The WinCustomize CD!
Sunday, June 3, 2001 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
In the past few months, we've all seen a lot of great websites go away due to lack of income. The problem those sites have is that they were relying on banner ads. Even Yahoo is having problems.A skin site is very expensive to run. In fact, as skinning has become increasingly popular, it's become even harder to have a good skin site. So the ultimate in cruel ironies -- the success of the skinning community has been effectively wiping out the skin sites. That's because downloading a skin is a very bandwidth intensive thing. One user on the message boards pointed out that yesterday alone, just the top 10 skin authors efforts received 17,000 downloads. Assuming that each download probably averaged 500K in size, that's over 8 gigabytes of bandwidth used just for the skins of the top skin authors.
If you calculate that out, that's essentially a megabit per second of bandwidth right there. So you can imagine how much bandwidth these skin sites use. And bandwidth costs a great deal. But it doesn't stop there, all the coding and administering can be costly too.
But there is a second issue involved too -- the skin authors. As the quality of the programs improves, the time it takes to create a "proper" skin increases. The first 12 WindowBlinds skins released were by me and each one only took several hours to make. They were awful though. Today, a full skin can take weeks to perfect. Skinning is a hobby but it's a very time consuming hobby. Wouldn't it be great if we could find a way to help users, help the websites, and help skin authors?
That's where the WinCustomize CD comes into play. It'll be available later this month for $19.95. It'll include all the skins, icons, and themes that we have permission to put on the CD. Plus it'll have 2 full skin suites created by two of the top skin authors in the community -- Alexandrie and Treetog. Two people who have contributed many of the best skins over the past couple of years. So users who purchase the CD will not only be helping the site but they'll be getting a handy archive of the skins (with a very nice interface to getting them -- i.e. it's not just a bunch of files dumped into a directory). Given the events of recent weaks with our long time friends at Deskmod, we can all imagine how handy it would have been if there had been a CD archive of Deskmod.
If the CD does well enough, we hope to start creating a second CD that will have more original skin suites made by many of the top authors in the community. Don't worry, as users can see, the number of "free" skins being created not only increases in number but has been increasing in quality. That's not going to change. But imagine the scenario where skin authors could somehow make a little bit of money from their hobby? Enough money to buy that new computer or a new version of a graphics program or something to help their families. Then next time someone says to them "Why are you spending all your time making those skins?" they can give a good reason. Thus if successful, we'll see even more free skins as well as the knowledge that the sites and authors and users are all working together helping each other out.
And at the end of the day, you have a solution in which the increasing bandwidth costs are somewhat offset. The users get a good archive and some really first rate new skins and skin authors start to be able to benefit from the popularity of their work.
The first WinCustomize CD will be available in a couple weeks. Your comments are welcomed.
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Alexandrie
Reply #2 Sunday, June 3, 2001 7:34 PM
Reply #2 Sunday, June 3, 2001 7:34 PM
I think you don't understand well. All skins on CD will be on the website, the only thing we add a little plus for the CD only. You don't need to buy the CD if you want skins, this will be same skins as web site and less than web site because some don't accept to put their skins on the CD. But if you want the 2 themes we did than yes you have to buy it. You are not force in anything here. This is a choice. You have to see those 2 themes as a bonus for those who will buy the CD.
Frogboy
Reply #3 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:33 PM
Reply #3 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:33 PM
More to the point, not everyone has a high speed connection. I was on here on a 28.8k modem yesterday and man, it's painful. There are over 2000 skins here, that's a lot to go through. It's not for everyone, you don't have to buy it.
pland53
Reply #4 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:33 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:33 PM
I'm for the idea of the CD. I am artistically challenged. I know what looks great, but have not had luck creating my own skins, so I download the works (& that is what most skins/wallpapers are-works of art!) of others. I have felt somewhat guilty for only taking. So this would be a way I can contribute to the skinning community in some small way. AND considering the amount of time involved in skinning AND considering what time is worth to some people, $19.95 is a small price to pay. Did plainsong want some cheese with that WHINE?? pland53
rmiles7721
Reply #5 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:49 PM
Reply #5 Sunday, June 3, 2001 9:49 PM
I think it is a great way to create income for the site itself. If some of the other sites had done the same, they might still be online.
