I wonder if Stardock has ever done a study of how much money they have made from the free skins that people have made and uploaded at Wincustomize? Also the screenshots, wallpapers, widgets, rainys etc. etc. It's a win, win for Stardock. Not only do they get money from these people buying the software, buying the subscription but they get free advertising too in the form of what these people have done with the software. How much of the revenue comes in from newbies seeing all those screenshots and skins? They see all that and they want to have their desktops like that so they buy the software and subscriptions. How cool is that for Stardock? So if someone has made a screenshot and say 1,000 people have downloaded it how many of those people who have looked at it or downloaded it have bought the software because of that screenshot? I think it would be very interesting to see those results and I'd be very surprised if that hasn't been studied by Brad and company.
I'm ok with it. I consider WinCustomize is where people exchange ideas and to enjoy other people's work. It's mainly for the hobbyist who wish to share.
If Stardock makes money in an indirect way, out of people having a good time on their sites ... why not.
The only issue I have is it tends to be too Stardock focused, but it's their site and they have an interest in promoting and supporting their programs. I can always go to other skinning sites.
I'm with tazgecko, it's fine with me if the community helps Stardock in the market place.
Now what I would like to know is what does the future hold for the Customizing side of Stardock. It's been awhile since Brad brought us up to date. I'm always interested in hearing how the current programs might be updated and what new programs may be released in the future.
taz... there's a Winstep and Rainmeter Gallery. What other Galleries were you thinking of? Of course, SD will maintain a site mainly for its own software and that should be the focus of the site.... it's why we're here.
I often wonder what the relative usage is among the customization programs. I suppose there's a way to discover that, but I've never found it. I bet SD knows, though. I'd also bet that WindowBlinds is at the top.
So we are here to help Stardock sell its product line? I think that on one hand that's fine but on the other Stardock needs to take a closer look at this. In recent years the selling seems to have been the main focus. That's good for Stardock. It's Brad's site so he can do what he wants with it but personally I'd like to see a little more separation between selling the product line and pure artistry. I think that this was one of the topics that came up when they redesigned the site a couple of years ago.
Absolutely, the artistry helps to move the product. It provides the customers with a view of what can be done with the products. It also provides the artists with a venue to show off their work. seems kind of a win-win situation all around.
I made a mistake years ago here believing that we were a part of a greater community. Our involvement only goes up to the cash register, after that it's none of our business. You will probably never know what goes on behind the closed doors of Stardock, how much money they make or any statistics regarding sales. I'm not complaining, 99% of all business is run this way. I'm only mentioning this because if you think involvement provides special privileges, it doesn't.
I didn't say that, or even mean it that way, but if our efforts do help SD, what's so bad about that? It's part of the win-win, no?
What I did mean was "Stardock maintains this site (we aren't self sufficient - we don't support our cost) but we like those products, so that's why we're here." Since we aren't economically self sufficient there has to be a commercial angle to help cover the $50,000 per year cost (I believe that was the figure quoted - if I'm mistaken, please correct me).
When the new site came into being, it was expressly stated that the emphasis would be commercial: Not exclusively so, and you are correct that it was one of the topics. You can't really separate the two since the skins have to be applied with a software program.
So, clearly SD showcases its products here. Also Winstep and Rainmeter.
Again I ask, what actual (and implementable) changes would you like to see? I'm genuinely interested, and there isn't an argument between us, here: It only makes sense to attract more artists from both the artistic and economic points of view and I, like you, am interested in win-win for all of us.
I'm in it for the fun of skinning. Making stuff. That's what I like to do. If what I or any other skinner does helps promote a product then what the hell...so be it. I see a win win all around.
If you go to a store and lets say buy a lawnmower and tell your neighbor about the great deal you got on it, and they go buy the same lawnmower, do you really think you should profit from telling him about it? Come on now, a business is a business and Stardock and WC are businesses. Who cares if they make a profit from word-of-mouth advertising, all businesses operate this way.
Because of WC:
Winners everywhere!

Because of WC I actually like to look at my computer
I just want to be naked.
I just want Pizza, bein neked is optional.
Amen Brother!!!!!!!!
Jack, I don't care what anyone has told you, I DO NOT have a webcam.
^ Thank G-d.
How many times must he say it...it's a porn cam!
and now I'm in the fetal position with my thumb in my mouth crying like a little schoolgirl...
because of your spelling issues I'm not sure if this is correct or if it's supposed to be "Whiners everywhere!"
just like I like u phoon
I'll get the popcorn.
And another thread that started with interesting potential going bonkers with nonsense...
Lightstar : Your example is not the same. If You make special parts for that lawnmower that makes people buy it, that is something different.
You know I am always critical with stardock but this is something I don't agree. If someone does decent skins (and let's face it, those are the ones that help to sell the software) he has a good chance 1) to be promoted and 2) sell his skins after being promoted to the right level. So even more win-win there.
That's because those people haven't taken the original post seriously. Some people here tend to not question anything and just go along with the way things are done. Rather than risk looking bad they just blow it off.
