WC Poll: What Would Make You Want to Subscribe to WinCustomize?
We're trying to make the site better for subscribers
Monday, April 30, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
| Summary of last week's poll is going to be short since this week's has a long explanation. I asked what sort of news you most enjoy seeing on the WinCustomize every day. The goal was to find what everyone enjoys the most and try to deliver more of that, making the site a more worthwhile destination during your daily travels. | What sort of news would you like to see on WinCustomize | |
| General Tech News | 49.47% | |
| Internet News | 12.63% | |
| Company-Specific News | 7.37% | |
| Weird News | 24.21% | |
| Other | 6.32% | |
On to this week's poll....
WinCustomize is a big site that is, in large part, supported by user subscriptions. Now, to a lot of people the entire idea of paying a website for some sort of exclusive content or improved service is a bit of a foreign idea, but it's what allows us to provide the services we do without bombarding users with a ton of ads, pop-ups, pop-unders and other extremely annoying methods of advertising. Many of you here have supported us for years, through times both good and bad, and to you, we are extremely grateful. But at the same time, we have millions of visitors every year, many of whom come back over and over, who for one reason or another, don't want to subscribe.
So this week's poll is an attempt to find out what it is that would make a $19.95 annual subscription to the site a no-brainer value to users. WinCustomize 2008 is undergoing a very significant visual redesign, and as we work through the early stages, we are looking at pages and wondering how we can make the subscriber experience better, cooler, and more inviting to users who spend a lot of time on the site. However, we want to be sure we're putting our resources towards something that will be worthwhile to our users, and hopefully encourage more people to subscribe.
So, assuming you're not already a subscriber, what features would make that $20 purchase easier? And if you're already a subscriber, what would keep you renewing if we added it? Or maybe what could we add that would make you suggest subscribing to friends who might visit the site? We want to keep making the user experience better (which we have made great strides towards with the new site and better performance)
Poll options are:
- Exclusive Website Features (i.e. RSS feeds, enhanced personal pages, customizable page layouts etc.)
- Exclusive Website Content (i.e. subscriber-first tutorials, product previews, articles etc.)
- More Subscriber Skins (such as WC Select, RIP, Kryptonite and XP Augustus)
- Other (Please specify in comments)
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snaarl
Reply #22 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:04 PM
Reply #22 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:04 PM
I have been a subscriber for a couple of years and intend to subscribe every year. Mostly I just download stuff, but I but since I'm here every day I figure I should support the site.
Bichur
Reply #23 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:08 PM
One the one hand I agree. On the other... after all the time they spend creating, wouldn't it kinda be asking too much to have them write it up too?
But I would like to see 2 simple versions of creating a WB step by step using the test skin and a free, easy to use, downloadable graphics program (or maybe regular paint) (since not everybody has PS or PSP or etc).
I say 2 versions because there seems to be 2 ways. One is graphic by graphic, the other is design the whole thing and cut out the pieces.
Not looking for fancy animations, transparencies and such.. just a simple: here's the test skin, now follow me...
That would be nice.
Reply #23 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:08 PM
More tutorials...many, many, more...from the Masters and people that WC holds in high regard
One the one hand I agree. On the other... after all the time they spend creating, wouldn't it kinda be asking too much to have them write it up too?
But I would like to see 2 simple versions of creating a WB step by step using the test skin and a free, easy to use, downloadable graphics program (or maybe regular paint) (since not everybody has PS or PSP or etc).
I say 2 versions because there seems to be 2 ways. One is graphic by graphic, the other is design the whole thing and cut out the pieces.
Not looking for fancy animations, transparencies and such.. just a simple: here's the test skin, now follow me...
A Gallery for Works In Progress
That would be nice.
garsgolfer
Reply #25 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:15 PM
Reply #25 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:15 PM
I paid Stardock for a blog navigator which turned out to be a waste for a few reasons. Wincustomize is nothing more then a fun site, not worth paying for because I am already an annual subscriber to OD. Charging for Wincustomize in conjunction with OD - would make me have to re-consider my OD subscriptions overall value and cost; and I suspect many others would as well.
A piece of advice - trying to turn this into a subscription site would be very costly. I know a few others sites that got greedy and lost so much they couldn't get it back; don't get greedy...
A piece of advice - trying to turn this into a subscription site would be very costly. I know a few others sites that got greedy and lost so much they couldn't get it back; don't get greedy...
