So you're an FA...what does THAT mean?!

Since the new TSR version has gone live, it has become a little less obvious about what it is exactly that FAs are, and what they do. :) The BEST explanation I have ever read came from the magnificent Windkeeper on our TSR forums.

You can read it here

You should be aware that all FA items, (unless on a free rotation schedule or permanently set free), are for subscribers only. This means you must be a subscriber to the site before you are able to download these items. You can tell whether or not an item is an FA subscriber item by looking for the GOLD artist pallette, and the little gold KEY on the items title. If you do see a little golden key, it means that the item is a subscriber only item.

FAs are asked if they are willing to be subscriber only artists by the site itself. They do so for their own reasons, but my particular reasons were:
1) Because it is a REALLY great honor to be considered one of the top artists on the site!
2) Because I LOVE this site, and know that by allowing my lots to be subscriber only I am also enabling many other artists to NOT worry about the costs of uploading to a site, or worrying about uploading to the web in general.

I, and my fellow FAs, are in essence helping to ensure that thousands of other fabulous items are kept FREE for you to download. FAs encourage subscibers, which pay for the site fees/servers/professional staff/etc., which in turn allows most of the items on the site to remain free of charge! It is a very small price to pay to be sure that this wonderful site continues to be one of the best, friendliest, and most reliable sites for downloading content on the web. As a "thank you" to our subscribers, they get perks like no ads, full access to FA downloads whenever they want, etc. For a full listing on the benefits of subscribing, you should check THIS out.

Free Rotation Schedules

Some artists allow their items to be set up on a free rotation schedule. There are a certain amount of months before an item can be placed on this schedule, so you won't see new items up there for quite some time...and not all artists participate. It is their decision, and theirs alone. Asking for free items, or asking us to create items for free, is actually against the rules of the site. We're usually pretty patient about it, but asking too often can result in you getting your account closed down. That would be AWFUL! I sure would hate to see someone lose an account because they were asking around for free stuff. :( It's just better to be patient and either earn a kudos downloading spree day, get a subscription, or keep an eye on your favorite artists blogs for updates on their free schedule list if they have one.

About requests:

Now, about requests...there are LOTS of artists on the site that take requests. They do so for many reasons, their friends asked them to make them something, a favorite commentator on their items asked them, they are in collaboration with other artists, etc. NOT all artists take requests. Before making a request of an artist, you should find out if the artist actually takes requests. Some have notes on their personal info that say they don't/do take requests, some FAs tell you on their forum threads (usually in the first posts), and some in their blogs. Most don't really say, as it isn't something you think about until someone actually asks. So if you can't find any info on whether they do/don't, it is best to just post in their guestbook and ask if they take requests before listing that amazing idea you have for them. :)

As for me? I do not normally take requests, although I do like suggestions! It isn't because I don't think other people have terrific ideas...most DO! It is because I frequently have 4 - 8 ongoing projects I am working on at any given point. I simply don't have the time. :( There are rare occasions where I will find a request on the Lot Builders forum, or offer to do a request for a special occasion like I did for Valentines Day, but for the most part, I just can't do it. I hate having to tell people that I cannot, but I have to be realistic and know my limits. If I stretch myself too thin I am going to lose the fun of building...and I sure don't want to do that! LOL!

Anyhoo, I hope that has cleared up a few questions you may have about what we are, what we do, and why we do it. If you've read this far, thank you. Your willingness to learn and listen is what makes this site such a pleasure to be on! :) Enjoy the site, enjoy the downloads, and enjoy YOURSELF! That's what TSR is supposed to be about. :D

Happy simming!
Illiana