Xiandi brings up a question that I was curious about as well.

History of Promotions - part deux.

For many years [before the current monthly promotion announcements], promotions were relatively hit-miss, mostly being done by yours truly.

I received suggestions from, in particular, Good Morphing and later WOM, and, if the suggested people didn't set off alarm bells in my recollections [for some nefarious misdeed] then they were quietly approved....with no fanfare.

Looking back at that practice its main problem was its narrowness of scope....and quite a few people went unnoticed [squeeky wheel syndrome], along with the lack of public recognition/awareness that anyone had been promoted at all.

The current monthly promotions announcement is more formalized, with an Admin thread for suggestions/feedback that sees everyone's input so there's little chance of someone being overlooked.

At each level up the 'ladder' it is expected there is a commensurate increase in devotion/committment towards Wincustomize.com, so that by the time Wincustomize/Stardock is rewarding a Master with the opportunity for financial benefit he/she is [should be] virtually joined at the hip with the site.

I made 'Master' in June, 2001 .... [pretty sure I wasn't the first], but committment had me end up as an Admin.... but I'm sure no-one's expecting quite THAT amount of devotion, but certainly at least as much as your fellow Masters demonstrate...

Anyone can nominate someone for promotion.  The voting part was never implemented and should have been removed from the description.

I've thought for years abuout a more traditional, classical system.  One in which a Master takes on an apprentice (or apprentices) and makes it their business to teach them everything they know about skinning.  Then, when the apprentice and master think that the apprentice is ready, that apprentice makes his "master piece" and submits it to the other masters. It's like a thesis, ya know?

If the masters all approve of the apprentices portfolio of work including that super-special master-piece then that apprentice would become a master.

I think that a system like that would have it's own set of issues.  Some would be self-correcting and some would not.

The systems we had and have work very well for this community though and have grown organically to fit the site as it's evolved over time.  I expect that, like all good things, it will continue to change, slowly, and with purposeful thought.

Brad, I am a little upset now.  I told you about opening that domain before I opened it, and your response was "It is not a domain name that matters, it is what is on the site..." or something close to that, so I did not think you really cared. I doubt seriously if the new site I opened only a couple of weeks ago will ever amount to anything, I am basically testing the waters and it probably will not stay live any way.  It was never intended to be competition for Wincustomize, and your bringing it up here is callous.  My main site is http://www.lightstar1.com/, not the new site, and you know that.

As far as supporting other products, I support ALL forms of desktop customization, and ALL companies providing services in those areas.  I sell Hyperdesk themes, Windowblinds skins and still a few .msstyles which I am going away from.  I only design Windowblinds skins now, but I support ALL others. If doing this prevents me from getting the title of "Master" on Wincustomize, then so be it. After all, it's only a title and I can never sell any skins on this site anyway.

I support this site and all skinning sites, regardless of whether they promote visual styles (.msstyles) or Windowblinds, and will continue to do so no matter what.  You can keep your "Master" status, I don't care.

I host and maintain five websites, including two sites for vStyler himself, and I ask for nothing in return.  I run Google Ad's on them and Stardock stores for him to provide him and his family with some form of income, albeit small.  I run and manage his sales areas and "take care of business" for him.  So I guess he got a little upset when I kept getting passed over every month, and now I know why.

Just so you know, I was surprised when vStyler told me he posted those initial comments here, I even asked him to edit them and take them off. I guess he had his reasons as stated above though.

It is really sad that I am forced to respond this way, my comments on this site have almost always been positive or constructive. I had no idea I needed to be solely a Stardock and Wincustomize supporter and forget everything else, which is a concept I find quite disturbing now, but evidently you do not.

I'm not looking up the quotes, I think every one here has seen them at least once.....so..

It has always been my understanding since the 'Master' title came into existance, that part of what was looked for was the skinners over all contribution and participation to the 'entire' skinning community. I took this to mean involvement in other sites and their reaching out to other skinners. Personally, my contact with Lightstar has been almost non existant. (My own personal issues about bugging people that are so talented and obviously busy) but from my own observation, he has more than emulated all that is good about the skinning community consistantly.

I can also see where there could be an issue with the name of the new site.

I would like to think that if there was someone deserving of the Master title, Stardock would not only be anxious to promote that person but would reach out to them if all that was holding it up was a minor issue that could be resolved.

I would also like to think that they would reach out to any one that was showing the potential to become a Master and offer what ever support, advise, or guidance they could. Some times folks just need a nudge in the right direction. They may not know they do, or they may be waiting for one and don't want to ask for fear of appearing they are whining.

Wholehearted

btw, u can bug me anytime, I'm always busy but never too busy to help if I can.

Are we talking? I've lost track of who is and isn't talking to me anymore.

It's not about negating. I like Lightstar as you know.

But when one becomes a Master, the idea is that one is throwing in their lot with us.  You're "picking a side" so to speak.

Well, you haven't spoken to me since I put the Glen Beck logo on your coffee cup.

Are you holding a grudge?

LightStar: I'm not trying to upset you.  I'm not angry that you have a site called "Wincustomizing.com".  

My concise point is: You've always been Switzerland when it comes to skinning. That is, you're neutral. You support everyone. I think that's great.  But at the Master level, the idea is that that user is a partisan. They've thrown their lot with us.

I don't pick sides Brad, never have and never will, so can we please just drop this whole issue and get on with things that are important in life, and not this useless drivel?  Desktop customizing and the "community" deserves better. Subject closed, I will never be a Master, and I don't care.  Thank you.

Nice post Po'....

where did that voice of reason come from....?   

Exactly.  You don't pick sides and that's fine.  I'm simply explaining what the Master access group was created for.

I wish I hadn't mentioned it, thought I was doing a nice thing for a good man. 

well...it has served to highlight just what he has contributed to the skinning community in general....over many years......an incredible committment......

there are people who are good at blowing their own horns....and there are quiet achievers.......

in the end...status is inconsequential.....when your achievements end up speaking for themselves....it's more important to be true to the path you wish to take......and enjoy it...

thanks Tom, for your contributions to not only our community....but all areas of skinning....what of wealth of knowledge and experience you must have gathered over this time...

Thank you sydney, and all those who support my work, both now and in the past. 

You can just drop a note to any of the moderators or admins. 

I took you on as my padawan and look what happened...!