Yearout

What happen to the skins? :(

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What happen to the skins? :(

from WinCustomize Forums

Well I've supported Stardock up to this day for YEARS. So looking at skins.. WOW.. almost every page has 4+ selling. Now go back just 100 pages.. you might see ONE selling. And then most of those were AWESOME skins.. now its just .. not ART just greed. Well windowblinds is NOT what it use to be and seeing skins go for $5 (reg) up to $7+.. its a joke almost a insult. People can sell what ever they want.

Its like people trying to get the last drop of water out of the tap..in the end you just hurt this more then help.

 

 

windowblinds
512,347 views 119 replies
Reply #101 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have been using Windowblinds for many a year now.  I am retired and living on SSI.  Even if that were not the case, your skins are clean, usable, and delightful to appear on my screen.  I am truly a fan, and I use "almost" all of your skins in my portfolio............thank you, thank you, thank you..Geno

Reply #102 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting PixelPunk, reply 99

First... I respect all of you out there.  Skinners, Masterskinners, etc... you are A+ in my book.

Good to hear but not very sure many if any Masters really care about what you think. You have similar related threads and post you made in 2014, 2015, and now this one 2016. 

 

Quoting PixelPunk, reply 99

There appears to be no quality standard once a skinner reaches Master Skinner status.  It is simply attrition then.  They think all or most of their skins are worthy of the price tag.  If they offer a freebie, it really is a freebie.  But it is not usually of the same quality.

So you respect the Masters. Funny all your statements don't show any of that. As far as the quality standard, Jafo answered that above for master skins. 

The free master skin are made with the same quality. One Master here has uploaded many free ones and has the best quality available. As of now he isn't active as his real life came into play. Any Master that makes a free one does it for the community but the quality is the same, paid or not paid skin.

Quoting PixelPunk, reply 99

I love windowblinds, but I certainly don't get to test, use, or play with as many skins from here as I used to.  Why.... the sheer cost of the bling.

You have been here since 2001. Wow you purchased 1 or 2 Master skins you said above also. That is a lot of testing over the last 15 years. Your eyes must be getting tired. So another reason you no nothing about quality being good or bad.

Since you have been on the same rant for 3 years why don't you just give it a break and let it go. Sure you are entitled to your opinions. However since you don't know what you are talking about they become not opinions but nonsense. If you really respected the Masters or people in general you wouldn't post such bullshit.

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Reply #103 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't regret any of the skins I've paid for, and I'm glad the creators get something for their time, effort, and imagination.

 

Keep up the good work.

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Reply #104 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 

Quoting pureevilgenius, reply 103

I don't regret any of the skins I've paid for, and I'm glad the creators get something for their time, effort, and imagination.

Thank you !!!!  \o/

Quoting pureevilgenius, reply 103

Keep up the good work.

We will, count on it !!  :sun:

Reply #105 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DaveBax, reply 98

I understand totally what you are saying. 


However. Brand new Master skins also need to be as visible as possible for as long as possible. Yes people will go to the Windowblind page but not near as often as the front page. Master skins would stay on the front page for 2, 3 or more weeks which made them very visible for a long period of time. Now the list of 5 may change in a couple days to updated skins and new ones gone.

Suggestion. How about adding another category for updated Windowblinds? Or changing the present list from 5 to 10.

A skinner can update 5 WB's in one day and upload. Maybe there should be a limit of one updated skin per week per Master skinner.

Just look at the skins under the Category section on the front page. Bet if you remove them the downloads stop or become very few. They continue to download because the are visible all the time. Newer Master skins need to be as visible for as long as possible. After all they never due have a chance to be on this list.

Again I think it is good to update older skins and see many reasons why with all the people now on win10. 


There really isn't a problem with the visibility of Master skins or any WindowBlinds skins on the site. The WB gallery is the 2nd most visited page on WinCustomize, barely behind the homepage. Master skins also have their own section on the right side navigation.

In addition, many people don't visit the WC homepage. They go directly to the galleries from the application. That's why there's a big WC icon in the WB interface.

The only real problem with visibility is the Master skins far outweigh the free skins being submitted. Is it time for some type of rule about not submitting free skins? I don't know, maybe it's something to bring. 

