Ditto....

I subscribe because I truly believe that every little bit helps.

....And 'coz I like the place.

I subscribe here cos I'd subscribe elsewhere if I didn't... and simply, mrs starkers doesn't like me going to the Playboy site.

There are, of course, more valid reasons than that... not to mention real ones, and from my perspective these days it's more about community and its support than skins.... and like Erk said, coz I like the place.  I'm good 'til 2010, but I will re-up my sub for another year to help out with the site.

Sadly, many drive-by skin hunters don't subscribe and never will... more is the pity, because bigger and better things would be made available to all if they too supported the site that feeds them (skins).

So how about it people???

I subscribe to support WC...could it use improvement? Sure....as far as the Community goes, the subscription helps support a place to be with people whose opinions and ideas I respect.

I haven't broken it down on a 'per skin' basis, Ken... I just don't look at it that way, although I'm not diputing your logic (nor arithmetic).

I'm not happy if I can't come here and if I'm in the mood, look at skins and walls, play a game or have some friendly banter with folks like starkers, angus, Karen, tbc, TG and others....

It is what you make it....and always my thanks to you for making it better.

Maybe it needs to be ...mo' bettah?

I subscribe because the voice in Po's thumb told me to.

Oh dear... you do know where po's thumb HAS been, right???

In his own words, it's his "fortress of solitude" 

*if only he'd upgrade to the extra heavy duty 4ply*

The only issue I have with subscribing again is it's the same few each time who subscribe and support the site. It's about time all the downloaders pulled their weight and got hands in wallets.

I'd charge people for downloads - make a subscription compulsory.

Thanks for saying that Fuzzy. In principle, I agree. Only one tiny hiccup...wouldn't that tend to deterr folks from visiting? Also, how much would it amount to?

Maybe Jafo or I.D. have projected earnings from such a step?

because i like to help where i can

also so much of the stuff is free ,some of the best skinners are here ,and the community is great

so too me its worth renewing my subscript

maybe those people who do not want to subscribe (as is their right) be made to view some ad's while waiting for the download to begin, i have seen several sites like this that have a countdown timer for anything up to 1 minute which shows and ad and then the download begins.

I like Nimbin's suggestion, but I thought all non-subscribers were always seeing ads.

I think most people would say the same thing, you don't have to subscribe but the benefits far and away are better then what ever annoyances that you suffer by not subscribing.

Good idea... and add to that sound... the sound of chalk being dragged across a blackboard for the duration of the ad and the download.

Or how about some insipid and sickening music?  We have a show called A Country Practice... the theme music to that oughta do the trick.  Yup, it's so woefully insipid and nauseating that frequent drive-bys will be queuing to get subscriptions.

The Seven Network here is Oz is repeating A Country Practice for the forty twelfth time and ...GRRRRR, mrs starkers tunes into it every night and it annoys the crapper out of me.  Frankly, I'd rather use a pair of rusty pliers and remove my own teeth without anaesthetic than listen to that abysmally sickening theme music... but every night without fail, there it is, wafting from the loungeroom to the study and driving me to distraction.

So if there are any trypos, speeling mistakes and/or non-compos-mentis passages in any of my posts between midnight and 1.00am Oz time, blame mrs starkers.  At least she could put it on mute during to opening and closing credits... but NO, and now I need another pill, just thinking about it.

Personally, I think it's payback for the time I had the Mahna Mahna Mahnamahna CD on repeat for an extended period.. like about a week... and even began singing it in my sleep.  It's said that paybacks are a bitch, but the ACP theme music is going beyond payback and borders on extreme mental cruelty, so yeah, non-subscribers just here for skins should have to hear it for the duration... why should I be the only one to suffer!!!

Subscribers get free downloads, non-subs pay a fee for each download.

     I see it like this. I subscribe out of loyalty, and to support a place that got me started in skinning, and will hopefully do the same for many more. $30.00 a year is $2.50 per month. Equivalent to a six pack of MT. Dew. I will give up a six pack of soda a month for a sub here where I get several free premium skins per year, a place to share my work and develop my skills, and a place to meet others who will ultimately become my friends and tutors, mentors, and students. A place where I can get help with skinning, and life's challenges. We are not just pen pals, we are truly friends. Friends who may not have met otherwise. Wincustomize is a big part of my life, ( I know there are those saying I should get a life...lol)  as are the folks I interact with here. You guys are well worth my $30.00.

Just a note, the non-subscribers can read this.. and it might come off as a little bit forceful, and certainly won't endear them to you, reading the posts about how to MAKE them subscribe 

The idea is to draw them in, hehe not scare them off  you catch more flies with honey, than vineager!

I'm happy with my subscription... I renew out of habit mostly as well... but I've loved the skins I've been given this year, plus I got huge discounts on all the master skins I've bought....

I look at it like this... everytime I've renewed I've been promised something by a certain frog, and he usually comes through... if the 10 skins this year are as good as two MyColors themes I got this year... then it is worth it... if it helps the site grow so I can come onto these forums more and more it's worth it... and if the site gets better and easier to use because of it... it's worth it...

Darn!  This ISN'T the Playboy site?

*Pats Jafo on the head*

No dear, it's the YMCA