Is it worth it?

[rinnan]

I am so sorry that you feel this way. I too think you all have done  wonderful work. I have yet to see any place people help out this much. Sorry to say that I had lost all connection with the site. It is hard to believe how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was here and yet it has been almost a year. 

Please to not feel "taken advantage of " I know I speak for many that may not seem to show their appreciation so straight forward , but I am sure their heart skipped a beat when they saw your wonderful work on a picture that they thought was lost forever. I did at least last time. ! So please on behalf of those , you helped out , I want to say keep up the great work. You have brought joy into many lives. Louisa Rinnan

[Wiggy]

I've thought for a long time about whether to say anything on this thread,  and this is the result of my thinking . . . .


I agree with Carol.   

Yes, we all like acknowledgement and it is super nice when people are pleased and happy with what the restorers do. 

But, having said that, I do any restorations for fun, my own gratification, and to learn a bit more of the art.    

 I don't have to do any - and those I do do aren't brilliant, but it is fun trying to clean up a damaged photo and I've learnt a lot along the way.

If we, as restorers, aren't happy with the response of those for whom we do restores, the answer seems easy to me - just don't do any more for those people. 

And if the photos put up are very bad scans or too small etc, just don't do them - we can ask for better scans if possible. 
I just won't touch tiny photos of really poor scans - my eyes are worth more than to strain trying to do them, so . . . . I just don't.

But in the end it is up to us if we do anything - we aren't being paid, and there is no compulsion.

And it is great fun trying.       

Hope I'm not standing on anyone's toes here

Happy New Year!   


(Really just reiterating what Caz said on the first page.    )

[Brit2015]

Just to add my two pennies worth ... I feel at the beginning this was great fun and I was learning and this was a great arena to practice.  But the same feelings came in when you see the same names wanting a procession of photos done,  someone submits one after you and they get the thanks.  Is it worth it,  yes, when you look at it as ... my hobby,  my fun,  my drawing needs are satisfied !!!!!

Brenda - Brit2015 - Phoenix, Arizona US

[dobfarm]

I used to do ancestry look ups one after another, many members never even replied, others use to argue the toss of something I had found, that disproved their theories. Some members, that if I found something in the county archives or a graveyard inscription for them, instead of a plain thank you, I would get a long list of other things to look up for them by PM and talked too as if I was a servant worker in an office by the boss. These days I'm more selectable with posts, doing only a few odd post look ups that have been left undone as challenge brickwall, doing a better job of researching them and taking longer breaks away from ancestry in between.

Thus be more picky or selective, if you only pick a photo that you think you could do a really good job of perfection on by spending more time on and post days later with real quality to enjoy and show your talent. Above all, have  breaks outside of the virtual computer world.

[PhotoRepair]

It now appears that its rife over on Reddit where this goes on exactly the same way. Many requests, little or no thanks.

[IgorStrav]

The pleasure I get from reading the threads on this board is immense, and I'm always recommending people to join Rootschat for this alone.

The quality of the restores is overwhelming - I have some myself, and if anyone didn't feel duly thanked for them at the time, please may I remedy this now once more. 

One question, was it the right thing to change the name of the board to FREE Restoration and Dating?
I know it is free, and the service given by the wonderful people on the board, but does it make it sound less expert, less time-consuming?  It did change, didn't it, I'm not inventing that?

[relatedtoturnips]

I dont think some people appreciate how much time and effort it takes. Therefore when a person just says "restore please", and when its done they vanish. Its a bit selfish on their part.

Also i notice that a lot of the photos are not even scanned first, this making a good detail restore almost impossible. Surely its worth getting the photo scanned, and upload it to a photo sharing service. That way a restorer has the best resolution to work with.

I know not all are technology experts, hence some do not have scanners etc. But if a picture is worth keeping, a little bit of effort it worth it to scan it.


All the best.

[terry h]

One question, was it the right thing to change the name of the board to FREE Restoration and Dating?
I know it is free, and the service given by the wonderful people on the board, but does it make it sound less expert, less time-consuming?  It did change, didn't it, I'm not inventing that?

You are correct Igor and I have often thought 'why did they put the free there' but I guess I know the answer to that one

Totally agree with you Carol, it is very disheartening.  I don't do so many now and when I do they are sometimes a bit later than the others and they are not even acknowledged..............don't people check their replies 

Enough said

Terry

[cazza59]

I would have thought that it would have had the opposite affect and people would be even more grateful. Where else can you get photos restored for free, documents deciphered, and an army of volunteers willing to knock down your brick walls for you, all for FREE? 

If I ever make requests for look ups or whatever, I make it a point to thank everyone that has helped me, as I'm well aware that everyone's time is precious and their skills whatever they may be, should be appreciated.  I just expect the same courtesy as do all the restorers, researchers etc!

All I can say is God Bless Rootschat and all who sail in her!   

Caz

PS I sooo miss the Christmas smilies!