What I can say for sure is a gallery with only paid skins is not good for anyone. It will turn people away which means less visibility and downloads for both free and Master skins. 

Reply #106 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting PixelPunk, reply 99

First... I respect all of you out there.  Skinners, Masterskinners, etc... you are A+ in my book.

There appears to be no quality standard once a skinner reaches Master Skinner status.  It is simply attrition then.  They think all or most of their skins are worthy of the price tag.  If they offer a freebie, it really is a freebie.  But it is not usually of the same quality.

  Skin creators want to justify their price with a time comparison.  It is apparent that they don't skin because they just like to skin.  Sorry, it doesn't work like that.  People spend boatloads more time making items with more or less impact on their community and command a much less profit of then 65%.  Just look at the music industry, the food industry, or any other industry for that matter.  Creator makes no where near 65% sales profit.

I love windowblinds, but I certainly don't get to test, use, or play with as many skins from here as I used to.  Why.... the sheer cost of the bling.

I have bought a couple.  There are many out there that interest me, but honestly I don't have $75 to $150 a month to get them all.   I have a new widescreen monitor on the way and am leary of what will work from here on it.  Is that new $12.95 skin going to work with an unusual resolution?  It use to be try and see, now it is buy and see. 

Perhaps a solution:

Try a real sale sometime.... and I am not talking about 10% discount for subscribers.  Maybe subscribers should get a free one a month.  You might have me on that one.   Or, when you purchase Windowblinds, you should get a voucher for 3 skins of choice.  Promote the product, and treat the customer base with dignity.  We all want to see this wonderful product and user base grow.

Master skins are moderated and more closely. I often reject Master skins for quality, several a month at times. This isn't easy as what I think is a good or bad skin can be viewed differently by anyone else. I have to use my best judgement and the opinions from the other WC staff to make a decision on a skin. 

You don't need anywhere close to $150 to get the Master skins in a month, especially considering a great of the updated skins (last month for example) are that....updated skins which are free to download if purchased before. If you purchase a skin and it doesn't work, you can always ask for a refund based on that.

 

Reply #108 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 105

There really isn't a problem with the visibility of Master skins or any WindowBlinds skins on the site. The WB gallery is the 2nd most visited page on WinCustomize, barely behind the homepage. Master skins also have their own section on the right side navigation

I understand this and all you said below it. I sometimes may not look at the entire picture or understand all the facts. Appreciate you letting me know. 

I have a Master skin I have been wanting to upload for the last 3 weeks. With all that has been going on here and just about Master skins only showing, I decided to just upload another free one. After all even the fine people that purchase them only have so many funds available. 

Reply #109 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sonewhat off topic, is there a way to identify older WBs (pre-W10, or at least pre-W7) so I can easily remove them.  I assume they won't work properly.

Reply #110 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting gevansmd, reply 109

Sonewhat off topic, is there a way to identify older WBs (pre-W10, or at least pre-W7) so I can easily remove them.  I assume they won't work properly.

Not so. There are many older skins that will work fine on Windows 7. Here is one I just tried from 2001 and I have no issues with it. Please don't remove them. 

Reply #111 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 110


Quoting gevansmd,
reply 109

Sonewhat off topic, is there a way to identify older WBs (pre-W10, or at least pre-W7) so I can easily remove them.  I assume they won't work properly.



Not so. There are many older skins that will work fine on Windows 7. Here is one I just tried from 2001 and I have no issues with it. Please don't remove them. 

 

 

Ok, good to know.  

Reply #112 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 105

Is it time for some type of rule about not submitting free skins? I don't know, maybe it's something to bring.

I think different Masters sell their skins for different reasons.  Some do it as a hobby with a bit of a reward for the occasional skin.....some do it as a sideline to their established careers.....and others do it to try and support themselves doing something creative they enjoy doing full time and try to keep themselves afloat in doing so.  While it's always a nice thank you for a Master to submit a freebie at times... for people trying to support themselves, it may be that it could cause a certain amount of hardship at times to impose a free skins rule... and in this climate of the skinning world shrinking, you wouldn't want to discourage people from continuing to produce high quality blinds. 

