Yes, it's another Deviant Art-related rant.

When I first saw the upgraded site, I was excited. I love that I have thumbnails (which used to be a subscribers-only feature) on my DevWatch list. That way, I can browse the images and choose which ones I want to take a closer look at. It used to be that I had to click on each just to get so much as a glimpse. Overall, I like the looks of the new message center. It makes the screen very "busy," almost cluttered, but it does consolidate everything into one handy location.

What keeps me from being able to really appreciate the upgrade, though, is that the overall site has become far more difficult to navigate and even harder to post to.

I'm one of those people who navigates websites very fast. My fingers are always moving, either on the keyboard or the mouse (or both!). Plus I have 6.0 high speed DSL service, which only serves to enable my speed-browsing. Deviant Art, however, doesn't lend itself to this particular habit very well. And it makes me impatient and frustrated...which in turn drives me away from the site.

In case you were wondering why I've once again been scarce, and why I haven't been commenting much or posting new artwork.

Basically, I have to wait for DA to load properly before I can proceed. Even with my amped-up DSL. I'm forced to slow down and stare at the screen EACH TIME I CLICK ON SOMETHING. And even if I'm good and keep my hands off the mouse, sometimes (many times, actually) the page won't even load properly. I get the damned red X's. Or it locks up completely, in which case I'm lucky if I can even leave the site without having to close out my browser or do ctrl-alt-delete.

Not my idea of a good time.

I'm thinking it's going to come down to either subscribing or putting up with an increasingly difficult user experience. (Or even leaving.) The economy is lousy, and I've had to cut things a lot more important and enjoyable than Deviant Art out of my budget already. It doesn't seem practical or wise to subscribe. True, I can still use the site if I don't shell out the money. But quite frankly, this basic version sucks.

On top of that, I caught a nasty trojan here. I can almost guarantee you that I picked it up while browsing DA. Both times I caught it, I had JUST gotten done here. And those were the only two times that week that I visited DA. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I'm very suspicious now. I know that DA would never knowingly carry or transmit malware, but from what I've been told by friends in the IT business, a lot of java-based ads (like the kind plastered all over DA) can carry malicious script implanted by third parties. Which basically means that spyware scumbags are infecting ads on DA that are in turn infecting me. To get rid of the ads--which are what slows down the browsing--I have to SUBSCRIBE.

*huge sigh*

The other issue that gives me pause about staying here is the fact that DA is becoming less and less First Amendment friendly. I am an extremely pro-free speech individual. I may not like your ideas and your artwork, and they may piss me off, but I will staunchly defend your right to express yourself in this way. I've heard rumors that DA is allowing less and less politically controversial artwork to remaim on the site. It's getting to the point where if one unhappy person narcs to the staff, artwork will be removed without giving the artist/club the opportunity to defend their reason for posting it.

And you know it's bad when obviously satirical galleries with blatant disclaimers are being banned because people can't understand the meaning of SATIRE and can't be bothered to read just a bit deeper. (Those who've known me for a while will know which now-defunct club I'm referring to.) I'm not sure I want to be part of a site that balks at the notion of free speech. Sure, my own artwork is harmless...but what if I wanted an outlet for more controversial ideas? DA used to be a free speech refuge. No longer, it seems.

Rest assured, until a better and more user friendly art site comes along, I most likely won't be going anywhere. (I am fielding suggestions, though.)

This is just a rant. Everyone needs to blow off steam sometimes. If you'd like to commiserate--or disagree--feel free to reply with any rant you wish.

And honk if you HATE all these ads!!!!!!






In other more personal art-related news:

The "Untouchables" fan art IS still in the works. I have two pieces done (and looking great!), one scrapped that wasn't working out, one nearly complete, and then one or two more quickies to go after that.

I'm thinking about starting a club here. If I decide to go through with it, I'll keep everyone posted.

I am officially in love with Photoshop. I found some wicked good tutorials here and I've had a blast coloring line art and working with layers. It's awesome finally knowing how to use things properly, lol!

I'll probably post older photos in the meantime just to stay active. The weather's been lousy, so I haven't gone on any photo expeditions in several months.





Until next time (or next rant), I hope everyone here is doing well.