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 #102 Tuesday, October 19, 2004 6:31 PM
Reply #103 Tuesday, October 19, 2004 10:34 PM
Reply #104 Wednesday, October 20, 2004 12:21 AM
i see...thats why i can't download more stuff,i think i will have to contribute more messages to get
my extra download bytes.
Reply #106 Tuesday, October 26, 2004 4:03 AM
Reply #107 Tuesday, October 26, 2004 10:14 AM
I just don't want to pay fore it i just want to download when I want to!
Reply #108 Tuesday, October 26, 2004 6:50 PM
| I just don't want to pay fore it i just want to download when I want to! |
The conceptual conversion of 'want' to 'get' will nearly always be dependent on the concept of 'payment'.
Life is like that....
Reply #109 Tuesday, October 26, 2004 6:59 PM
Reply #110 Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:23 PM
| I just don't want to pay fore it i just want to download when I want to! |
Does the word "LEECH" mean anything to you?
[Message Edited]
Reply #111 Saturday, October 30, 2004 5:05 PM
Reply #112 Sunday, October 31, 2004 2:25 AM
Reply #113 Monday, November 1, 2004 7:25 AM
Reply #114 Monday, November 1, 2004 9:43 AM
Lojah.. you're profile says you're User level 4. You shouldn't be having any problems downloading, but if you are, you should contact stardock also.
Reply #115 Monday, November 1, 2004 4:52 PM
Reply #116 Monday, November 1, 2004 4:59 PM
#115 by Citizen Ick Jr - 11/1/2004 4:52:01 PM well man i dont know i am new @ this and it will not let me download a damn one so this #**# is retared |
Nick: Ick Jr
Bytes Downloaded: 52124 k
You've downloaded 50MB, but you claim you've been able to download nothing...........
[Message Edited]
Reply #117 Monday, November 1, 2004 6:55 PM
Reply #118 Monday, November 1, 2004 7:17 PM
I do wish people would stop jumping to the conclusion that they're being 'taken', before they check the facts, or even email Stardock...... *sigh*
Reply #119 Tuesday, November 2, 2004 7:32 AM
Nick: SupremeWeapon
UserID: 705036
User Level: 2
Bytes Downloaded: 51587 k
Indicates you have not cross-referenced your account [level 2] and you have exceeded 50 meg which kicks in the message.
Cross-referencing will solve this.
No-one is 'screwing' anyone 'over'....
Reply #120 Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:51 PM
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Reply #101 Tuesday, October 19, 2004 5:53 PM