I think it's just come to a bit of a head lately with many Masterskins being updated... it looks oversupplied...

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Reply #113 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sydneysiders, reply 112


Quoting Island Dog,
reply 105

Is it time for some type of rule about not submitting free skins? I don't know, maybe it's something to bring.



I think different Masters sell their skins for different reasons.  Some do it as a hobby with a bit of a reward for the occasional skin.....some do it as a sideline to their established careers.....and others do it to try and support themselves doing something creative they enjoy doing full time and try to keep themselves afloat in doing so.  While it's always a nice thank you for a Master to submit a freebie at times... for people trying to support themselves, it may be that it could cause a certain amount of hardship at times to impose a free skins rule... and in this climate of the skinning world shrinking, you wouldn't want to discourage people from continuing to produce high quality blinds. 

I think it's just come to a bit of a head lately with many Masterskins being updated... it looks oversupplied...

Sorry but I don't buy that. I don't believe for a minute a free skin every now and then is going to hurt your financial income, in fact, I believe it will improve it. Read the last sentence of reply 97. I don't understand why a master is so afraid or so against or however you want to say it about releasing a free skin. I am only speaking for myself and I do not know what other people do but I have purchased blinds from Tom and Dave because I liked the skin but also because I like to support people who don't mind giving something away from time to time. I am sorry if that bothers you but that is just the way I am. I am sure Tom can use the extra sales and not give free skins away but he does and I greatly appreciate that and will buy more blinds from him. 

 

Reply #114 from WinCustomize Forums Top

JuniorCrooks....

Every Master skinner has given away free skins...typically for several years before attaining 'Master'.

It's a bit chicken-and-egg to suggest they now NEED to continue to do so.

Whether or not they choose to continue to release free skins is entirely their choice, and as with any Master their history of advancement to that level should be enough [opportunity for freebies] for anyone...;)

Reply #115 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 114

JuniorCrooks....

Every Master skinner has given away free skins...typically for several years before attaining 'Master'.

It's a bit chicken-and-egg to suggest they now NEED to continue to do so.

Whether or not they choose to continue to release free skins is entirely their choice, and as with any Master their history of advancement to that level should be enough [opportunity for freebies] for anyone...;)

Jafo have you read all my replies? I have said it is their right to sell all of their blinds if that is what they want to do. I understand that they have spent years giving free blinds away because they had too. All I am saying is a free one every now and then is not going to kill you or hurt your sales. Let me be even clearer than I have been so there is no confusion, is it wrong to sell all your skins? the answer is no, would it be a bad thing to release a free one sometimes? the answer is hell no. I am not suggesting for a minute that someone is less a master or less a person if they don't. Obviously I am outnumbered here so I am not going to say another thing about this topic. Just disagree with me and lets all move on.

Reply #116 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting JuniorCrooks, reply 113

I am sorry if that bothers you but that is just the way I am.

Not bothering me at all... I understand your thinking completely and it's admirable Tom does free blinds as well.. it's really keeping in the spirit of the community at which Tom excels and you're a good man to acknowledge and reward that.

What I was trying to get across is that people are in different positions.....where one person might own their own home another might be renting... supporting kids etc... and have differing commitments.  While it's to be encouraged, my point was it shouldn't be a 'rule' as was mooted.  I don't know how long it takes for different skinners to create a blind... but I do know from the days of looking over v's shoulder from conception to completion of a blind... that it was a significant amount of time to be creating something that was not going to generate money towards living expenses when that was the sole income....and with that in mind... can create hardship.

Reply #117 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sydneysiders, reply 116

I don't know how long it takes for different skinners to create a blind... but I do know from the days of looking over v's shoulder from conception to completion of a blind... that it was a significant amount of time to be creating something that was not going to generate money towards living expenses when that was the sole income....and with that in mind... can create hardship.

Yeah,you are not the first one to say that and never be the last. Some people just likes to moan then unsurprisingly opined that he/she has bizarre theory based on presumptions. :rolleyes:  

Reply #118 from WinCustomize Forums Top

..if you are going to complain, let's see you do better. oh no! he went there!    :ninja:

Reply #119 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Someone has asked for a refund on one of my skins.

I wouldn't mind, but, my skins are free... ;p