The Next Skinning contest..
What should it be? Tell us..
Thursday, May 26, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
We have some ideas on what the next skinning contest should be. We want to make it only cover ONE program rather than multiple (gets too hard to manage).
Here are some thoughts:
1) WindowBlinds skinning contest.
2) DesktopX related contest - Best Themes, Best Widgets, Best Animated objects
3) Media Player contest
4) Icon contest
5) Wallpaper contest
6) Screenshot contest
7) Best Suite contest (Visual Style + Wallpaper + Icon Package + Desktop widgets/gadgets put together into a single theme)
8) Other.
Let us know by commenting here.
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Apocalypse_67
Reply #122 Wednesday, June 1, 2005 5:21 PM
Reply #122 Wednesday, June 1, 2005 5:21 PM
When it was first proposed, the idea was to 'reward' the top authors for their individual achievements and support to WC. This idea was later scraped because it wasn’t fair to those that were not on the top lists.
Brad opted to organize a series of contests to give everyone an equal chance. Some how the project didn’t work as planed. After the first contest was over it didn’t continue to the next one. I believe the order was WB then IconPack then DX Theme, etc, etc.
Regardless of how things turned out, the contest was not design to favor any group in particular. A newbie can be just as good as an 'elder'. The contest is decided by download counts not by author's names and downloads are based on how good the skin/theme looks and works. Functionality and presentation are key factors on any contest.
I have not entered in any previous contest but I would do my best to enter on the next one. I just hope is on an application I can skin
So, Treetog, TSF, Adni, Mike, Essorant, Danillo, Tiggz and everyone on the top list, hold on to your papers. The Apocalypse train is pulling all the stops.
Brad opted to organize a series of contests to give everyone an equal chance. Some how the project didn’t work as planed. After the first contest was over it didn’t continue to the next one. I believe the order was WB then IconPack then DX Theme, etc, etc.
Regardless of how things turned out, the contest was not design to favor any group in particular. A newbie can be just as good as an 'elder'. The contest is decided by download counts not by author's names and downloads are based on how good the skin/theme looks and works. Functionality and presentation are key factors on any contest.
I have not entered in any previous contest but I would do my best to enter on the next one. I just hope is on an application I can skin
So, Treetog, TSF, Adni, Mike, Essorant, Danillo, Tiggz and everyone on the top list, hold on to your papers. The Apocalypse train is pulling all the stops.
Cyberworld
Reply #123 Friday, June 3, 2005 10:53 AM
Nicely put but i find it that it is through these contests that new truly talented people come to surface, even if they are those few...For instance take the results of the last GUI Olympics, some new talents sprung out of it because of it, talents which now are in top list authors. 
See a master is not born,it's made and to be a master you gotta be forged harshly, through contests exactly like the one suggested. So it's giving new and elder's both equal chances.
Also you can view it from another point of view. How would you feel if two separate contests where held? One for newbies and one for masters? You find it more fair? I know i don't. I may not stand any chances against masters, but i'm sure i'm willing to give it a shot,to take the challenge to compete as an equal, not as a minor.
Other than these few words i have nothing more to say. Thnx for listening.
Reply #123 Friday, June 3, 2005 10:53 AM
| I would like to bring up a good point as well: Why bother having a contest at all when we all know by looking at past contest winners that the masters of the craft always win? |
Nicely put but i find it that it is through these contests that new truly talented people come to surface, even if they are those few...For instance take the results of the last GUI Olympics, some new talents sprung out of it because of it, talents which now are in top list authors.
See a master is not born,it's made and to be a master you gotta be forged harshly, through contests exactly like the one suggested. So it's giving new and elder's both equal chances.Also you can view it from another point of view. How would you feel if two separate contests where held? One for newbies and one for masters? You find it more fair? I know i don't. I may not stand any chances against masters, but i'm sure i'm willing to give it a shot,to take the challenge to compete as an equal, not as a minor.
Other than these few words i have nothing more to say. Thnx for listening.
Phoon
Reply #124 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:39 AM
Reply #124 Friday, June 3, 2005 11:39 AM
Mike Russo, what is your malfunction. Was that remark necessary? I dont think so.
Frogboy
Reply #125 Friday, June 3, 2005 9:15 PM
Reply #125 Friday, June 3, 2005 9:15 PM
Well one thing we could do for mini-contests would be to have the winners based on the user-given ratings. Since only subscribers and high access users can give ratings, it would be reasonably fair then.
