Unveiling the new SmugMug

Baldy

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the cross-post, but I thought this announcement was important enough that you'd want us to make sure it wasn't buried in a forum you may not visit:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=236371

Thanks!
Baldy

timnosenzo

I have to admit, I'm excited. I hope it's awesome.

dberthia

RKnecht

Really looking forward to seeing what's ahead.

mbrady

Will the new Smugmug be available to us that day too, or is this just to show us what's coming?

Garga

Golly gosh don't scare me mbrady. Not sure if I can take another "it'll be soon". We got a sneak peak 2 years ago?

My post count has doubled in the last few hours - I must be excited!

mbonocore

Garga wrote: »

Golly gosh don't scare me mbrady. Not sure if I can take another "it'll be soon". We got a sneak peak 2 years ago?

My post count has doubled in the last few hours - I must be excited!

Ha, I noticed that! Thanks for your excitement! If you can't tell, we are pretty excited as well

Michael

mbonocore

RKnecht wrote: »

Really looking forward to seeing what's ahead.

Thanks Rich!

mbonocore

mbrady wrote: »

Will the new Smugmug be available to us that day too, or is this just to show us what's coming?

I can't give you the answer to that, but make sure to tune into the event to get all the information!

Michael

AperturePlus

Stoked to hear the news guys and I will tune in for sure!! Good luck with the launch.

mbonocore

AperturePlus wrote: »

Stoked to hear the news guys and I will tune in for sure!! Good luck with the launch.

Thank you!

kwalsh

mbonocore wrote: »

I can't give you the answer to that, but make sure to tune into the event to get all the information!

Oh for the love of crumb cake tell the man whether you are about to break his and everybody else's site on the 30th or not.

This coy "we've got a secret let us tease you" BS is the kind of idiocy I'd expect from a 90's internet company about to go under despite its loyal employees splashing the Kool Aid all over the support forums.

We aren't excited for you and we don't care if you are either. Someone asked you a simple question and you give an idiotic answer. Everyone is sick to death of the coy unhelpful responses over the years.

WHAT WILL BE THE STATUS OF THE SITE ON THE 30TH?

Answer the fricking question if you even have a clue what the term "customer service" means.

mbonocore

I am sorry you feel that way. I understand your frustrations, but I think seeing what we have in store and having the CEO of SmugMug tell you the information you request in 6 days is reasonable. I apologize I am not giving you the answers you desire, but unfortunately, my answer will not change.


Michael Bonocore
www.mb-photography-sf.com
www.facebook.com/mbonocore
plus.mb-photography-sf.com

jarboedoggart

!

mbonocore wrote: »

I am sorry you feel that way. I understand your frustrations, but I think seeing what we have in store and having the CEO of SmugMug tell you the information you request in 6 days is reasonable. I apologize I am not giving you the answers you desire, but unfortunately, my answer will not change.


Michael Bonocore
www.mb-photography-sf.com
www.facebook.com/mbonocore
plus.mb-photography-sf.com

Glad I stuck it out to see the update, always loved the service but of course we all knew it is time for a freshening up. Cant wait! Hope it is something good and doesnt disappoint. And on a side note, poor Michael, he just keeps getting yelled at, every day, every post. Thanks to him for continuing to show up. Don't shoot the messenger!

AperturePlus

jarboedoggart wrote: »

And on a side note, poor Michael, he just keeps getting yelled at, every day, every post. Thanks to him for continuing to show up. Don't shoot the messenger!

lol - I second that!

Sventekoz

Erm, I'm hoping that everyone at SmugMug realises that if this is announcement that they're planning to release new features soon, and they'll be really good, just stick with us - they'd better hope no-one knows where their headquarters are. For that reason, I'm expecting an instant or imminent release of new features.

juanheredia

Go ahead. I cannot wait anymore. Thanks smugmug for the improvements

Sent from my Galaxy S3 with Tapatalk 4

Matthew Saville

kwalsh wrote: »

Answer the fricking question if you even have a clue what the term "customer service" means.

For someone so passionate about internet discussions, you ought to understand that "I can't answer that" usually means "no, you will not be able to begin tinkering immediately."

