The Skin Review

from WinCustomize Forums
I have an idea I want to run by you guys. I want to start a group that will rate and review skins. Now, not just your random rating and comment, a very thorough review, with detailed explanations as to why, what, where and when. Also, it MUST require atleast 3 very knowledgeable people. Each person being an expert in his/her field, thus being able to give a better explanation. Here's an example...

We would rate a skin on categories...

Originality
Graphics
Assembly

First person would rate the overall skin design and it's originality. The 2nd person would be a graphics expert, and thus be able to rate the graphics quality properly. The 3rd person would rate on how the skin was put together, if any bugs, etc, so that person must be efficient in building skins. Average the 3 ratings and you get the final rating. We could do it weekly, like the Weekly Review and highlight one skin, and give it the rundown.

If you guys want to try and do something like this, post your thoughts. I figured we would first start out with Windowblind skins and branch out from there. So for a well-rounded review, we would need a Skin-Studio expert, and a graphics expert. I would be the "Originality" expert...

This is just the base idea, if it does get off the ground, we would probably make a JoeUser account and post links in the comments section of the skins we rate. Maybe once the new WC is here, we could have it right here on WC.
20,105 views 44 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good idea. Although, I think a fourth, Overall Feel judge would need to be in there. That would really be something neat to have. I, personally, would find a detailed review on a skin I made very helpful.

Question: Would the author be contacted for permission to review the skin in question?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why would we need permission to rate and review a skin? We can all do that now without it...
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well yeah, but if were gonna totally go gung-ho on it, the author might not be too happy if we really got nit-picky on it. No big deal...I know I wouldnt care.

Constructive critisism taken to the max!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it is a very interesting idea. I tend to not rate on most things because I will not do it without a comment and if I do not like something I tend not to comment. I know, it's not the best way to do things because it does not help authors improve but I just am that way.
I would not be acceptable for WB "IMO" because I have only done a few. I would though be more then qualified for rating CursorXP under any of the categories.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not stellar at any of the three that you mentioned Hus, but I would be good at giving an overall opinion of the feel of the skin, and summarizing the results of the the judges.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As skinning becomes more popular and commercial it's only obvious that it will be put under review. Video game authors and movie producers don't have say in who reviews what, so yeah. I like the idea. I for one would like to volunteer to fill the roll of the originality reviewer.

This would be especially useful if WC2k5 supports premium suites, it'd help give users a better idea what they are spending their money on when they buy.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just my two cents....I think this is an idea with merit, but I leave you with this....offer to do an in-depth review and to send it via email in the skin's comments. It'll save you time, knowing which folks don't want to bother or don't really care what others think and focus your attention on skinners that do want constructive feedback to help improve their skills.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
premium suites
are another thing...in depth reviews of those should be made public....allows the masses to understand the quality they're getting
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Organix = Originality (didnt you do Demenaecons too? )

Good point on the premium suites...that would definately be a plus for those.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Essencay, while skinners may or may not want constructive criticism, the downloaders would sure like to know also. It's great if the skinners do appreciate the review, but it's not a necessity. Constructive criticism is a rare thing now-a-days, so if they don't like the review...they should make a better skin next time.

I'll be keeping notes of who wants to try it out. I'll let the thread live for a while before picks are made...it will give me some time to work on the fine details.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is a really good idea.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Approval from the top! Nice...
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hippy and myself spoke about this when we saw MacThemes does the same thing with fully skinned kits.

Have a look see how they do it
http://www.macthemes.net/reviews/themes.php

They do more or less as Hus said on his first post.
Something I was hoping the next WC would do hopefully... so who knows what will happen.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Great idea Hus........ if I may make a suggestion, You might consider having more than one 'expert' in each category. Not only would this help keep the reviews as unbiased as possible, but also you won't find yourself up a creek if someone is unavailable for a time. You know "Real Life", computer probs, etc.... 



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Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Real Life


*gasp* Speak of this no more, it is blasphemy.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Koasati, that's a very good point you made. I was just thinking about that myself, so expect to see lots of different expert reviewers. Now all we need is more volunteers.

I'm gone for the night, so if anyone want's to volunteer, just post here or you can email me. The address is in my profile.
[Message Edited]
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I tend to look at the comments to see if there is something wrong, not working or somethings left out or not skinned. Thats only if I'am thinking about downloading it. Other than that I really don't care what the comments say. If I like it and it works I'll download it. If After I DL it and it's what I want, I'll keep it and rate it. If Its not what I expected I'll still rate it. I don't rate many windowblinds as I don't download many.



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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It is good to see something like this to come together...but how would this effect the new proposed "Rank Via Weight System" that was talked about some time ago?



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Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think a new user would have to be created, and promoted to something like Journeyman status. Then as a group, a rating would be decided upon, and the leader of the committie(sp) would go make the "official rating" for the skin. A link would also be posted to the in-depth analysis of the skin.

Oooh, I've got a name for the group: The Masters Guild
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's "committee", Honey and what you propose already exist it's called the Government
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Interesting...
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Simplest solution to the 'rank by weight' prospect.....when the rating is arrived-at, and if there's no-one at the appropriate level within those supplying the rating/review to give it the 'weight' it may deserve....run it by an Admin for them to place it...
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Essencay, while skinners may or may not want constructive criticism, the downloaders would sure like to know also


If the point of this exercise is to help new skinners improve their work and become better skinners, then the idea has a lot of merit and the in-depth reviews need not be in the public's eye since it is the skinner not the masses of downloaders that desire to improve their skills and need the constructive feedback. Again I think it should be on the basis of someone actually wanting to improve. We offer a similar thing over at SAWorkshop, but not nearly as organised as what you seem to be offering, but it's all voluntary, you either post your skin for either public or private review or you don't

If the point of this exercise is to just rate skins constructively for the 99.999 percent of people who can't be bothered to even subscribe to WinCustomize, then I really don't understand why this is being pursued.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Because theres still about 1400 active subscribers who want the good stuff, and thats a good amount of people.