premium skins poll - my answer
Tuesday, June 10, 2003 by feline | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
this is the second poll in a row i cannot really vote on, since none of the available answers are my answer. since this is getting to me (i like to participate, and voting is part of that) i decided to just give my answer this way instead 
taking the options in turn:
* icons - i mainly see icons via powerdesk pro 5 under winXP. due to acts of Microsoft i get the standard yellow folder icons, regardless of the icon pack i have installed. so, this significantly reduces the visual impact of icon sets. also, after a while i stop noticing the icons *shrug*
so, i am quite unlikely to purchase premium icons.
* themes - i presume this means a set of matching skins across several programs.
well, on this machine (work) i have:
+ coolplayer skinned with the outstanding sputnik skin
+ IE and notepad skinned with via WB with XP Jeans UIS1
+ textpad skinned via WB with devoir
+ tera term pro skinned via WB with XPForest
these are the main programs i use on this machine, and if you know (or look up) these skins you will see this isn't exactly an integrated look
* a pack of cool skins / visual styles - this is unlikely simply because so very few WB skins really speak to me. i have certain practical requirements for my main skin on my work machine, which further limit the skins i use long term. so, i would do this, but the odds are very long, since i am unlikely to be that impressed by any premium skins
this is nothing against the premium skins. the same can (and is) said about the WB skins here. of the over 2000, there are only a handful i use at all regularly
* media player skins - i only ever use media player for viewing video clips. my experience is most skins aren't really that good for that.
* wallpaper - the wallpaper on this machine is buried under approx 14 open windows (average to below average number!), and not even 1 pixel of it is showing.
* no interest - that isn't really the answer either. i am quite happy to support the outstanding skinners, but if i am going to pay for it, it has to be something i both like and will use.
so, what is my answer? CursorXP!
since when i use my mouse (i am keyboard orientated by nature) i am very aware of where my cursor is and what it is doing, this is the area where skins have the best chance of really impressing me.
also, percentage wise, there are far more CursorXP skins i really like than in any other category at this site. that means there is at least a fighting chance of me being really impressed with premium cursors
taking the options in turn:
* icons - i mainly see icons via powerdesk pro 5 under winXP. due to acts of Microsoft i get the standard yellow folder icons, regardless of the icon pack i have installed. so, this significantly reduces the visual impact of icon sets. also, after a while i stop noticing the icons *shrug*
so, i am quite unlikely to purchase premium icons.
* themes - i presume this means a set of matching skins across several programs.
well, on this machine (work) i have:
+ coolplayer skinned with the outstanding sputnik skin
+ IE and notepad skinned with via WB with XP Jeans UIS1
+ textpad skinned via WB with devoir
+ tera term pro skinned via WB with XPForest
these are the main programs i use on this machine, and if you know (or look up) these skins you will see this isn't exactly an integrated look
* a pack of cool skins / visual styles - this is unlikely simply because so very few WB skins really speak to me. i have certain practical requirements for my main skin on my work machine, which further limit the skins i use long term. so, i would do this, but the odds are very long, since i am unlikely to be that impressed by any premium skins
this is nothing against the premium skins. the same can (and is) said about the WB skins here. of the over 2000, there are only a handful i use at all regularly
* media player skins - i only ever use media player for viewing video clips. my experience is most skins aren't really that good for that.
* wallpaper - the wallpaper on this machine is buried under approx 14 open windows (average to below average number!), and not even 1 pixel of it is showing.
* no interest - that isn't really the answer either. i am quite happy to support the outstanding skinners, but if i am going to pay for it, it has to be something i both like and will use.
so, what is my answer? CursorXP!
since when i use my mouse (i am keyboard orientated by nature) i am very aware of where my cursor is and what it is doing, this is the area where skins have the best chance of really impressing me.
also, percentage wise, there are far more CursorXP skins i really like than in any other category at this site. that means there is at least a fighting chance of me being really impressed with premium cursors
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Old_Crab
Reply #44 Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:15 PM
Reply #44 Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:15 PM
I've bought quite a few Pixtudio suites. I do admire the artistry, time, and patience that must go into them. However, this Old Crab usually returns to the "Classic Interface" more often than using any skin, Premium or free. As for WP's I usually up a tile. Work before play. The differing opinions and the civil replies on this topic are also refreshing.
