A quick list of important documents and pages:
The Artalyst Features List
The Terms and Conditions of Use
The Artalyst Tutorials Section
Manage your content subscriptions
Add a question to the FAQ
How do I register to Artalyst as a user?
In the top left corner under the login boxes, click the link called "create account". You will be taken to a page where you can enter your desired username or "nickname" and your valid email address. Nothing else is required to register, other information like real name, bio, website, etc. can be filled in later if you want. Then check your email account. Within a few minutes, you should get an automatically-generated email confirming your registration and giving you an initial password to use. Now you're ready to log in.
How do I change my account settings?
Once you have registered with Artalyst, you can change settings to control information about yourself and also your use and experience of Artalyst. To see what tweaks you can make to your account, log in and then click on "my account" in the navigation menu (that's the one titled with your user name). Click on the edit tab.
How do I change my password?
In your account settings, see above, enter in a new password in BOTH fields to set it. Artalyst sends you a default password that is often hard to remember, so it is recommended that you change your password to something you can easily remember.
What is the difference between a User and a Member?
You automatically become a User when registering to Artalyst. A Member is a paying subscriber to Artalyst and will have access to more content and features than a User. Check the Features List for more information.
What are groups?
On Artalyst, Groups are set up by Members as a themed micro-community that create or communicate internally and may or may not be viewed by the rest of the Artalyst community. Only a Member of Artalyst may create a Group, although any user may join and participate in a Group.
What are Groups used for?
Some Members may use their Group to create a private blog area that only other users invited to their group may see or comment on. The site uses a Group of authors that collaborate to create the storyline of Artalyst in private, then release the story to the public when ready. Some Members may also create Groups that are open to anyone, that sponsor a particular theme like B&W landscape photography for example.
What type of content can I create in a Group? And how do I know where it is displayed?
When you create a blog or image, you have the option in the form of a check box, to display the content publically, or to post it in one of the groups you are affiliated with, or all of the above.
What is a blog?
There are many definitions. For the purposes of blogs on Artalyst, we will define them as personal diaries. Blogs are becoming the "trendy" thing on the internet now. I'm sure you've probably heard of blogs by now, if not really knowing what it was about.
What is the purpose of a blog on Artalyst?
It's there for you the artist, to keep a record of your musings and activities if you like. Believe it or not, some people are interested in what makes you tick. They may see your artwork on the site, and think to themselves, "that seems like it was created by a really interesting person". But generally, people use them as personal journals and/or diaries.
What is allowed to be posted on a blog at Artalyst?
The minimum number of words is 50, to post a blog, and it is meant to post your thoughts or hobbies/activities. Example: If you wanted to show off this neat new graphic tablet you just bought or wanted advice on it, then you would post something about that in the General Community Forum. If you wanted to tell a story of your day aquiring this new tablet, in a journalistic style, then you would post that in your blog.
How do I see the blogs on this site?
By clicking the blog link in the menu to the left, you get a listing of all public blogs posted to Artalyst in the most recent order. Only an excerpt is shown, if you click on the title of the blog, you will see more. At the bottom of the blog article there will be options for commenting or subscribing to this blog, along with a link to see all of this user's blogs.
How do I point others to my blogs page?
The address to your blogs is: http://www.artalyst.com/blog/username
How do I post a blog?
To post anything to the site, you can click on the "create content" link in the menu on the left, then select personal blog entry from the list. If you do not see the blog link, then you are not a subscribing Member. Only Members can post and maintain blogs.
Is there a maximum number of images I may upload per day?
Currently there is no limit. However, remember that if you space your images out, you will get more exposure to the main page of recent images over a longer period of time.
What is allowed for upload to the PhotoArt Albums?
This category is the site's main focus. We are looking for the best images you can create, with any and all techniques you can utilize. There are no rules or requirements on what is allowed except that they must be of a photographic origin of course, and you must be the creator of all sources used. Images are subject to removal from the gallery to eliminate mistakes or sub-par images.
What is allowed for upload to the Photography Albums?
This category is reserved for traditional photography. Any effects that can be achieved in the camera or lens are allowed. Editing, cropping and spot correcting are not only allowed, but encourage. Before uploading your picture to our gallery, make sure you have done everything in your power to make it the best image possible. It's ok, we want you too. Taking the photograph beyond the original intent of the capture should go into PhotoArt. A moderator may make a decision and change the location of your image to a more appropriate category.
What is allowed for upload to the Illustration / Painting Albums?
The category name really says it all. This site is primarily about Photographic Art, but we enjoy all forms of art. Any medium is allowed, any subject is allowed. So long as you painted it yourself.
What is the largest image I may post to the gallery?
The image my be no bigger than 1200 pixels in any dimension and no larger in size than 500kb.
What size does the system shrink my image too for viewing on the webpage?
Artalyst will resize your image to a maximum of 640 pixels in any dimension for display on the gallery page, and will resize and re-preportion your thumbnail to 80 pixels in both dimensions.
Where can I or someone see my original sized image?
There is a function coming that will allow registered users to view the full original sized image.
Am I required to upload a thumbnail to the gallery when submitting an image?
Yes. If you do not upload a thumbnail, your image will not display in the gallery categories. This is because the thumbnail is used to show a link to your image within the image galleries. For more information on creating and uploading a thumbnail, see this tutorial
Can I edit or delete my image?
For now, yes you can. In the future, edits will require a moderator's approval. In the meantime, simply go to your image, and click on the edit tab at the top of the page. This is handy if you accidentally didn't submit a thumbnail or you see that the thumbnail is stretched because it wasn't square.
Why do I get an error when trying to edit my image?
The edit function assumes your are essentially deleting your old image and uploading another. So you will need to put the thumbnail and image back into the provided boxes before submitting.
What is Membership to Artalyst?
Membership is an additional role that you can voluntarily sign up for that grants you even more features on the site. Features like, image statistics, personal customizable portfolio page, access to the storyline, ability to increase in rank and aquire badges and titles, personal blogs, and more. The normal fee for a subscription membership is $3 per month. However, until all of the features are added, that will not be the price you pay right now.
Why do you need to charge me to use these features?
Artalyst maintains a "advertising free" experience. We have no annoying flashing banner ads, google ads, pop-ups or the infamous pop-unders. This site is about artist expression, not advertising weight loss miracle drugs or home loans. However, costs of running the servers, back up servers, and the accompanying bandwith that is ever so precious, needs to be addressed somehow. Previously it was paid for by the site owner and various other donations, but as we grow, that becomes increasingly more expensive.
How do I become a Memeber?
There will be a system set up once all of the features are in place so that one can pay via paypal, or credit card. But until then, you can send me a private message requesting Membership. Only a very small donation to the site may be required. To help pay for the rest of the coding and get all of the features developed and implemented. Contact me here.
Where do these donations go?
While the site is officially out of beta, there are more features planned, and currently being developed by professional developers. More features will be added as our community grows and needs are realized. Subscribing members will be the ones who benefit from the added features and conveniences. The costs of this development is more than you could imagine, and donations only help to curb the costs. Membership fees pay for this development, along with server and bandwith costs.