Hi as a long time visitor to WinCustomize I have always enjoyed this site and the community here, a lot of very talented people. But I have to question the decision to go primetime with the WinCustomize 2010 site it just does not appear to be up to the standard that one expected from this site.
I am not a skinner just an average Joe and this is just my thoughts on the state of WinCustomize. I like the new site don't get me wrong but it honestly can't be ready for general release with over 3 weeks of not alot working or containing bugs, isn't that what the beta was supposed to be for.
I am impatiently waiting for the update to VXP 2010 for windows 7 as I purchased the blind here on WinCustomize and as such can't get the update from the Maxstyles site as I bought it here. I was going to wait till his Venom skin was released here as well but after a week I gave up and bought it from his site, 3 weeks later from release it still isn't on WinCustomize.
I see there is a thread on uploads in the 2010 feedback thread which has been going for 3 weeks now...I am being told uploads aren't working by the author of VXP 2010 yet in various other sections, DeskScapes, IconPackagers ect new things are appearing. Is it just Windowblinds where uploads are not working, is it hit or miss, it just seems this site was not ready to be released.
I mean no disrespect to anyone, I am and have been a fan of this site and software since OS/2 days but the old site worked I would have been able to get my 'free" update on the old site within a day or 2 of it appearing on MaxStyles.
I guess I would just like to know when I will be able to get the "free" update to the Master Skin I purchased on here?
Have you tried pm'ing vStyler? He really does care about his customers, and I think you'll "get there" faster that way.
I have not PM'd Vstyler though he is aware of my frustration as I have posted in his thread announcing the release of his updated theme...
https://forums.wincustomize.com/382512/page/1/#2625917
To be honest I did hope that would be what would happen but as he only uploads his themes to this site and does not run this site I guess he has no idea if I actually paid for his theme or not, which is understandable.
My point with my above post is I am being told by the author of the skin he can't upload it but every day I see skins, themes, deskscapes ect being posted which from my perspective seems to indicate that others can upload. It doesn't look good, not for the author of the skin nor for the professionalism of the site (from my everyday average user perspective...hope that makes sense) something I have never in the entire time I have visited or used this site felt before.
I guess in future if I want a skin from vstyler I will just buy it from his site as I have with Venom, which he released over 3 weeks ago and it is still yet to appear on WinCustomize. (Though various accessories for the skin are available - see I'm confused the skin isn't available but objectdock skins ect are) and I am hoping I don't have to wait that long for a "free" update I am entitled too.
Very confused...
Uploads to WinCustomize.com including WindowBlinds are working fine. Occasionally one or two will get stuck in processing but a PM to a moderator sorts that out in no time. Now as far as 'Master' skins, these are approved 'only' by Stardock and as such they will take a bit longer to clear the queue and appear in the Gallery.
Even if the original skin (VXP2010) was already approved, in the Gallery and is an update of a substyle? Sounds odd.
Yep. Sure does. Were you at Ft. Benning or Ft. Bragg?
Doc -
All skins that are 'updated' go to the queue for approval. In the case of 'Master' skins that people pay for 'when' the updated skin(s) are uploaded they require Stardock approval. Nothing 'odd' sounding there.
Venom isn't in the queue, The uploaded failed twice via FF and IE8, I am waiting word to try again.
Obviously, trying to up-load VXP would be futile as well so I am holding off until i get the word to try again when things are working.
DarthBrundleFLY email me vstyler @ maxstyles . com and I will take care of getting you an update.
I just read through the "Venom released" forum post and saw that someone asked when you would post it on this site and you replied with the following...
It will be at some point...as all my themes eventually do..
Traffic on WC is pretty low right now and I typically put them on Maxstyles for a week or 3 before loading on WC.
What does it matter? If it's a matter of a subscriber discount, you will be able to get it on WC in the near future and get that buck off but if ones intent is to get a great theme while at the same time supporting the author then buying it from his\hers site benefits them more.
As a consumer who paid for your product it matters to me quite a bit that the money I paid on WinCustomize (and I don't benefit from a subscriber discount) apparently isn't as good as those who purchased from your site. I only know of your work through WinCustomize and only recently discovered you have your own site as well.
So I and anyone else who purchased any of your themes on WinCustomize...and I have bought a few are 2nd class citizens when it comes to getting updates to your themes.
They are your themes and you are free to do what you want and how you want but I for one am not happy that I cannot get what I am supposedly entitled to at the same time as those who purchased directly from your site.