Did you ever think, this person could lose their job if they break their NDA? It may "just" be an internet hosting company, but it's the same situation as a new camera being announced. Do you think that if you rudely yelled at a Canon employee under NDA, they would just roll over and tell you about a new camera 6 days before it's announcement? No.

If you're afraid that new design changes will "break" your site, then voice that opinion. Clearly that is a concern that every subscriber has when a host rolls out a new web design. But don't get angry with someone who would love to answer a question, but may be legally bound not to. If you need someone to simply tell you "your site will not get jacked up on the 30th", I'm betting that is a statement they CAN make.

BTW I do not have any information about the announcement, and I am not under any NDA, and I will be posting my un-biased opinion of the announcement and the progress of SmugMug on SLR Lounge for anyone who cares to read the opinion of someone who has been a mostly-satisfied subscriber since 2004...

Djm3006

Matthew Saville wrote: »

For someone so passionate about internet discussions, you ought to understand that "I can't answer that" usually means "no, you will not be able to begin tinkering immediately."

Did you ever think, this person could lose their job if they break their NDA? It may "just" be an internet hosting company, but it's the same situation as a new camera being announced. Do you think that if you rudely yelled at a Canon employee under NDA, they would just roll over and tell you about a new camera 6 days before it's announcement? No.

If you're afraid that new design changes will "break" your site, then voice that opinion. Clearly that is a concern that every subscriber has when a host rolls out a new web design. But don't get angry with someone who would love to answer a question, but may be legally bound not to. If you need someone to simply tell you "your site will not get jacked up on the 30th", I'm betting that is a statement they CAN make.

BTW I do not have any information about the announcement, and I am not under any NDA, and I will be posting my un-biased opinion of the announcement and the progress of SmugMug on SLR Lounge for anyone who cares to read the opinion of someone who has been a mostly-satisfied subscriber since 2004...

well said

dmaccca

Matthew Saville wrote: »

... but it's the same situation as a new camera being announced. Do you think that if you rudely yelled at a Canon employee under NDA, they would just roll over and tell you about a new camera 6 days before it's announcement? No.

If you're afraid that new design changes will "break" your site, then voice that opinion. Clearly that is a concern that every subscriber has when a host rolls out a new web design. But don't get angry with someone who would love to answer a question, but may be legally bound not to. If you need someone to simply tell you "your site will not get jacked up on the 30th", I'm betting that is a statement they CAN make.

It's not the same as a new camera announcement. How a new camera will look or perform has nothing to do with my existing camera that I already paid them money for.

Regarding letting people know how this will affect them, they have refused to make that statement to anyone after being asked. That's why some people are concerned/upset with them. Just basic communication needed to paying customers.

Matthew Saville

dmaccca wrote: »

It's not the same as a new camera announcement. How a new camera will look or perform has nothing to do with my existing camera that I already paid them money for.

Regarding letting people know how this will affect them, they have refused to make that statement to anyone after being asked. That's why some people are concerned/upset with them. Just basic communication needed to paying customers.

Actually, in reading over all the recent discussions in the past day or so, I have only seen a couple people voice the exact concern that we're talking about here, at least in a way that could be responded do without breaking an NDA. Basically, all we want to know is, "will we be able to maintain our current design, if only for a while?" I'm hoping this is a question they can answer between now and next Tuesday. But being rude about it certainly doesn't increase the chances of a response, that's all I'm saying.

BTW I know what you mean about support for an existing product, but an NDA for a new product is the same as any other company. Employees have information they cannot divulge. That is the nature of any big announcement, and as Baldy has mentioned the legal ramifications of these big events can run in the millions of dollars. Maybe a simple answer of "no your site will not break on the 30th" isn't going to ruin the business, and I bet that is something we will indeed know before Tuesday.

