some people are mad at FA, and weasyl is the most convenient site that hasn't pissed them off yet. lol

I don't like them forcing me to make square thumbnails...

Why are they mad?

it's a little complicated to pare it down, but there's info here if you want to read it: http://demonsandteapots.tumblr.com/.....st/73863892235

Weasyl also dicks over commissioners by refusing to allow them to display commissioned pieces in their own gallery. They say it's to give artists "full recognition" for their work but the real outcome is simply fewer commissions.

This doesn't seem to be the case at all, to me. You can put commissioned works in your gallery, as the artist, and they simply encourage the person who bought the commission to have the artist offer it in what is called a Collection. What this does is show the artwork in the buyer's gallery, but when it's clicked, it leads to the piece as it is held in the artist's gallery. So the artist has full control over the comments on the pic, the views and faves received, all of it. The downside is the buyer cannot place their own comments under the picture, save for in their own comment, like anyone else could place on the picture. I don't see how this could possibly lead to fewer commissions.

Also, if the artist isn't present on Weasyl, you can post a commissioned work in your gallery with no consequence.

The "Collections" system is a far cry from being able to upload a commissioned pic in your own gallery while giving the artist credit. Having a piece displayed on your user page is not the same thing as having a link to the piece available through your user page. There are several huge differences. First, as you mentioned, unless the artist agrees you can't write the description that goes with the piece. That's a problem for people who write short stories, etc. to go along with the pieces they commission. Also, the Collections tab is separate from the gallery tab, meaning if you have a mix of original and commissioned work many people won't see half of it on a quick browse of your page. Finally, while it may sound petty, the system naturally funnels faves, comments, and followers over to the artist. It's a pride thing. People are still proud of their characters and the ideas they come up with, even if they are not skilled enough to put them to paper. After all, the fandom is not just a bunch of artists who know one another, but a vast social network as well. I think psychologically it will make commissioners feel less likely to gain friends, connections, etc. through investing in commissions, and therefore commissions will seem less valuable.

I've commissioned plenty of art myself and I certainly wouldn't do so nearly as often if this system became the norm.