SWAG on DeviantArt

Will there be cake?

Uj cake, of course!

I"m already linking my images here to higher resolution ones at my D.A galley so people have the choice to view the larger version. So a SWAG D.A gallery seems like a nice natural extension.

No worry folks, since i've been doing this for all my sw renders, it doesn't diminish the actual swag site here.

Interestingly, if we provide a linkback from the D.A site to SWAG here, we could actually gain more and new artists. Theres already a Twi'lek D.A group I've joined, and it has some nice artwork there.

So yeah, I think this could in a positive light, build some bridges and all of us as a whole :)

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Core to the Quad baby!!!

If your going to complement me, don't tell me my work is neat, cool or awesome. If you really like it, tell me why you like it and what you like about it. Only then I'll take it as a complement.

Am I the only one who finds this a bit insulting to the one true SWAG?

As coca-cola learned when they made 'New Coke' back in the 80's, splitting your product doesn't bode well in the long run, and the artwork is SWAG's product.

I'm all for members also having their art on their accounts in Deviant art, but I can't help think that having an organized sub-SWAG there will diminish this site's utility and readership.

You might be dredwulf...

Swagonline.net will always remain and be the host / parent site. This is stated right on the group's front page, the very top "about us" group info. There is also a clickable link that takes everyone right back here. We've got SWAGOnline advertised as 'over 5000 pieces of sw roleplaying art'.

Like I said in the post above, theres ample opportunity to actually gain new artists here at swag through the group site at D.A. I hate to say it, but Swagonline.net is pretty small compared to D.A, and theres alot of talented artists on D.A that do SW art. We're in the process of affiliating with a Twi'lek group on D.A, and that group has more D.A SW affiliates. See how the network begins to grow?

I've also made it clear on the front page, that our SWAG group is maintaining Swagonline's levels of quality and standards. PG - PG13 stuff only, no nudity, graphic violence, or sexuality.

New members can join and submit, but its the admin and co-admin that handle what goes into the gallery.

I myself, do all my 3d renders at 1680x1050 size. Its a waste of my time rendering an optimal version specific to 840x840 (camera angle & zoom). What I render, if its not as a requested piece, then its purely for myself as desktop wallpaper. In either case, I still upload it to my personal gallery at D.A where it can be viewed at its original 1680x1050 size. Thats why I always include a link to my D.A gallery on the images I submit here.

SO, by what your saying that a SWAG D.A group diminishes SWAGonline, I've already been long diminishing my gallery here by having the full version renders hosted in a personal gallery at D.A.

I, Asok, and Hisham arn't advocating for all the artists here to convert over to D.A exclusively. Any of our SW art will always be submitted here by default. Out of all the sw artists here, (and those that are still active), only a handful of them actually have accounts at D.A.

All of SWAGOnline's member and user base originally originated from the SWRPGNetwork forums. Since then, we've gained new artists and requesters through by word of mouth from over at WOTC's forums, and D20 radio (which most of the swrpgholonet crowd migrated over to).

And lastly, SWAGOnline is the only site that has all the proper amenities for roleplaying request based art. The discussion forums here, the artist blogs, private messaging. D.A simply doesn't have these facilities, period. SWAGOnline's user base will remain here. We don't have to worry about that. People and fellow gamers know, when they want an art image drawn or rendered, the forums here is the place to go.

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Core to the Quad baby!!!

If your going to complement me, don't tell me my work is neat, cool or awesome. If you really like it, tell me why you like it and what you like about it. Only then I'll take it as a complement.

Good point made Asok - We might and best make it group policy that each of our SW images provides a linkback to Swagonline, so in actuality we have a cross-linking going on, from image gallery here to full size versions on D.A, and at D.A per image - links back to the gallery here.

I think it'd also be a good point to put on the group info section - more information about SWAGOnline, such as the 3-5 piece submission evaluation policy for new guild members, and that SWAG is always looking for new artists.

We might also need to adjust the member policy rules - members (new to swag) can submit art but must be approved by the staff. Contributors status is given manually... Hmmm, will have to post that on the main page there...
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Core to the Quad baby!!!

If your going to complement me, don't tell me my work is neat, cool or awesome. If you really like it, tell me why you like it and what you like about it. Only then I'll take it as a complement.

Lets talk more about site diminishing...

SWRPGNetwork is a clear example of a site, forum and community that has been, and still is diminishing.

