Earning money from skinning...
Sunday, October 3, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
One of the things we've been wanting to do with WinCustomize 2005 (WC2K5) is to enable skin authors to earn income from contributing to the site.
One idea floating around works as follows:
The top 20 skinners would get a percentage of the quarterly revenue from WinCustomize subscriptions if they themselves are subscribers OR have Journeyman access or higher.
The top 20 would be calculated based on a point system that is derived from the # of WC subscriber downloads of their skins and themes. Some sections would count more than others (a WindowBlinds skin counts as 1 point, a wallpaper would count as half a point - we would post the point system so people could see how many points a download in each section would be but it would be largely based on effort and what areas we want to promote at that time).
What do you think?
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Reply #2 Sunday, October 3, 2004 10:41 AM
We were thinking of allowing authors to click a checkbox to make a given submission only available to subscribers.
After all, the more people who subscribe, the more $$ the top 20 earn.
Reply #3 Sunday, October 3, 2004 10:55 AM
It really is only fair that people who support the site have more skins available to them.
Some people may not like the idea or use it because they want to see a higher DL count. I would rather know that my skins would be in an area that may be helping to support the site even further by hoping for more subscribers.
I would have the previews of the skin available though. I mean you want the non-subscribers to know what they are missing.
P.S. It would also be great for authors to have the option to change their past uploads to be viewed by subscribers only.
[Message Edited]
Reply #4 Sunday, October 3, 2004 10:58 AM
You can participate in the reward without subscribing.
I do like the idea. It is a way to reward those who have been supportive of the site and it does give the skinners something to work for.
Reply #5 Sunday, October 3, 2004 11:01 AM
It may be a bit ugly at first but I am sure it will come together as the bugs are worked out. The system should just be fair and have all conflicts of interest removed where possible.
I also add the suggestion of a donation pool for the available akinners so that people that have already purchased a subscription can donate to that designated pool.
Reply #6 Sunday, October 3, 2004 11:15 AM
Reply #7 Sunday, October 3, 2004 11:34 AM
Back to the regularly scheduled topic.
Reply #8 Sunday, October 3, 2004 11:46 AM
And I have something else to:
why not to have a SKIN OF THE MONTH, the perfect skin in all, and give some reward to its author????
Reply #9 Sunday, October 3, 2004 12:05 PM
NightTrain2002,I guess a lot of people Download using the authors name. I'am not one of those. I could care less who made it. Yes, some authors have a good rep. for doing good work, but if I don't like it, then it doesn't matter who makes it. I have some blinds from big name authors and some from lesser known ones.
Reply #10 Sunday, October 3, 2004 1:05 PM
Yea, I always look at the screenshot.
Plus, it would give us a more valid excuse to be a bit stricter on moderation.
Reply #11 Sunday, October 3, 2004 1:16 PM
Reply #12 Sunday, October 3, 2004 1:19 PM
| #9 by WOM - 10/3/2004 12:05:43 PM Skin of the month...Who picks that? Most downloads? The populatiry of the Author? The Mods? Journeyman and above? |
WOM, this, obviously, is responsibility of Mods. And the best skin in all means to have #1 Position in ratings, downloads, and the frequency and many other aspects like usability, compatibility, esthetics, etc......
sorry for my poor english....
Reply #13 Sunday, October 3, 2004 1:39 PM
| Download using the authors name |
Yep that's me, I download all WOM's skins sight unseen
Reply #14 Sunday, October 3, 2004 4:31 PM
hmm......
I've got another view on this:
Let's say that someone like me gets in the Top 20 (heaven forbid it). Most of my skins/themes are ports or at least based on other peoples work (I couldnt make a desent looking pixel if my life dependend on it)
Would it be fair that I would be able to "make money" off of other peoples 'sweat and tears'?
I, for one dont think so!
Reply #16 Sunday, October 3, 2004 5:37 PM
Would the Top 20 once selected remain static, or would they vary from quarter to quarter e.g. (1) could they be replaced by other skinners who become more popular or (2) if their skins are not selling at an acceptable level somebody else gets a go.
I would think it would have to be very competitive to maintain a high standard of product for sale, otherwise there will be enough acceptable standard available for visitors/others to ignore the "For Sale Sign".
Just some thoughts.
Reply #17 Sunday, October 3, 2004 5:59 PM
Reply #18 Sunday, October 3, 2004 6:06 PM
Lets look at a couple things...
1. If you name a piece of garbage , Longhorn something, or Aero something, it gets alot of downloads just because of the name. Completely unfair.
2. Despite what anyone says, this community has been known to play favorites from time to time. That is just the nature of any grouping and is to be expected. However, when money is now involved it will lead to more arguments than we already have.
I vote to keep money out of it. Let the funds remain with Stardock to continue to enhance the site, products and bandwith. If someone wants to sell their work, do it elsewhere, or set up a section for non-free work. Let the artist post it there and give WC a commission for supplying the advertising venue.
Reply #19 Sunday, October 3, 2004 6:42 PM
Reply #20 Sunday, October 3, 2004 6:51 PM
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Reply #1 Sunday, October 3, 2004 10:38 AM