EXTREME Traffic!
Friday, July 20, 2001 by Draginol | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Hi gang, well, Stardock + WinCustomize had over 75,000 visitors in a single day yesterday. This kind of traffic would put us within the top 500 most popular websites worldwide if we maintained that level. Luckily for our bandwidth, it won't stay that high. But it does represent a sneak peak of what is likely to occur once Windows XP ships.
But as a result, during these peek hours, we're going to start requiring those who wish to use the skin library to create an account (which is free). As soon as the traffic curves back to normal somewhat we can return to the unrestricted library access.
But as a result, during these peek hours, we're going to start requiring those who wish to use the skin library to create an account (which is free). As soon as the traffic curves back to normal somewhat we can return to the unrestricted library access.
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T-Man
Reply #2 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:23 PM
Reply #2 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:23 PM
Currently at this moment people without an account cannot view or download any skins. This is only a temporary measure. Once the traffic dies down we will turn off this restriction.
thecat2000
Reply #3 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:26 PM
Reply #3 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:26 PM
I cannot see how With Windows XP Shipping that it will increase the Vistors to this site. You only need to look at windows XP Skins over the past few months to see what kind of downloads they get. If anything interest in XP skin as such will decrease. As for Window Blinds XP users and new WindowsXP users, a good majority of these people will be people who will have upgraded their OS to XP. So the site traffic in these area's won't have gotten any higher I would have thought.
As for user accounts for the Library..?! sorry another confused customer here... We already have an account you want us all to sign up again for another one ?? is this right ? otherwise we dont see the library ? pfft! well its not that plain to me and like Adni18 wouldn't mind mre information to elaborate on this thread.
As for user accounts for the Library..?! sorry another confused customer here... We already have an account you want us all to sign up again for another one ?? is this right ? otherwise we dont see the library ? pfft! well its not that plain to me and like Adni18 wouldn't mind mre information to elaborate on this thread.
Valhalla
Reply #4 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:26 PM
Reply #4 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:26 PM
Pat - some of us WITH accounts can't get in at the moment - took me 20 minutes to get here.
Frogboy
Reply #6 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:40 PM
Reply #6 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:40 PM
It means people who don't have accounts (anonymous users) cannot browse or download skins. That's it.
The sections might be slow for those of you with accounts but you can at least reach them.
We'll just have to disagree. Most people are unaware of Windows XP still. And XP will introduce the idea of changing your look and feel of Windows.
Best of all (for us), you get Windows XP, you get 3 choices in looks. That's it. You want more? Too bad. Unless you get WindowBlinds XP which can not only add more looks but let you change the color of many existing skins on the fly.
As for accounts, people are creating accounts which is good. We normally get 50 new accounts per day. So far this afternoon we've had 600.
The sections might be slow for those of you with accounts but you can at least reach them.
We'll just have to disagree. Most people are unaware of Windows XP still. And XP will introduce the idea of changing your look and feel of Windows.
Best of all (for us), you get Windows XP, you get 3 choices in looks. That's it. You want more? Too bad. Unless you get WindowBlinds XP which can not only add more looks but let you change the color of many existing skins on the fly.
As for accounts, people are creating accounts which is good. We normally get 50 new accounts per day. So far this afternoon we've had 600.
paxx
Reply #7 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:57 PM
Reply #7 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:57 PM
I agree with the account thing. Good move.
But I don't understand either how WinXP will bring more people to the site. Is there going to be a link from say the "Display Properties" panel that would read "For more Windows themes, visit Wincustomize.com."?
People can already change their skins with Windowblinds, I don't see how that will be different with WindowblindsXP... Cause unless there is a place within Windows that lets people know about WB and/or this site, people will have no clue how to get new themes/skins...
But I don't understand either how WinXP will bring more people to the site. Is there going to be a link from say the "Display Properties" panel that would read "For more Windows themes, visit Wincustomize.com."?
People can already change their skins with Windowblinds, I don't see how that will be different with WindowblindsXP... Cause unless there is a place within Windows that lets people know about WB and/or this site, people will have no clue how to get new themes/skins...
