Well, i agree, sometimes a screenshot could possibly be inaccurate, don't think it happens often and may only affect one, perhaps two elements at most, not really what I was asking but sure it could be.

Should a Master skin have an inaccurate screenshot? probably not..was the one in question inaccurate.. I don't think so... but again not really what I was asking.

I would imagine most people don't want to take chances with their money, a clear and concise screenshot, again, for most people is enough information to base a decision on... some have stated that already in this thread and that.. my friend.. is my point. Not sure why it's so hard for you in particular to agree on.

As far as your like for that particular skin, from the screenshot.. I wouldn't pay for it. From the screenshot.. to me.. it isn't worth it... to me.

From the screenshot that is.

Can be a very deadly weapon in the wrong hands, but I trust you so what the hell!  The same goes for you Po!  But Skinhit does makes me a bit nervous. The BB is just fine as we all need some comic relief.

YES.

Does one have any credibility giving a critique of Windowblind skins, Master or not, if one is not a skinner?

There are numerous critiques given of music, paintings, movies, products etc., given by people who do not actually create any of those things. You can see these critiques in newspapers, magazines, television and on the internet. The critics are supposedly experts at what they do but do ya think all of them are?

That's how it is. They give their OPINION.

Opinions are like butt holes, everybody has one.

If one puts any sort of work out into the public then one opens themselves up to peoples opinions. If one charges for that work then it only stands to reason that the opinion is generally of a more critical nature.

I someone can't stand the heat then they should leave the kitchen.

As far as the rules of critcism go that's up to the particlar venue.

As with any debate that is open to all it's impossible to keep to just the points that the original poster wanted to discuss. VStyler, I'm sure you realize that.

This is an impossible problem. It will never ever be settled as long as there are people who have their own opinion.

I'm in.  I'm pretty proficient with a spork, but I also swing a mean sock of Legos.

Don't poke ur eye out

I need to be clear, because something keeps getting skimmed over in the responses.

The word 'graphics' was not used in the comment made 'This is not Master Quality'. In fact, nothing was listed. It was a blanket statement that was laid on the skin as a whole in it's simplicity. When you purchase anything, you don't do it strictly on the aesthetic value. You kick the tires, look under the hood, check out the interior and all the little extras. You research it to see if it can do what you want it to or need it to.

For me, and if any one else feels the same, please speak the heck up so I don't think I am losing my mind...their is almost a tactile feel to a skin. How it responds when you click on this or that. Even sounds added to it can change the whole experience. I have downloaded skins and applied them and they 'felt', for lack of a better word(s) cheap or flimsy. That was a turn off. Or the fonts on the start menu are good, but in other places they suck (blurry and unreadable). You don't get the 'three dimensional' experience with a screenshot. And there are monitors...rather large monitors that some skins/screenshots just don't translate well onto at all.

So, I do have a problem with critiques that come from someone who has not experienced the skin. I don't purchase something based on just it's appearance. Unfortunately, with the blinds it's all you have to start with. However, if you're going to comment on it without downloading it, then be specific. A responsible review, a complete review would go into ALL the details. 'Looks good but runs like sh**." or "Ugly on the outside but inside, a solid piece of work."

I am not sure WHAT this thread was supposed to be about. It feels, just below the surface, that someone 'else' is being defended here. That we are supposed to assume they meant something that they did not and perhaps should have stated to begin with if that was what they meant. That's just my opinion, and it may be incorrect.

As we all agree, not possible with a Master skin.  Must buy to see under the hood.

Same, must buy it to say how it runs, or if it is solid piece of work inside.

Sooooooo, I would suppose that most buy on the aesthetics and/or reputation of the author.

Doc and Ed have mentioned other ideas, but at the moment most have only the sreeny to work with and therefore comment or opinionate from same.

Your also wrong.

Its pretty easy to see here where the so called divisions are, where the so called alliances lay, the same people everytime, every thread chime in time and time again and will stop at nothing to get tha last word. Unfortunately a lot of people are afraid to comment due to the political correctness that is running rampant here. It truly is a pity.

Your all right. I've said what I'm going to, other are free to read my OP and my comments, I know the difference in my mind between right and wrong and no amount of arguing with a wall is going to change that.

It's not even worth the bother when the same people disagree with anything I say regardless of subject matter. I have done everything in i can, for many years to try help this community and specifically WB skinners further themselves. I know that, and I would hope many more people have seen that. I do it out of choice and not some obligation of status and I know, over the years some have appreciated it. I tried to help both kitty and karen, spent months with Kitty trying to help her learn to use and develop her photoshop ans SKS skills., gave her the opportunity to sell on maxstyles with no % coming to the site...only to be blocked on msn and JU and WC then slandered all over the forums with accusations of private clubs, sexist discrimination and bullying levelled at me. Same with karen, she got all my skins, a gift from Sydneysiders and myself to help her improve her skills by disecting my work, I designed her a start menu, a wallpaper and endless help posts here on WC... again.. only to have someone else turn on me and start levelling tin foil accusations and vicious insults, I find the entire thing disgusting and leaves me with nothing but an empty feeling of no good deed goes unpunished. Well so be it. No tears spilled on this end.

The rest of you, anymore, just arent worth all this to me. Too stressful when it's pretty to obvious some here try to do all they can to shoot down most of what I say.. well, so be it.

Tall Poppy syndrome eh Jafo?

I'm off to create some eyeopeners. there are more than enough qualified posters now to help the noobs I imagine. Stick with the candy coated politically correct critique and see how far it gets anyone. I'm done trying to further the discussion, If no one else gives a shit, why should I. Time fror an extended break from all this bs.

Peace, Love and Understanding to all of you. 

I stated that 'Unfortunately all you have is the appearance to start with'. That is a given.

Let's get to it.

Lightstar did NOT make it clear that he was critisizing the graphics. He slammed the skin and it's quality on a whole by not being specific. Now, you can say that I am wrong and I am 'assuming' that is what he did..but you want us to assume that that is NOT what he meant when you say things like

IMO opinion and quite a few others, including Mods/Admins that have spoken up...someone of his accomplishments, talent, standing (he does not get off the hook just because he does not have the tilte of Master. YOU were one who spoke up on the notion that he should have the title, so coming from a 'Master', that is a pretty strong endorsement) he should have been more responsible and thoughtful. He should have utilized the talent and knowledge that makes him such an excellent craftsman to point things out. He chose not to. I don't believe any one is disputing his right to voice an opinion...they are voicing their dissapointment in how it was done..or the 'lack' of what should have been (IMO) a more constructive crtitique considering the source.

This whole thread almost reads  like an orchestrated distraction from the facts as they truly are. He messed up. Oops. That's all. Whatever his motives, whatever the 'big freakin conspiracy' is, I have yet to see anyone offer any thing concrete to back it up. But this kind of fodder just feeds the fire.

As much as I hate backtracking, and I am not trying to scream the loudest or have the last word, but there is something else that was skimmed over that I am curious about...

Would this not offer a solution? The comments are not going to go away. It would be too exclusive. A 'test drive' skin would be something akin to just making a template available for someone to use. Why not a regular posting where skins are deconstraucted and reviewed based on the criteria I have layed out? It could be modified to be acceptable by a majority of skinners/Masters if need be. It could even be the first review posted beneath the skin instead of a weekly article. Or is there no one you feel that would be up to the task?

Soooo, wtf?  Are we hunting or not?  I got me a new titanium spork and I topped off my sock-o-legos.  Lets roll!

I'll bring my BB gun!