site, or at least a more flashed site. Dreamnation is immensely quick.

Also I do agree that paying to use such a wonderful resource is a bad idea, but with the introduction of the Flashkit member logos, after a certain amount of contribution, why not do the same with donations, add a new logo such as Flashkit Benefactor, or something similar. That way newbies aren't intimidated by having to pay, but those of us who think the site is worth it contribute what we can afford. If it got the speed back to how it was last year, it would be worth it.

This site has assisted my wife in starting her own company produucing presentations and also web design. Without it I'd never have learnt to do the things I can today. So I'd be more than willing to contribute to such a great tool.

Keep up the good work, and I kind of like the colour scheme.

Spickee

after reading all the comments on paying for FKv2. I think it could be one of the greatest mistakes you can make. Even if it were only the idea of losing some of the visitors who are coming round today.. it would result in a great loss of valuable knowledge, the knowledge that creates the basis of the whole site!

Making the source files available offline, ie cd's for sale, I think, is one of the best ideas ever.. this way, FK users can view whatever they want whenever they want. for new visitors it's a fast &simple way to get up to date quickly and that would enhance the overall quality of the posts. result: more cd's.. besides this, it could also create a substantial income for FK.
I for one would be very interested in having instant access to a large amount of source files ;)

I also read something about 'not retrieving content instantly', this would mean that after i'd submitted a movie, it wouldn't be possible for me to check wether or not it was recieved correctly?? N-O I don't want that..

I don't want you to take a step back.. but the way the movies/sounds were displayed before this version (the directory structure) worked for me! I had almost instant access to all of the submissions.. instead of only the first four or five..

I'm very bad at scripting.. but if it were possible to load new pages, without refreshing the complete page (like frames) but keeping bookmarking available I'd be a very happy man!

FKv2 in flash sounds great at first but when you really think of it.. html/php setup will work perfectly/fastest for the next couple of years.. (don't forget FK is worldwide, so heaps of people will still have slower connections in the near future)

My conclusion: Whatever you plan to do, please do not make any adjustments negatively changing either the download speeds or the number of possible viewers..

thank you for making such an awesome &complete resource site, best regards

Aww, fak'n'A man. I'd buy that for a dollar (or 5). Why don't you create an account and let those who want to tithe, tithe. I'd be willing to plop 5 bucks in the bucket from time to time. Crap, you saved me in the least, $1,000 in books and trainging thus far and I don't see ya' let'n up!

And to the muther f'er who got all yappy about that other site, you-ultra-know-which-one, the reason why I still come to flashkit is that it is in HTML which is the most familiar to me and the least cumbersome to download. Even I have to 'dial-up' now and then.

Keep it real FK!

my old french teacher taught me "never change a winning
team".

i'd propose to keep that in mind when constructing fkV.2

personally i don't want too much features, but some
important and functional ones...

just some thought i had...:

1)
PLS!!! keep it in html. i'm running a damn fast machine
here, but still two or three large flash files in various
browser windows slow down my baby way to much...i'm here
for information, not for waiting...

besides, MOST very good designs were made in plain html or
a mixture of flash and html, and we don't need the whole
site to see whats possible in flash...we got the features
sites (very good one) and fla's section for this...

2)
bulk download. please. very appealing notion...

3)
i noticed more and more design specific topics in the board.
ok, that may be because the design&graphics board is the
only one i frequently visit (:)) but now that flash offers
many possibilities to change the web as we know it i'd
greatly appreciate a tutorial section for all the DESIGN
beginners of us. i'm thinking of some very basic how-to's
about color theory, typography, layout techniques etc...

4)
personalised emailadress....well would be nice but we all
do have at least 5 or 6, don't we? no need for another one..

that's all i can think of offhand, but...

i'll be back..:)

oh, by the way:

KEEP IT UP
you did a great job there.
congrats

Quote:

---

Originally posted by puresin
personalised emailadress....well would be nice but we all
do have at least 5 or 6, don't we? no need for another one..

---

wouldn't this bog down the servers trememdously? if it becomes a feature then make it only available to members of a certain status or post count

Quote:

---

Originally posted by banglafreak

Quote:

---

Originally posted by puresin
personalised emailadress....well would be nice but we all
do have at least 5 or 6, don't we? no need for another one..

---

wouldn't this bog down the servers trememdously? if it becomes a feature then make it only available to members of a certain status or post count

---

I second that.
Even better, make it only available to members who have a certain number of quality posts because those are the ones who deserve it more.

FLASHKIT IS THE BOMB. I love it! Hopefully I don't repeat other suggestions, but as far as interface:

1) Keep in html, don't go all Flash. Speed rules, and ironically, Flash don't always live up to it's name now, do she?