Bill Allen
Reply #26 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:36 PM
I don't want to sound like I'm flaming you Bill Allen, but you haven't uploaded anything so I'd say you don't have any idea on what it takes to make some of these skins. Especially a WindowBlind. And your comment solidifies that.
I know exactly what it takes to make a skin, "brains" and the know how, just do not have the know how. Do appreciate the time & effort others put into the skins, but I can remember a few years ago, it seemed there where new skins almost everyday, this is not true today, the point was trying to make was: "there are not as many skins uploaded today as there has been in the past." Example: "Beatnik, Rainlendar, Winamp, & WinMedia" sometimes goes for days without a upload. One can go to "winamp.com" they do not have as many skins uploaded today as in the past. I did not mean to offend anyone, if I have, I apologise.
They asked a ???, and gave them my honest answer.
Reply #26 Monday, April 30, 2007 10:36 PM
I am a subscriber, but may not renew, sometimes days pass before there is anything to download, especially "windowblinds"
I don't want to sound like I'm flaming you Bill Allen, but you haven't uploaded anything so I'd say you don't have any idea on what it takes to make some of these skins. Especially a WindowBlind. And your comment solidifies that.
I know exactly what it takes to make a skin, "brains" and the know how, just do not have the know how. Do appreciate the time & effort others put into the skins, but I can remember a few years ago, it seemed there where new skins almost everyday, this is not true today, the point was trying to make was: "there are not as many skins uploaded today as there has been in the past." Example: "Beatnik, Rainlendar, Winamp, & WinMedia" sometimes goes for days without a upload. One can go to "winamp.com" they do not have as many skins uploaded today as in the past. I did not mean to offend anyone, if I have, I apologise.
They asked a ???, and gave them my honest answer.
PoSmedley
Reply #27 Monday, April 30, 2007 11:01 PM
A LOT more goes into making skins today. When you consider some of the first windowblinds didn't even have the taskbar skinned, well...
Now you have animations and versions (wb4, wb5, vista...)
Same for Winamp and a lot of others.
Then there is the the struggle for 'original' content and idea's...so much has already been done.
With the exception of noobs (and not all of the noobs, btw) I think there is more thought put into the quality because so much CAN be done...and noob's like me will learn and adapt as we go along.
Reply #27 Monday, April 30, 2007 11:01 PM
Do appreciate the time & effort others put into the skins, but I can remember a few years ago, it seemed there where new skins almost everyday, this is not true today,
A LOT more goes into making skins today. When you consider some of the first windowblinds didn't even have the taskbar skinned, well...
Now you have animations and versions (wb4, wb5, vista...)
Same for Winamp and a lot of others.
Then there is the the struggle for 'original' content and idea's...so much has already been done.
With the exception of noobs (and not all of the noobs, btw) I think there is more thought put into the quality because so much CAN be done...and noob's like me will learn and adapt as we go along.
grorgy
Reply #28 Monday, April 30, 2007 11:17 PM
Reply #28 Monday, April 30, 2007 11:17 PM
blast that didnt work, no matter, free beer would be good lol a free a liver with lifetime upgrades to go with it would be even better 
scorpNZ
Reply #29 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:16 AM
Objectdesktop subs are for continuing development of OD,WC subs goes to supporting the running of the site and is only $10.00 if you're already a OD subscriber
Reply #29 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:16 AM
I paid Stardock for a blog navigator which turned out to be a waste for a few reasons. Wincustomize is nothing more then a fun site, not worth paying for because I am already an annual subscriber to OD. Charging for Wincustomize in conjunction with OD - would make me have to re-consider my OD subscriptions overall value and cost; and I suspect many others would as well.
A piece of advice - trying to turn this into a subscription site would be very costly. I know a few others sites that got greedy and lost so much they couldn't get it back; don't get greedy...
A piece of advice - trying to turn this into a subscription site would be very costly. I know a few others sites that got greedy and lost so much they couldn't get it back; don't get greedy...
Objectdesktop subs are for continuing development of OD,WC subs goes to supporting the running of the site and is only $10.00 if you're already a OD subscriber
Bebi Bulma
Reply #30 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:03 AM
I've never seen any info about that kind of discount. I'm a 2 year ODNT subscriber and it was $20 for the WC sub.
