You don't need to "subscribe" to Facebook. Their page is open for anyone to view:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wande...57815374260283
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You don't need to "subscribe" to Facebook. Their page is open for anyone to view:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wande...57815374260283
My confusion then. Perhaps it is just my form of logic. To me the logical place to look for news about continuing developments for the Travelwide would naturally be on the Kickstarter page for them, either in the updates or in the comments section. Kind of like having one clearing house for all information related to the project.
Does that make sense?
PS; I'm also one of the DIY backers who is very interested in purchasing extra "failed" parts. I am amazed by the pinhole samples they have put up and since they apparently have 1500 of these unusable pinhole discs already shipped and paid for I'd sure be interested in about 5 of them for DIY projects. I'd also like to buy the focus ring that would not work in high temps. Around my part of the country we have about 8 or 9 months of cool weather and it might provide a more precise fit under those conditions. It looks like the rings would not be hard to switch out and change back if needed. I would of course expect an extra charge for these items and would be happy to pay for them.
I agree that they probably should commit to a weekly update that gets feed to their social media. Even if it's "work is progressing" it's good to do.
They probably aren't trying to sell low-cost seconds yet because fulfilling those orders could be a large job in itself, tracking, packaging, shipping, handling irate customers and various problems that arise over a $5 item. Better for them to finish what they've got.
My original idea was that, when the cameras were ready to ship and they sent out the address survey, they could also include a check off list for extra cost parts along with paypal info. Then a backer would just remit the additional amount. It could be though, that Kickstarter rules do not allow this sort of arrangement. As I understand it they have dipped deeply into their own pockets to address these unforeseen problems. I for one would be willing to help defray some of these extra expenses.
Sure. FWIW, Bob Crowley is also using Facebook and his own Blogspot site, rather than Kickstarter, as the primary channels for updates on the New55 project. I think in an earlier post Ben said something about it being especially time-consuming to do a KS update.
As noted earlier in this thread, they do have a mailing list:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...=1#post1147856
I haven't been on it, so I don't know how frequent the updates have been through that channel.
Also, I think Ben has, in effect, already acknowledged the idea of selling the odd parts:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...18#post1130718
I imagine they'll get to it once the primary challenge of completing a properly-functioning camera is met.
I too think their updates should be on Kickstarter or their own blog (with a link on Kickstarter). But I won't ascribe any motivation to their decision. For some, Facebook is their "go to" source for information. But not me. I got an email update on August 18th; I don't consider that too far in the past.
Personally, I'm pleased that there's so much focus (no pun intended) on getting it right. I can wait.
[QUOTE=Oren Grad;1171326]Sure. FWIW, Bob Crowley is also using Facebook and his own Blogspot site, rather than Kickstarter, as the primary channels for updates on the New55 project. I think in an earlier post Ben said something about it being especially time-consuming to do a KS update.
Yes, I remember Ben did say that. I was thinking more of just a short post in the comments section of the KS site, especially to answer specific questions posted by backers. When Ben posts to the comments section it shows up on my computer in a blue background. Even if he could not provide an answer at that time it would be a courtesy to replay to that effect. Some questions by one backer could also be of general interest to many other backers.
Just a thought, not whining.
I'm not talking about the comments section I'm talking about the updates section. With as many comments as come KS projects get most backers only read a fraction of those comments. The comments section is not the place for updates the updates section is the place for updates.
For example I backed another project a whole back and the cheaters said in a comment that there were going to drop one of the two color options and only produce one color. They never sent out an update. When they shipped the product a lot of people were mad because they were never informed that the color they chose was never produced.
When a project creator puts an update on kickstarter the update is emailed to all the backers. When a project creator uses another method for updating people then most backers will never see it.
Well well, now more than five weeks since the last update. That could be good news (they have solved the focus ring problem and want to surprise us with the news that they now have a ship date) or bad news (They have to redesign the whole helical to work with the material available and that's another 3 or 4 months prototyping and testing). I hope it is the first reason.