It's obvious that the wincustomize subsciption goal isn't being met

Thursday, October 13, 2005 by MSethWeisberg | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

So what happens now? It is October 13th. Just about half way through the month and not even 500 subscriptions have been taken up. So unless a big miracle happens it is very obvious that the goal of 2000 by Ocober 31st isn't going to happen.

What is going to happen when that goal doesn't get met? Will Stardock and Wincustomize part ways and Stardock stop funding the site? Will WC shut down? Will WC become a subscriber only site?

I have been a huge supporter of Stardock/WC for years now and would be very sad to see the site go under.
18 Reply 4 Referrals
Sleeping Dragon
Reply #1 Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:43 PM
It will not go under. From what I have read the non-subscribers will suddenly become very limited in what they can do. This may happen regardless of the outcome of the drive.

Sleeping Dragon
Reply #2 Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:53 PM
https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=153&AID=88233#686723

See post two from Frogboy

Hippie
Reply #3 Thursday, October 13, 2005 2:17 PM
What about the ones who bought Object Desktop. Are we going to be blocked or something?

Hus
Reply #4 Thursday, October 13, 2005 2:30 PM
It says non-customers and non-subscribers will be very limited in what they can do. So, any SD customer is likely to still receive whatever benefits they get now...

NightTrainthedark
Reply #5 Thursday, October 13, 2005 3:37 PM
People using freeware and pirated versions of Stardock products will be forced to cough up.

Frogboy
Reply #6 Thursday, October 13, 2005 4:05 PM

Indeed. There is a basic problem here that kind of outlines piracy.

That is, because all copies of WindowBlinds sold are sold through Stardock we also know what % of people downloading WindowBlinds skins are actually customers.  The answer is -- very very few.

That means that either the shareware version is "good enough" OR there is massive piracy. Probably a bit of both.

At that rate we're going, we won't even get 1,000 subscriptions which is pretty sad.  It will mean a lot of major changes at WinCustomize in order to drive DOWN the traffic of users who don't contribute in some form or other.  Customers and skinners though won't be affected.


tjesterb
Reply #7 Thursday, October 13, 2005 4:22 PM
Glad that current customers & skinners won't be affected, but sorry that the subscripton drive hasn't been as successful as hoped for.

sgand
Reply #8 Thursday, October 13, 2005 4:27 PM
I think you should make a more dumbed down version of Windowblinds. I used the shareware version for a few years before getting the real deal.


I just regret I waited so long for this awesome product.

Cyberworld
Reply #9 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:00 PM
Customers and skinners though won't be affected.



Cyberworld
Reply #10 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:03 PM
we won't even get 1,000 subscriptions which is pretty sad



_footsie_
Reply #11 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:31 PM
Geeze after dealing with an entire plethora of hard drive and software trouble....being out of work due to injuries.....finally getting a job and a teeny weeny paycheck...my first check went for the most part to buy an Object Desktop CD from Stardock.....(that DOES include a subscription to WC doesn't it?)..... ..... lol...I've just GOT to learn how to do this between work and chores ... even if I don't have any other fancy software......

MountainDragon
Reply #12 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:42 PM
I used the shareware version for a few years before getting the real deal.


Given the low price and relatively high popularity of a product like WindowBlinds, why couldn't you make shareware version expire at some point?

aimzzz
Reply #13 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:45 PM
Mrs _footsie
You can get all kinds of help here on the forum
Welcome

aimzzz
Reply #14 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:52 PM
Given the low price and relatively high popularity of a product like WindowBlinds, why couldn't you make shareware version expire at some point?


I think this approach is more effective than 'dumbing down'. To me, it's hard to evaluate software that's really stripped down or a demo version. I'm alot more likely to buy something after seeing what it actually does. If too many features are inactivated, I'm left wondering if it will do what I expected from the claims.

Lantec
Reply #15 Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:58 PM
Given the low price and relatively high popularity of a product like WindowBlinds, why couldn't you make shareware version expire at some point?

I agree also. I think you'd do better to offer a full blown 100% version timed to expire in 30 days and at least 1 major release behind the current non-beta.

sgand
Reply #16 Thursday, October 13, 2005 6:23 PM
Well, what I meant was if you're going to keep it shareware with no expiration date, dumb it down a bit. If you are going to give it a trial run, then bring on the full product.

WOM
Reply #17 Thursday, October 13, 2005 6:55 PM
The timed part is well and fine, but it doesn't take a genius to remove that from the program. Maybe something with your puchase order # tied to your nick/email address that is checked everytime your on the site would help. A lot harder to BS that.

NightTrainthedark
Reply #18 Thursday, October 13, 2005 7:16 PM
The timed part is well and fine, but it doesn't take a genius to remove that from the program.


Exactly what I was thinking WOM. Someone will find a crack as a challenge.

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