What once used to be a busy and active site 24/7, for players discussing every aspect of sw roleplaying, from troubleshooting rules problems, inventing new rules and mechanics, dedicated GM, D20, D6, General sections, discussion areas for specific eras, even dedicated roleplaying and games signup bullitenboard section.

Unfortunately, over the years, the site always had some hosting issues, causing the site to end up offline for a day or few at random.

In 2007, the entire site was offline for almost half a year. Everyone pretty much migrated to WOTC's forums, which was an entirely different community atmosphere, a difference of night and day, and pretty hostile of an environment.

I took it upon myself with limited resources i had access to, hosted a "Holonet Refugee Camp" and invited all that I saw who were holonet members over. And did I ever rally over at the wotc forum, for whom ever didn't like the wotc forum was free to come to more familiar grounds. It helped provide a safe and friendly haven while we all awaited SWRPGNetwork's return. Soon as it finally did come back online, "The Camp" was once again barren as it had originally been before I expanded it to host as a temporary refuge site. Our Camp had some unfortunate outages and eventual permanent shutdown once after the SWRPGNetwork was back online, something I've not found or had resources for to fund another provider. (the original provider had shut down, was a friend of a friend thus gave us free & banner free hosting). Some days I still wish our "Holonet Refugee Camp" a was still online and operational, for times like today when the holonets are truly down. But then I wonder, and realize my own wish has been answered in some ways, knowing that there is D20 Radio that majority of the community frequently visits in place of the Holonets.

But ever since 2007, the SWRPGNetwork has suffered in its community as a whole. Some decided to stay at the more online reliable WOTC forums. Someone else with more resources and funds than I created an entirely new site and forum called "D20 Radio", with features such as regular podcasts, multi-game discussion for all games d20 rules based, etc. The main SWRPGNetwork's community has migrated over there, mixing with many of the WOTC community who have also found their way over.

So unfortunately, SWPRGNetwork as a site, forum, and community has diminished almost irrevocably, still plagued with online reliability issues. As I currently type this, once again is in another weeklong outage. When the Holonet is operational, discussion is stagnant, only the most diehard and the mods still frequent it daily, which isn't much given its only about a dozen or two of us out of some several hundred that once used to be. The site as a whole has stagnated. Offering nothing new, no expansions or features to draw in and re-attract its former members. Everything SWRPGNetwork had or offered, D20 Radio offers all that and more. Dedicated online roleplayers - many have migrated to a more feature rich gaming forum called rpol.net . Those who want to discuss roleplaying game mechanics can do so at D20 Radio. Ever since its own owner - Rodney 'Morrodin" Thompson had been hired onto WOTC, now writing the SAGA edition source books, it too seems in concert with the frequent outages, theres a lack of time or dedication in running and maintaining the site. This all contributes towards the site's slow downward spiral.

SWRPGNetwork- I hate to say, let alone admit to it, but its become much like the Babylon 5 station at the end of season 5. NOlonger the major trade hub, or place of diplomatic 'demilitarized zone' activity. It hanging in space as an out of the way has been, an empty shell from bygone days.

Thats quite a stark difference to SWAGOnline here, with 99.9% reliability uptime making for an excellent track record. As previously mentioned, we have all the amenities here that we could need or ask for for the sole purpose of contributing art, and filling out art requests. This is SWAGOnline's true product, its services. D.A just can't match that, let alone come close, and therefor SWAGOnline is not in danger or endangered by the creation of a D.A extension.

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Core to the Quad baby!!!

If your going to complement me, don't tell me my work is neat, cool or awesome. If you really like it, tell me why you like it and what you like about it. Only then I'll take it as a complement.

hmph.

Seems like a great idea...but so did an army of clones.

I predict the two sites will work symbiotically...until the head of the Deviant Art Swaggers transmits 'Order 66'.

I have to say I actually just bought one of Korris' pieces that I would have never known about if I hadn't joined the SWAG DA group.

Thankyou :D
A purchase has got to be the biggest compliment I have ever had to date :)
I must admit though Im quite proud of the peice and think it's my best yet.
Reason I went to Deviant art site as well was through here. Sometimes this place can feel a little quiet in terms of produced art in comparison. But once a Swag always a Swag. A lot of the Star wars art work I do for myself I feel a bit cheeky posting here and try to keep it to requests. Just been a bit carried away with my own character peices so far and should be picking up a few requests soon, got a few bookmarked! :)

Jamie
'Korris'
"Many Bothans died to bring you this post"