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What's Wrong With WinCustomize?
Yes, we want your complaints!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
This March, WinCustomize turns 7. For seven years the site has grown in terms of visitors, bandwidth, quantity of skins etc. And the site itself has gone through several revisions in that period. Today, we're on the 5th iteration of WinCustomize, and on the whole it still bears a striking resemblance to that first site launched back in 2001. For good or ill, a lot of the decisions that went into that first site determine direction to this day.
While there have been a lot of improvements, there are probably a lot of places where we've failed to meet expectations. WinCustomize 2007 was focused on a solid foundation, code that was stable and expandable. Now we're in a position to focus on the UI and the presentation more, to improve the user experience dramatically. This is where you come in.
About a year ago, we sought your opinions on how Stardock had failed the community. Your comments on what you felt we could be doing better has helped us make a lot of changes and improvements to our products. Well, we want to try that again, only this time specifically with WinCustomize. We want to know what doesn't work, what sucks, what you hate, what you want fixed about WinCustomize. We are looking for very specific critiques of the site, it's functionality, layout, user interface etc.
This thread is about critiques, it's not about defending the site, it's not about telling us how much you like the site. If we are going to improve the site in the future, we need a very clear picture of what is broken and needs to be fixed.
A week from today, I will be going through the comments on this thread and compiling a master list of complaints and critiques. We will use this list when we start the requirements and design work for the next WC update later this year.
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Hankers
Reply #42 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:29 PM
That can be done now by going to the address bar and changing the number at the end to whichever page you wish. It would be more convenient if there was a numbering system for pages to click on though.
Reply #42 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:29 PM
For those of us who enjoy browsing the galleries, how about being able to access a specific page number rather than the current "Previous/Next/First/Last"?
That can be done now by going to the address bar and changing the number at the end to whichever page you wish. It would be more convenient if there was a numbering system for pages to click on though.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #43 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:33 PM
Reply #43 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:33 PM
Tabbed instances I find I am having too often to connect with both SDC and FF to get something done. When I want to PM someone is one example. If I want to give a link to something onsite is another example. I like having a photo gallery. I use it for when I want to post an image in the forums. However, I have to use FF and its copy location command to get the right link to post the image, SDC won't do this, another example of the need to have 2 browsers open to this site so I can make full use of it. 
ALMonty
Reply #44 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:35 PM
I very much agree with this.
In Firefox one can click on the name then right-click on the dropdown to select open in new tab/window. Doesn't work with IE
You can do this with IE7. I do it all the time.
Reply #44 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:35 PM
***example: I remove Sins stuff from my side bar gallery settings. From then on all sins stuff would be filtered from the New page as I look through it.*
I very much agree with this.
In Firefox one can click on the name then right-click on the dropdown to select open in new tab/window. Doesn't work with IE
You can do this with IE7. I do it all the time.
2of3
Reply #45 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:39 PM
Ok, I never "upgraded" to 7 as I rarely use IE
Reply #45 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:39 PM
You can do this with IE7. I do it all the time.
Ok, I never "upgraded" to 7 as I rarely use IE
messiah1
Reply #46 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:44 PM
Reply #46 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:44 PM
Oh, and whenever I try to remove a comment from my personal page, it doesn't remove. Pesky.
Lantec
Reply #47 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:54 PM
Reply #47 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:54 PM
1. Forum thread jumps to the last post you read EVEN if a new page has started.
2. Back button goes back and NOT to top of page.
3. Other than to cycle thru galleries and see what recent posts have been made I don't utilize the sidebar much. Don't use "Channels"
4. BEST thing added was the "Most Recent posts" section. Fix the "More recent Posts" button. Half the time I use it I see no posts or no additional posts.
5.
6.
7. Ability to make multiple quotes. Right now if I push quote everything I've typed up to this point disappears. Means I have to manually quote.
8. Ability to PM someone from their WC site. Can be a pain to track down a post they made in the forums in order to do this.
9. Identify by some means the originating forum of posts (WC JU SD) to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
Those issues come to mind.......
These are kinda wish lists fixes...
If it can be added, an adjustable, automatic refresh timer for "Most Recent Posts"
An auto "bump" for posts with 0 replies after say 2 or 3 hours covering a 24 hour period.
A forum BETA testing section......based on Brad's post I think it would help. Could be restricted to registered users or registered testers.
A sticky post with suggested self help steps for those having issues. One for each software section.
A forum FAQ....ie (If you need help post "this" information)(All caps is considered yelling) etc.
MORE SMILIES!
Should probably mention I use XP SP2 & Firefox, latest updates
2. Back button goes back and NOT to top of page.
3. Other than to cycle thru galleries and see what recent posts have been made I don't utilize the sidebar much. Don't use "Channels"
4. BEST thing added was the "Most Recent posts" section. Fix the "More recent Posts" button. Half the time I use it I see no posts or no additional posts.
5.
Move rating bar away from Download button
6.
