I believe this is the key to why people give out KP left and right for no appearent reason. KP seems to have no value. If they did, I for one, would think more on who I gave it to and for what. It just isn't taken seriously, I am uncertain as to whether it was ever meant to be.

Sorry.  Calling bullhsit (or at least a valid opposing view).

If an artist labelled thier work as [WIP] that wopuld be opening it up for critique.  If not, do or don't; it's a(n assumed) full release.  And anonymous critique just invites abuse.

Again, the screenshot gallery used to be used as a WIP gallery for UI.  It could be again.  And the WB gallery could be used for live builds.  No one is stoipping anyone from uploading WIPs and inviting feedback.

Creative people find solutions and don't always have to wait for others. 

Sorry I wasn't being creative...

I'll put it another way, I'm giving an idea from an artist's point of view, one that has made his way up via feedback from many sources, over the years..incuding some very harsh comments, which from experience I can honestly say helped me greatly.

I'm putting forth a good idea, that will help if done correctly, but it seems its better to just 'workaround' the problem instead of solving it.

Thats not being creative, thats being apathetic.

I suppose I can understand the opposition to the idea coming from a non-artist, perhaps I haven't explained it as well as I could have.

I'd like to know how many up and coming artists would think its a good idea or whether the status quo is more productive.

Instead of offering a work around that ..wont.. work..imo.. perhaps explain why what is being suggested couldn't be at least considered seriously.

I highly doubt an area for consdtructive and healthy criticism would be abused, doesn't make sense..Users act abusive in teh galleries after downloading a half finished skin... anyway.. overly harsh critique can be very effective... or just monitored, ignored. Even someone choosing to be anon. can be warned as the site would know who was posting. , As much as anonymity may invite abuse, it also invites honesty.

It would however be a place the experienced skinners could visit to provide real help and structured to encourage learning...and teaching.

It's a good idea staring you right in the face that goes to the heart of one of the main problems facing Stardock moving forward.. new talent.

Where there is a will there's a way.

I'm not against a WIP section like you describe it.  But who knows if that would be implemted or not.

My suggestion could be done TODAY!  And as a template of what might be done later (better).

I'm not an artist . .but I work with many peopel using tools that don't always do what they need and I do endeavor to achieve goals with what's available.  As always, my best work [however poor it may be].

I personally think this is a good idea, John.  The status quo, IMO, opens me up to a lot more pain and disappointment than having a WIP area where I can get constructive criticism, and helpful advice.  I don't know how I feel about the anonymous part.  To me, it's important to know who is giving the criticism, so I can judge for myself, their skills compared to my skills, so I know how much weight to give their particular critique.  

Example:  I personally think Picasso's work sucked.  I have no clue really what Picasso went through to get his particular style, but if he posted his work and there were responses to it from Rembrandt, Michaelangelo, Monet and me, and two of us said his work sucked, I think it would be important for him to know one of us was not included in the great masters of art!

I know some people may not be able to handle the heat.  I've had times in my life when I couldn't take criticism, but I'm secure enough in who I am as a person that I don't need validation of my worth as a person with constant praise.  I can separate who I am from what I create.  However, in order for the criticism to be constructive it needs to have detail...not just "This sucks" or "it looks rushed."  The advice you gave me on my Mardi Gras blind was spot on, and if that's the kind of criticism you're talking about, not only would I accept it, but I would beg for it! (that sounds sicker than I meant it to).  I'm getting ready to repost the updated file in Sneak Previews and really would appreciate anymore advice you can give.

Well, fair enough, the idea is out there

That's gonna be the bit I'll always have issue with....no matter what form of WIP differentiation/section there is.

The phrase 'overly harsh' is self-explanatory....if it's 'overly' anything it's not going to be either acceptable or beneficial to anyone.

Precise/accurate/blunt/terse may be OK....but not 'overly'-whatever.

You can't always rely on the notion that one's own expertise allows liberal comment or criticism of another.  Maybe that combined with real familiarity/friendship just might.

If treetog said to me "that looks like shit, Paul"...I'd accept it as probably correct, not just critical..... but that's because I personally respect his opinion, good or bad.

I don't know how a similar comment by me would be taken by others.  Some may accept my experience with skinning [and its moderation] may mean I'm harsh/critical but the opinion is respected....but I bet there will be many who'll just think 'WTF does he know?'.

