<spyed> next up?
<chix0r> hey opticnerve
<opticnerve> Do you agree with the deviantart print system taking a percentage profit, 50% above 'base price' from the sale of a print? Could you give us an insight is the reasoning behind this? Do you feel that there could be a fairer deal for artists who are embracing the print system?
<opticnerve> Hey all, sorry, long question
<spyed> yes actually, I designed the pricing
<opticnerve> Personally I feel the way you define the print pricing fundementally defines how deviantart operates: A percentage cut means deviantart exists to make money from artists. A fixed cut, while profitable for deviantart, says that deviantart exists to provide services for artists.
<opticnerve> You did?
Then I am asking the right chap! that is a relief

<spyed> we took the pricing from the traditional art world actually
<spyed> galleries take a 50% cut as well
<spyed> only they take a 50% cut of gross, not net.
<opticnerve> Quick example, it costs the same to print a $1.95 Matte 4x5 print and a $100 Matte 4x5 print, so there would appear to be no justification for taking a percentage cut, which reflects a different relationship between deviantart and the artist. In the traditional world, the pricing reflects a 'gallery' profiting from the selection of talent it stocks
<spyed> in other words, the artist provides the canvas, the paint, other materials, etc. and the gallery takes a full 50%
<spyed> well I wouldn't say there isn't any justification
<spyed> we're attempting to assume that the person buying your art work isn't a family member/relative etc. so they are a fan
<spyed> that fan is a fan of yours, but they found you through deviantART.
<opticnerve> So you answered my second part:
<opticnerve> Do you see deviantart as a promotional network that artists can use, or a community for artists? Or some hybrid, where is the emphasis?
<spyed> and with this type of incentive for deviantART we can spend whatever amount of money it takes in order to enhance the systems allowing people interested in buying your work to find you.
<opticnerve> I ask because deviantart isn't acting as an agent for the artist, although it is a powerful network and sales base. Another argument is that it didn't aid in the production of that work. With this in mind, do you think this will change anytime soon? 50% above the base price is not something that reflects the service provided, whereas taking a fixed price would reflect more accurately and honestly the role the print system plays, and would give more money to the artist.
<Insignificant-Other> Hi SpudZ--, you're up.

<SpudZ--> hi, how are you ?

<spyed> great how are you
<SpudZ--> fine.. thank you.
<SpudZ--> Dear Mr. Sotira. I would like to ask you to be honest about what happenend with &deg;
jark
on the 7th of August and why. Blame me for asking you something that has been asked a thousand of times allready...
I ask you this question ( again ) because I feel you've never been honest about this matter.

So.. do you have the decency and courage to answer
the
question now ?
Or do you choose to chicken out and disrespect the community by remaining silent.. again ?
<spyed> hehe
<spyed> you know my answer to this
<SpudZ--> I bet you expected this question..
<SpudZ-->
<spyed> no not really
<spyed> most people have let it lay where it needs to.
<SpudZ--> pitty
<spyed> pitty why?
<spyed> what is it that you are seeking?
<spyed> dum dummm dummmmmmmmm!
<SpudZ--> that you still didn't answer my question..
<spyed> the truth!
<SpudZ--> yes please
<Narfmaster> oops!
<spyed> &deg;
jark
was an employee of deviantART and we parted ways.
<spyed> that's all there is to it really.
<spyed> but the conspiracy theories are fun.
<SpudZ--> against jark's will that is..
<SpudZ--> it's not like he choose to part ways, or did he ?
<spyed> I can't discuss this. not because I have anything to hide, but because california and federal state laws prohibit me from speaking about past employees.
<spyed> please allow me to respect those laws in peace.
<chix0r> hey spinegrinder