Why aren't more people customizing?
refer a friend.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 by vStyler | Discussion: Community
I'll keep it short and "suite" 
.. I'm curious what people think the reasons are that more people don't customize their PC's. The first time (years and years ago) I applied a skin.. I was hooked, So outof the 6 billion or so on earth, why aren't more people getting hooked on customizing and in turn , becoming skinners. Im not sure whether the community worldwide is growing or shrinking but IMO it has HUGE potential for personal enjoyment as well as profitability.
Let me know why you think more people arent "doin it' and finally If nothing else.. I would like everyone, seriously, to make an effort to really show at least one person what it's really all about and how satisfying and fullfilling a hobby it can be.
If everyone here can get one person interested, word of mouth will do the rest. It can only benefit everyone.
A win..win for all. 
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SirSmiley
Reply #42 Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:45 AM
Reply #42 Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:45 AM
Stardock does do quite a bit of advertising. If you're talking about a more traditional media campaign that costs a substantial amount of money. In my last position for a regional (ie. Tri-city) company it was nothing to spend five figures and some months six without any TV advertising.
Vista has provided a great advertising opportunity but, how to leverage or tap further into the existing Windows 2000/XP market is the question? Personally I'd love to see some sort of strategic partnership with Dell amongst other large computer manufacturers.
Vista has provided a great advertising opportunity but, how to leverage or tap further into the existing Windows 2000/XP market is the question? Personally I'd love to see some sort of strategic partnership with Dell amongst other large computer manufacturers.
vStyler
Reply #43 Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:59 AM
Where?
When I launch my new site I plan on aggressively spreading the word not only to the average Joe but to corporate entities and via search engine optimization also. I personally think there is a HUGE market for customization that the probervbial tip of the iceberg has barely surfaced upon. There are ways of advertising that may not be as effective but dont cost 5 figures either. Yes Vista will create some new interest and its good that all of us in the biz can benefit from that but honestly, the Vista ad campaign would be well advised to make more of customization features that are now available than it currently does.
Reply #43 Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:59 AM
Stardock does do quite a bit of advertising.
Where?
When I launch my new site I plan on aggressively spreading the word not only to the average Joe but to corporate entities and via search engine optimization also. I personally think there is a HUGE market for customization that the probervbial tip of the iceberg has barely surfaced upon. There are ways of advertising that may not be as effective but dont cost 5 figures either. Yes Vista will create some new interest and its good that all of us in the biz can benefit from that but honestly, the Vista ad campaign would be well advised to make more of customization features that are now available than it currently does.
JukEboXAuDiO
Reply #44 Thursday, March 29, 2007 2:30 PM
Reply #44 Thursday, March 29, 2007 2:30 PM
I love being a skinner but as of late school has been in the works so I have not had time to do anything. i have some great ideas I just neeed the time to work on them. I love this hobby and I wish I had your guys AIM or any Instant messanger names so that I may talk and learn to you guys about skinning. I am the only one around who does it.
Lonely in CT
Lonely in CT
SirSmiley
Reply #45 Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:11 PM
Turn off your ad blocker & look at Wincustomize!
Stardock surface's on a number of occasions when I've done various customization & modding searches on Google.
All of your ideas sound well grounded but, SEO & ad placement amongst other net tools is relative to who your target market is. For the average joe user this may work fine but, I'm not sure how effective it would be in reaching actually corporate decision makers(CIO,CTO, etc).
In all my years of making purchasing decisions I never bought or developed a relationship with anyone who contacted me directly through the internet or general net-vertisements. Through integrated marketplaces yes, but I squeezed the heck out of everyone to the point that it would be hard to see if they made much profit at all. The lack of professionalism or pure laziness plus the waste of my time still baffles me.
Okay, the point I'm trying to make is from a corporate perspective. You've got to know your target market & customer extremely well. What's the value proposition? How can you save them time and/or make them more money? In a simplistic way you're selling corporate customers on selling themselves. I think this is true whether we're talking about fully skinned desktops, interfaces or branded widgets/gadgets.
Reply #45 Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:11 PM
Where?
Turn off your ad blocker & look at Wincustomize!
Stardock surface's on a number of occasions when I've done various customization & modding searches on Google.
