Well, as to the “gimme the free template” thing, I have been writing what amount to free tutorials for various glassmaking techniques for the last decade or so. I’ve gotten so many of those requests over the years that I finally wrote out a stock response; now I just reply with the link.
After awhile, other artists started asking if they could use that, too, so KitCameo, if you want to borrow some of the language, be my guest: http://www.morganica.com/stories/form-of-flattery/
So many replies since I last checked at lunch.
I agree with so many. I, too am disappointed in the delay and now have to wait an additional 8 month to even see what my GF can do (and not do) with my paper creations. I currently work for a manufacturing company and understand the unforeseen circumstances that plague projects-BUT if you have a crappy project manager who cannot speak up earlier about issues-or does not recognize possible delays-then there needed to be a “come to Jesus” meeting before the 11th hour. I think GF was a little safe already sitting on all of our money vesus asking us to pay on delivery. I hope we are all not here on the forum again in December sounding like a broken record.
I also am mixed on all the “freebies” given us. I had no intention of using my GF on any other medium other than paper. I feel there will be some Xmas gifts to my family of coasters and plaques…but that’s it. And what good would any percentage of a store be if you never have an intention of buying from it? I will just wait and see. Maybe I will be wrong and I will find something that I like.
I do appreciate the honesty and forthcoming about the delay…but will now be skeptical on anything else coming from Glowforge.
Hey @dan I think that would make a lovely Laser Thursday wall hanging. Simple, and something to look back on when that kid has kids.
You can keep posting. It looks like you have plenty to contribute by your comments in this discussion. Welcome to active participation in the forums.
@dan, I nominate this for today’s theme song (or maybe tomorrow’s–people need time to get un-sad). This is the song I was constantly humming/singing to my bummed-out fiance in the year after his startup finally went to bits. It made us both feel better, and by god, it ended up being true. Today is a hard day. Tomorrow might be hard, too. However, things WILL get brighter, and eventually, you and your team will be “walkin’ in the light of the beautiful sun…” (Or basking in the safely deflected light of perfectly aimed laser beams–whatevs.)
Wanted to chime in that I’m so glad you did this. I don’t think that most people fully appreciate the ramp that needs to happen to get from the number of units GF expected to ship to the number that they got pre-orders for. If I was sitting in a post-mortem meeting after that crowdfunding campaign I’d be asking for 6 months straight off the top. The fact that they’re only slipping because of a PSU issue (which is one of the parts you better get 100% right) and not a “#@$@ we have to figure out how to build how many of these things?” is pretty incredible to me.
So hats off to the whole team. I’m 100% confident you made the right call, and I’d far rather have a unit that you can all feel proud of something merely good enough.
I should hope we have a fair idea of what it will be capable of based on everything the company has already told us about the machine. I do realize that people like to look down on those of us who make an investment without a security net, but I am reading Dan’s book right now, and literally one of the first things quoted in it is, “Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to the resources currently controlled.” - Professor Howard Stevenson.
Now, if I didn’t make this purchase when I did, I would have lost the accrued referral credits I had toward purchase, and I would have lost the presale rate for the machine, as well as a good spot in line. Having no interest for six months made it seem like a solid investment to me, because I know this device can help my business, and at the time my job would have paid for it. Denigrating people for making this decision when we did is disingenuous at best, because we were sold on the fact that it would help us with our businesses. You are basically telling us that we should not trust the company that you are championing.
Dan
Thank you for the up date.
I am waiting anxiously for my GlowForge and the ability to laser engrave using rasters instead of vectors as I currently am forced to while using the six Chinese made low power (5watt or less) laser systems (two MakeBlock.cc kits, three Eleks (Chinese Arduino Uno based systems) plus the laser engraver on my Next Wave Automation CNC Shark laser option.
To get these systems to work I have had to kluged up post processor files for Vectric VCarve that will generate the G Code to control this motley collection without burning down my shop.
I understand the quality control issues you are experiencing and wish you the best in mastering them prior to shipping my GlowFroge Pro.
As with all customers every where I would love to have my system yesterday.
I laud you and your staff on your patience dealing with us the demanding customer community.
John
Hey KitCameo-what are you studying? Max or c4d? or Maya?
Yes, I am basically saying not to trust them. But with the additional qualifier of “with your entire livelihood.”
Trust that they will deliver a product capable of everything they say it is capable of, and with more capability as time goes by and they refine the cloud system with added features. But absolutely do not pay for space or advertise products which you plan to make.
Granted… I haven’t read the Hot Seat book yet, and I am not the kind of person to run a start up. I know you are supposed to take risks, but I would hope that you are supposed to take reasonable risks.
Buying this to augment a business… great plan. Buying it to START a business, and be cornerstone for it? I personally feel that is a TERRIBLE plan. Buying it to start PLANNING a business in which it will be a cornerstone? Again, back to great plan.
What …the… * reads* Nrrryyaaarrggh! * takes sledge hammer to the walls * * Throws old CRT monitor through he window * * runs out on the deck * * jumps on railing * * yells and shakes fist at sky * * sees neighbour * * sheepishly waves while closing robe * * storms back inside * * slips on dog water bowl and does splits * * hobbles back to computer room with pulled groin * * flips over table * eiGHisg * picks up keyboard *
Thanks for the update, Dan, appreciate it!
-John
Best response ever.
I’m taking all of Ben Tristem’s courses, which are learning C#, Unity, Unity 3D, Unreal, and Blender. I’m also taking a JavaScript course, and then several of their free courses. I’ve started with the Unity one, which promises 7 games down by course completion.
Well, given at the time of purchase I had a job, I suppose I don’t fit into this category, unless I should also be a psychic. I still don’t think it’s very helpful at this point in time to be denigrating the people who already did this, though. This is not the “potential backers” forum. This is the backers forum.
@Dan, To say I’m disappointed I won’t be getting my unit soon would be an understatement. However, I am so impressed with how you handle both the praise and criticism.
Thank you for all you do!
Still can’t wait to get it.
While I was really hoping to have a laser engraver by June, that hope only came after I pre-ordered. Before I learned about the Glowforge, I expected to be able to afford/justify the cost of a quality laser in 5 to 8 years. I still feel I’ll be ahead of the game when the better-than-it-would-have-been-in-June Glowforge arrives later this year. Your commitment to quality over meeting a particular deadline is admirable and will likely pay off in the long run. It’s also further evidence that a Glowforge is the best fit for my needs/expectations.
You had a job at the time of purchase, and using the Glowforge is a fallback plan. So the comment I initially made is absolutely not aimed at you.
As far back as last December, we have had people talking about having reserved space in a mall kiosk (this would be one of those “You don’t know what it is capable of” dual failures, since that would be counting on the filter to be so phenomenal there is no scent at all), and many other such “Clearly over-investing in a major unknown” cases.
Hilarious!
Thanks for that link, it was interesting reading. I’m often blown away by the gall of people expecting to get creative work for free. I would think you’d made those letters up if I hadn’t experienced similar behavior, and I think your answers were marvelous (and remarkably restrained). Also enjoyed your post on Ulta, and have to agree with you there too.
Oops, sorry for the hijack.
Dan, I purchased the Glowforge Basic with Air Filter. I am respectively requesting that you upgrade me to the Glowforge Pro due to the HUGE and devastating setback. We are talking a year from now!!! What you are offering for compensation is what you should offer to anyone who supported you from the beginning any way. What you are offering is to sample things we would buy from you. That will only make you more money. I don’t consider that a gift or compensation. This set back is going to cost me a ton of business I was counting on for this year’s holiday season!!!