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.
 |
|
Page 3 of 8 | |
|
|---|
Reply #42 Tuesday, July 20, 2004 8:06 PM
Reply #43 Wednesday, July 21, 2004 10:09 PM
[Message Edited]
Reply #44 Thursday, July 22, 2004 9:47 AM
One thing though, ever since I started building skins, my desktop has looked worse than ever. Seems I am always running a half-finished mutt I'm working on
Reply #45 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:09 AM
As for the $20? It's nothing, when you stop to think about it. If you're interested in downloading skins/objects/etc, then $10 per year is really quite nominal. If you're the type of person that finds a desktop setup, and sticks with it... you might be better of with just a few skins. For someone like myself, that changes their desktop's appearence frequently, having unlimited access to all the content is a must. Granted, I've kind of "settled" into one for right now, but it will change within a week or so... it always does.
Honestly, $20 for 2 years is very modest. I'm pretty new to this stuff, and having access to so much content is fantastic. It let's me spice up my boring Windows environment, while I'm still learning to create my own content. (I was actually using Linux more than Windows lately, with Windows being pretty much just my "gaming OS"... WB/DX has me using Windows much more again.) Now that I have ODNT and WC subs, I can see why this is such a huge community, and continues to grow.
For those that feel $20 is too much, I'm really sorry that you feel that way. However, bandwidth isn't free, nor is it even cheap. 27,000GB is some bigtime cash... research how much it would cost you to host a website, and how much monthly through-put you would get with it... you'll quickly see that the money they are asking for is really nothing at all.
-=GÐ=-
[Message Edited]
Reply #47 Sunday, July 25, 2004 8:21 AM
I have only just bought a membership and I am very pleased I did because the browser software is very good.
Saying that I did use up the 50 meg allowance first, after that I was hooked
Just one thing While trying out the free 50meg I was Level 2, what Level am I now because I dont know where to find that on the site?
[Message Edited]
Reply #48 Sunday, July 25, 2004 9:50 AM
I'm trying to figure out how someone can say 50 MEGAbytes isn't enough to decide something. That's a lot of skins, themes, icons, walls, etc.
The other thing is, people don't even have to purchase a WinCustomize subscrioption. There are so many other ways, some of which are free, to contribute to the community.
Reply #50 Sunday, July 25, 2004 6:46 PM
Reply #51 Monday, July 26, 2004 8:52 AM
Reply #52 Monday, July 26, 2004 9:18 AM
Reply #53 Monday, July 26, 2004 10:54 AM
| csurfside....no, you've contributed via purchases....so no cap applies.... |
Reply #54 Tuesday, July 27, 2004 2:33 PM
grumpy, annoyed, and awaiting enlightenment...
BobtheboB
Reply #55 Tuesday, July 27, 2004 5:14 PM
Reply #56 Tuesday, July 27, 2004 6:45 PM
Reply #57 Wednesday, July 28, 2004 2:44 PM
bye
Reply #59 Wednesday, July 28, 2004 7:14 PM
UserID: 1347280...as usual it's comments such as #57 that lets us know where we're up to in membership numbers...
Sorry about the invoice, child, but I'll not be mowing your lawn for free anymore....not until you remove the barkers' eggs...
Reply #60 Thursday, July 29, 2004 7:40 AM
Thus in the future of Stardock - there is their own bandwidth as they see fit to use it and provide for the future!!!
THE CAR!!!No Sticky
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!
|
|
Page 3 of 8 | |
|
|---|
Reply #41 Tuesday, July 20, 2004 7:55 PM