=Matt=

juanheredia

MakeMeShutter wrote: »

I anxiously await the new SmugMug.
I am sure many of the questions we have will be made known in due time.
After waiting two years, a little longer won't hurt me.
I have a hard time dealing with change.
My site is customized, but nothing I can't redo if needed.
Maybe a fresh start is what I need.
I owe an apology to Andy and Michael whom have both been more than patient with my past frustrations.
I look forward to the future and hope for the best.
--Shawn

Same situation as me. Well described. Maybe, what we need is a fresh start.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 with Tapatalk 4

dmaccca

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Actually, in reading over all the recent discussions in the past day or so, I have only seen a couple people voice the exact concern that we're talking about here, at least in a way that could be responded do without breaking an NDA. Basically, all we want to know is, "will we be able to maintain our current design, if only for a while?" I'm hoping this is a question they can answer between now and next Tuesday. But being rude about it certainly doesn't increase the chances of a response, that's all I'm saying.

BTW I know what you mean about support for an existing product, but an NDA for a new product is the same as any other company. Employees have information they cannot divulge. That is the nature of any big announcement, and as Baldy has mentioned the legal ramifications of these big events can run in the millions of dollars. Maybe a simple answer of "no your site will not break on the 30th" isn't going to ruin the business, and I bet that is something we will indeed know before Tuesday.

=Matt=

Thanks Matt. I think this has nothing to do with the customer service reps and their NDA. It's a basic piece of information that the owner of the company needs to communicate. It should have simply been added to the original email blast that went out. Bugs me when companies get too high and mighty sometimes and forget that we are the customers, not the other way around.

example: "For our valued paying customers, please feel comfortable in knowing that no changes will actually go into place on July 30. We will only be announcing all the great new things to come your way. Also, we understand many of you have highly customized sites using SmugMug and we assure you that your sites will not be immediately affected by our July 30 announcement."

dmaccca

dmaccca wrote: »

Thanks Matt. I think this has nothing to do with the customer service reps and their NDA. It's a basic piece of information that the owner of the company needs to communicate. It should have simply been added to the original email blast that went out. Bugs me when companies get too high and mighty sometimes and forget that we are the customers, not the other way around.

example: "For our valued paying customers, please feel comfortable in knowing that no changes will actually go into place on July 30. We will only be announcing all the great new things to come your way. Also, we understand many of you have highly customized sites using SmugMug and we assure you that your sites will not be immediately affected by our July 30 announcement."

I have been happy with SM. If I weren't I would never have bought it and used it. I'm sure good things and new features will be presented. Or they'll announce they've sold themselves to someone or they'll announce a new IPhone. Who knows. However, there is some basic information that needs to be communicated out to alleviate concerns. If they had communicated it properly, then were wouldn't be the concerns that exist.

McQ

Looking forward to what's in store for us all. I'm in agreement with Matt S. and am also surprised at someone being so angry at the news. Would it have been better if SM simply didn't announce that they were going to have an official release streamed via web? We've waited this long for the update so what's a few more days?

I'm just glad something is finally here. I'll reserve my opinion and reviews on how great it is until after I've seen it and started using it.

I assume otherwise that my site will not suddenly disappear on the 30th!

Matthew Saville

dmaccca wrote: »

Thanks Matt. I think this has nothing to do with the customer service reps and their NDA. It's a basic piece of information that the owner of the company needs to communicate. It should have simply been added to the original email blast that went out. Bugs me when companies get too high and mighty sometimes and forget that we are the customers, not the other way around.

example: "For our valued paying customers, please feel comfortable in knowing that no changes will actually go into place on July 30. We will only be announcing all the great new things to come your way. Also, we understand many of you have highly customized sites using SmugMug and we assure you that your sites will not be immediately affected by our July 30 announcement."

While I agree that they could at least tell us certain things without breaking an NDA, I bet that your example is a little too much for them to be able to promise. They simply can't tell us whether or not the new features will become immediately available on the 30th, which is a different statement entirely from whether or not our sites will al be "broken" when new features DO become available, whether or not the date is the 30th.

=Matt=

mbonocore

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your responses in this thread. Good or bad, I really do appreciate the candor, and I am happy some people see my plight!

I am of course kidding. I really do love working with you all here in dgrin and I hope you all tune in on Tuesday.

For all of you who have asked about customization and what this means, please check out Baldy's post from tonight.

http://dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=1881443&postcount=125

Let me know if you have any questions.

Michael