Apocalypse_67
Reply #126 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:12 AM
Reply #126 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:12 AM
Brad. In my opinion I think registered (logged in users) download count would be a better way to determine the winners.
The rating system is a little unreliable since not many people rate even though they can. Also there is the issue of people giving bad or a lower rating that what the skin/theme deserves for either personal reasons or just for the hell of it.
The rating system is a little unreliable since not many people rate even though they can. Also there is the issue of people giving bad or a lower rating that what the skin/theme deserves for either personal reasons or just for the hell of it.
paxx
Reply #127 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:29 AM
Reply #127 Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:29 AM
Apocalypse, you can't evaluate a skin without downloading it first, therefore you can't use the download count to judge the quality of a skin.
Apocalypse_67
Reply #128 Saturday, June 4, 2005 3:22 PM
Reply #128 Saturday, June 4, 2005 3:22 PM
Paxx, while that is true, a subscribed user can also rate without downloading, but the point I'm trying to make is that ratings are not often given to a skin even if it was downloaded.
If you look at any skin that gets per example 5,000 downloads and compare the number of ratings given to it you'll notice how low it is in comparison.
Back on the old site when we were able to see the amounts or ratings given to a skin, I would see one of my skins with over 10,000 downloads and only 15 ratings.
If the skin is going to be judge by quality, then a group of judges should be selected to vote on them and not leave it up to the regular users. Quality is based on personal opinion and I have seen a lot of fully skinned good quality and functional skins with average/below average rating when they deserve above/top rating.
In my opinion I still think the download counts by logged in users should determine the winners.
If you look at any skin that gets per example 5,000 downloads and compare the number of ratings given to it you'll notice how low it is in comparison.
Back on the old site when we were able to see the amounts or ratings given to a skin, I would see one of my skins with over 10,000 downloads and only 15 ratings.
If the skin is going to be judge by quality, then a group of judges should be selected to vote on them and not leave it up to the regular users. Quality is based on personal opinion and I have seen a lot of fully skinned good quality and functional skins with average/below average rating when they deserve above/top rating.
In my opinion I still think the download counts by logged in users should determine the winners.
Kyros511
Reply #129 Sunday, June 5, 2005 7:56 AM
Reply #129 Sunday, June 5, 2005 7:56 AM
I'd like to suggest something that I don't beleive has been done before. As a 52 year old whose eyes are typical for those my age, they just aren't what they used to be. I propose a contest for Suites that are easy on the eyes, readable fonts both in style, coloring, and size. I see a lot of suites and other objects I love, but I just can't deal with them because they are geared to younger eyes.
If this doesn't make the cut as a good contest, I'd like to challange the skinners to develop some easy on the older eyes things for us older people.
If this doesn't make the cut as a good contest, I'd like to challange the skinners to develop some easy on the older eyes things for us older people.
Jafo
Reply #131 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:36 PM
Reply #131 Sunday, June 5, 2005 10:36 PM
| As a 52 year old whose eyes are typical for those my age, they just aren't what they used to be. |
Sigh....I feel your pain....
Z71
Reply #132 Sunday, June 5, 2005 11:44 PM
This is not always true.
For the first WB contest, I came in dead, last place, behind everyone.
This last contest I did really well coming in 4 or 5 in one of the categories.
So, the trick is to go for it, no matter what. Give it your best shot. You have to start somewhere.
And we might want to be careful what we say. (See above quote) I was told by one of the Admins. that with talk like that, you might not be allowed to enter. So, watch your P's and Q's.
Reply #132 Sunday, June 5, 2005 11:44 PM
| Why bother having a contest at all when we all know by looking at past contest winners that the masters of the craft always win? |
This is not always true.
For the first WB contest, I came in dead, last place, behind everyone.
This last contest I did really well coming in 4 or 5 in one of the categories.
So, the trick is to go for it, no matter what. Give it your best shot. You have to start somewhere.
And we might want to be careful what we say. (See above quote) I was told by one of the Admins. that with talk like that, you might not be allowed to enter. So, watch your P's and Q's.
KeithMacDonald
Reply #134 Thursday, June 9, 2005 8:35 PM
Reply #134 Thursday, June 9, 2005 8:35 PM
How about, in the "other" section, a Launchtab skinning contest? or, if it just has to be StarDock stuff, how about a logon contest?
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Reply #121 Wednesday, June 1, 2005 3:56 PM
Good luck to all and nevermind my comments.