That's a huge full-time responsibility HG, you get to choose and submit 365 shots out of thousands! Each shot has to be analyzed and I do believe duplicated. Then you get the one's with no description so you have to find the components.

I guess if you were strict you can reject non-described submissions thereby placing the responsibility on the person that made the submission to do their research prior to submitting. Make it a rule if you would, "please describe honestly what you're using in detail." A lot of us do any way, but a great many don't.

As much as I would dearly love to help our community with this on a daily basis, my work / rest schedule will not allot the time needed. I wish I could retire and dedicate myself here full time in any capacity.



That's an idea that we share and I've been doing the same HG. I've been hanging on too long with my older shots, but the ones that didn't get a good response I've removed. That was like 25 shots!

I'm still sifting through my shots that got 6's and thinking about deleting those too.

The staff looks at all forum activity and our voices are strong. They will indeed notice the rejuvenation of this eight month old post.

Whether something will get done, we shall see.

Hey Leo:

From 365 to 52 shots a year is not a bad idea if it makes Moderation less busy and allowing concerted and analytical judging, rather than a 2 1/2 - 3 star auto-pilot. But that still wouldn't reduce the burden of close daily moderation of screen shots in my humble opinion.

Hell, why not make it "Shot Of The Month" reduce it to 12 and make it real easy. Just change Shot Of The Day to reflect the name to what it is so we'll all know what to expect, that's all we're saying.

I know there are times when these guys are just flooded too.

Tons of screen shots to me are judged too harshly being posted by non-skinners. And I truly feel that the rating system needs to be revamped and not catagorized by skinner and non-skinner.

It should be, "a BOMB ass shot is a BOMB ass shot regardless of who made it.

But again the truth of the matter is Skinners WIP's get the five stars for lack of content or not. A non-skinning shooter like me, well it depends on who's moderating.

So we all are here because we care and hoping that it will get better.

Hey Chasbo, you asked me the other day about why I'm not putting out my shots and what gives?

This is what gives dude. This right here.

I've been putting my faith in the community administration now for eight months. Eight months of tapping my foot and biting my lip, eight months without a straight answer to this really simple question.

If more and enough of us continue to keep this forum active I think they may start listening again.

Cp

HG_E's offer of help is a good one and I would happily offer my services too. HG_E and I have been around here for a long time and if the workload for the moderators in this area is a problem then why not give it to two guys who have 'been around a bit' and would like a bit of responsibility.

Cp, I have read all of your posts and I think you make a very fair and reasonable request. This community has many areas of activity to enjoy. Whether you actually make skins or whether you just enjoy putting other peoples work together should not matter. If there are sufficient people who enjoy that area and they want more than a gallery - then if the workload is bearable and manageable - then give it to them and more.

I think the screenshots area is mistakenly undervalued by certain 'seniors' as is evidenced by some of the comments made earlier in the thread. Many of our members love this area as it gives them ideas of what is out there, where to get it and how to make their desktop look great, too. They might not participate by putting a shot up of their own or make a comment on a shot but there are a lot of people that I know who make a 'beeline' for this area for the reasons i mention. And if anyone says 'Well the download figures don't bear that out'.......Just remember a lot of people don't download screenshots and just browse through the thumbnails

Pesonally, I would like a 'screenshot of the week' and I would like to see to see a bit of competition where - once a month - one of those is chosen or voted upon and displayed on the front page as an article.

This is all possible and feasible and there are people here who are offering their services to make it happen. Now let's hope that someone is listening........  

Leo:

It's voices of reason such as yours that makes things like you've mentioned possible!

It's guys like you that makes this community so great!

You love our community the way that I do and want to make things better for all involved!

At this point after eight months, maybe we should start PMing our Administrators to let them know that we're requesting changes that have other wise been ignored.

And draw their attention to the re-activity of this post.

It really shouldn't be a big deal, but I also know there are voices of opposition! Someone always have a negative thought of why it shouldn't be.

All we can do is try.

Cp

Admininstrators and moderators are aware of the Screenshot of the Day status.  No need to PM.
Just because you see no action doesn't mean there is no activity going on. 
 

Two words for you Aaron:

Eight months.

We're being both patient and understanding though. I think that as long this goes unanswered, the more it's going to get asked. And please read reply #49

You'll also see that Reply #36 from eight months ago sounds an awful lot like Reply #56 submitted today as far as an Administrative response.

