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.
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Reply #2 Thursday, January 8, 2009 12:33 PM
This sounds very positive. With the new way the site will be designed, will it be easier to make changes. Also, I had mentioned to Zubaz before about some complaints some people had about the recent forum posts column. Since games and other misc. items seems to dominate the recent forums post list, would it be possible to have a list for General and community and a separate one for everything else?
Reply #5 Thursday, January 8, 2009 1:41 PM
My own opinion, much better post then your fist one about the current subscription drive. A nice very positive approach. Nothing, atleast from how I read this, that scares folks away. Most of us have come to understand your approach in matters as this, the brand new subscribers I'm sure read you other post and wonder what they got thierselves into.
I've been satisfied since first joining the community with how you provide value for my dollar. Yes things do change, costs will never go down and you do have to pay the bills, both facts of life situations.
Okay, now where's the pizza and the beer?
Reply #7 Thursday, January 8, 2009 2:09 PM
That in itself is the single best motivator for new skinners also imo. Standards.
Reply #8 Thursday, January 8, 2009 2:11 PM
Sounds great to me. Just what the site needs 
One question though: if the site needs to run based on subscriptions, are you going to make it more difficult for non subscribers/purchasers to download content? Seems to me only a small minority of us want to support the site financially and it would be beneficial to get the majority on board.
Reply #9 Thursday, January 8, 2009 4:21 PM
Subscriptions won't be the focus of WC 2K9.
They'll provide extra goodies but WC will become part of Stardock Sofware's marketing.
Reply #10 Thursday, January 8, 2009 5:39 PM
YES!! Thank you! 
Ratings have from time to time brought out the "beast" in many a disgruntled artist....
"Why have my thingy's rating been lowered by ½ a star?!?!?!??!!?11111oneoneone"
I'd be the first to volunteer to chock it out the window (without opening it first).
The gallery setup sounds very interesting. Simple and not too complicated.
I for one am looking forward to the 'new' site!
Reply #11 Thursday, January 8, 2009 6:15 PM
This all sounds very positive to me. Also it is more organized and probably a lot more efficient of man-hours.
Three requests/ideas:
1. A site map option
2. That the site look like the My Colors/Impulse Platforms...sleek and efficient looking (the subliminal aspect won't hurt
3. Don't kill Winky. Please.
Glad the other shoe has dropped.
Reply #14 Thursday, January 8, 2009 7:31 PM
Two words....
At last.
OK, that's 4 words...
...and that's 8....
[I'll stop now]...
Reply #16 Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:18 PM
Question. How will site navigation work? Currently we can quickly switch from one library to another by clicking the gallery list on the side *which we can pic and choose what is shown within it*. Without this will we have to constantly return to main page or hit the back button, to start all site navigation from one page?
Also if the Gallery list is removed how would one be able to pic and choose what content they wish to see, it was stated one would still be able to edit what they see over the defaults chosen.
Reply #17 Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:25 PM
All very solid ideas indeed.
See, I knew there was no need to make mountains out of molehills.
Reply #18 Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:26 PM
There's always the breadcrumbs at the top of the page. But I usually use the sidebar, since it's more visible.
Reply #19 Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:34 PM
Well looks good for the most part. 
will the subscriber "i love/i like" skins cost money? or am i reading it wrong? 
or is that master skins? what is premium content?
Reply #20 Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:45 PM
The subscriber skins are those offered in the Subscribers Resources area, located in any gallery page just under your nick at to right. I imagine they will be free to subscribers as they have in the past. Premium content would be the items within the WC store. Im not sure if a discount carries over to the master skins tho.
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Reply #1 Thursday, January 8, 2009 11:51 AM
Some great ideas! One question about the Impulse integrated browser. If one is not at home and using someone elses computer will they be able to access without downloading and installing software or be on a PC as opposed to a linux or mac machine? Cloud?