Alexandrie
Reply #8 Friday, July 20, 2001 5:06 PM
Reply #8 Friday, July 20, 2001 5:06 PM
A lot of people still don't know the joy of skins, when those people will know they can put skins on their windows, they will want to know if there is any other skins they can find on the net.
thecat2000
Reply #9 Friday, July 20, 2001 5:23 PM
Reply #9 Friday, July 20, 2001 5:23 PM
My point was that with Windows XP and Window BLINDS XP, many of the users here already, will in some percentage upgrade to windows XP and use Windowblinds XP anyway. So for downloading themes for XP and making them it is generally business as usual for many of use who plan on upgrading. This doesn't increase traffic. The increase would come from people who have bought windowsXP and know about Wincustomize.com and also know about the release of Windowblinds XP. Unless there is a good advertising link for things like Windowblinds XP and the benefits of using skins, then most people will still be oblivious to these programs, and wont increase traffic. Everyone using WB already knows about the WBXP version. If they upgrade they will, if they get WinXP.
I mean sure there are Three Luna Themes in XP right now. But remember Microsoft plan on launching their own Windows XP Themes site, so more themes will become available on the Shipping of XP itself, through Microsoft. So if people see they can get themes from MS's WinXP theme's site why would many of these people even think about Windowblinds XP ?
Don't get me wrong on this, I am just saying that Windowblinds XP will need the right kind of publicity to gain the kind of Bandwidths your talking of. Well until XP is really here it is just speculation still
I mean sure there are Three Luna Themes in XP right now. But remember Microsoft plan on launching their own Windows XP Themes site, so more themes will become available on the Shipping of XP itself, through Microsoft. So if people see they can get themes from MS's WinXP theme's site why would many of these people even think about Windowblinds XP ?
Don't get me wrong on this, I am just saying that Windowblinds XP will need the right kind of publicity to gain the kind of Bandwidths your talking of. Well until XP is really here it is just speculation still
Valhalla
Reply #10 Friday, July 20, 2001 7:38 PM
Reply #10 Friday, July 20, 2001 7:38 PM
So, just out of curiosity, how many account holders does Wincustomize have at the present time?
Frogboy
Reply #11 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:16 PM
Reply #11 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:16 PM
We're up to 1600 new accounts today (which is more than all last month).
Cat, all I can say is that the average person has never heard of Windows XP.
Cat, all I can say is that the average person has never heard of Windows XP.
CygnusXII
Reply #12 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:54 PM
Reply #12 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:54 PM
So do I have an account, like the one I use here for and example. Or does my Object Desktop, registration count, or what?
iMike
Reply #13 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:59 PM
Reply #13 Friday, July 20, 2001 8:59 PM
wow i think thats a really smart way to even out the traffic ... smart
MobiusCo
Reply #14 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:41 PM
Reply #14 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:41 PM
I think it is a good idea also, for I do understand the cost aspects that high traffic can generate. But I have a small suggestion to not drive some visitors away. How about having the top ten downloads for the past week or day available to all the visit the site. Or something along those lines. This was the average user that wants to explorer but not register can still see the best of the best, and have an idea what all there is to enjoy here on this site and other skin/digital art based sites. This may draw more people into the folds and encourage visitors instead of possibly discouraging repeat visits.
Just the mental ramblings of the insane...so pay it no mind if it does not make sense.
Well MobiusCo returns to the nice padded room..
Just the mental ramblings of the insane...so pay it no mind if it does not make sense.
Well MobiusCo returns to the nice padded room..
paxx
Reply #15 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:45 PM
Reply #15 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:45 PM
Cygnus, nothing is changed for us, you, me, and the whole gang here. You have an account since I can read you on this msgboard and see your name at the bottom of your post. Anonymous downloads won't be allowed in peak times, that's all it meens, and that's good, IMO.
Forgboy, Alex, I understand that the average user doesn't know about XP (although they are gettnig to hear about it more and more...), just like very very little people in the computer industry knows what a "skin" is. My point is that I don't think that the average user will learn any more about skinning with WindowsXP.
