Reward System

Hi i was just wondering about the status of the reward system, is someone like me likely to get a free copy or will i need to submit loads more filters, i noticed that theres now loads of filters so im guessing that everyones read about the rewards and is trying to get a free copy, none of my filters have been featured as far as i know but they have had some downloads and i have only submitted the filters i have made that might come in usefull. I have been taking part in forum discussions also so hopefully that will count as something, i guess at the end of the day my point is that i love the program and im hoping i will be on the right track to getting a copy as a reward. So my main question is is there any way to tell if i will be able to get a free copy or not or is it only when a filter is given a reward status, i guess im not at that point yet unfortunately

None of the editor's picks, or the "popular" filters have a high usage rank. Using that as a measuring tool, I'd say there's no chance in hell anyone's getting a free copy. 1 popular filter gets you 20% off the price of FF, and it takes 3 popular filters to get a free copy. Good luck at this rate. On the other hand, I would have to assume that once the general public gets involved, ie = once FF is for sale and being bought & used, those stats could change rather quickly. And, I'm not aware of FF being "taken away" from any veteran beta testers who are still making filters and posting, who are *active* in other words. It wouldn't make sense for them to cut any of us off really, unless they just hated our filters that much ha-ha Perhaps an official FF spokesperson can clarify more though, I'm just speculating here.

jffe

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James wrote: or is it only when a filter is given a reward status

Check this.

It seems Vladimir has earned himself lifelong upgrades already...

Vladimir is part of FF though, so that's totally pointless. Those are the only 5 filters that have even gotten one level up ?? Wow, not be a jerk, but what a scam if that's how it's gonna be.

jffe

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jffe wrote: but what a scam if that's how it's gonna be.

Nah, just dig a little in the forums and you will read many things to the contrary. Usage stats and the like have been reset a few times, so they can't be used to determine rewards yet. Editor's Picks on the other hand stuck, and they will count towards rewards if I am not mistaken (and grant a filter higher visibility and thus higher download).

Also, I read somewhere that EVERY beta-tester with a meaningful contribution would get a free copy. That would be a feature request making it on the list, a reported bug that lead to fixing it, and similar things. Don't quote me on this, though.

In conclusion, I don't think the FF team will not reward their beta-testers efforts. Patience my friend...

Cool they like my toolbox and module grouping ideas so hopefully im in the running for a free copy

Anyone who contributed in a meaningful way to polishing the final product SHOULD be rewarded, be it beta-testers or filter authors. The way I interpret Vladimir's statement, that also appears to be the philosophy of the developers.

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From the Download page: Active beta testers who provide helpful feedback can get a free copy of Filter Forge as a reward.

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From the Filter Forge front page: Contributors get Filter Forge for free. [...] Sounds simple but don't expect a giveaway, you will have to earn it.

There it is. We better get back to earning it...

And remember: Since FF is still in beta, so is the Reward Policy System

I'm not too worried about it either way, but it would be a little more *inspiring*, if they would post who has earned a free copy ya know, or something. Anyways, I'm sure they'll sort it out at some point.

jffe

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jffe wrote: Those are the only 5 filters that have even gotten one level up ??

Yep, that's a problem. FF currently has much more filter 'writers' than filter users, so votes (usage stats submissions) aren't as frequent as we hoped they'd be. We're working on that.

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Crapadilla wrote: Maybe the usage stat collection should be widened to look at time spent 'playing' with a filter without saving renders also (i.e. filter interest).

We already collect the amount of 'active time the user spent playing with a filter', and have an internal ranking by this parameter (so-called EyeRank), but currently it isn't used in the UsageRank algo.

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Crapadilla wrote: I am wondering what else gets collected...