Cp

Thanks Zu.........we will wait patiently and with hope  

Cp, I love your enthusiasm. Man, you're like a dog with a bone. You've got a right to feel aggrieved after being 'let down' but like every organization things get missed and forgotten. In my experience here, this organization tends to be very open and honest and gives answers so it is unfortunate that this was not the case with this issue. It won't happen this time as, together, we'll make sure we get some answers and hopefully resolve this matter. It's a bit of a hot potato that went cold but it is back cooking on the BBQ. Good on you and huge respect to you for sticking to your guns and being polite and reasonable throughout. You're a star.   

I appreciate your having my back on this Leo!

I just wish the Administrators were a little bit more receptive!

It's like every time I open my mouth about this simple question I've become demanding, impatient, lacking faith and in general I'm being treated like I'm a total pain in the ass.

And if you read the Administrative response, you will quickly see that I'm not irrational for saying how I'm being treated.

The truth of the matter is I've been sitting here patiently for eight months with this and I won't go away! And until I get a straight answer I'll still be here.

All one has to do is read what I've written and find that what I'm asking is not unreasonable, but I refuse to allow this to get twisted any other way!

That's not happening in my forum!

Thanks again so much for standing next to me Leo, together we are strong.

Cp

  

I don't see how any administrator (Jafo and Zoomba) nor any moderator (like myself) has called you irrational.

The Screenshot of the day is featured on the Stardock.com homepage and I think that as a marketing tool/advertisement there is more to it than just a "good shot".  It needs to be the best of the best that showcases Stardock applications.

If anyone thinks that they have a shot that fits that catagory, PM it to me and I'll throw it at a wall and see if it sticks.

No promises, but I'm take on that action item.

You've taken this out of context Sir!

It is the general reaction I've gotten for speaking my mind since opening this discussion and the eight months of Silent Contempt that has drawn me to my own conclusion of my treatment with this issue.

And again, I refuse to allow this simple question to get twisted, misquoted or ignored.

All you have to do is read this forum after I opened my mouth and you'll see all hell breaking loose, but no straight answer to the question.

At this point eight months later "I don't know" is a better answer to me than just silence!

The better answer would be to delete the screenshot section altogether.

Oh well, it's their site to run the way they feel fit Fuzzy, so if that's the conclusion then it is what it is. And that would indeed be a straight answer to the question.

There's one of them voices right now!

I would love to know your reasoning?  :NOTSURE: 

I'm surprized to see this thread active again and still the same wishy washy answers.
It has been 8 months. Had I not just looked at Chasbo's Christmas Screen shot I wouldn't have seen this thread as the forum takes longer to load these days and I give up trying to get pages to load.



While thats not the outcome I'd like to see - it would at least be a response.

There was a time where Jafo's presence was very noticeable in the screen shot section.
I realise that schedules have changed and there are more 'important' matters at hand.

Stardocks main point is to sell products. But not everyone buying the products are skinners.

Screen Shots are still a way for others that do not skin to feel they participate in the site....

Just make a decision..

I used to feature screenshots a lot, going through the gallery picking out the ones which were either unusual or fresh.

The problem then became of of monotany - everything started to look the same. You'd have people uploading 3 or 4 generic looking shots per day. Screenshots became irritating rather than exciting. That's when I lost interest. You have only yourselves to blame.

The only solution is to have screenshot of the day heavily moderated. Screenshot of the day is featured across many Stardock sites. This means the choice has to be a considered one and has to represent skinning to a wider audience than just the 'screenshot clique'.

The 'screenshot clique', or 'rat pack' as some of you like to be known, is entirely responsible for the decline in the screenshot gallery. You upload endless numbers of samey shots, boost each others ratings, and lavish praise on each other. What good is that doing for skinning?

There are seveal reasons for uploading a screenshot: showing work in progress, showing your current desktop, showcasing skinning to a wider audience. If people are genuinely changing desktops as frequently as uploads suggest, then they are not getting the best out of skinning. Customising a desktop should be fun rather than a ritual.

Sorry to be so blunt, but you need to take a good look at yourselves and what you are doing.
Why do you want a screenshot featured every day? To showcase skinning or for some kind of personal gratification? I suspect the latter (though I may be wrong...), in which case it's hardly suprising no-one is listening.

You are all looking to either Stardock or WinCustomize to make a decision. But as I see it, the decision is yours. It is up to you to put forward the case, not by constant moaning, but by being pro-active. I suspect the powers that be are sitting back to see what happens next. So, what happens next is down to you

Make a difference.

