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.

155 Reply 5 Referrals
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PhantomProwler
Reply #141 Monday, November 8, 2004 12:19 PM
Ok, I have a question:

I paid my $19.95 for a subscription, but when I try to login to the WinCustomise Browser, it says that my account has expired.

Do I need to wait a while for the account details to be updated or something?

Thanks in advance.



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Koasati
Reply #142 Monday, November 8, 2004 7:55 PM
PhantomProwler... contact [email protected] 

GraveDigger
Reply #143 Sunday, November 14, 2004 4:28 PM
Having purchased several products from Stardock, I have to think that the people who run Wincustomize are EXTREMELY good about allowing the community to have access to this great source of creativity. I don't know how I would stand running Windows 98, ME or XP without having Object Desktop and its applications available. It allows us to personalize our systems as we like and see what can be done with a little talent (and there's TONS of talent represented on this website...



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NATIVEPRIDE
Reply #144 Tuesday, November 16, 2004 11:25 AM
I have bought everything here that is available, I even bought it all the first visit. The sad to admit the truth is, I don't even know how to get anything to work! I try and try, yet I just haven't been able to figure any of it out. And since I don't have anyone computer literet around me with the patients to teach me, everything I have and have access to, goes to waste. Unless there is someone out there (hint hint) who wouldn't mind giving me some step by step instructions.

NATIVEPRIDE aka, DEBBIE

Essencay
Reply #145 Tuesday, November 16, 2004 1:56 PM
NP aka Debbie create a new post in this forum https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WCH explaining the specific app(s) and/or skin(s) you're having difficulty with

pweibj
Reply #146 Friday, November 19, 2004 6:34 PM
50 mb havent even downloaded 1!!!!

a bit annoyed at this .. decided if they cant get this bit correct they wont do very well on the program side! so wont even try! sorry will remove from my pc!

Jafo
Reply #147 Friday, November 19, 2004 6:36 PM

Author: pweibj poppy
Nick: pweibj
UserID: 1677522
User Level: 2
Bytes Downloaded: 51618 k

51618k would be 50 meg, give or take....


pweibj
Reply #148 Friday, November 19, 2004 6:39 PM
but my point is i registered today! so not downloaded anything!?
yet says passed my free 50 "whatever"?

Jafo
Reply #149 Friday, November 19, 2004 6:44 PM
If you purchased products, etc from Stardock then you'll need to cross-reference your account to remove the 50 meg limitation...

shadow usman
Reply #150 Sunday, November 21, 2004 7:46 PM
but how much do we have to participate??

acid_junkie
Reply #151 Monday, November 22, 2004 9:51 AM
about 20$. Great thing I'm in the Eurozone right now

coooni
Reply #152 Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:39 PM
good

FantomTURL
Reply #153 Thursday, November 25, 2004 2:41 AM
After downloading a ton of skins and so forth, I decided to pay the 20 for a subscription and to me, I think its well worth the $20 w/ ALL the available skins that they have. Whinners always make losers. Reporting to the BBB, Simply because your too stingy is your own fault.



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mocax
Reply #154 Tuesday, November 30, 2004 6:36 AM
some ISP use proxy servers that filter out the x-forwarded-for header
so every user will appear to have the same IP address...

I guess it's too bad.... blame the ISP

Kyanar
Reply #155 Saturday, December 4, 2004 6:20 PM
some ISP use proxy servers that filter out the x-forwarded-for headerso every user will appear to have the same IP address...


AOL anyone?



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