All of your ideas sound well grounded but, SEO & ad placement amongst other net tools is relative to who your target market is. For the average joe user this may work fine but, I'm not sure how effective it would be in reaching actually corporate decision makers(CIO,CTO, etc).
In all my years of making purchasing decisions I never bought or developed a relationship with anyone who contacted me directly through the internet or general net-vertisements. Through integrated marketplaces yes, but I squeezed the heck out of everyone to the point that it would be hard to see if they made much profit at all. The lack of professionalism or pure laziness plus the waste of my time still baffles me.
Okay, the point I'm trying to make is from a corporate perspective. You've got to know your target market & customer extremely well. What's the value proposition? How can you save them time and/or make them more money? In a simplistic way you're selling corporate customers on selling themselves. I think this is true whether we're talking about fully skinned desktops, interfaces or branded widgets/gadgets.
RoseNell
Reply #46 Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:06 PM
Reply #46 Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:06 PM
I think that skinning has an artistic flair about it. I know I find it gradifying to change my desktop, like decorating your PC, like a piece of canvas. I also enjoy decorating my home and garden. I built 4 Beauty Salons over the last 20 years from the ground up. I enjoy the building and have, and find artistic value in making things pop. Maybe that is why I like making people look good too.
But there are some people who are just not interested in making things look different or pretty or artistic, or weird. They are just not interested. They would rather spend their time doing other things. Even watching TV. Most of my family think I am crazy for changing my computer look. But I don't understand some of the things they are interested in. I guess that what it is all about.
And I have met a lot of people who are just plain afraid of the computer. They email and pay bills and that's it.
Happy Skinning.
But there are some people who are just not interested in making things look different or pretty or artistic, or weird. They are just not interested. They would rather spend their time doing other things. Even watching TV. Most of my family think I am crazy for changing my computer look. But I don't understand some of the things they are interested in. I guess that what it is all about.
And I have met a lot of people who are just plain afraid of the computer. They email and pay bills and that's it.
Happy Skinning.
vStyler
Reply #47 Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:37 PM
I didnt mean ON WC
Hey, if you have MSN, add me at the addy on my page would ya
Reply #47 Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:37 PM
Turn off your ad blocker & look at Wincustomize!
I didnt mean ON WC
Hey, if you have MSN, add me at the addy on my page would ya
DaRkFuSsIoOn
Reply #48 Saturday, March 31, 2007 5:31 AM
Thankx vStyler
Reply #48 Saturday, March 31, 2007 5:31 AM
ok... If the people do not customizan their equipment, she is so that they do not know that this can be done....y in the personnel I think that if Stardock used strong tools of publicity but, without a doubt creceria the percentage of people that use customizacion, they crecerian skinners, and stardock definitively multiplicaria its sales to skies.
Thankx vStyler
neophil78
Reply #49 Saturday, March 31, 2007 6:14 AM
I'll be quick ...
IMO
- because that's not the most important thing on computers
- because installing softwares for customizing afraid
- because softwares are more and more difficult to understand (specially if not in the potentialy user language)
- because softwares are not free
- because more and more skins are not free
- because the 5 points upon are plenty enough to keep the default look of OS
Reply #49 Saturday, March 31, 2007 6:14 AM
Why aren't more people customizing?
I'll be quick ...
IMO
- because that's not the most important thing on computers
- because installing softwares for customizing afraid
- because softwares are more and more difficult to understand (specially if not in the potentialy user language)
- because softwares are not free
- because more and more skins are not free
- because the 5 points upon are plenty enough to keep the default look of OS
ShelbyGT_The_Car
Reply #50 Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:10 AM
Reply #50 Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:10 AM
Actually my first experience was when I was looking at my media player and saw something about how it could be customized. There where links in it to Stardock and Wincustomize. Thus I got into it and found customization was possible for my computer. That and this was at work and they thought I was crazy till they saw what I was doing. "Esp. my bosses!" Next we found that we needed it to do things with programs we had problems with in the system for different work stations. Such as "Crystal reports in Excel". But this was a completely different story compared to just windowblinds and icon packager and so forth.
We found most people did not want it to work so they would be able to do their job better and a lot did. Such as the loss prevention group of employees wanted it greatly on their laptops to help so they could find things better in the system. But the accoutants could careless for it meant more work for them being able to use the system more. But we did things to change the gui in crystal reports so it worked best for everyone in the system to give them what we thought was best. Just so they could get more done. Today with Vista, it is the sameway... I still have people who come to my office and say " look at this on my laptop and tell me what you think~!!?"
