WinCustomize 2K9 brainstorming
The end of WC2K5 is here. WC2K9 awaits
Thursday, January 8, 2009 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Assuming the subscription drive ends as it is going, what is going to happen?
This is all tentative brainstorming and will be altered based on your feedback.
I. Subscriptions:
1. Master Skins will remain at a discount.
2. There will be a lot more master skin content than there is today as inspired work that's available via MyColors will also be made available in parts as Master Skins. This process will begin sooner rather than later.
3. There will be a new WC browser that will be integrated into Impulse. This browser will only handle Stardock programs and wallpapers.
4. There will be two tiers of subscriptions. A new $9.95 Basic subscription will give 1 year of access to unlimited downloads and no ads. The $19.95 suscription will give users discounts on premium content and WC subscriber skins.
5. The current $29.95 subscription that people have will be transformed into a 2-year (so those who buy a subscription between now and then will really make out or people who already have one).
6. All subscriber resources will be handled through Impulse.
II. Site Design
1. The forums will be the same with just some cosmetic changes.
2. There will no longer be a gallery listing on most pages. A Gallery page will let people get to the galleries but the home page won't list a bunch of skin galleries.
3. The home page will fbe greatly simplified and look very differnt from today (the whole site will look totally different).
4. The gallery page will only focus on Stardock relatd items and wallpaper. Other items fall into an "other" link.
5. Wallpaper moderation as we know it will likely disappear. Instead, we will likely move forward towards a moderator recommended option.
6. Galleries will default to only showing moderator recommended items or items in which at least N users have recommended.
7. The rating system as we know it will likely disappear being replaced by the recommended option. What we'll probably brand the recommend.
8. The recommend option will probably be labeled "Like it" and "Love it". If a moderator recommends it (likes it or loves it) then it will show up by default. Users will be able to easily change their filtering. Stars won't be displayed anymore. Just the # of "like it" and "love" by it.
9. Individual galleries won't have a column showing other galleries. A given gallery will focus just on things relevant to that gallery.
Reply #62 Monday, January 12, 2009 9:54 AM
Just a suggestion...
Been thinking about it and perhaps some moderation of the destination of posts might be useful...
I'm hoping the new format lends itself to different topic areas. Perhaps some "New Guidelines" could be helpful for Posters.
Reply #63 Monday, January 12, 2009 9:59 AM
That's like saying we're forcing people to abandon Windows 95.
The problem is that a given browser version can't be supported indefinitely. Every time a new browser version is released, sites have to change up how they're coded to take the new versions into account. A line has to be drawn somewhere, and IE6 is on the other side when we do major site projects.
There is a point of diminishing returns to support a browser whose traffic total slides more and more towards 0 every week. and IE6 takes a metric crapload of extra work to function properly. It doesn't make sense to spend a ton more time and effort for a browser with almost no share of the traffic vs browsers that make up more.
Reply #64 Monday, January 12, 2009 3:19 PM
Okay, first of all my comment was kind of tounge in cheek. It was like saying "We're not browser specific, you can use any browser you want as long as it isn't IE6..." I was attempted to point out the irony in the statement.
Well Yoda, could be simple cause and effect here. you don't support it why would people that still use IE6 visit a site where they can't. It has been mentioned that site hits have diminished, hmm, I wonder. (Again, just playing devil's advocate here, please don't take this personal) You all probably have your fingers on the pulse of the industry and know better than I of what's up and what's not.
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Reply #65 Monday, January 12, 2009 5:03 PM
In not being browser specific I meant, Impulse would not be the only browser able to see the forums. You must understand wimpy, as Tech changes and progresses older stuff will fall to the way side. As with everything, as time goes on and new versions are made the older ones with less funtionality,security etc will simply slide in to oblivion.
Unlike cars Where the older ones become the cherished classics and are still kept going, some things are just not worth the effort to keeping going. But even then what if one day Cars were able to fly and the roads now consuming massive portins of the owrld could be better utilized for growing food or giving homes to an ever overpopulated world. and a few people even tho they were offered a free flying car, refused to take one and wanted the roads to be maintained. would you think this reasonable for the few to want the roads maintained even tho it would still keep a heavy burden on society?
The same is with older software and browsers, as the new ones come out it takes more time and resources/$$ to keep sites /OS's backwards compatible with them.
Really I get wher your coming from, I too have had games and such I had to drop due to progress and was not happy, but in an ever changing world of Tech, I realized if I didnt keep up, I would eventually miss out on a whole new plethora of games and software just waiting for me.
Ps I hated the newer versions of IE after 6, so I found FF and have never looked back..
Reply #66 Monday, January 12, 2009 6:58 PM
Impulse is a web browser???
HG, I think you and I are on the same side of the fence. We both want WC to survive in some usable format that doesn't lose the community aspect that we have come to love and respect. How this ends up only time will tell. Please you all, most of my cynical comments are rhetorical (food for thought, just thinking out loud, etc.), and while I don't currently financially support the site (and I have) who knows, that could even change.
Reply #67 Monday, January 12, 2009 8:58 PM
Yes, it browses the Stardock sites as well as the Impulse forums. While it is really set up to just browse SD stuff and the Impulse forums. With a bit of poking around you can use it to access NON SD webpages. ![]()
I figured as much, I just wanted to add to the discussion and offer friendly cross points.
Exactly. I do think that SD will bear in mind that many of us have been here for the long haul and Love our community here. I believe Brad and the folks will do thier best to Keep WC a fun and great place to be. ![]()
On a side note: (Just a random thought here to the general audience)
SD did not create the skinning community, but they are also a part of it, and are a huge part of the WC community. Not just in thier sponsoring of the Site, but with their friendship, good natured banter and commeradery. IMO the folks I have met over the years from SD, have made WC a better place to be. Ive yet to find any I wouldnt call a friend. I do not think they would do anything to end the best skinning site on the internet.
Reply #68 Monday, January 26, 2009 11:25 PM
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can we have some kind of thing so we can mod our own site? even if its just to change the colour of it...like ebay has for its tabs...... i really want to own my own personal site and make it mine.....its my little pad, id love
to deck it out in my own chosen colours......... SO PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE FROGBOY WITH SUGAR ON TOP???
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...i was also gonna ask for pyschotic music and fluffy cushions....but i knew that would be pushing things....![]()
Reply #69 Friday, February 20, 2009 4:56 PM
So my subscription is good until August. If I grab a renewal now does that mean I will get two more years on top of that? Or do I get another year for my current and two more for renewing early. Or I buy half of one now and another quarter year in three weeks and then while hopping up and down on my left foot I buy another full year..
Huh, what where was I?
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Reply #61 Monday, January 12, 2009 9:28 AM
Will our personal sites have a similar layout and content or are they going to be a blog like Impulse Community?