Let me say this again. This site is Brads site and he can do whatever he wants with. I can't, am not, questioning that. This site is made to sell Stardock software, that's it. Knowing that I don't get too involved in the "community" because all it is me helping Brad make money. I still have to pay for the products that I help him sell. I'm not on the payroll. I don't get a free subscription for all the exposure he's gotten from what I've shown off. I am not alone in this, there's been others who have more downloads, more exposure than me. I happen to know for a fact that some people here get free stuff. Why some and not others? I'll never divulge how I know this so I can't prove it. Even if I could prove it who cares? I'd just hurt people I care about. Who trusted me.
Ya know you can do whatever you want people but if all the people who post here were abducted by aliens overnight in a week or two there would be other people taking your place and that would be fine with Stardock as long as they were still making money. So much for community.
I guess some people just need to be a part of something.
Now I will go farther into this. I only posted part of what I think.
In this country now there is a tendency to put business and banking first. This is due to the system that Ronald Reagan established in the 80's and the Republicans have continued. This is a deception because it was business and the banks who caused the economy to tank. Then Bush and then Obama bail them out using our money! So what do these pirates in business and the banks do? The CEO's give themselves hundreds of millions of dollars in bonus money! They were supposed to start lending money to create jobs! They aren't. They cry that they are afraid to give out loans because of government regulations and taxes yet it is a fact that the richest 1% have captured America's wealth. "Between 2002 and 2006: an astounding three-quarters of all the economy's growth was captured by the top 1%" - Robert Freeman. Look at the first full year of the crisis when workers lost an average of 25% of their 401K. During the same time period, the wealth of the 400 richest Americans increased by $30 billion, bringing their their total combined wealth to 1.57 trillion, which is more than the combined net worth of 50% of the US population. Just to make this point clear, 400 people have more wealth than 155 million people combined. If our income had kept pace with compensation distribution rates established in the early 1970s, we would all be making at least three times as much as we are currently making. How different would your life be if you were making $120,000 a year, instead of $40,000?, but those CEO's wouldn't have as much as they do. Even if they only had a third of what they have that would be more that most of us will ever have. What's a third of 30 billion? 10 billion right? That's not enough for them and they don't care how they get it. What they did was take our money, gamble it away on Wall Street, sucked the life out us and then demand that we bail them out or they would ruin the country totally. In the meanwhile they got richer and they continue to hold us hostage!
I am not saying that Brad is in the same league as these guys nor am i comparing him to these guys. My point is that this is serious stuff and maybe Stardock is fooling you. Stardock isn't as big as the rich bankers or the Koch Brothers but they are still a fair sized company and from what I've seen Brad is pretty conservative.
I'd like to know what Brad Wardell thinks of Climate Change? I'd like to know what Stardock thinks of the state of affairs in this country? Do they support higher taxes for the rich? Do they support the union busting polices of the Republicans? Does Stardock support the privatization of our government services?
I want to know what kind of environment I am in when I upload here. It's time the common man made a stand. It's time to question what we do, who we support.
Why not ask the person who told you?
That's kind of hard to prove. People aren't kidnapped by aliens. If they 'disappear' there are many reasons that could occur. As for Community, I'd venture to say that it is what you make of it.
You're part of it too, I hope. The need for social relationships is fundamental and common to all people.
Those are political questions, and divisive. This is a skinning site. For political opinions and non skinning matters, none of which are foisted on you, JoeUser.com exists. You know that.
Of what interest is it, really, what Brad or Jafo thinks about politics and the state of affairs in the USA? What impact does that have on skinning, and why should that influence your use of Stardock products? That simple eludes me, Chasbo. I'd rather see one of essorant's, Lightstar's, WebGizmo's, vStyler's, 2of3's or Xiandi's skins any day.... and all the rest of the skinners (not being mentioned does not mean I don't like your art).
I, for one think those things don't need to be explored here. I don't care if Brad is "green" or not. I don't want to know how much he makes, nor his opinions about stuff other than skinning and the direction SD is taking with it's software and useful stuff he says about computing in general. I want to know the things which unite us positively.
I am not criticizing you, nor your questions.
I think you're unhappy about something and I wish I could talk to you about that, but I'm not sure you wish to, nor with me.... I am open to that, anytime (except noon - Dentist appointment for a rather severely painful tooth, I'm afraid).
No matter what, I'm your friend and don't look to fight with you. You're entitled to yours, and to debate them. I respect your right to have them.
Yeah, WC and Facebook. Only 'likes', no 'dislikes'. Clear words. Although I tend to know what comes now. Been there before... Just saying.
I kinda think Brad's political leanings are totally irrelevant and unrelated to me, you, OR Wincustomize.
Since day One, here at WC people have been of the opinion that Stardock rakes in MILLIONS from the existence of this website.
It doesn't...and it never has.
It runs "happily" at a loss, sponsored by Stardock's Community spirit.
If it were to exist on the sole proviso that it was genuinely self-sufficient it would have died about a decade ago, as have ALL the OTHER skinning sites...before and since, at least at one time or another.
Curiously there is always negativity related to the commercial model of the site and yet it is the only place on the planet where skinners ARE afforded a potential income [outside of their own financed sites]....
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