I have been planning on writing this for a couple of weeks now.
I have considered coming at it a few different ways.
During this time, a few people have reached out to me to discuss their issues and if I can help them resolve them as I have a pedigree of success getting rule-breaking ones removed.
I have also been the victim of a rule-breaking profile that MW refuses to remove because despite breaking the rules, it doesn’t break the rules!
Some examples:
- Profile added with the photo proof looking like it was left on a radiator.
- Profile creator using photos from those in the comments.
- Duplicated a profile supplied by the designer and changed the filament colours, calling it their own.
- Taking down a print profile WITH photo evidence because someone said it didn’t have one.
- Only renders are added as pictures, never any photos.
I could provide a few more dozen recent failures by MW to adhere to their own rules concerning the print profiles and allow third parties to profit from MW’s inaction.
It is important to distinguish between value-add profiles and points-harvesting profiles.
Value-add
A profile that provides something the designer was unable or unwilling.
For example; support one or more printers the designer didn’t, the A1 mini was a perfect example, prior to the recent change that finally adds them automatically. A fully painted version of a model the designer chose to only provide in a single colour.
Point-harvesting
Any profile that breaks the rules.
One that only changes the colours of the filaments used in an existing profile provided by the designer.
Any profile that claims to be faster when all they did was reduce the infill, wall count or scale. I had a few that did that on my fidget spinners. With precise tolerances and weights required, making it 88% with 8% infill stopped it functioning!!
Outcome
I and many others reduce or stop acting in a community role, one they used to enjoy. Because if MW can’t be bothered to keep their house clean and follow the rules, why should I spend my time picking up trash?
I know MW knows who I am as they have told those who report models about me, and my actions on the forum and in reporting.
They also reached out the other day and sent this.
Hi Malc, we want to thank you for your ongoing contributions to our community and forum. Many creators have reached out to us to express their appreciation for your efforts in safeguarding their intellectual properties and maintaining the integrity of our community. We truly value your constructive and honest approach, and we recognize your role in making MakerWorld a better place for both users and creators. We’re excited to share our growth with you and remain committed to progressing in the right direction with the support of key members like you…(the remaining part was personal).
Community Guidelines
I am aware they published an updated MakerWorld Community Guidelines, but that fails to address any of the issues here.
Also, it is very light on details, a problem that has caused many people to seek clarifications the document should have cleared up.
Does anyone else have an example of MW not uploading their own rules with print profiles?
If you do, add it below and keep it factual, and to the point, do not add judgment other than what they did/did not do and the impact it may have had.
Outcome wished for
I am hopeful MW will read this open letter and reach out to me and we can work to improve these things for all people.
9 posts - 7 participants