2) Definitely a downloadable text version of each tutorial. ( Having to go online and advancing through seven pages slows the process of learning.) This might also allow users to be on less downloading only one file, than advancing through 7 pages.

3) All tutorials should be written the same if submitted by users. There should be an established criteria or rigid format that submissions follow - i.e., Must include: Read me file/Sample .swf/Sample .fla/all associated images.

I've downloaded some great looking .swf's, and there is often no read-me file along with it. You have to guess what to do by opening the .fla. (I hated that approach by teachers in college, where the only way to truly learn something was to "guess" how to do something on your own). I need to know how-to's NOW , so that I can focus on designing man!

4) Maybe a little more visual separation between all the text boxes. In MyFlash Kit or tutorial section, all the links for various things tend to fall together on all that white background. Maybe light color panels or thin rules to separate copy blocks/links from each other?

5) More specific critieria for posters, or more Mod Squads to edit and redirect? I see all kinds of posts in ALL the forums. "How to link a button" questions in the Coffee Lounge, instead of dealing with freelance/work-for-hire issues solely, and likewise, "How much should I charge" in the Newbie section.


And never let it be said that all my comments are critical. For fundraising:


1) I absolutely support the idea of a pay system. I know this a sharing community, but SHAREware is not the same as FREEware. A great deal of us have shelled out a lot of money for software fees, so paying for this service was inevitable. We all have benefited from this site. But the $150 a year/ $9.95 is too much!!! What is this, pay-per-view?? Lol. I don't even pay that for tech support from Macromedia/Adobe. If you price it too high, you'll drive away the newbies/rookies who might not be able to afford it, and who would otherwise be the foundation for your future.

I would recommend a flat yearly FLASHFEE, say $50. It really should be competively priced like a mag. subscription, maybe a little higher. But beware, once people start paying for something they got for free, they expect more - it's the nature of the beast. (Give 'em a t-shirt).

If you tier the level of pay and services you offer, I think you then take away the sense that we're "all learning together" community thing. Next thing you know, then we have tribes, then we're voting someone off the site.Lol.

1A) On-line secure credit card transactions. You'll need secure servers. I know I hate having to mail in a form vial snail-mail. Take advantage of the impulse buyers out there. (Still have mail-in forms for students, etc, people that don't have CC's).

2) Without hesitation, I can say that Flashkit has helped me 100 times over, and I have learned more from here than I ever have from Macromedia's tech support. (No offense to them). But even the "free" 90 days support costs me on my phone. And lag times between when I submit an e-mail and get a response is at LEAST a day. I'm sure I'm not alone. Get all of us unhappy Macro peeps together and form a group! Lol.


3) Good idea someone had to create on-line learning to compete with Macromedia, etc, but I think the purpose of Flashkit and it's forums does just that already.

Maybe for those posters that have want 1-on-1, they can pay for that time.


4) I don't know how referral programs work, (beyond the fact you get a % everytime a user orders through you), but I would suggest offering ALL Flash books and like merchandise for learning through your store. For me, I never just look at one source for Flash learning. I've tried all over - Lynda.com/Macromedia/Flashkit/Moock, etc. I don't think you'll lose your core audience to competition, you would just be offering a wider choice to the user.


5) Definitely build the "FlashKit" name through apparel (Hats, Tees, sweatshirts) and merchandise (mugs, mousepads)


6) How about a celebrity designer column? Get Hillman to answer a few questions, either submitted by the users during an on-line chat? Or a bi-monthly column by a featured Flash Guru.

Also, not just Flash designers, but from other diciplines as well to expand the users vocabulary.


7) How about selling a hybrid-CD with the "Best of FlashKit" stuff. Offer things as well that you can't for free, and can't get here. Excerpts from books, music clips/loops. You wouldn't be walking away from the "sharing" community thing that Flash is all about, you're just offering some extra goodies.

Look what the typehouse Emigre.com did. They expanded from a typehouse with a few fonts, to offering apparel and a music CD, and a ton of fonts.


8) Expand what Flash is about. FlashForward, etc is already there. Create FlashKit's own on-line festival. Maybe the Dead can play? No? Ok, how 'bout Blues Traveler? Alice in Chains? Let me know on that one.

9) More importantly, I think you have to be careful about adding "layers" to the whole process of sharing info here on Flashkit. We're all here because we can get answers probably within 10 minutes of posting. I don't anywhere where you can get that fast a response, (except 911). I.e., more "filters" to separate posts by subject will slow things down. Let the peeps police themselves. Or call The Mod Squad.

Whew! I'm outta breath.