All skins should have a "report a rip" button. This would allow users to easily report a rip, and possibly keep the Rip threads down
7. Ability to make multiple quotes. Right now if I push quote everything I've typed up to this point disappears. Means I have to manually quote.
8. Ability to PM someone from their WC site. Can be a pain to track down a post they made in the forums in order to do this.
9. Identify by some means the originating forum of posts (WC JU SD) to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
Those issues come to mind.......
These are kinda wish lists fixes...
If it can be added, an adjustable, automatic refresh timer for "Most Recent Posts"
An auto "bump" for posts with 0 replies after say 2 or 3 hours covering a 24 hour period.
A forum BETA testing section......based on Brad's post I think it would help. Could be restricted to registered users or registered testers.
A sticky post with suggested self help steps for those having issues. One for each software section.
A forum FAQ....ie (If you need help post "this" information)(All caps is considered yelling) etc.
MORE SMILIES!
Should probably mention I use XP SP2 & Firefox, latest updates
Bebi Bulma
Reply #48 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:18 PM
Reply #48 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:18 PM
Well, Lantec just about summed it up for me. 
Fixes/add features (yeah I know it's not what this thread is for, but that's what you're going to get with a topic like this):
1. Checking when a tag isn't closed: ie, someone does a quote/font change/font size etc and forgets to close it, so ALL posts onward are formatted the same way. In the case with the quotes, the entire layout of the page gets FUBAR'ed. Should be quite simple, if an open tag doesn't have a corresponding tag...don't parse it! I've posted replies to threads I had no reason to reply to just so I could close the open tags, annoying.
2. More active moderation: if someone starts posting the same question over and over in different sections (cross-posting) because they think they'll get a better response if they plaster it all over the place, close all subsequent cross-posts and refer them to their original post. Or if someone accidentally posts in the wrong category, moving it to the proper one.
3. YES, add a WIKI button to the nav! Also, link the corresponding software page and "how to" articles from the Wiki into the library descriptions, purchase emails, products pages, etc. "Congratulations on your purchase of "Product X," please see the following links for information on the product and how to use it" etc.
4. Ability to instead get a PM notification instead of email notifications for our watchlist, and email notification when we have a new PM. PM/email notification for new guestbook comments.
Fixes/add features (yeah I know it's not what this thread is for, but that's what you're going to get with a topic like this):
1. Checking when a tag isn't closed: ie, someone does a quote/font change/font size etc and forgets to close it, so ALL posts onward are formatted the same way. In the case with the quotes, the entire layout of the page gets FUBAR'ed. Should be quite simple, if an open tag doesn't have a corresponding tag...don't parse it! I've posted replies to threads I had no reason to reply to just so I could close the open tags, annoying.
2. More active moderation: if someone starts posting the same question over and over in different sections (cross-posting) because they think they'll get a better response if they plaster it all over the place, close all subsequent cross-posts and refer them to their original post. Or if someone accidentally posts in the wrong category, moving it to the proper one.
3. YES, add a WIKI button to the nav! Also, link the corresponding software page and "how to" articles from the Wiki into the library descriptions, purchase emails, products pages, etc. "Congratulations on your purchase of "Product X," please see the following links for information on the product and how to use it" etc.
4. Ability to instead get a PM notification instead of email notifications for our watchlist, and email notification when we have a new PM. PM/email notification for new guestbook comments.
messiah1
Reply #49 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:24 PM
Good one Bebi.
Reply #49 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:24 PM
YES, add a WIKI button to the nav!
Good one Bebi.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #50 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:29 PM
Reply #50 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:29 PM
Something that keeps happening (and just happened now) that seriously irritates the hell out of me: there's a topic I'm keeping along with, and the last reply I've read was #42 on the first page (50 per page), and there's a new page of replies I haven't read. I go to the next page and it goes to the BOTTOM (the latest reply) when I haven't read all the ones before that. How does that make sense??? (Not sure if that's what Lantec was getting at with his #1). Rawr!
Lantec
Reply #51 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:38 PM
No..that's another issue I failed to mention......example: I load a thread that has 13 pages of replies and read to #630 then later I see that the page has been active and is up to #670 and has 14 pages. I open it and it starts me at page 1 reply #1. Then I have to click the >> to get to the last page (last item per Bebi's post) and then the < to go back one to reach post #631.....
Reply #51 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:38 PM
(Not sure if that's what Lantec was getting at with his #1).
No..that's another issue I failed to mention......example: I load a thread that has 13 pages of replies and read to #630 then later I see that the page has been active and is up to #670 and has 14 pages. I open it and it starts me at page 1 reply #1. Then I have to click the >> to get to the last page (last item per Bebi's post) and then the < to go back one to reach post #631.....
eieio
Reply #52 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:56 PM
Annoys the hell out of me when that happens
Reply #52 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:56 PM
No..that's another issue I failed to mention......example: I load a thread that has 13 pages of replies and read to #630 then later I see that the page has been active and is up to #670 and has 14 pages. I open it and it starts me at page 1 reply #1. Then I have to click the >> to get to the last page (last item per Bebi's post) and then the < to go back one to reach post #631.....
