I would like to stop speculations, as they are setting the wrong expectations for everyone

1. Yes, we have been on the 2-month release schedule, but nothing prevents us from releasing more frequently, if we are ready.  We are small, we are flexible, and we are just as eager to deliver new features are you are to use them. In fact, we are trying to shorten our time between releases. 

2. We are focused on releasing comments, and the "digital downloads" feature is next in line.We've already started working on it.

3. We are seriously committed to releasing the feature earlier than March. 

4. Our next release is coming in about a week.

Vitas [Zenfolio]:

I would like to stop speculations, as they are setting the wrong expectations for everyone

 That is what happens when you don't communicate with us.  Thanks for the update, however vague it is.

I am trying to understand why comments are more important that digital downloads.  This site will never be like Flickr...

 I, personally, don't care about comments at all. I don't know, maybe other do. Thank you for the update, though.

I guess this is the age of uncertainty. Nobody wants to promise or guaranty anything wherever you turn. I suppose we have to live with that.

skysi:

I guess this is the age of uncertainty. Nobody wants to promise or guaranty anything wherever you turn. I suppose we have to live with that.

I understand their position.  But I also understand that this feature (digital downloads) is available across the virtual street, and is compelling enough for me that I am prepared to cross that street if it will be months before it is offered here.  I haven't seen anything uniue or compelling enough for me to stay here.  The only thing that does is that I dropped $100 for a year. My original intent was to stay here and see it through, but this inability to provide digital downloads has already cost me one sale that I am directly aware of. I don't know that I want to let any more slip past.

Sports and More:

It will cost us a bit more but the return on investment will more than make up for the additional cost. Heck they could tier the membership as Smugmug has to not punish those who don't need the digital service. See the deal below from SmugMug......

 All Power features plus:

• Set print prices and make profit
• Proof-delayed shipping
• Backprinting
• Sell digital downloads
• Use custom watermarks
• Protect your images from theft
• Create a guest password for others to upload
• Add bigger files (up to 24 mb)
• Add Hi-Def video
• Just $149.95/year

If you use a coupon code your first year is 50% off.  I am starting my free trial today.

vitas:

You have received a new Private Message from Vitas [Zenfolio]

Subject: Re: digital downloads

Hello,I think that at this point the discussion about digital downloads has been derailed. We've heard you loud and clear, and will deliver digital downloads as soon as we can. We respect and value your opinoin, and we understand that everyone has a choice. From our research we know that more customers requested the comments feature than the digital downloads feature.However it is simply not cool to post competitor coupons on our forums. We would not do this on SmugMug's forums. It is not productive, and will not make us implement the digital downloads any sooner.  We respect SmugMug, as a great, valuable service, but this discussion is not about SmugMug.

We kindly ask you to either edit your or remove your post with Smugmug advertising. If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail me at vitas@zenfolio.com

Thank you very much for understanding.

I retracted the actual coupon code.  As a business, I would not expect you to post anything on their site.  I am a consumer though, and in this age, consumers are about transparency and access to information.  If you aren't meeting people's needs (granted, some people are quite pleased with your service), those people deserve to know about the alternatives.  I don't expect you to be able to offer this any faster - that isn't my motivation for informing people.  My motivation comes from the simple fact that I would want to know about the alternatives.

I don't understand, so no need to thank me.

 By the way - here is how SmugMug works it:

 http://www.smugmug.com/help/sell-digital-downloads

We've heard you loud and clear, however, let's be respectful to others. There are many people who would prioritize digital downloads very differently. We believe that there are more users who need comments more than they need digital downloads. That's why comments will be released first, followed by digital downloads.

 Wow, they have a great level of customization. I saw an example of their professional websites. And $145 a year is not that much.

 Well it's 2009 now, any information update on digital downloads?

 TIA

John

Digital downloads will be in the next site update, which should be available in several (more than two but fewer than many) weeks.

  That's the best news of 2009 so far, thanks AF. :)

Brilliant!!!

woohoo!

 That's the best news I ever read in this forum. I'm glad I've stayed with Zenfolio.