Skinner reward proposal #2
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Okay, how about this concept for rewarding skinners:
WinCustomize starts running regular contests in which the top 10 skins in terms of downloads by users who are also subscribers get a percentage of the revenue we receive from new subscriptions.  It would be done for only certain sections so that we could highlight a given section for that period (and we could even have multiple sections featured in a given time).
So at the end of the 3 months, we would tally the # of downloads that were done by subsribers (best way to avoid download stuffing since it's hard to "stuff the ballot" that way).
So the top skin would get something like $200. Second place $150, third $100. Fourth $50. Fifth $25. Sixth through 10th $20. This would depend on the # of subscribers of course but it would be in this ballpark.
A given skin author could make the top 5 skins though and collect it all. So it would favor quality skins and quantity. 
So let's say we started the first one in January and focused it on WindowBlinds and Iconpackager. The following one might focus on DesktopX and CursorXP. And so forth.
What do you guys think?
Reply #2 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 1:49 PM

after reading Hippy's post I have a question. Why does it matter if someone is following a trend or not? Quality is what counts. I myself have never done anything even closely related to a fad or used someone elses ideas so I would agree with Hippy.
However I dont see why someones work should be thought less of because they followed a trend. Perhaps this is a thread hijack but when someone can give me a clue I appreciate it.
[Message Edited]
Reply #3 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 1:50 PM
I think each author should only beable to place once, say total downloads for all his/her skins. That way you will get 10 people placing and not say 5.
This way 1 person couldn't put up 10 and get all 10 positions.
[Message Edited]
Reply #4 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 1:52 PM

Maybe take an authors most downloaded skin from that category, not all the different ones.
[Message Edited]
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:08 PM
Hippy - I'm okay with that trend because that leaves the door open to premium skin suites.
Besides, if people like Aero skins or Mac skins or whatever, what's wrong with that?
Those of us who get sick of that can opt for premium skins.
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:12 PM
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:18 PM
This is how moderation is handled, so coincidedly, perhaps everything else should follow suit
[Message Edited]
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:27 PM
| I think being rewarded when the graphics work belong to someone else is wrong. |
I agree with Hippy about this point.

Reply #9 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:28 PM
I agree with Hippy on his comment as I have seen a lot of mediocre half-finished skins getting 2 and 3 times the download count of high quality and complete skins just because they bare a catchy title such as xxx-Aero, xxx-Longhorn, xxx-Halo, etc.
Just my 2 cents.
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:34 PM
Isn't this suppose to be an opportunity for the skinners who have long given and expected nothing in return? Such as, Boxxi and Adni18?

Reply #12 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:12 PM

Reply #13 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:15 PM
Nothing wrong with liking that stuff. But them receiving money for using graphics originally created by whomever at Apple, for example, is wrong.
Reply #14 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:16 PM
Reply #15 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:19 PM

Reply #16 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:21 PM
Reply #17 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:22 PM
| #12 by juryguy - 10/12/2004 3:12:04 PM
it gives them a reason to put their creativity to the test. |
This is about downloads, which is a result of popularity, not creativity.
As for ports, I hardly think it would be fair to reward someone with cash for uploading an icon package of someone else's icons, for example. That's not even a port really, it's just redistribution, but under this system, they could easily take the prize. If that's the case, folks might spend more time asking for permission than actually making new content.
Reply #18 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:28 PM
| This is about downloads, which is a result of popularity, not creativity. |
Quoted for truth.
# of d/loads is not a good way to judge a skin...as A_67 pointed out:
| I have seen a lot of mediocre half-finished skins getting 2 and 3 times the download count of high quality and complete skins just because they bare a catchy title such as xxx-Aero, xxx-Longhorn, xxx-Halo, etc. |
Returning something tangible to the skinners is a good idea, but one must be careful HOW this is done and who gets the 'prizes.'
Reply #19 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:48 PM
Please do post the contest schedule at least 3-months in advance.It's your idea Brad, you like it go for it

Reply #20 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 4:29 PM
Each month an award is given to the top download in each category chosen. Ports, remakes, and repeat skins (recolored, etc.) are not "worthy" of the contest.
Each skin of the month then qualifies for the skin of the year. Could be a communty vote or something.
Monthly awards can be small and make the annual awards a little sweeter.
Just adding my useless sense. Why make it complicated?

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!







Reply #1 Tuesday, October 12, 2004 1:47 PM
While the authors may have spent a bit of time putting in work actually building the skin, I think being rewarded when the graphics work belong to someone else is wrong.
It could lead to a decline in original work, even more than than has happened in the last few years.