Read the EULA

6.2. Usage Stats and Your Privacy.

The Software contains functionality enabling it to collect information regarding the use of the Filter Library (the “Usage Stats”) and to send it to the Licensor’s servers. The Usage Stats do not contain any personally identifiable information and all information in the Usage Stats is technical or statistical in nature. The Usage Stats information package consists of a) an identifier of your installed copy of the Software; b) a list of recently used Filters sorted by the number of times you used (or “applied”) a particular Filter; c) a list of recently viewed Filters sorted by the total time you spent adjusting the controls of a particular Filter; and d) a list of search terms you used when searching the Filter Library. The Usage Stats are used by the Licensor a) to calculate popularity rankings for Filters in the Filter Library; b) to establish the basis for rewarding the authors of popular Filters; and c) to identify the kinds of filters users wish to see in the Filter Library in order to provide such filters. Furthermore, the Software does not send the Usage Stats to the Licensor’s servers without your permission. The permission is explicitly requested by the Software when the Usage Stats are about to be sent, except when the Software’s configuration is set by you to provide otherwise. The automatic sending of the Usage Stats is turned off by default and is implemented as an opt-in feature, as opposed to opt-out. The Usage Stats are stored in a temporary database on the Licensor’s servers and are erased during the regular Filter Library maintenance procedure. The Licensor reserves the right to retain these data for backup purposes as a part of a full or partial database backup, and will not, except as required by legal process or in connection with the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Licensor, transfer, rent, publish, lease, sell or otherwise disclose the Usage Stats to a third party, but the Licensor may publish aggregate information based on the Usage Stats on its website or in other media. If you do not wish to send the Usage Stats to the Licensor’s servers, you shall configure the Software not to send the Usage Stats to the Licensor’s servers. Refer to the Product manual or help files for specific instructions.

Back to the original topic...

Given the apparent need for comprehensive information regarding the reward program for the beta (and beyond), maybe the developers should create a brief sticky thread collecting 'official' up-to-date statements on this?

from what i've seen and heard, i'm more concerned that the FF folks make money and not 'give away the cow'

i also think they've set their release price about $100 too low. when i look at some of the plugins out there selling for $150 or $299 and see what they've got compared to what FF's got, i'd say FF is currently underpriced.

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Zoltan Erdokovy wrote: Do we know when the fforge team will tell who won free copies (or discount or a warm handshake)?

Yep, there will be a public list of beta-testers who won free copies -- we'll publish it before the final release, so that people who didn't win the free copy could order FF at the preorder price ($50 off).

that would be a bit odd, jffe. think about what you're rewarding there.

the only question i have on the rewards program is, updates. once FF is released, and you've won your free copy of version X, does this entitle you to version Y when it gets released or do you need to earn all over again. it's not a big question for me, but more of a curious about.

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jffe wrote: 've got a question about the rewards system, and the popular filters. What happens after you get a 4th, or 5th, 6th, etc, "popular" one ?

We're still thinking about this -- we definitely want to encourage skilled authors to make more high-quality filters.

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Vladimir Golovin wrote: Yes, all our future betas will be public -- this beta has been extremely successful so far, definitely a 'what went right' thing.

Excellent.

I'd opt for an extra-comfy cushion, hand-signed by Bella, as a reward for every popular filter beyond the 5th!

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Crapadilla wrote: I'd opt for an extra-comfy cushion, hand-signed by Bella, as a reward for every popular filter beyond the 5th!

No problem!

I'm pretty new trying out this program, but have already noticed that whenever I start using a library filter, I almost always go in an edit it slightly, so I have sliders and other components for the certain parameters I want
Since the filter gets saved as a new filter, I'm not sure if it will record my usage for the original creator -- unfortunately.

Just to brainstorm an idea: maybe have a way people can vote periodically on their favorite filters? I'm not sure how to avoid cheaters though... (So maybe it's not a good idea.)

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ssamm wrote: maybe have a way people can vote periodically on their favorite filters?

Nice idea. There could be a monthly vote for 'Most Valuable Filter', 'Most Creative Filter', and such. And maybe this should be held among registered customers only to preclude most 'spamming'?

Cool so even if i can't afford V1 and im not awarded a free copy i will still be able to test the betas?

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James wrote: Cool so even if i can't afford V1 and im not awarded a free copy i will still be able to test the betas?

Yes, our current plan is that everyone who signed up for this beta will be automatically signed up for future betas. Plus there will be an ability to join as a beta tester for new users.