Reply #30 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:03 AM
Objectdesktop subs are for continuing development of OD,WC subs goes to supporting the running of the site and is only $10.00 if you're already a OD subscriber
I've never seen any info about that kind of discount. I'm a 2 year ODNT subscriber and it was $20 for the WC sub.
BX
Reply #31 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:07 AM
Reply #31 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:07 AM
I have subscribed neither for shiny extra goodies nor for anything else but for a simple reason, "I love this community."
Uvah
Reply #32 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:38 AM
I'd love to pick your brains. There is so much I'd like to learn about skinning and how people have overcome their difficulties. For example...smx is one app I love...problem is the ini confuses the hell out of me. Tutorials and subscriber skins to teach and set examples, to me, would be a good idea.He wasn't supposed to be there...this was
Reply #32 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:38 AM
I'd love to pick your brains. There is so much I'd like to learn about skinning and how people have overcome their difficulties. For example...smx is one app I love...problem is the ini confuses the hell out of me. Tutorials and subscriber skins to teach and set examples, to me, would be a good idea.He wasn't supposed to be there...this was
Uvah
Reply #33 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:47 AM
This was....in previous post. Those two are taboo and have no place here. They can only stir ill feelings.
Reply #33 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:47 AM
....include politics & religion and your sure to get a lively response
This was....in previous post. Those two are taboo and have no place here. They can only stir ill feelings.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #34 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:06 AM
Reply #34 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:06 AM
I'm sure it was an attempt at sarcasm and humor Uvah (hence the "lively" comment, those subjects always end up heated).
My vote is the first option. I'm not so into the galleries, a few skins here and there and I'm good to go. Being able to customize/add to our personal sites and change the layout of how certain things are displayed is my choice.
My vote is the first option. I'm not so into the galleries, a few skins here and there and I'm good to go. Being able to customize/add to our personal sites and change the layout of how certain things are displayed is my choice.
MsPooma
Reply #35 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:17 AM
Reply #35 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:17 AM
Well, this doesn't really have much to do with subscribing, but I would like to be able to have a "Preview" for CXP as you do in WB. You know, like in the advanced preview where you can see a sample of all the cursors you have, but in one window.
Slashy
Reply #36 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 12:45 PM
Reply #36 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 12:45 PM
The biggest reason I haven't subscribed is the $20 cost. When I am trying a new piece of shareware, and I consider WinCustomize shareware, the cost is a big factor.
If the cost is $5 to $8 then usually I won't even think about registering it. If it looks cool and I know that I'll use it even a little bit in the future then I'll pay immediately.
Once the cost is greater than $10 then it has to be something that I know that I will use often before I register it.
At $20 or more, there is virtually no chance that I will immediately register it. I'll use it for a while and unless it somehow creeps into daily use then I will not end up registering it.
If the cost is $5 to $8 then usually I won't even think about registering it. If it looks cool and I know that I'll use it even a little bit in the future then I'll pay immediately.
Once the cost is greater than $10 then it has to be something that I know that I will use often before I register it.
At $20 or more, there is virtually no chance that I will immediately register it. I'll use it for a while and unless it somehow creeps into daily use then I will not end up registering it.
ZubaZ
Reply #37 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:15 PM
When would software stop being shareware in your book?
Reply #37 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:15 PM
Once the cost is greater than $10 then it has to be something that I know that I will use often before I register it.
Bytes Downloaded:
157 mbWhen would software stop being shareware in your book?
Slashy
Reply #38 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:49 PM
What exactly are you asking?
Are you saying that because I've downloaded 157 mb of files that WinCustomizeP (the Program) isn't shareware? I've downloaded those files without using WinCustomizeP. You seem to be implying that since I have downloaded 157 mb of files that I should pay for WinCustomizeP? Not that it matters, but I've been buying software from SD since the days of OS/2, I've always kept a constant subscription to OD, and I have paid for ObjectDock, CursorXP, and Aquarium.
The bottom line is that I just don't see any added benefit to me in purchasing WinCustomizeP, especially at $20 a year. It looks like it does a nice job of organizing and browsing files but I don't need that. WinCustomizeS (the site) tracks 25 different types of themes, widgets, and whatnot but I don't care about 20 of those.
WinCustomizeS makes it very easy to find OD releated files and that facilitates the sale of OD and other SD products. That is the same thing Apple does with the iTunes store. Apple makes very little money from the sales of music on the iTunes store but what it does is drive sales of the iPod.