Bottom line is....it's not about taking the heat and/or keeping out of the kitchen.... it's about criticism that improves both the giver AND the recipient....;)

I think your idea is an excellent one.

If you feel that there would be too much unconstructive commenting, why not have that area available to skinners to upload their WIP, but only someone with rank (say, Master Apprentice and above) can advise, give tips, etc. That would reduce the number of nonconstructive comments and allow skinners to get the feedback they need.

Well, no need to emphasize 'overly'.. that's not the point, I just threw it in there as worst case. Any criticism can be ignored if someone feels it should be. If any one person is being 'overly' anything, then moderate.. it.

Shouldn't ... not ..consider\implement an idea because of a singular negative.

It's about the core idea.

Perhaps limit the critique to those at higher levels? You would assume those people would be more likely to offer better assistance anyway as well as a more suitable attitude.

ROFL!!!

Jafo, nobody puts things quite like you do, I like it hehehe

Little subjective don’t you think. Customer service is the best, with community, mods and wizops, the best I’ve ever encountered. The products for the money???  Let’s see, I use WB6, SS5 (paid version), SS6 (free) and cursor FX (free). Yea, I guess the price is right.

non-subscribers also? I won’t start on my rant against flash or what I think about impulse but this sounds like the days of my continued participation on the site may be numbered anyhow. Am I interpreting this correctly that I will have to install impulse to upload/download blinds which also requires the use of Flash. How will this also impact forum participation?

Listen, the fat lady singeth.

Just in case I don’t get the opportunity latter, I want to thank all those that have answered my skinning questions and the community as a whole for damn good run. I am working on a blind but it is taking some time to get the result that I’m looking for but I hope to upload before any major changes take place.

as long as im still able to skin and upload.....im happy. and ill be buying a subscription to help.

Hey, Wimpy, try step back a little, I'd like to see you stick around bud, you have been showing some promise in your skins, it hasn't gone un-noticed.... your questions haven't even been answered yet.. besides.. whats so bad about Flash anyway?

Take a chill pill and reassess won't you ? 

i really enjoyed the latest WIP, i was able to download the skin, check it out and give feedback to what I think needed addressing....but i always state that its only my opinion, as its their skin, and their choice to whether they change something or not.........

im more for addressing technical issues rather than personal choice issues..because in my mind, i have no right to try and dictate how someone skins their skin, afterall its their skin, not mine.  the only time i will make a note of colour or font is if its too destractive or hard to read,

ect......

 

either way, i do love the WIP, i think its a good idea.......a really good one.  and the poster of the wip can either take the info or leave it.

in the form of dark chocolate covered caramels. Yumm!

and I agree that the fork in the road is somewhat off in the future and I'll evaluate what's up when "it" happens. and of course, thanks for the kind words.

 

This is just what I was thinking. The LOOK of a thing, whatever it is, is totally subjective. You can tell someone if the start menu is impossible to read or the taskbar is too small, or crooked or whatever, but whether it's GOOD is in the eye of the beholder. Some of us like dark skins, some like flowers, some are into sci-fi, who's to say which is best? It's a matter of style and taste.

Some of you guys even like the UGLY skins.

 

(Hey, it's a joke... Don't get your knickers in a knot over it... )

No skin is UGLY. At least every skin is beautiful for the skinner who made it and most of us. Beauty Lies In The Eyes Of Beholder.

MAHAHA, I have a whole new appreciation for my 'Farting Zebra Clock' now.

And You Got A 5-star too. #269 

Im thinking of donating subscriptions in return for themes... I havent figured out the parameters of the themse or how many subscriptions I will donate, Im thinking if there was also a way to donate funds I would do that too.  I already have a subscription and have no qualms about investing further on this site.  Its a great place and while I enjoy SD I dont necessarily want them to have controlling interest on the site (no offense). 

Kevin

End of WC ?

It's not surprising as it's nearlly unacessible ...

Since the end of 2008, any page of WC is taking about ten mn to load - when it loads ...- ( so that i'm asking me if it's not voluntary from Stardock to build up a new marketing website )

It's definetely not THAT bad. I think you (or your ISP) need some serious network maintenance if you have such a major problem.

I think it's (probably) the only website with such troubles

I get a 30 M cable connection and all other website (and to compare, some heavy websites like DeviantArt ...) are loading pages nearly instantly

Some people from other places in the world than me have reported already exactly the same trouble ...