Old_Crab
Reply #45 Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:16 PM
Reply #45 Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:16 PM
Old Crabs frowny button ain't working...ADMINS.
sig101
Reply #46 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:20 AM
Reply #46 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:20 AM
Looks like none of the smileys are working. Oh horrors! 
Sorry, back to the topic.
Sorry, back to the topic.
sig101
Reply #47 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:21 AM
Reply #47 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:21 AM
(Hmn hand made smileys work. But not when I clicked on the ones provided.)
feline
Reply #48 Thursday, June 12, 2003 3:26 AM
Reply #48 Thursday, June 12, 2003 3:26 AM
feline has given this quite a bit of thought
feline ventures an opinion
to be honest, the idea of purchasing one of the premium suites simply to support the skinners, rather than because i was moved by those particular skins, never occurred to me.
i saw a "thing for sale", and simply looked at it in my normal "commercial" way. the price wasn't unreasonable, but it wasn't something i wanted.
while i have never produced a WB skin, i do have some concept of the amount of work that must be required to create one. nosing around inside of the skins to learn things has been quite educational
i suspect that purchasing the premium suites mainly (or even partly) to support the skinners in their work is largely a function of "maturity" as a member of this community.
i am not sure that "maturity" is quite the right word (especially since i am not trying to suggest some people are immature), but off hand it is the closest word i can find to the concept i am groping for.
with all of this in mind, i am off to give some serious consideration to purchasing the CursorXP set i am seeing hints of.
feline ventures an opinion
to be honest, the idea of purchasing one of the premium suites simply to support the skinners, rather than because i was moved by those particular skins, never occurred to me.
i saw a "thing for sale", and simply looked at it in my normal "commercial" way. the price wasn't unreasonable, but it wasn't something i wanted.
while i have never produced a WB skin, i do have some concept of the amount of work that must be required to create one. nosing around inside of the skins to learn things has been quite educational
i suspect that purchasing the premium suites mainly (or even partly) to support the skinners in their work is largely a function of "maturity" as a member of this community.
i am not sure that "maturity" is quite the right word (especially since i am not trying to suggest some people are immature), but off hand it is the closest word i can find to the concept i am groping for.
with all of this in mind, i am off to give some serious consideration to purchasing the CursorXP set i am seeing hints of.
Mackintosh
Reply #49 Thursday, June 12, 2003 4:37 AM
Reply #49 Thursday, June 12, 2003 4:37 AM
I don't mind paying for a skin suite, as long as I can afford to, I want to support skinners, since I can't imagine a world without skins Having said that, I haven't found a permanent use for most of the suites I've bought. Pixtudio's PixOS (one of the best suites ever released) and Universemetal were the only two that I've used for an extended period of time (and I still use PixOS on a daily basis). The others, although quite magnificent looking, I've bought out of sentiment (and support) for Pixtudio people, but use them only on occasion.
Having said that, I haven't found a permanent use for most of the suites I've bought. Pixtudio's PixOS (one of the best suites ever released) and Universemetal were the only two that I've used for an extended period of time (and I still use PixOS on a daily basis). The others, although quite magnificent looking, I've bought out of sentiment (and support) for Pixtudio people, but use them only on occasion.
Aqua.
Reply #50 Thursday, June 12, 2003 7:33 AM
Reply #50 Thursday, June 12, 2003 7:33 AM
Jafo, I think that if you reduce the price you will more than make up in volume what you lose in current individual sales.
I know how much effort goes into creating a skin. I'm not at your level at all, but I have done four (though only uploaded one).
Aqua. thinks feline had a real good post there with good points.
I know how much effort goes into creating a skin. I'm not at your level at all, but I have done four (though only uploaded one).
