Frogboy Frogboy

The end of WinCustomize

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The end of WinCustomize

...as we know it...

from WinCustomize Forums

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

492,122 views 332 replies
Reply #126 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Oh i just dont know what to think at this point

Reply #127 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Island Dog, this is part of my email to sales...

I entered those two choices into my shopping cart.
Next page, I entered my personal information.
Next page, I entered my credit card information.
Next page, it said 'Sorry, you can not complete your order until you have added something to your shopping cart.'

Then I go 'shopping' again, I have to go to different webpages to find the two subscription links.
Then when I try to checkout, the page wants me to type in my personal info and credit card info all over again.

It just seems like the transaction is still open, but at the same time, I don't want to go any further because I don't want to purchase twice.

 

Dr. JBHL - I'll look into lIfe Lock - thanks for the suggestion.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #128 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting karmat, reply 2
Island Dog, this is part of my email to sales...

I entered those two choices into my shopping cart.
Next page, I entered my personal information.
Next page, I entered my credit card information.
Next page, it said 'Sorry, you can not complete your order until you have added something to your shopping cart.'

Then I go 'shopping' again, I have to go to different webpages to find the two subscription links.
Then when I try to checkout, the page wants me to type in my personal info and credit card info all over again.

It just seems like the transaction is still open, but at the same time, I don't want to go any further because I don't want to purchase twice.

 

Dr. JBHL - I'll look into lIfe Lock - thanks for the suggestion.
End of karmat's quote

You're perfectly welcome.

I don't think your info is "out there". I think sd payment site is secure and since you didn't complete the transaction, it was "aged"/purged from the docket. If I'm wrong nothing happened anyway since you didn't complete the transaction. If there's a "shopping cart (or basket) option, check to see if it's empty. That'll be your first transaction which hasn't been aged out and is in "buffer". empty the basket and cancel the purchase. Your personal info will disappear.

I could be wrong but I don't think so....give it a try.

Reply #129 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 19
I really don't understand why people keep bringing up "this is the end of the community".  That hasn't been said at all.  The forums aren't going anywhere, we basically talking about a new direction for the site.
End of Island's quote


Is there any chance somebody could give us a mock up of what the sight will look like in the new direction?

Reply #130 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Shopping cart seem to be empty now. But I think I'll wait till SD confirms that they haven't received my order before ordering again. Thanks for your advice.

Reply #131 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Is there any chance somebody could give us a mock up of what the sight will look like in the new direction?
End of quote

There's no type of mockups right nwo.

 

Karmat: It looks like the shopping cart timed out on  you.

 

Reply #132 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting karmat, reply 5
Shopping cart seem to be empty now. But I think I'll wait till SD confirms that they haven't received my order before ordering again. Thanks for your advice.
End of karmat's quote

Good idea. I really am glad I could help. I.D. seems to agree...so I wouldn't worry. SD sales responds quickly so if there's no email from them tomorrow, you could go ahead and get what you want. You can also email them at:

[email protected]

Reply #133 from WinCustomize Forums Top

just in case, i better horde any cool skins i can save from xion.  :cylon:

Reply #134 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Might be a good thing, change, wait.. I'm a Taurus, we don't adjust to change that well heheX| :blush:

Reply #135 from WinCustomize Forums Top

the initial post you made to me anyway, does not endear Stardock to users
End of quote

Frogboy realizes there is a difference between users, and subscribers. Subscribers support WC and Stardock. A lot of users are users of third party software like winamp, sysmetrix, etc. that have no connection to Stardock other than the fact that we skin them. Stardock gets no support for hosting those skins. So the new WC Browser, by default, would only show skins for Stardock products, but we can choose, in options, to show those others that interest us individually. And naturally, like Impulse, would push Stardock products. Nothing wrong with self promotion. As for Frogboys demeanor, he is always very business oriented, as is expected. Try running a multi million dollar corporation.

Reply #136 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I could always market my incredibly lame seahorse.. no, that wouldn't work:grin:

Reply #137 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Try running a multi million dollar corporation.
End of quote
OK, how's next week work for you,  I could us the money.  Of course I'd only be a temp.

Reply #138 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting angus1949, reply 12
Try running a multi million dollar corporation.OK, how's next week work for you,  I could us the money.  Of course I'd only be a temp.
End of angus1949's quote

I think you're running a temp.  ;P ;)

Reply #139 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I feel like quoting Forrest Gump for some reasonXD

Reply #140 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 11
I'll post what I feel, and I feel depressed... so sue me
End of Tailsgirl's quote


Maybe you should save your depression to see what happens, and WHEN it happens, then be depressed.  From the way I'm reading this (and moderators, correct me if I'm wrong), the forum will still be here; the galleries for the skins that are installable with Stardock products will still be here. I'm hoping there will still be tutorials and people who can help me create my own skins.

From my reading of this thread, what WON'T be here, are things like galleries for wallpapers, Winamp, Xion, and programs that ARE NOT Stardock-based--things that are sucking up room on the server but drawing in no business for Stardock.

Reply #141 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Try running a multi million dollar corporation.
End of quote

Hell, I'm willing to start in the basement. I'm cheap, enthusiastic, fun to harass, and would be happy just to be a part of it all.

 

Reply #143 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Maybe you should save your depression to see what happens, and WHEN it happens, then be depressed. From the way I'm reading this (and moderators, correct me if I'm wrong), the forum will still be here; the galleries for the skins that are installable with Stardock products will still be here. I'm hoping there will still be tutorials and people who can help me create my own skins.

From my reading of this thread, what WON'T be here, are things like galleries for wallpapers, Winamp, Xion, and programs that ARE NOT Stardock-based--things that are sucking up room on the server but drawing in no business for Stardock.
End of quote

I'm no mod but there is only one thing wrong in that statement. Winamp,Xion, and programs that are not Stardock based WILL still be there, only not by default. You will have to turn them on in your preferences. Mods, correct me if I'm wrong.

Reply #144 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think you're running a temp.
End of quote
Yeh, with my business skills I'd take the first weeks funds and buy into a bank, run it into the ground, get bailout money, retire a billionaire, but that's just me.*_*

Reply #146 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 14
Quoting DrJBHL, reply 13

Try running a multi million dollar corporation.


Doc, I could always market my incredibly dodgy Seahorse.. I might make a lot of $$.. about 50 cents a year!!

.... 50 cents.. that's pushing my luck
End of Tailsgirl's quote

"If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all." - "Born Under A Bad Star" - E. Clapton (Cream)

Reply #147 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting PoSmedley, reply 16
Try running a multi million dollar corporation.

Hell, I'm willing to start in the basement. I'm cheap, enthusiastic, fun to harass, and would be happy just to be a part of it all.

 
End of PoSmedley's quote

They'd have to be crazy NOT to hire you, IMO. You are one incredibly talented individual.....whoops....wrong thread. X| XD :P

Reply #149 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting angus1949, reply 19
I think you're running a temp. Yeh, with my business skills I'd take the first weeks funds and buy into a bank, run it into the ground, get bailout money, retire a billionaire, but that's just me.
End of angus1949's quote

yah....and your new name? Ed Made-Off (a new hyphenated name and with billions).

Reply #150 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Tailsgirl, reply 23
Quoting DrJBHL, reply 21

"If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all." - "Born Under A Bad Star" - E. Clapton (Cream)


 Yeah.. that's me.

 

Half the time, I feel like I may as well be talking to styrofoam
End of Tailsgirl's quote

It was my fave song of all time...heavy guitar Blues. And I was referring to myself.