I probably have already downloaded most of them (and burned them to CD already), but will purchase it anyway.
I probably have already downloaded most of them (and burned them to CD already), but will purchase it anyway.
davad70
Reply #6 Sunday, June 3, 2001 10:10 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, June 3, 2001 10:10 PM
I agree with the concept and think it's a great idea. However, I am a tad skeptical of how successful it will be. Many people will look at this just as plainsong did. Those people will not pay 20 bucks for 2 new skins. thats exactly as they are going to see it. Everyone has gotten too accustomed to getting all the skins they want for free.
Frogboy
Reply #7 Sunday, June 3, 2001 10:27 PM
Reply #7 Sunday, June 3, 2001 10:27 PM
Most people will. The question is purely what percentage of the 100,000+ unique users who visit each month will. Only 500 units per month need to be sold for the site to become self-sufficient. That would be 0.5% of the people who visit each month.
KarlSATX
Reply #8 Sunday, June 3, 2001 11:19 PM
Reply #8 Sunday, June 3, 2001 11:19 PM
I believe that this is a good idea. In this way, we can have an archive of skins. In case of another downfall of a major skinning site. We still have all the skins. While Deskmod and Skinz are pretty much gone, so are the skins. Most of the links on Skinz.org no longer work. Deskmod you can't even access. This also provides an easy way to keep the site running. Each of us get our part. It's time the skinning community take care of the sites to prevent another downfall due to insufficient funds. I am personally interested in both aspects of the deal. Funding the site in support and having a collection. I believe that most of you will agree that after the downfall of the two major skinning sites, its time for us to take care of our own. Sure, WinCustomize doesn't need much to stay running, but, it's worth it to show our support. The lack of financial support is driving our little community down, the only thing holding most of these places together is the emotional and graphical support we provide. Let's show our support and give! Let's keep our community alive!
CRUMBUT
Reply #9 Sunday, June 3, 2001 11:56 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, June 3, 2001 11:56 PM
haha this just got me to check.. I have 231+ WB skins currently in my collection! Brad is this the CD I gave permission to last year? I remember giving permision to Kim I think it was via email..but that was supposed to be WB2.0 CD. Maybe over stepping but, where will the procedes go? Will there be anything for the artists? I give my permision either way, just wondering. Thanks. Keep up the great work Alex!!
Transmutate
Reply #10 Monday, June 4, 2001 12:05 AM
Reply #10 Monday, June 4, 2001 12:05 AM
I think this is a great idea too. It's a win win situation for everybody....the site get's to make a bit of money, and the artist's get free exposure. Great idea guy's...btw, feel free to use any of my couple of uploads here for the cd if you wish.
Frogboy
Reply #11 Monday, June 4, 2001 12:10 AM
Reply #11 Monday, June 4, 2001 12:10 AM
The proceeds go to the bandwidth funds for the site. You can imagine how much this site costs, especially now. 
DavidK
Reply #12 Monday, June 4, 2001 1:15 AM
Reply #12 Monday, June 4, 2001 1:15 AM
will you have a shopping cart on this site to buy the CD? If you do I think you should sell the stardock sweatshirts and t-shirts too. Maybe even make a wincustomize t-shirt...
(you'll have to give one to China for advertising though)
(you'll have to give one to China for advertising though
)
Randy Autry
Reply #13 Monday, June 4, 2001 2:35 AM
Reply #13 Monday, June 4, 2001 2:35 AM
I think this is a truely creative idea! There are two (2) things to think about.
1: Why pay for what they already have?
If you enjoy the skins and they make your screen more pleasing to look at as well as easier on your eyes then that's worth something. After all Microsoft has spent millions on interface appearance so users would have something pleasing to look at. So what's the big deal with $19.95?
2. If you already have them protect them with your life, without the income these skins and sites that support them you won't be getting any more of them.
