Do we really want the cranky Frog back?
Spending more time in the community
Thursday, January 25, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Years ago, I lived on the forums on WC. Not just WC but on forums all over the place. There was a joke once that if you said my name 3 times on a forum, I would magically appear and havoc would ensue.
So why did I stop? Too busy? That's some of it. But a bigger reason is that I tend to not always be..the most politically correct guy around.
Or to put it another way, recently I got hooked on a new show after having multiple, independent people tell me I am just like a specific fictional character -- Dr. House on the TV show House. Not that it's a perfect fit (I don't think anyone would say I'm unethical) but I can be pretty cranky.
I'd say I'm more of a cross between Rearden from Atlas Shrugged and House. But it's still the same difference. I'm an evil, blood-thirsty capitalist. I've been an evil, blood-thirsty capitalist from day 1. When the first skinning sites opened, I was there.
Here's an article I wrote on the subject:
https://www.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=1&AID=136943
Another reason I was gone is that I felt WC2K5 kind of sucked. The ugly light blue look. The way the site was poorly organized or crashing or just plain slow. I just didn't like it.
And too many of the people hanging out were boring or at least boorish and elitist. I saw people being snide and rude to new users as if applying little bitmaps to your user interface is somehow an intuitive thing. So I stayed away.
I also didn't like how ratings were done. T-man and I argued about this. If you watch House, T-man is like Dr. Wilson (i.e. super nice). I'm not nice. I don't think most of you should be allowed to rate skins. I originally had it that only other skinners could rate skins. But it got changed so that subscribers could also rate which really bugged me. But once a feature is given, it's hard to take it away. But with WC2K7, we changed that. Now ratings are weighted. So non-skinners who have subscriptions can rate but if a skinner votes, it counts for a lot more in determining the overall rating. If someone hates that, you can start your own thread and complain there. Like I said, if I were total emperor and could turn back time, only skinners would be allowed to rate things at all. If I work hard on a skin, I don't want some random guy giving me a 1 and wrecking my rating.
Getting back to WC2K7...I really like it. If they can get IIS to quit crashing randomly (which is why sometimes it's really really fast and other times you sit there waiting 30 seconds) it'll be totally awesome. I love the bread-crumbs. I find it easy to navigate and much easier to write articles.
But we need to do more. We need to start following up on the Stardock failures of 2006. Admitting you have a problem is only the first step after all. 
So anyway, my question to you guys is, is WC better off with the main administrator face being the volunteers along with Jafo and Zoomba who are nice? Or do you think it would work out if I started to increase my presence again even though I'm kind of a jerk that should be locked up in a lab coding stuff rather than telling users that I don't want them to ever purchase our software again?
You can tell me the truth. I'm already in the fetal postiion.
 |
|
Page 3 of 4 | |
|
|---|
Reply #42 Saturday, January 27, 2007 7:51 AM
Reply #44 Saturday, March 3, 2007 7:08 PM
Reply #45 Saturday, March 3, 2007 7:28 PM
That is what i think Brad.
You make your job like you think and for me it's good.
Reply #46 Saturday, March 3, 2007 8:33 PM
I think your presentation sucks but I agree with what you've said.
You an i have disagreed a few times publicly and privately but I have grown to respect the company you've built. I have never worked (if that is the right word) with better people. The fact that the staff you have stays with you speaks volumes. Your software has made my life better and better over the years.
I expect that we will disagree in the future. I expect that you will express your feelings about things aggressively and will piss people off. You will win friends and influence people one way or another.
In the end, I'd rather have you here where I can see you than pulling strings behind the scenes.
It sounds goofy saying it . . but I wish you had the chance to be here more. I'd like to know you well enough to be your friend like I am with so many people here on WC (or dismiss you as an ass and be done with it
)Reply #47 Saturday, March 3, 2007 8:42 PM
this is your site, but how come you dont have the last say on certain things, like ratings and stuff you werent happy about? ....(shrugs....truly curious..) Im guessing its cause your busy....
