Frogboy Frogboy

The end of WinCustomize

The end of WinCustomize

...as we know it...

The new subsription drive has started...

This is a site that gets 90,000 visitors a day.  And today it's gotten 9 subscriptions or renewals during the subscription drive. $260 down, $49,740 to go in about a month to re-do the site.

There are two different visions for the site. Let's call them the community versus commercial views.  I'm on the commercial side.  Zoomba/ID/jafo are likely on the community side.

We've estimated that the new site is going to cost around $50k to make.  Stardock is going to pay for anything that the community doesn't come up with. But in return, the more Stardock pays into it, the more say it's going to have on the design.

I'm pretty sure that the core skinning community is no longer big enough to pay the bills and that's fine. Skinning has become one of those ominipresent things that, because it's not a niche, doesn't really have a strong core following like it used to. It has millions of users but relatively few who really care about a "skinning community" any more than people really care about a core World of Warcraft community. Skinning is everywhere these days.

The new WC, the commercial one, will be radically different than the WC we have today.  First, the S-corporation that runs WinCustomize will get disolved and become part of Stardock Software (which makes WindowBlinds, Object Desktop, etc.).  

Second, WC will be funded out of Stardock Software's marketing budget. 

Now this may sound bad but let's face it, most people come here for Stardock related content.  When this site started, programs like Winamp, Hoverdesk, WinStep, ICQ Plus and others were pretty significant.  Today, it's pretty much all about WindowBlinds, DeskScapes, IconPackager, wallpapers and a that's about it.  

The community won't disappear but obviously the site will become much more Stardock oriented and the days of WinCustomize as a quasi-independent entity will come to an end.

See what we have in mind: https://forums.wincustomize.com/335824

491,460 views 332 replies
Reply #152 Top

You're being hyperanxious about something that's NOT going to happen, TG. How many people have said that how many ways?

Can't you just let it go? Even if WC would disappear (which you will agree won't happen) your friends would remain your friends and we;d all just hang somewhaere else. I'm thinking Tahiti, but I'm open to suggestions. ;)

Reply #153 Top

So, currently, WC doesn't get any funding from the profits of Stardock products? WC is only run on subscriptions and ads?

Reply #154 Top

No offense to Froggy, I like him, he makes cool fish:grin:

Reply #155 Top

your PR needs a little work hon

:lol:   I remember saying something very similar, many years ago, in a similar doom thread....

bottom line is...you can't teach an old frog new tricks.... ;)

 

and don't be so hard on those that want to keep it together.. so there may be only 50 -100 solid regulars, but those are the ones that are re-subscribing and trying to keep WC more like.. well.. WC!

I'm sure frogboy is aware of that TG...this problem has been going on for years.....and there comes a time...where it's kinder to put it out of it's misery....and resurrect in a more secure format. 

I have purchased membership subscriptions to 2017....and after some giveaways...am subscribed now to 2014.....it isn't the answer.  Regulars can't keep trying to keep it afloat this way....and I won't be purchasing any further membership subs at the moment as the Australian exchange rate is downright unfriendly and I think it really has come down to sink or swim time for WC as we know it.  I too, am Taurus TG....and don't like change....but I think you can trust frogboy to keep the essence of WC going in his new plans, though I will be very sad to see the current format go, if we don't make the target.

I will, however, be renewing my OD subsciption this month....I don't know if that is counting towards the fifty thou total or not.

 

don't think the Stardock staff would appreciate our topics where we photoshop the hell out of starkers

I'd like to see 'em try an' stop us.....  ;)    ...especially Po' & Skinhit...

 

bottom line TG...DON'T PANIC.....if it comes down to it....we'll all just regroup...have a wake....have a house warming...get settled in...and life will go on... :)

 

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Reply #156 Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 4
Yes Doc, I will be letting it go.. it more ways than one.

Sorry for my over-anxiousness, it's not all to do with this WC news.. I had a man break into my house last night, actually, he just walked in as my son forgot to lock the font door.. wasn't a nice experience and the cops have been here all morning.   that, plus lack of sleep = VERY anxious TG  luckily my son heard this, called 000, but the pr*ck stepped WAY over the line when he stole my smokes as well   sorry, just trying to make light of it...