That and the forever ending call about I can't find something in the system because my screen is messed up.
In short skinning is there for everyone. Those that need it will find it and use it. Those that don't? Could really careless and really don't like using a computer at all.It's kind of like life... some got a life - others don't and really don't care much anyway.
But with the release of Vista and people see what a nice skin can be with The Windows Aero style. They are now being changed a lot. I have tons of people ask me daily " Can you change things in Vista to make this look better?" I tell em well you bet I can! Lets give it a try and see what we can do with this thing. So the story goes on and on.
But in truth - things are changing and have changed a lot with Vista being released. before it was this is how it is and it's gona stay this way. My bosses would never even use a screen saver or for that matter even let work stations have one. But now we have it all and it does make things better for everyone. When people like what they have to work with. They do a better job and it would seem they do more and do more things faster too. Result more production!!!
Customizing is strongly encouraged where I work at! Due to the fact that I worked hard at making my bosses see what it can do for them and the employees. Also a lot of those employees are now into getting what they truely want on their work stations.
It means a lot more work for me getting them into the areas where they can do these things. But I'm there for that reason. To make the production enviroment happen.
I encourage skinning and hope others will also. The world can be so much better with it made to art.
Good luck all and happy skinning !!
SGT
We found most people did not want it to work so they would be able to do their job better and a lot did. Such as the loss prevention group of employees wanted it greatly on their laptops to help so they could find things better in the system. But the accoutants could careless for it meant more work for them being able to use the system more. But we did things to change the gui in crystal reports so it worked best for everyone in the system to give them what we thought was best. Just so they could get more done. Today with Vista, it is the sameway... I still have people who come to my office and say " look at this on my laptop and tell me what you think~!!?"
That and the forever ending call about I can't find something in the system because my screen is messed up.
In short skinning is there for everyone. Those that need it will find it and use it. Those that don't? Could really careless and really don't like using a computer at all.It's kind of like life... some got a life - others don't and really don't care much anyway.
But with the release of Vista and people see what a nice skin can be with The Windows Aero style. They are now being changed a lot. I have tons of people ask me daily " Can you change things in Vista to make this look better?" I tell em well you bet I can! Lets give it a try and see what we can do with this thing. So the story goes on and on.
But in truth - things are changing and have changed a lot with Vista being released. before it was this is how it is and it's gona stay this way. My bosses would never even use a screen saver or for that matter even let work stations have one. But now we have it all and it does make things better for everyone. When people like what they have to work with. They do a better job and it would seem they do more and do more things faster too. Result more production!!!
Customizing is strongly encouraged where I work at! Due to the fact that I worked hard at making my bosses see what it can do for them and the employees. Also a lot of those employees are now into getting what they truely want on their work stations.
It means a lot more work for me getting them into the areas where they can do these things. But I'm there for that reason. To make the production enviroment happen.
I encourage skinning and hope others will also. The world can be so much better with it made to art.
Good luck all and happy skinning !!
SGT
NGTV
Reply #51 Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:31 AM
Reply #51 Saturday, March 31, 2007 8:31 AM
Did you mean the computer literate, esp. excluding 7-year old kids? (I started young though)
All the good stuff nowadays generally isn't free (and the free ones are just awkwardly placed- uxtheme for example). We have awesome technology like Dreamscene and WB5 (though it's been some time) but both have a rather steep pricetag for people who do not pay through the internet. (Everything looks cheaper in real cash.)
Besides that, there are a few communities that are rather snobby on customization noobs and all- are you gonna bother when you're pestered by that reputation alone?
Also, we have the issue of "good/bad" taste arguments. There MIGHT be a LOT of people customizing, but dare not show off their desktops just because they are afraid of being judged (bring it to a larger extent, like the reason some people really despise Last.FM)
And if I wanted a long term usable style I wouldn't want to invest much time. My current setup just has a WB skin and 2 floating bars- anything else is rather redundant and is probably gonna make my OpenGL applications suffer. And there comes the 3 stars. (j/k, obviously.