Reply #48 Sunday, March 4, 2007 4:03 PM
Yeh, just can't let it go. I realise I'm not even a customer (I haven't purchased anything from Stardock), but I want any and all info related to me deleted from WC. Should be easy for you to do, Frogboy. I'd do it myself, except I haven't found an option and I'm tired of searching. No need to answer/post anything. I won't be here to see it.
Reply #49 Sunday, March 4, 2007 4:32 PM
Reply #50 Sunday, March 4, 2007 4:37 PM
I Have been coming to this Website for a long time now.
I even bought a new PC so i can run Window Blinds I love this site.
I love to read and learn from every one here.. I still can't make any thing other then pics
but I have not gave up
Any way ....I Glad to see you back
Reply #51 Sunday, March 4, 2007 5:12 PM
I know you wont see it... but theres no point in deleting you from the system. Just dont come around, and you wont be seen...
Reply #52 Sunday, March 4, 2007 8:36 PM
I know you wont see it... but theres no point in deleting you from the system. Just dont come around, and you wont be seen...
Let me rephrase that. I won't be posting once my username and password are deleted then. And besides that, my post wasn't for you to answer. Let Frogboy or an administrator handle it.
Reply #53 Sunday, March 4, 2007 9:04 PM
They wouldn't listen to you anyway and I know, because I just keep buyin' it.
I think you should spend lots of time in here. I think the honesty is refreshing, but then I'm a big fan of House and Atlas Shrugged.
Reply #54 Sunday, March 4, 2007 11:34 PM
Oh, for heaven's sake, Brad....don't open yourself up as a sitting target.....
Jafo votes 'Lock 'im up' .....
[Oh....darn....I'm supposed to be the 'nice' one....]
Actually, I'm all FOR Frogboy hanging out here more than he has of late....I miss his pith....
Other 'stuff' got in the way lately...and it always seemed that once one 'stuff' was resolved another 'stuff' would come along.
With a bit of luck, juggling and Office management, maybe less 'stuff' will continue to interfere...
Reply #55 Sunday, March 4, 2007 11:59 PM
this is your site, but how come you dont have the last say on certain things, like ratings and stuff you werent happy about? ....(shrugs....truly curious..) Im guessing its cause your busy....
The reason I don't always get my way is that the best way to run a company is to bring in smart people and let them do smart things. Sometimes, but not often, that results in things that I both disagree with and think weren't the best way to go.
Reply #56 Monday, March 5, 2007 1:49 AM
Well.....we were warned!....
...but would be a pretty boring place here if everybody placidly agreed...
However, even though I agree with the points you were making in your post....I also have to agree.....your delivery sucks.....I actually wouldn't have minded if these people had been a pain in the arse to the community and you were ridding us of them....but, in fact, they were positive contributors.....just not perfect.
An over reaction to an over reaction all 'round.....
time to start working on those people skills?.....I won't hold my breath...
but stick around....the more diverse the input from people, owner included...the more interesting.
I hope your 'smart people' who do 'smart things' can figure out how to minimise these occurrences......it bruises a nice little community.
Reply #58 Monday, March 5, 2007 2:13 AM
Bichur....how much coffee and popcorn can you digest???...lol
I'm going back to Word Association....it's safer....
Edit:....well, aren't you faster than a speeding bullet....beat me...
Reply #59 Monday, March 5, 2007 2:48 AM
Reply #60 Monday, March 5, 2007 8:20 AM
It seems whenever I do avoid contact, things happen and I'm kicking myself in the ass and having to answer to someone as to why or how did this or that come to happen...Where were you? ... and so on.
IMHO, you sometimes come off like my Dad, who was pretty black and white and 'adamant' in his opinions on how this or that should be. Please, don't take this the wrong way. It's actually a compliment. Sometimes, that is what is needed, and it provides a solid foundation and structure. I also think it would help clear up a lot of things/issues and such. It's your show and who but you can make it better understood on how things should be or will be.
My Dad would look at me when I 'bucked' him and say 'Just who do you think is runnin' this train?' I and others may not always agree with everything you offer out, but it's your train.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 3 of 4 | |
|
|---|
Reply #41 Saturday, January 27, 2007 7:12 AM
Sounds about perfect!