Aqua. thinks feline had a real good post there with good points.
The DJ
Reply #51 Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:33 AM
Reply #51 Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:33 AM
I support this site and also support the artists here by purchasing suites.
But again, I really wanted to use Carbonix but WHY is the minimize button on the left side?! Hehe. Too much work goin all the way over there, you know .
I don't know, at least make a subskin you know.
[Message Edited]
But again, I really wanted to use Carbonix but WHY is the minimize button on the left side?! Hehe. Too much work goin all the way over there, you know
. I don't know, at least make a subskin you know.
[Message Edited]
Frogboy
Reply #52 Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:49 AM
Reply #52 Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:49 AM
Kind of funny. The other day I wanted to record sound to the computer that coudl do more than 1 minute contiuously (that's where MS's included sound recorder tops off).
The price for somethign that lets you save to a WAV or MP3 file from speaking into a microphone? $25 to $30. There are several programs that do this and they all cost that much. Recording your voice to a a file.
And people object to playing 8 bucks or something for a bunch of fully animated cursors or a full skin suite or something.
moshi
Reply #53 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:08 AM
Reply #53 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:08 AM
Forgboy: if ten minutes are enough, here´s some free beer for you: http://www.xemico.com/pvr/
(it´s even skinnable)
(it´s even skinnable)
goodmorphing
Reply #54 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:13 AM
Reply #54 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:13 AM
Sheesh..... since I posted that I got the cursors and that I liked them I have gotten emails from two different people wanting to work out some "trade" for them......
The barter system seems to be alive and well on the internet.... but somehow it sure feels like cheating to me.
The barter system seems to be alive and well on the internet.... but somehow it sure feels like cheating to me.
goodmorphing
Reply #55 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:14 AM
Reply #55 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:14 AM
goodmorphing wonders if some kind admin would please delete my post up there under frogboy's announcement?
Getting these emails is just making me angry.....
Getting these emails is just making me angry.....
c242
Reply #56 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:53 AM
Reply #56 Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:53 AM
Since showing a screenshot of my Syncronus desktop I got 3 mails from guys that wanted me to send the carbonix suite for free to them for different reasons. Now isn't that... 
c242
Reply #58 Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:54 AM
Reply #58 Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:54 AM
I often considered that, but then again how to reach me for serious things ? 
Aqua.
Reply #59 Thursday, June 12, 2003 12:40 PM
Reply #59 Thursday, June 12, 2003 12:40 PM
Expanding upon my previous post.... (rephrasing argument in paragraph 1, proposing new solution in paragraph 2)
I think that if the price point was lower, you would make up in volume what you lose in dollers per individual sale. The people who would buy ths suites to support the community and the authors will buy anyway, and a micro-price such as $1 for a skin would probably attract a huge number of casual users who would never pay $10 for a skin.
There's no need to just take my word for this, run an experiment for one month. Let the numbers decide the future of the store. This is what real world stores do, they adjust prices experimentally until they find the price point in which they are getting the most profit (or in this case, the most income).
I think that if the price point was lower, you would make up in volume what you lose in dollers per individual sale. The people who would buy ths suites to support the community and the authors will buy anyway, and a micro-price such as $1 for a skin would probably attract a huge number of casual users who would never pay $10 for a skin.
There's no need to just take my word for this, run an experiment for one month. Let the numbers decide the future of the store. This is what real world stores do, they adjust prices experimentally until they find the price point in which they are getting the most profit (or in this case, the most income).
Hus
Reply #60 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:56 PM
Reply #60 Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:56 PM
Aqua, you have a noble idea, but it wouldn't work out for the skinners. Part of the 'premium suite' schtick is that it's 'premium' and therefor, more desirable than say...a free skin. c242 and goodmorphing both got emails about 'send me that suite please?', if it were only $1, everybody and their momma would have it. It would take away the prestige of owning a premium suite. Just my opinion...
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Reply #41 Wednesday, June 11, 2003 10:11 PM