[Edited by wseligman on 02-26-2001 at 02:24 AM]

If flashkit was to start charging a subscribtion fee, then they'd be shutting out a number of contributors ...transaction costs make pay as you go not feasable (forgive gross mispellings). I'm certain that there's a number of corprate entities that would love exposure to this very focus target market (ie flash geeks). As far as html being faster than flash....hmmm...I'd put any of my sites vs html for load times anyday. Not only would an all flash Flashkit prove as testament to the incredible web power of flash, it would be very cool as well. The speed problems that have plauged Flashkit are all backend. I'm sure that will be fixed. I'm sure that v 2.0 will be as sexy and elegant as, well, as it deserves to be...I have faith in Mark, his great crew, and our Flashkit community. Hell, all this talk about Fkit 2.0 makes me wanna volenteer! Where's the enlist to serve Flashkit post?!?!?!?!

Thx,
Brad

Brad- Your right with that one. In my long-winded rant, I forgot to suggest corp. sponsors. Macromedia has major partners on all the things they put. Flashkit is just as a valuable a resource as them. I would think at least Amazon/Apple/Windows people might consider adding their logo to the site.

As far as the html. vs Flash thing, I'm by no means enough of a Flash expert, but I would think some kind of pre-loading is going to have to be added in to FKv.2, because it will probably have a lot more imagery/banners/stuff. Unless the site will still remain primarily text based.

Anyone please feel free to correct me, the "streaming" newbie.Lol.

To add one more thing in the endless list...

In addition to the post counter, can we have a rate the post button... If someone helps me out, I want to be able to rate them as a 10 or so, but if someone leaves a post like "sorry bud, I can't help you out", then I will call that a bad post, and they would get a 3 or so, and if they are out right rude, I would like to be able to give them a -12098 or some where near that...

On flash kit, every one is a student, but everyone is a teacher, I would like to know who has been blowing smoke up peoples asses, and who has been helpfull to other people!

You should only be able to rate a post by someone once, I'm sure you can see the value of this!

This may even cut down on the low quality posts, and people would stop trying to race! That would be realy spiffy! Thanks!

A few reasons why you shouldn't demand membership fees:

-Flashkit gives many youngsters the chance to learn flash, and these poor souls don't have the money

-Flashkit offers tutorials written by the same people who would get forced to pay

-Already the fact that you MUST register to reply in Forums is pretty upsetting

-it would isolate the Flashkit community

-A site with the amount of hits that Flashkit gets doesn't need to demand fee's, they can offer they're page for free and get enough money with advertisments

-If you would demand fee's, you should be fair and remove all advertisment banners, therefore you'd lose a lot of income.

-Demanding fee's is just giving other people the opportunity to make a better site that's free.


Just keep thing the way they are, perhaps try to make them faster :)

First let me say that I am opposed to 2 ideas.

1. Don't make FK a pay site. I learned flash here for free and so have many kids that I have directed here. Some of us use all or our money on the Software Licence and decent ISP.

2. Don't go 100% flash. Not everyone has as good of a connection as some of us.


My Idea is this,

Create and sell on line a CD series called "The Best of Flash Kit" or something like that.
The CD would be a library of the best sounds, fla's, tutorials, etc from FK. perhaps it could be a yearly production. That way, people who submit good ideas and creations could get them published on CD and those of us who love the work so much could have the last years content off line for reference.

Of course it would require the that the people submitting would know that their work could be included in a CD, but what the heck, they are giving it away anyhow.

This might also solve some of the issues of having too many files on the server.
Files could be cleaned out periodically because everyone is buying the reference CD.

can we can have a forum for folks to post pure AS tutorials, without having to make a .fla to go along with it?
as flash gets more powerful and AS gets more abstracted it may be beneficial to have a forum where we can post scripts that are essentially modules extending flash. i realize that macromedia has a forum for that express purpose, but i suspect that their approval process is more arduous and limiting than fk's, not to mention that that they will--almost certainly--refuse to publish exploits or hacks of whatever their current release is, denying those of us who think such things are cool to play with and publicize them.


thanks,

-g

Please do not go to a pay site.

[1] To make money preview books that link to a site to buy it. This could be designed so that a tutorial will have a link to related books of the same level and subject.

[2] The banner advisement could have a bigger selection of ads that are related to the stuff on flashkit.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by sirduck
The banner advisement could have a bigger selection of ads that are related to the stuff on flashkit.

---

Yes, like merchandise but only Flashkit. I see no reason why Flashkit shouldn't have the store, like T-shirts, magazines, books and other goodies by Flashkit team.

Post counts-free, or Flashkit email, rating posts ---> those things are least important so people don't repeat posts please.
[Edited by Nik128 on 03-10-2001 at 10:00 PM]