Oh man...I didn't know any of this. I'm sorry for your misfortune, TG. Can't say I'm sorry he stole the cigarettes, tho...I'd like you around for lots more years! :)

Reply #157 Top

Quoting sViz, reply 3
So, currently, WC doesn't get any funding from the profits of Stardock products? WC is only run on subscriptions and ads?

No, sViz...WC has needed more and more funding, as time has gone on, from SD. Ads mitigate it, but Brad is trying to stop the cash hemorrhage and I don't oppose him. I'd rather we have something than "our way" and nothing.

 

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Reply #159 Top



don't think the Stardock staff would appreciate our topics where we photoshop the hell out of starkers


I'd like to see 'em try an' stop us.....

Well....we tend to be a shade rowdy, it's true...but I'll take that Ghetto in Tahiti I was talking about rather than lose me little family...weird as it and I am.

;)

Reply #160 Top

I subscribed to WC last year (in addition to my ObjectDesktop annual subscription fee) and honestly saw no tangible return on that investment over the years when I have not.  I've treated this as I paid a one time fee to support the site, but I really don't see it making sense as an annual fee. 

I guess that's because I've always seen it as just a marketing arm of Stardock's, and I've argued as much in previous posts/threads over the years.  I think it should be funded as a very logical and necessary (critical!) part of Stardock's support of its product lines. 

I guess my only question would be in regards to the programming update.  WC just went through a complete overhaul just a year or so ago and it appears as though the ups and downs of the site have only just now been shaken out.  So, I'm not sure what needs updating now, but that's not really any of my business as an end-user.  This is for Brad to work out with his people for the company.

Maybe something can be done in regards to Stardock's announced funding/sponsorship of Neowin.net?  Their forums work quite well.  Might be a cost savings to be had there.

Regardless, good luck!  I will continue to support the site and Stardock's products, of course. :)

 

Reply #161 Top

Ok a little while ago i didnt know what to think,now that i have given it some thought, well it all comes down to people surfing the web, for free stuff (myself included) i used to download from WC, after quite a few i realized a subscription would be a good thing, as i already had downloaded a lot of free skins,so the 29 bucks to me was worth it, and i have no regrets either of spending the money, and in march i will renew, but i think the best thing would be to have a limited area where non subscribers could go to get a limited choice of downloads (Give them a good taste) maybe they will realize that spending the dough is a good idea, at least i do, i have gotten many times my moneys worth here, with the forums alone, the help i have received, the new and friendly people i have met, just a great place to hang out, i do have an addiction though, to MyColors,i think i have purchased all but a few (NHL and NBA home teams only, as well as NCAA) but the rest, there are just a few i dont have, i know mycolors doesnt support WC, but WC led me to mycolors that is how i found it, i think i will probably renew my subscription early instead of March, and if i do that is my new date from say today, or does it pick up when my present one ends?? Just some of my thoughts, yes i ramble and jump around, but what better place to do it than here,???

Reply #162 Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 4
I had a man break into my house last night, actually, he just walked in as my son forgot to lock the font door..


HOLY CRAP!  You need my dog

80-lbs of muscle charging at 35 MPH pretty much tells a man he doesn't want to come INTO this house!  (During the day she's a marshmallow....at night, she goes onto high alert).

Reply #163 Top

Well I've come to the conclusion that this thread is part of a larger conspiracy hatched by Stardock to gauge community wants and needs, likes and dislikes, so it can,,,,

* redesign Wincustomize and cut costs without pissing too many loyal customers off.

* provide improved products and services via the savings made

* asssess who the loyal customers are and reward them with a new, you-beaut WC

* wheedle out non-customers and traitors and have them summarily shot in front

of a firing squad of crack marksmen holding pea shooters loaded with mushy peas.