)
A little OT:
Skinning IIRC used to be more about the community, with several people collaborating to make great things happen. Now I find that it's rather bare with the newbies and snobby-ists. And all about a contest of who's "more talented". What happened?
(Edit: D'oh, when did money come into the picture.)
All the good stuff nowadays generally isn't free (and the free ones are just awkwardly placed- uxtheme for example). We have awesome technology like Dreamscene and WB5 (though it's been some time) but both have a rather steep pricetag for people who do not pay through the internet. (Everything looks cheaper in real cash.)
Besides that, there are a few communities that are rather snobby on customization noobs and all- are you gonna bother when you're pestered by that reputation alone?
Also, we have the issue of "good/bad" taste arguments. There MIGHT be a LOT of people customizing, but dare not show off their desktops just because they are afraid of being judged (bring it to a larger extent, like the reason some people really despise Last.FM)
And if I wanted a long term usable style I wouldn't want to invest much time. My current setup just has a WB skin and 2 floating bars- anything else is rather redundant and is probably gonna make my OpenGL applications suffer. And there comes the 3 stars. (j/k, obviously.
)A little OT:
Skinning IIRC used to be more about the community, with several people collaborating to make great things happen. Now I find that it's rather bare with the newbies and snobby-ists. And all about a contest of who's "more talented". What happened?
(Edit: D'oh, when did money come into the picture.)
jimmyyy
Reply #52 Saturday, March 31, 2007 10:59 PM
Reply #52 Saturday, March 31, 2007 10:59 PM
vStyler,
i think generally speaking this community is older then some of the other popular communities, i also think there is kinda a seniority thing, with the way stardock is designed which kind of doesn't encourage younger people.
As for my personal experiences, [everyone] i show my computer to, says how do i do that... show me... help me... mind you all the people around me are still in college.
I think within the younger community there is a fair desire for customization, this just my experience, anyways to bring it full circle (in reply to your Q) i think younger people as a whole have less things in common with this community, which is normal. Thus while it appears many younger people are joining other communities, i dont see that so much here.
i think generally speaking this community is older then some of the other popular communities, i also think there is kinda a seniority thing, with the way stardock is designed which kind of doesn't encourage younger people.
As for my personal experiences, [everyone] i show my computer to, says how do i do that... show me... help me... mind you all the people around me are still in college.
I think within the younger community there is a fair desire for customization, this just my experience, anyways to bring it full circle (in reply to your Q) i think younger people as a whole have less things in common with this community, which is normal. Thus while it appears many younger people are joining other communities, i dont see that so much here.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #53 Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:18 PM
Reply #53 Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:18 PM
Define "younger" jimmyyy?
I'm 24 (pretty young compared to the average age here) and this community is a HUGE step up from the last one I was involved with (average age had to have been something like 14, it was awful). This place has maturity and sense of community that the other one did not. Though the fact that I feel I have a better "fit" here might be because even when I was younger yet I still hung out with older people (the hell with the kids table, that's not for me!).
I'm 24 (pretty young compared to the average age here) and this community is a HUGE step up from the last one I was involved with (average age had to have been something like 14, it was awful). This place has maturity and sense of community that the other one did not. Though the fact that I feel I have a better "fit" here might be because even when I was younger yet I still hung out with older people (the hell with the kids table, that's not for me!).
vStyler
Reply #54 Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:38 PM
Sounds like Neowin to me
Reply #54 Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:38 PM
average age had to have been something like 14, it was awful
Sounds like Neowin to me
jimmyyy
Reply #55 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:01 AM
Reply #55 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:01 AM
i hope i didnt offend anyone, older or younger is neither bad or good. Um... age bracket i was thinking of was 17-24
im not to familiar with all the forms, never been to Neowin.
im not to familiar with all the forms, never been to Neowin.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #56 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:02 AM
Reply #56 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:02 AM
I've never been to Neowin either...sounds like a good thing.
TYCUS
Reply #57 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:28 AM
well Bebi.., maybe when they see a customized laptop they might think.., "those poor nerd., what do they know?"
Reply #57 Sunday, April 1, 2007 12:28 AM
I wonder the same thing when I'm in class and see people on their laptops with that horrible Luna, gah!!! Drives me insane...those poor ignorant fools.
well Bebi.., maybe when they see a customized laptop they might think.., "those poor nerd., what do they know?"
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Reply #41 Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:05 AM