A day or 2 I could live with but they should be submitted to this site the same day you put them up on your site.
All I can answer to that is if it is bothersome then purchase directly from my site and update directly from there too in the future.
I've already said several times I cannot upload to WC yet, as the process is apparently broken regarding Master skins ATM
As far as when and If I upload to WC, that is totally and solely my decision. I have my own reasons and reasoning as pertains to the length of time that expires between being available on Maxstyles and on WC. This decision is mine and mine alone and really none of anyone elses business.
If you would like an update, email me at the addy above and, in your case, this time I will make an exception and send you an update.
Having said that , anyone purchasing on WC will need to wait until any updates are posted on WC to re-download as it is not logistically possible for me to track sales orders from WC.
Wow. Entitlement. The dude has said repeatedly that he is having troubles uploading shit to this site. WTF don't you understand about that? And as to the second part of that about them being submitted to this site the same day...who are you to tell ANY skinner what they should upload where? Just settle down a bit man. You're making yourself look like a damn whiney fool.
Who the hell are you...I am a consumer and a customer of WinCustomize and I payed for a MasterSkin which states that I am ENTITLED to any free updates that that come to the theme I PURCHASED!
I am aware that the site has had some problems hence this thread...(I have a skinner telling me there are problems, I have a moderator telling me there are no problems, it seems to me that my thread may indeed resolve some issues) and I see no need for this kind of comment to be thrown at me.
Your just rude, I have been nothing but civil and I think respectful.
I think general frustration with the site is making everyone a bit testy...it's very evident in many threads at the moment...short fuses.....
what's needed at the moment is just a good dose of patience......
v always goes out of his way to keep his customers happy....but technical issues that are beyond his control are just that....beyond his control...
it's quite understandable to be anxiously awaiting the update...it's looks terrific......just kinda need to keep it all in perspective....
there is no argument there, so no real need to prolong it.......and...as soon as it's able to be uploaded via the Masterskin queue....you will have your update.....
I will confirm (as soon as I can) one way or another if there are uploading issues with Master skins. In the meantime I would suggest that everyone stop with personal attacks.
I think that says it all. Syd's right about how John takes care of his customers, as I wrote in reply #1....pity about all the back and forth since it all could have been solved by pm.
DarthBrundleFLY, glad you're getting some help.
I am very thankful that Vstyler helped me out...but I would have understood if he did not want to as on this site I would gather he would have no way of knowing if I had purchased his Blind or not.
This thread is in the WinCustomize 2010 Feedback and titled "Ready For Primetime? from my observations on the main site and throughout the forums is it should have stayed in beta a bit longer. At the very least the most basic function of skinners being able to upload their work should be working BEFORE ditching the old site (that worked) to one that doesn't, or does intermittently.
The wanting the update to VXP 2010 just gave me an example of what I felt was wrong with the site as was Vstylers other skin the beautiful "Venom".
I went to Maxstyles when 'Venom" was posted and I could buy it there and then with paypal or Vstyler said in his release post it would be available on WinCustomize in a day or 2. That was over 3 weeks ago. I patiently checked WinCustomize everyday till the 5th of May when I got sick of waiting and bought it from MaxStyles.
Now I am just an average Joe, a consumer and at times a paying customer. In my researching of where the update to a theme I paid for and use was I found different answers. It was released on MaxStyles and is a free update to anyone who purchased it there and that it would be released on WinCustomize in a day or 2 for those that purchased it here.
I asked in the VXP 2010 thread when could we expect it and was told by the author Vstyler updates are broken and that my guess would be as good as his. Everyday I come to WinCustomize I see new skins being offered in each of the different sections, also a moderator comes in and says uploads are not broken. Please remember that I am just an average and now confused user, I am being told 2 different things plus as I said there hasn't been a vacuum of new skins to the site since this new version went live.
So I just gave my opinion as to the current condition to the site.
On a side note since finding out that Vstyler likes to give preference to his site (which I understand is his right) I gave my honest and as a paying customer of his work on WinCustomize my opinion on that. When I bought "Naked Noir" "VXP 2010" and "Svelte" there was no disclaimer that any updates would be available 1st on another site and that they would eventually be updated here.
Hopefully it will be taken as constructive criticism/customer feedback.
I think you may have misunderstood. In the Maxstyles release description it states...
"All matching skins will be loaded soon on WinCustomize.com, and there are a bunch"......meaning the accessories...not the blind itself.
