January 19, 2010 in Blog by Mike Ryan

Site Update: January 19th, 2009

Please, let me start off with an apology for that lack of updates last week. It is my responsibility to keep the site active and informed, however between my research and my schooling I unfortunately did not have any time to even think about SpreadPaint.NET. However, tonight that changes. In my last blog post, I detailed some changes I was hoping to make, mainly in regards to certain design elements and general user content and tonight I am happy to announce some of my results, however other announcements are simply going to have to wait.

First of all, at the end of each of my posts you should now see a donation button (via PayPal) and directly beneath it a block of advertising space. This is to maximize profits and results, and to ease up on the number of users who are currently running some form of ad protection or ad blockers. SpreadPaint.NET is a lot of work, between its creation, maintaining it, formulating new content, and keeping it running it almost feels like a part-time job, and for that I hope you can understand why the site may seem plastered in ads and donation buttons now. But trust me, my plans for that funding are strictly site and Paint.NET related, in a manner that I hope to benefit general usage.

Secondly, I am now accepting applications for youthful, young volunteer writers. If you have ever wanted to write a column regarding Paint.NET and if you want to help this project in a way that spreads the software, then writing is probably for you. As mentioned, this is strictly volunteer and there are some terms and conditions that you will have to accept in order to have your content published on SpreadPaint.NET, however most of this information I will only share with those aspiring to write. As such, if you are interested drop me a comment through the Contact page with why you want to write and how you can complement SpreadPaint.NET and the project overall.

Also, in regards to better plugin and tutorial management, I have yet to come up with a solution that easily integrates with the current theme and layout that does not detract from the overall feel of the site. Because of this, I am now designing a new theme that I hope to have debut by the end of the year as its purpose is not emergent, and because I want it to be right, and to feel right. If you have any personal suggestions, again don’t be afraid to use the contact form. I have already received beneficial feedback through the system, and I am glad I have it implemented like it is.

Last is that as the pieces of the SpreadPaint.NET puzzle begin to fall into place, it is time to start thinking about the gasoline that’ll fuel the engine, and that is advertisement campaigns. By March 2nd, when SpreadPaint.NET goes official, expect news regarding this advertising campaign and how you can be a part of it and participate in events the benefit Paint.NET. I’ll have more word at a later time to discuss what exactly I mean by advertising campaign, and how I plan to execute it.

And so I will depart for the night, but be on the lookout on Thursday for another Community Spotlight featuring a glassy tutorial and feathered edges. I am still too excited for the future, and cannot wait to share the rest of my vision for SpreadPaint.NET and how I believe it can affect the Paint.NET project in way that each of us experienced when we first began to use the software.