Hello all,
As an adult webmaster in the business for a just over a year now I am a little concerned about the new 2257 regulations. I am not sure first of all *what* the new requirements are, as I have seen varying degrees of specificity on different websites and forums, and very scant information from an 'official' source.
I understand that the only a few weeks remain until the new 2257 rules are enforced, and that people have already started preparing their 2257 documentation system. From what I understand, the new rules require 'cross-referenced' URLs along with full model info. It seems that they're basically asking for us to set up a dedicated 2257 database server with all the model information.
This demand poses a challenge involving both privacy as well as technical issues. How is one expected to integrate 2257 information seemlessly into the website, and even if it *is* somehow incorporated into the site, how does one protect the identity of the models involved? Granted they are plastering their faces (and other recognizable body parts) onto film, I don't think any model would acquiesce to his or her passport, driver's license, and home address being available for the frequently creepy people out there.
So to look for 2257 compliance information I (as usual) started my search on Google. I found a few not-so-useful links talking about it with little certainty, though I also found a few tools people were selling. My logic is that if I buy a product that basically sets up everything for me, I won't have to do the intensive research required. This is not very good reasoning, but still I'm curious about these little tools that have emerged. Now, some were standalone products, others were free plugins to content-management systems.
I'm seriously considering buying some of these, which I have no problem paying $50 dollars for, however, I'd like to get some feedback on which ones are effective and which ones are duds. Ideally I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars -- something under a $100 will do. I'm going to list everything I found, as a way to get some discussion underway.
(option #1: 2257MadeEasy)
The first thing I saw on the Google Adwords bar was '2257MadeEasy', which I saw redirected to '2257Tool' as well. Their URLs are
www.2257MadeEasy.com and
www.2257Tool.com, respectively. Apparently this is a front-end to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, which requires IIS installed. I read something about it on another board, and not too many people raved about it. I noticed that they revamped their website recently, and turned it into a really pathetic (in my humble opinion) copywriting assignment. Here's a direct quote of the one of the first things you see on their webpage:
Quote:
Fact: You can go to Federal Prison if your records aren't PERFECT!!!
Fact: If you even place one record out of order, you can go to prison for 5 years!
Fact: Don't have all your records properly cross-indexed? You could face prison time!
Fact: You can be searched whenever they want, and they don't even have to warn you!
Fact: Do you have every exact location for all of your files? If not, you're in trouble!
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I find this hillarious. Scare-tactics like this really don't help win my trust -- they only add to my skepticism. If the product works, it should sell itself. One shouldn't have to instill fear into the customer so that they complete the purchase. Anyhow, I tried to find a price on how much, and they don't seem to have a product you can order, yet. This is my working hypothesis. However, they do have a downloadable demo, I believe, but I didn't bother to download it as I really, really, really loathe IIS.
(option #2: Zofex)
Interestingly enough, nowadays when one types the search term "2257" in Google the result is no longer 2257MadeEasy or 2257Tool. Rather, it is a link to a product called 'Zofex'. I find their marketing idea neat: Zofex, like some sort of prescription drug, is a clinical, industrial-strength remedy to the 2257 compliance problem. However, I found the same antics as the previous option---pathetic attempts at scare tactics. "This pill will keep you OUT of jail." Basically after reading their entire website I get the feeling it's an online solution where they host the 2257 model information and the investigator can log in directly if they so desire. However, I believe this may not be 2257 compliant as one has to do their own records and has to have them on their own server within their reach. They don't have a price on how much their service runs, and they displayed a toll-free number to call instead. I'm assuming it is like one of those overpriced electronic products on 'discount' websites, where they say 'Price too low, please call'. And when I actually did call once it was something like double the price of a comparable product. Alternatively, they may not actually have a product yet like the 2257MadeEasy people above. I don't know, but I'm too lazy to call a toll-free number and have risk the possibility of some sleazy telemarketer attempt use pathetic scare-tactics to influence my purchasing habits. Okay onto the next thing I found.
(option #3: HyperCompliance)
I found this too on Google adwords as it keeps popping in and out below the Zofex link depending on which day you try (very weird). Their website is
www.HyperCompliance.com. My first impression on this website is that I wanted to yawn. Although I did appreciate the fact that it was very professionally laid out, there were no scare tactics or anything, the site layout is not very engaging if they are trying to sell a product. They *do* have some screenshots of the product, but I'm still wondering how it works. From what it seems, it is a PHP script that works as a database server for 2257 information. I emailed them earlier today asking for a demo script, so I'll write a follow-up later on whether I did receive it or not. I like the price, $59, however the website doesn't provide more insight into their program. I like to know *exactly* what I am purchasing. Their solution *seems* promising, but I can't say too much since I haven't actually used their product.
(option #4: MansionProductions)
I've known about MansionProductions for a while, so when I saw a post on their 2257 plugin the other day I knew exactly where to go. What can I say, their website is pretty amazing. Very shnazy and all. However, their 2257 module is only a module. It's not a standalone product of any kind, so you actually have to purchase the MembersAreaSystem software for a one-time low price of ... $3,995.00. Good lord. For that much, I could get a small house, a car, and three servants... in Mexico. Seriously speaking, that is an enormous amount for small-time webmasters like myself.
Okay I am getting pretty tired writing this post :) and I shall have to bring it to a close. If anyone has *any* feedback on the 2257-related information and/or tools I beg of you to please give your input. I have spent a great deal of time constructing a comprehensive post, so hopefully I can get equally substantive responses.
Thanks