'Venom'...being a new release...not an update...will always stay on Maxstyles longer....and that length of time is at v's discretion & tends to fluctuate with different blinds....usually about a week or two....
The delay with them going up on WC at the moment, is technical....and unfortunate it has caused this confusion for you....it's also time that v's work is not available for sale here...something I'm sure he hopes is rectified soon.
no need to really....the update is available...naturally, from where it was purchased & you received your link....and where you purchase it, is your choice..... V's release threads on WC...state it is available on Maxstyles as the initial release site & usually includes a link, I'm surprised you've missed out on this info for so long.
anyway...wherever the misunderstanding lies....now you are more informed as to how his releases work...you are aware of your choices with the associated time frames for next time...
I tend to agree with your observations re the site....still...it's a WIP...gotta keep persisting with bug reports and fixes I suppose...and hope it gets there in the end...sooner rather than later...
I guess this is what I am having a hard time getting my head around...and I understand it his his discretion, his right but I am posting this on WinCustomize it does not make sense to me to not get a new or updated skin out to all sites that host your skin at the same time. I mean I checked I payed the same amount for it here as it is on Maxstyles, Vstyler gets that money doesn't he or am I missing something.
Remember I am Joe Public, I don't spend alot of time on the forums, I don't look under the hood for what's and why's. I am assuming Vstyler likes people to buy his skins so it doesn't make sense to me for him to limit where it gets released, (for a few days, or weeks) as I said it was only recently I knew he had that site and that was from a post here on WinCustomize from him stating it was available at Maxstyles.
I guess I always thought the day or so delays came from the skin being submitted and going through the Wincustomize process to be put up, I didn't think it was being deliberately delayed for a reason I can not discern. (well I am guessing it is to promote his own site)
Do other skinners do the same? I don't know I have never seen a skin somewhere else to buy before I have seen it on WinCustomize other than several of Vstylers skins.
I guess it comes down to that I am supporting WinCustomize, this site is the reason I know of your work and of course now your site, I guess if I want to be right up to date with your skins and updates and use your site what do I need WinCustomize for?
Am surprised WinCustomize doesn't think the same thing.
you're missing something...
Yes, promoting one's site is part of it and makes sense, doesn't it....it is also the case that when it is your own site, you profit 100% from your work.
yes...a number of master skinners have their own sites....
vStyler plays a very active part in the WC community....his Work In Progress threads on WC keep people up to date with what he's working on...gets members involved along the way....members join in making wonderful accessories to the match the blinds, display them on the thread and upload free on WC......in short...while a master's site may be his home base....Wincustomize is his skinning home community. If you want to keep up to date with what he's doing....keep in touch with both...
Wincustomize has no objection...the traffic on WC is vast compared to smaller sites...
Supporting skinners directly helps keep them skinning which is what I prefer to do...and in turn..I support WC by subscribing and supporting subscription/charity drives etc...and purchasing software....It's totally an individual choice...and each person will have their own ideas.
You must be about out of questions now perhaps you should consider visiting the community more often...get a little involved...maybe even end up creating something.... I can assure you....it will broaden the customising experience for you....you'll get the bug...
Thanks for taking the time to respond sydneysiders and not jumping down my throat because I may say something you disagree with. I am not trying to be a smart alec or anything. I was just trying to give a layman's opinion on how things look and feel to someone that is not heavily involved in the community, I am sure I am not the only one.
I am not a skinner and have no talent or desire to do so, I just questioned a few things that frustrated and confused me. As I said I have been a visitor to this site for a very long time...(I have had different usernames due to ISP changes, not remembering passwords ect over the years)
I just gave some feedback as a user who uses Stardock products and enjoy's the talented skins provided on WinCustomize to brighten my desktop. At the end of the day my thoughts and feelings as a customer of this site can be heard or they can simply be dismissed, at least i tried.
Thanks Aaron.
Master skin uploads are broken at the moment. A site update scheduled for tomorrow should fix it and anyone who needs to update a skin can do so.
As far as when a skin is updated and such, that is not the control of WinCustomize, but the individual skinner. WinCustomize is merely a facilitator for the skinners selling skins.
Thanks ID
Thanks ID.
Is the upload issue remedied, haven't heard anything or seen anything posted... I have a Master skin and a 7 update ready to upload
should I try again?
Give it a shot, John....worst scenario? It uploads upside down.
I'll check with ID in morning.
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