Take Outlook stationeries for example. Outlook introduced them a while ago, and they are cool. But how many people do you know actually make their own stationeries? Hardly anybody. I personally it will be a similar effect with WindowsXP and skins. Why? For a few reason. First, I believe a very small minority of XP users will ever find out that they CAN actually change their theme (skin); second, of those who will find out that there are 2 other themes they can choose from, another small minority will find out that it is actually possible to get even MORE skins from the Internet. And of those who do find out they can get more skins from the Internet, how many will actually come here? Why should they? How will they find out about this site?
Anyway. I could be wrong. I think there may be an incease indeed, but I actually think the release of DesktopX probably had a bigger effect on this site than the release of XP will. My opinion.
Forgboy, Alex, I understand that the average user doesn't know about XP (although they are gettnig to hear about it more and more...), just like very very little people in the computer industry knows what a "skin" is. My point is that I don't think that the average user will learn any more about skinning with WindowsXP.
Take Outlook stationeries for example. Outlook introduced them a while ago, and they are cool. But how many people do you know actually make their own stationeries? Hardly anybody. I personally it will be a similar effect with WindowsXP and skins. Why? For a few reason. First, I believe a very small minority of XP users will ever find out that they CAN actually change their theme (skin); second, of those who will find out that there are 2 other themes they can choose from, another small minority will find out that it is actually possible to get even MORE skins from the Internet. And of those who do find out they can get more skins from the Internet, how many will actually come here? Why should they? How will they find out about this site?
Anyway. I could be wrong. I think there may be an incease indeed, but I actually think the release of DesktopX probably had a bigger effect on this site than the release of XP will. My opinion.
treetog
Reply #16 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:53 PM
Reply #16 Friday, July 20, 2001 9:53 PM
I totally agree with ths idea ( WC just for registered users)!!!
I 'll support any idea that would help WC to not became just an OS skin's repository to people that doesn't care about the site.
NICE MOVE!
I 'll support any idea that would help WC to not became just an OS skin's repository to people that doesn't care about the site.
NICE MOVE!
Frogboy
Reply #17 Saturday, July 21, 2001 12:46 AM
Reply #17 Saturday, July 21, 2001 12:46 AM
Paxx is correct - nothing changes for any of us. Just when the server is at unusually high activity, if you want to browse the skin sections, you have to be logged on.
If I hadn't made a post, none of the regulars would even know there was a change since to all of us here, the site behaves exactly the same.
But log off, go to a section, and it'll give you a message about needing to logon.
In a few days, things should be back to some semblance normality. The theory was that a significant percentage of users would simply not use the site but we actually ended up with 2600 new accounts yesterday and as I type this, 12:43 am, 160 new ones today (160 in 43 minutes).
We also have a mechanism to track how many users are on the site at a given time. As I type this, there are 201 people currently on the site.
Regarding XP, you could be right Paxx, we'll know soon.
If I hadn't made a post, none of the regulars would even know there was a change since to all of us here, the site behaves exactly the same.
But log off, go to a section, and it'll give you a message about needing to logon.
In a few days, things should be back to some semblance normality. The theory was that a significant percentage of users would simply not use the site but we actually ended up with 2600 new accounts yesterday and as I type this, 12:43 am, 160 new ones today (160 in 43 minutes).
We also have a mechanism to track how many users are on the site at a given time. As I type this, there are 201 people currently on the site.
Regarding XP, you could be right Paxx, we'll know soon.
Frank Leon
Reply #18 Saturday, July 21, 2001 1:39 AM
maybe a lot of new accounts but they ain't posting yet! 
Reply #18 Saturday, July 21, 2001 1:39 AM
maybe a lot of new accounts but they ain't posting yet! 
Frank Leon
Reply #19 Saturday, July 21, 2001 1:53 AM
Reply #19 Saturday, July 21, 2001 1:53 AM
christ, 201 people on at once? How in the hell did this site get so popular so fast? Is the skin traffic distributed semi equally amonst the other sites?
craeonics
Reply #20 Saturday, July 21, 2001 9:52 AM
Reply #20 Saturday, July 21, 2001 9:52 AM
That, Frank, will remain a mystery unless the admins of the different sites care to share that with us.
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Reply #1 Friday, July 20, 2001 4:04 PM
And why the traffic will increase when Windows XP ships?
I am asking because your message is important but not very clear for me