WinCustomizeP may easily be worth $20 a year to a person who uses a dozen or more of the programs that WinCustomize (the site) tracks but it isn't worth $20 to me.
Honestly, I am surprised how you can even argue with someone who says that WinCustomizeP isn't worth $20 to them. If they say it isn't worth $20 to them then it isn't. If someone says that WinCustomizeP is worth $20 to them, then it is.
SD asked why people don't subscribe to WinCustomizeP. I don't because the benefits it offers simply aren't worth $20 a year to me.
As always, your mileage may vary.
Reply #38 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:49 PM
When would software stop being shareware in your book?
What exactly are you asking?
Are you saying that because I've downloaded 157 mb of files that WinCustomizeP (the Program) isn't shareware? I've downloaded those files without using WinCustomizeP. You seem to be implying that since I have downloaded 157 mb of files that I should pay for WinCustomizeP? Not that it matters, but I've been buying software from SD since the days of OS/2, I've always kept a constant subscription to OD, and I have paid for ObjectDock, CursorXP, and Aquarium.
The bottom line is that I just don't see any added benefit to me in purchasing WinCustomizeP, especially at $20 a year. It looks like it does a nice job of organizing and browsing files but I don't need that. WinCustomizeS (the site) tracks 25 different types of themes, widgets, and whatnot but I don't care about 20 of those.
WinCustomizeS makes it very easy to find OD releated files and that facilitates the sale of OD and other SD products. That is the same thing Apple does with the iTunes store. Apple makes very little money from the sales of music on the iTunes store but what it does is drive sales of the iPod.
WinCustomizeP may easily be worth $20 a year to a person who uses a dozen or more of the programs that WinCustomize (the site) tracks but it isn't worth $20 to me.
Honestly, I am surprised how you can even argue with someone who says that WinCustomizeP isn't worth $20 to them. If they say it isn't worth $20 to them then it isn't. If someone says that WinCustomizeP is worth $20 to them, then it is.
SD asked why people don't subscribe to WinCustomizeP. I don't because the benefits it offers simply aren't worth $20 a year to me.
As always, your mileage may vary.
ZubaZ
Reply #39 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 3:24 PM
Reply #39 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 3:24 PM
I see no distinction between the site and the application. The application is just one of the features of the site subscription..It is worthless without the site (and the database behind it).
I wasn't arguing with you about your choices. I just didn't understand. Because I make no distinction, it sounded like you were lumping all the features available in a subscription as not being worth $20 (actually $20 the first year and $20 for every 2-year renewal).
I wasn't arguing with you about your choices. I just didn't understand. Because I make no distinction, it sounded like you were lumping all the features available in a subscription as not being worth $20 (actually $20 the first year and $20 for every 2-year renewal).
PixelPunk
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:14 PM
Reply #40 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:14 PM
Advertisements are only as obtrusive as the site administrator makes them.
Perhaps if all those Master Skins were included in the subscription price, it might be worth it for the average Stardock program user. For the skin creator, I CAN see a value for the site for all the help, Q&A, and support without any additions. Especially since the program to make the skins is free, right? But support for Object Desktop programs themselves should be included in the price we pay for the program. Especially for Forum base solutions.
I already pay Stardock for the program that uses all the skins and really question when it comes to paying them again to use a skin that uses that program I already paid for. We can say that the Master Skinner Artists deserve to get paid for their work and dedication. We could also say that the users should get paid for advertising that artist's work.
Perhaps if all those Master Skins were included in the subscription price, it might be worth it for the average Stardock program user. For the skin creator, I CAN see a value for the site for all the help, Q&A, and support without any additions. Especially since the program to make the skins is free, right? But support for Object Desktop programs themselves should be included in the price we pay for the program. Especially for Forum base solutions.
I already pay Stardock for the program that uses all the skins and really question when it comes to paying them again to use a skin that uses that program I already paid for. We can say that the Master Skinner Artists deserve to get paid for their work and dedication. We could also say that the users should get paid for advertising that artist's work.
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Reply #21 Monday, April 30, 2007 9:48 PM
More tutorials...many, many, more...from the Masters and people that WC holds in high regard
A Gallery for Works In Progress
Still...a separate gallery for fan art, 'non-skinner' work, re-posts/ports of other people's work
some wallpaper contests..themed/off the wall.. to encourage some more unusual content (and you could do this with other area's
just my two cents for what it's worth..and you did ask