Blogging on WinCustomize
Wednesday, July 21, 2004 by mrbiotech | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Here's my justification: WC is a community-based site, not the personal opinion site of any one person. While it's true that the message boards and commenting systems permit the average community member or theme user to post their opinions, the same is not true of the front page of WinCustomize, reserved for news items reflecting the community (new software, contests, updates, etc). The liberties taken by Brad for his "articles," however informative, defy precedent established by the majority of theme community websites (DeviantArt, customize.org, litestep.net, skinz.org), and are akin to Steve Jobs making commentaries on Apple's downloads page, or Bill Gates editorials on the front of microsoft.com.
I'm not saying that his blogging is bad: the articles are enjoyable and some of the information valuable. The place is incorrect, however, as the remainder of the community is not permitted this luxury, relagating OUR subjective comments to the forums or on specific submitted works. Brad, I'm just politely asking that the venue of the blogs be changed, in fairness to this great community you've helped found, and out of respect for a site that has always maintained a family-type atmosphere. Elitism isn't a pleasant hallmark, but a good example speaks volumes.
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Reply #22 Thursday, July 22, 2004 7:45 PM
Just one point: Take a look at who posts all the news pretty much. Yet there is a "submit news" link at the top. If there was more news that was relevant to the site, there'd be less compelling reason to put editorials up there.
1) I think people like editorials in general.
2) I think many people besides myself have noted how stale the news pages on skin sites, especially WC, have become. Product releases get pretty dull after awhile and I'm often in the absurd position of having to write up news items on "competing" products because they don't bother to make news items here (or elsewhere for that matter).
3) I don't like hidden agendas. That is, I coudl have posted various links to news items on other sites about the Dashboard thing or whatever but I think that would be unethical to ively choose what to cover. By blogging it, my own biases are available for someone to see and take into account when forming an opinion. Selective news items, on the other hand I think are sneaky.
but like someone else said, ultimately, you don't have to read them.
And in WinCustomize 2K5, coming this Fall, this site will be VERY VERY different from what it is today. Many users will be able to write their own articles, tutorials, etc. and have them syndicated onto many sites.
Reply #23 Thursday, July 22, 2004 7:49 PM
BTW, another feature in WC2K5 will be sub-domains:
Skins.wincustomize.com
Articles.wincustomize.com
Tutorials.wincustomize.com
etc. So peolple will be able to jump to the chase. Like I said, what you see here today is nothing compared to W2K5. I can't even compare it to another site because it's just so different.
Reply #24 Thursday, July 22, 2004 7:53 PM
| WC2K5 |
What a mouthful! We'll have to think of some way to say it. "Wicky-too-kay-five"
Reply #25 Thursday, July 22, 2004 8:10 PM
| What a mouthful! |
DO you always move your lips as you type? 
Reply #28 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:20 PM
Reply #29 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:21 PM
One must adopt or become obsolete. That's why we have to keep improving our software. We improve what we do and see what bad parts result and fix it.
The new SDC is a prime exmpal,e we're listening to the suggestions and implementing them.
Reply #30 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:25 PM
Reply #31 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:28 PM
| The squeaky wheel gets the hammer... It does appear that many "direct" speakers take the brunt of the over dog worshipers. |
Squeaky Wheel, Over dog Worshipers, Elitists, blah blah blah...
You're holding a point like a B4 lead on Vellum laying on a table top in hung over hand.
Cut to the chase and just say what it is you feel needs be said in the way you feel its needs to be said.
In other words, quit putting a spin on your thoughts and say it out right.
Reply #34 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:36 PM
DevianArt for example does a pretty nice job of it, though I can see where some things added to it would be nice. That or they are already there and I have not spent enough time logged in to find them yet.
I can't wait to see it personally
Reply #35 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:36 PM
Change.... keeps life interesting!
[Message Edited]
Reply #36 Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:37 PM
Reply #38 Thursday, July 22, 2004 11:17 PM
Iplural- I thought I was being obvious- apologies if it's too much for you. I'm also reluctant to be purely direct because I've known plenty of friends that "used" to be WC'ers. Direct translation so you'll understand: They were either banned or felt so unwelcome that they voluntarily left. In making a case against the admins here, fear certainly exists that the same could happen to me. The precedent already exists.
Frogboy- the explanation is appreciated, and the proposed changes for the next release of WC seem well-conceived and fair. Perhaps it will be the means of better segregation of news and opinion.
Reply #39 Thursday, July 22, 2004 11:44 PM
| "WinCustomize is not the skinning community, helping other websites in the skinning community counts as well..." with regards to promotions. This is completely neglected. |
If this were neglected, I can name 2 people that would not be Wizops today............................. I'm one of them.
(dang semicolons!)
[Message Edited]
Reply #40 Friday, July 23, 2004 12:02 AM
So the question then becomes, why would a competitor get promotion consideration at Stardock, or even at WC? Unless of course Brad has a girlfriend working for NS or LS.
Isn't this a thread about someone who isn't getting promoted for making LS or NS skins? I personally don't know why this individual isn't making windowblind skins. Some of his creations are quite extradordinary. But, isn't this really what this thread is about?
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Reply #21 Thursday, July 22, 2004 6:47 PM