Annoys the hell out of me when that happens
pjdark
Reply #53 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:59 PM
Reply #53 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:59 PM
Move the drop down star rating button position away from the download button. absolutely. and wc definitely needs a makeover. looks dated for a customizing/skinning site.
wish list.... media area for just the players. winamp,xion, and maybe a foobar2000 section as well. also make it mandatory to upload screenshots in .png format rather than .jpg. so many good shots,but lots of quality loss due to compressions. it's been awhile since my last shot, so maybe i'm wrong about that. still.... .png is the way to go.
wish list.... media area for just the players. winamp,xion, and maybe a foobar2000 section as well. also make it mandatory to upload screenshots in .png format rather than .jpg. so many good shots,but lots of quality loss due to compressions. it's been awhile since my last shot, so maybe i'm wrong about that. still.... .png is the way to go.
MetalHellssAngel
Reply #54 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:26 PM
Reply #54 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:26 PM
I agree with much of what Lantec has posted. I really really agree about the Rating button which needs to be moved away from the download button, I have accidentally rated so many skins It's just not fair to the skin designers. also I think that when I select which galleries are shown I should only have to do it once, not every time I re-login to the website. It's an annoyance. The forums are very old school and could use some serious updating.
Leo the Lion
Reply #55 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:59 PM
Reply #55 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:59 PM
I think everyone has covered the items I was going to raise but I would especially like to see the return of the personal customization of the site where SUBSCRIBERS can change the look of how they view the site, as highlighted by Koasati. After all this is undoubtably the best and most popular customization site in the world and should we not show everyone that fact from the moment they hit the front door?
I totally concur with WG's request on the ObjectDock Gallery. Backgrounds and Icons should be kept separate for the reasons he outlines. Likwise on the DX items.
One suggestion that concerns me is the 'Rip Report' button. Nice idea, but you will get some clowns come to this site and just hit this button just for the sheer hell of it or to be a nuisance. That will quickly annoy some of the moderators. A bit of thought needs to go into this one and I would suggest that it be a facility that is only available to subsribers.
I totally concur with WG's request on the ObjectDock Gallery. Backgrounds and Icons should be kept separate for the reasons he outlines. Likwise on the DX items.
One suggestion that concerns me is the 'Rip Report' button. Nice idea, but you will get some clowns come to this site and just hit this button just for the sheer hell of it or to be a nuisance. That will quickly annoy some of the moderators. A bit of thought needs to go into this one and I would suggest that it be a facility that is only available to subsribers.
ZubaZ
Reply #56 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:21 PM
Reply #56 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:21 PM
Nice idea, but you will get some clowns come to this site and just hit this button just for the sheer hell of it or to be a nuisance. That will quickly annoy some of the moderators.
It would only be annoying before teh mods got a chance to explain the error of their ways.
HG_Eliminator
Reply #57 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:23 PM
The Rip report button would only work for members, and any member sending in a crap load of false rip reports, I imagine would be dealt with
Reply #57 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:23 PM
One suggestion that concerns me is the 'Rip Report' button. Nice idea, but you will get some clowns come to this site and just hit this button just for the sheer hell of it or to be a nuisance. That will quickly annoy some of the moderators. A bit of thought needs to go into this one and I would suggest that it be a facility that is only available to subsribers.
The Rip report button would only work for members, and any member sending in a crap load of false rip reports, I imagine would be dealt with
vStyler
Reply #58 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:39 PM
Reply #58 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:39 PM
If this hasnt been said. fix the personal page date\comment order problem.
Bebi Bulma
Reply #59 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:49 PM
Reply #59 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:49 PM
I can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet (or I overlooked it) but it's SLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW. I was just trying to get back to the forums home and waited....and waited and waited some more, so I'm posting again since I seem to be stuck here. 
I don't know if it's just me (something in the way from the WC server to my ISP) but it seems to take bloody forever to get a link to load.
I don't know if it's just me (something in the way from the WC server to my ISP) but it seems to take bloody forever to get a link to load.
jamespaulp
Reply #60 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:01 PM
It is really slow. Sometimes I get dns errors (?) too. Sometimes I hit stop button and start over.
My connection takes about 40 minutes to download a 1 GB file from Microsoft web sites (most big files come from there). So, it is not my connection.
Reply #60 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:01 PM
but it's SLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW
It is really slow. Sometimes I get dns errors (?) too. Sometimes I hit stop button and start over.
My connection takes about 40 minutes to download a 1 GB file from Microsoft web sites (most big files come from there). So, it is not my connection.
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Reply #41 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:25 PM
In Firefox one can click on the name then right-click on the dropdown to select open in new tab/window. Doesn't work with IE