Disclaimer: please note these are my personal views and not those of Stardock or WinCustomize, nor are they representitive of any of their official policies.

Well, I am gobsmacked. Basically what you are saying Fuzzy - whilst it is a personal opinion - amounts to an admission of lack of leadership on this site. It's a shame that no-one actually got a grip of the situation earlier. In my world if something starts to go wrong you try to put it right. That means 'good managers' open a dialogue with the parties concerned to try reach an agreement on a way forward and hopefully come to a final compromise where most are happy. To just ignore the problem, hoping it will go away, is never an answer.

There have been some suggestions put forward already in this thread on a way forward and viewing some of your observations I would respectfully add another suggestion. A 'cap' of two or three screenshots per month per member which would be self policing.

I find your last paragragh particularly interesting. In all my life I have never seen a 'good manager' sit back and wait to see what happens. They roll their sleeves up, meet the issue head on, get a dialogue going and bring it to a successful conclusion. That attitaude has served me well throughout my life and gets confidence and respect from those you are trying to 'lead'.

Eight months...........This is really quite sad. And to then throw the issue back into the face of those complaining and say 'So, what happens next is down to you' is.........well.....

You know, I saw this thread for the first time, a few days ago. Several of us who were not previously involved thought we would be proactive and join the discussion in the hope that we could give some suggestions or ideas to help. Yep, there's that word again 'proactive'. Well 'proactive' starts with the leadership. If you don't believe me talk to Brad, he'll tell you all about good leadership qualities.

I guess when several other of our members see your reply they will be quite upset. I just hope they keep a 'civil tongue' in their heads otherwise things are going to get silly and no one will gain anything from that.

Fuzzy was significantly more blunt that I was and I'm grateful.  I was trying to be indirect about how hard it is to find a good screenshot and putting the onus on the community to see how hard it is to find something good and new and appropriate to be a screenshot of the day.

Here's the deal from my perspective . . the screenshot of the day (SotD) is a marketing tool across some of Stardock's sites.  It doesn't need to change that often because the user base that it's targeting is new.  It has to be good enough to draw them in . . but then their in and may never see that shot again.

I suggested that you who want something featured start looking for the standout screenshots and justify it and I'll see about getting them featured.  I think that, like Fuzzy says, you'll be hard pressed to find really stand-out submissions after a while.  Fuzzy's suggestion was to only upload those screenshots that stand out.  I like his suggestion more but am still willing to support mine.

If there is a segment of the community that wants new screenshots daily . . go to the screenshot gallery.  All the screenshot love you need is there.  Why do you need more?

The wording needs to be changed from screenshot of the day to FEATURED SCREENSHOT.  That would eliminate the problem and it can stay the same till someone changes it.

I find this to be the most sensible solution to this issue. The title "Screenshot of the day" instantly makes one think that it should change daily. If the title is changed to Featured Screenshot, no one would complain if it's up for a month or more.

I think the point is being missed. The management of either Stardock or WinCustomize can make decisions. Is that what you really want, someone making the decisions for you? Or do you think a site like WC should be community led? Nobody is ignoring problems - but are you sure we are looking at the same problems?

Opening a dialogue has been mentioned. Well, a number of times opportunities have been handed out only for no-one to seize the initiative. Earlier in this thread Zubaz made an offer - seems no-one was interested.

I don't see anyone coming up with fresh ideas, or solutions. And I'm not talking just about screenshots now. The management at WC/Stardock are well aware of all the site's shortcomings - people bitch ad nauseum about this, that and the other.

All you get is someone saying 'this doesn't work' or 'this isn't right', never 'here is a problem - this is what I think should be done about it'. That's what I mean about being pro-active. Being a critic is a lot easer than providing a solution, it shifts the onus elsewhere.

So, the question remains: What do you want...?

If only one person would step forward, it would be a start.

 

I offered my services if it is a question of needing someone to dedicate time to sort through the screens. I also think WOM hit it on the head. Change the title to Featured Screen shot, as this will remove the impression theres a time frame that is being missed..

I am still waiting for someone to say . ."I will volunteer to go through the gallery and find standout submissions to pass along to the mods."

I will do it...


My first pick,
Slider by Braniack

Clean, neat, shows the apps well, has nice symmetry, not over bearing and don't look tossed together.. Custom and professional..