Other changes will include a Zubish dictionary in the new and improved tutorial section. However, while Zubaz will be its moderator, it will be like a wiki, where subscribers can add Zubish entries of their own.  While some may see this as a bold new move that's fraught with danger, the powers that be at Stardock have decided, in their infinite wisdom, to allow subscribers to skin the English language as well as Stardock apps... and why not, surely it's the next progression in skinning. ;P

The next thing is that a 'Coffee Club' will be added to the forums, where subscribers can sit around and chat over an expresso and discuss unimportant matters.  However, while the title suggests coffee, that will not be readily available until Stardock perfects the software responsible for delivering piping hot coffee into users homes/offices via the new touchscreen technology being heralded as the future of computing.  Stardock will also announce with 'some' regret that this new feature will NOT be available to users of Apple Macs.... and most certainly not the new 'keyboardless' laptop, which, according to recent tests, delivers 120% alcohol instead of coffeee, and Stardock doesn't want drunks behaving badly hanging around its social gatherings. Can't say as I'm sorry tho... serves them Mac zealots right. :-"

In putting the levity aside for a moment, what I'm seeing here is mountains being made out of molehills that haven't been put there yet, so let's not go getting our knickers in a knot over something that has not happened.  And even if/when Stardock staff take over the running of WC, things are not likely to change that much with regard to community because most Stardock staffers are community members.  They may not be as active due to working to provide us quality goods and services, but they are still members who appreciate the community for what it is... ie, Karmagirl starting and participating in fun threads along with the rest of us.

Oh yeah, the wider conspiracy????  Well, given the recent economic crisis hitting the World, Stardock plans to resolve the World's economic woes by targetting bankers with specific software loaded with subliminal honsety messages which are aimed at combatting greed and cheating within the banking fraternity.  Personally, while I welcome this technology, I'd much rather see it applied to the US Congress so that the skinning community gets its own bailout package... you know, something that subsidises struggling skinners and rewards them for all their hard work.

;P

 

 

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Reply #164 Top

Starkers, the world needs more people like you who think outside the box and still possess the ability to dream big.  Thanks for the dream!  :thumbsup:

Reply #166 Top

Crikey, Mikey!!  :D   TG, know what's funny? I have gotten so used to thinking there's no Scroll to Top button, I forget they are there.  I think that's funny.

Reply #167 Top

Starkers, the world needs more people like you who think outside the box and still possess the ability to dream big. Thanks for the dream!

The World is overfilled with doom, gloom and depression (and I've suffered more than my fair shair of the latter), and creating a little levity to help offset some of that is preferable to wallowing in its misery.... as in, better to act the fool than suffer like one.

As for the dream, you're more than welcome, Karen. :) :thumbsup:

Reply #168 Top

I have big dreams too, but I don't see Al Pacino ever asking me to marry him lol:grin:

Reply #169 Top

Hey, I have big dreams too! but I don't think they will come to fruition, I don't see Al Pacino moving here and asking me to marry him

Me too... I don't see Dolly Parton coming here and smothering me with her... um, affections, but I live in positively optimistic hope that WC will remain the great community it has become over the years, thanks to Stardock and the wonderful member contributions along the way.

Thanks people, you've all helped make this place something wonderful and to be proud of. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Reply #170 Top

Johnny Depp may open up his island for you Karen, don't give up:-" :meow:

Reply #171 Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 20
Thanks for driving me away, congrats Zu and ID I've left yay for you.
 

WTH?  I take a little time out for a walk and watch a movie and....what in the heck happened?!!  8C

Reply #172 Top

Gone.

??????  Isn't that a bit drastic, TG??  Sure thing may change a little around here, but the people you've come to know and love as friends will still be here... for you and with you... and to leave in such a way will sadden all of us. Please reconsider. :)

 

Reply #174 Top

I'M PAIDED UP TILL 2011 , WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT ? <_<  

Reply #175 Top

How about a possible list of skins that would be good to go

to upload and download ? this is not clear to me ...

we still keep skins such as :

walls,logons,bootskins,dreams,screen savers,screenshots(a biggie for some) etc.?

and commenting still be allowed ? on all skins ?

our site pages with notifications etc remain?

How will Skinners be effected ?

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and by the way , who won the last Stadog(friday)contest ?

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that's all for now .. <_<