FAQ: Why can't I download any more stuff?
Sunday, May 30, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Problem: After having downloaded 50 megabytes or more of skins, themes, icons, or wallpapers I am unable to download any more without having to purchase a subscription. What gives?
Discussion:
As of May 2004, WinCustomize.com uses approximately 27,000 GIGABYTES (not bits) of bandwidth each month. The cost of this bandwidth, as you can imagine, is quite significant. In addition, while the site runs on a day to day basis thanks to a small but dedicated group of volunteer moderators and administrators, it still requires consider IT resources which are not free along with occasional hardware upgrades (a typical server might cost $10,000).
At the end of the day, someone has to pay for this. You are not paying for skins and themes, you are simply helping pay for the bandwidth costs that you have used. The ISP that provides WinCustomize the bandwidth that has to be paid for each month doesn't care what is being downloaded. They don't care whether it's skins, themes, music, documentation, videos, whatever. Bandwidth is bandwidth and it has to be paid for. Thousands and thousands of dollars each month.
Once a user has downloaded 50 megabytes of skins and themes (and in actuality used considerably more than that in the form of previews and library browsing) they are asked to contribute *something* to the site.
One can contribute to WinCustomize in one of 4 ways:
(1) They can being creating skins and themes and icon packages and submitting them. That is, contribute to the library that they themselves have used. Users with Apprentice access or higher are immune to the bandwidth caps.
(2) They can help their fellow users on the message forums. Answer questions, give them a hand or tips. This is another path to gaining higher access.
(3) They can purchase one of Stardock's programs (CursorXP, WindowBlinds, DesktopX, Object Desktop, IconPackager, etc.). Since Stardock is the one who ultimately pays the bandwidth bill, they have agreed to pay for the bandwidth used by Stardock customers.
(4) They can purchase a WinCustomize account which is $19.95 and not only gives them unlimited bandwidth useages but access to premium suites, access to the WinCustomize skin browser (an extremely cool program), the WinCustomize system tray add-on, and more.
We hope that you will join our community and help it continue to grow and thrive. It is only because of those who contribute back to the site that it is able to exist today.
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Reply #3 Sunday, May 30, 2004 4:56 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, May 30, 2004 4:57 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, May 30, 2004 6:50 PM
| 200mb download cap |
50MB is more than enough for someone to make a decision about supporting this site or not. Most downloads, except iconpackages, are less than 1MB. With 50MB of material you can customize your desktop ten ways from Sunday
Reply #7 Sunday, May 30, 2004 7:54 PM
I also agree with WOM, once something becomes a Sticky it is not always read as much.
Reply #8 Sunday, May 30, 2004 9:10 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, May 30, 2004 10:34 PM
Shameless Designs suddenly feels as though he needs a shower.
Reply #10 Monday, May 31, 2004 12:14 AM
Hope this thread encourages more people to dip hands in pockets. I'm sure some still believe the internet is free
WC is great value for money 
Reply #11 Monday, May 31, 2004 2:49 AM
Essencay had to think of something to say to bump it up
Reply #12 Monday, May 31, 2004 5:18 AM
Bet I still won't get that white box around the quote
Reply #13 Monday, May 31, 2004 11:51 AM
Reply #17 Tuesday, June 8, 2004 4:59 PM
Wincustomize uses a lot of bandwith in a month...wow...more than I thought. So what about guests?
Reply #18 Tuesday, June 15, 2004 5:39 AM
Reply #19 Tuesday, June 15, 2004 6:42 AM
Reply #20 Tuesday, June 15, 2004 12:37 PM
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
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Reply #1 Sunday, May 30, 2004 4:46 PM