I personaly love the skins and the software that companies like Stardock are developing. Count me in, anyone that can afford the skinning software should be able to come up with $20 to support the community if nothing else.
1: Why pay for what they already have?
If you enjoy the skins and they make your screen more pleasing to look at as well as easier on your eyes then that's worth something. After all Microsoft has spent millions on interface appearance so users would have something pleasing to look at. So what's the big deal with $19.95?
2. If you already have them protect them with your life, without the income these skins and sites that support them you won't be getting any more of them.
I personaly love the skins and the software that companies like Stardock are developing. Count me in, anyone that can afford the skinning software should be able to come up with $20 to support the community if nothing else.
craeonics
Reply #15 Monday, June 4, 2001 6:18 AM
Reply #15 Monday, June 4, 2001 6:18 AM
MicroSoft has spend money on interface design? What was the result? Haha...
JavaBrain
Reply #16 Monday, June 4, 2001 9:04 AM
Reply #16 Monday, June 4, 2001 9:04 AM
As it is currently planned, Wincustomize will have a cart on it (a section of the Stardock cart so that the CD will be paying for bandwidth, not for cart fees ) Then, we will be adding T-shirts. A general WC shirt, a shirt designed by one of our artists, and there will be a T-shirt contest on WC for the third one (which I believe Brad has mentioned a few times). If there are any other goods that anyone thinks would sell well to support the site, let us know. It would be great if we could get the site to fund itself. That way, the community won't have to worry about it going away, and it may become a good model for other sites.
) Then, we will be adding T-shirts. A general WC shirt, a shirt designed by one of our artists, and there will be a T-shirt contest on WC for the third one (which I believe Brad has mentioned a few times). If there are any other goods that anyone thinks would sell well to support the site, let us know. It would be great if we could get the site to fund itself. That way, the community won't have to worry about it going away, and it may become a good model for other sites.
sevyn
Reply #17 Monday, June 4, 2001 10:13 AM
Reply #17 Monday, June 4, 2001 10:13 AM
I'll pay. I (and some really good friends) run our own web sites and have experienced similar problems. The only way to make money is to A) charge for a deliverable; or 
charge for subscription.
We investigated charging for subscriptions to achieve two goals. 1) To make money and; 2) To limit bandwidth.
Don't make it *harder* to run this site folks, if you have $20 sitting around, buy the CD!
charge for subscription.We investigated charging for subscriptions to achieve two goals. 1) To make money and; 2) To limit bandwidth.
Don't make it *harder* to run this site folks, if you have $20 sitting around, buy the CD!
mgorbach
Reply #18 Monday, June 4, 2001 4:58 PM
Reply #18 Monday, June 4, 2001 4:58 PM
in the screenshot next to this article on the main page ... how did you get the icon text to have shadows around it? it looks great! is this windows xp doing it or is it a program?
Michael Gorbach
Michael Gorbach
st_nick
Reply #19 Monday, June 4, 2001 5:02 PM
Reply #19 Monday, June 4, 2001 5:02 PM
I think this a good way to support a site that does a lot for all of us, and to save the time of downloading everything. And throwing in new themes is just gravy. Great idea Frogboy!
btw, how do I send permission for my skins? My old email address is no longer active so I probably didn't get the request.
btw, how do I send permission for my skins? My old email address is no longer active so I probably didn't get the request.
jcg
Reply #20 Monday, June 4, 2001 5:35 PM
Reply #20 Monday, June 4, 2001 5:35 PM
Sounds like a winner to me. If it helps pay for the bandwidth I certainly don't mind my skins being put on a CD and I think I can come up with $20.
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Reply #1 Sunday, June 3, 2001 7:24 PM
So essentially, I'm paying for the new skins. Weren't skins supposed to be free? I could understand a subscription service, but this is a bit pricey for something that's usually free. Not-to-mention more expensive still for us not in the US.
I know yall need money and all, but it's a bit much for two new skins. I know most will disagree with me, but it's just how I feel.