Many people here [on Wincustomize.com] cut their teeth on alternate Windows shells [including myself].  HG_Eliminator was involved with Litestep from the beginning, for example.

Just as there are more skinning sites 'out-there' so are there all sorts of alternative skinnables, essentially any from whom we enjoy and invite news/threads informing us of what's happening.

There is no 'subtle' difference between 'spam' and 'advertising' of skinnables.....the difference is clear.  However there certainly IS NO difference to be had with advertising of Nike shoes....and spam.  THAT is spam and hence summarily removed....;)

Jafo is correct, I worked with Francis on LS and stayed on as "beta tester" with the first development team. Interestingly enough my first skin ever, was a little task manager meter background, http://www.ls-themes.org/modules/lstaskman .

Upon leaving the LS dev team ( after 0.24.0 was released) I wandered around for a few years frequenting Custo.org, Razorart,etc. WC became my second home when after watching the forums a while, I made a few replies and was welcomed in like family. No griping about my helping develop "competing" software as I had gotten on other sites. ( Is the reason I stopped using PhenomTT nick for a long time.) WC welcomed me with open arm's. I would hate to think the time for welcoming brother and sister skinners to WC is at an end.

Even if Gladiator only uses WC to pass off his app. He is still a member of the skinning community and thus deserves the respect afforded to any skinner or developer frequenting these page's.

Aston and other skinning apps have been around a lot longer than you folks

Although WC/Stardock might be world leaders, any app which skins is a welcome addition. The more we have, the more variety and popularity there will be in skinning.

Richness through diversity

Amen to that, Brother Fuzzy!

Skinning as a whole has been on a downwards spiral for years now, so we/anyone must support who ever sticks around and preaches the word of skinning!