Where have all the decent skinners and skins gone?

So why don't you make something instead of talking a load of crap? What we need to 'weed out' is the ungrateful twats who cannot appreciate the hard work some people put into their skins.

Go away, you are doing my head in...   

Bad-skin: defined as, too many bugs and have to keep uploading the skin Good-skin: defined as, not as many bugs and upload twice for update High-quality-skin: defined as, no bugs every part of the skin is skinned w/periodic updates to add more new tweaks if users ask.

So where in this listing of your "specifications" of what a skin is does Happy Fish fall? I'm not keen on fish that smile or mermaids or other things of that ilk, but according to your specs, that skin would be considered high quality - it doesn't have bugs (none reported as of yet to the author), it skins every portion of the interface, and the artist is known to add more tweaks and elements if wanted by a user (and also makes matching items such as Rainys and Gadgets to match the skin.
I think you need to stop putting your personal preference up front and look at the skins for the effort and time that was/is put into it. You may not like cutesy things like the Happy Fish theme, but it took a lot of work, time, and dedication on the author's part to create it. Maybe finding something that shows a puppy being tortured would be more to your liking? Grow up and stop looking at a skin on it's surface and look at the elements that went into it. If you still don't like it, then don't download it. Either that, or get your own domain and moderate what's uploaded there and stop the trivial bitching you're doing here.
DD

the real skinners who dedicate their entire being, and lots of man hours

After dedicating their entire being and lots of man hours...people either hit a wall or need to take a break and live in the real world doing things like work to pay bills. There are tons of skins on this site that should more than satisfy even the most discriminating taste.

And its one thing to trash the recent skinners...but to pick one out and name them is just uncalled for. Like Fuzzy said...how about YOU try making one...then maybe you'll get the idea. No matter what you do there is always going to be someone that dislikes what you do...and then you get to a point after listening to people complain that you just don't want to bother putting in all those man hours. I for one am grateful for all the hard work past skinners have put into providing all of us with the great skins they have...and envious of the present skinners for even trying!

i think they're taking a break from the ignorant masses that try to remold them into godlike deities while trashing everyone else's work.

This is probably because even after dedicating their entire being, and lots of man hours into their creations, they still are aware of what is actually involved in making a skin and they just like everybody else had to start somewhere.  Even taking SkinStudio and "putting some bars together" takes effort and in my humble Troll opion puts it at least 18 rungs above a screenshot.

I for one find skins like 'Happy Fish' cute.  i like skins that are different and that one isn't another 'Vista' by any means.  More importantly, my little girl really likes it and "Bugs".

3+ years cruising this site and I have yet to see a screen created with your ideals in mind.  People skin in their own style at the level they are at in skinning.  Good skin, cutesy skin - doesn't matter to me.  I'm just happy they're skinning and sharing.  At least they're not sitting around  doing nothing but  dressing up  their desktop with other people's work, hitting the print key and then turning around bad mouthing everybody who's skins they don't like.

...but to pick one out and name them is just uncalled for

I agree with WebGizmos here. Whilst you are free rant and rave about the current state of skinning on WC as you see it (however outlandish your opinions seem to me), personal attacks are simply not proper form.

Amazing how these types of topics seem to resurface every 2-4 weeks.  I have about 30 windowblinds on my puter and I can't get to them all in 1 year as I'll load one and stick with it for a while.  I know people have a whole lot more on their puters than I do.  So my question is, how many can ya use or need.  If you don't like most of whats being offered, don't download it.  Just download what few you do like and be happy you found one to your liking.  Thats what I do.  I have my favorite skinners but that doesn't mean I like all they offer but I'am not going to trash them.  I'll wait till they do one I like and tell them how much I like it and download it......OH well. enough said......  

i'm sorry but i cannot take the high road on this...Ramesese who do you think you are? to critique someone else's work is one thing, but to flat out criticize it is another! I think we need to lynch this punk and hang him out to dry! i also think you should pack your bags and be gone!!!

Oh oh....

I have to agree with everyone here but you, ramesese. You are as rude as they come. You are the one that needs to be "weeded" out around here. But, before you go, show us some of your "exceptional" work. Oh! thats right, you don't have any.

Long live ALL skinners.
And I love those little fishes!

Maybe they have walked away because of comments like you've made here. Everyone has a different opinion of what is a "good or bad" skin, and threads like this one only serve to discourage the newer skinners from trying. If you want better skins, give it a try yourself, or at least give some "constructive criticism" to the artist that created something that doesn't quite meet your expectations.

That's really a good point WOM, I do the same exact thing you do. I'm 32 years old I run a spfx business and in my free time which is not much I like to the scan w.c. site. I apologize if I came across as trashing but I was'nt trying to I have skins like the one I mentioned on my children's computers. I only have but a few what I deem good skins on my computer which gets airplay. People in my business trash all the time 'that is not a good sculpt, 'that is not a good mask, and so on and so forth. But I do like constructive criticism, if my sculpt is not too good by all means tell me, not put me down or anything like that.
So, that is what I was just doing letting some know about some constructive criticism, and to maybe just tone down the extravagant bright commercial colors and bugs if deemed be, but like you and everyone said that is just my personal preference.
I put my heart and soul into my work, not sure of anyone else, well I get paid for it, but nevertheless. It seems that with every skin is put out everyone likes it. I know there has to be some that don't and just browse right past it or download it and preview it and say 'naa and delete because they found something they did'nt like about that. So what does that say to the skinner who made it, then they keep making skins just like it, just because everyone automatically says it's good. By making good constructive criticism should strengthen the skinner to thrive and do better than the last. Not trashing just being honest...Happy skinning

It seems that with every skin is put out everyone likes it.

That's a pretty broad statement considering they've posted there's over 2.5 million users here.
What you are seeing are posts from people that do like it or those that respect what's been done.

Not trashing just being honest...

is that what you call this:

I've seen some ridiculous skins even some by those whose been skinning for awhile. Like i.e. 'Happy Fish

apparently you don't know the difference between trashing and 'being honest'... or more likely, you did both.

Most of the "newbies" out there have no clue as to what a good skin is or who a good skinner is. A few of the best skinners ever no longer skin or if they do, do not upload to WC. Why? Because they have gotten violently ill having to read threads like this one and those are precious minutes of their life they'll never get back.

Shame on you.

Where have all the "decent" threads & thread writers gone? Decent defined as:

- someone who understands that
--- a "good" or "bad" skin is a matter of personal preference & no one is the final authority
--- that there is more than one kind of good skin.
--- that what I like or need may not work for you. If a skin doesn't work for me, it doesn't make it "bad"

- someone who does not cite the specific works of others to define "bad". A bad skin is just a personal opinion

- someone who allows for variety and experimentation in the world

ramesese...as much as your comments made my blood boil, I am not going to be rude or offensive. Instead I am going to explain that not every skin is to my tastes, makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over, but my personal tastes do not give me license to ridicule that which does not meet with my personal preferences. This, ramesese, applies to you and everyone else who comes here, whether they can skin or not.

I do not skin myself, but my failed attempts give me an insight as to just how much time, effort and dedication goes into creating a skin, and for that very reason I appreciate all the skins uploaded here, because they most certainly are works of art and their creators deserve our respect, constructive comments/critique, not bad mouthing.

Furthermore, pray tell, where else on the net are you going to find such a wide selection of quality skins, if not here? I've sussed out just about every skin site there is, and whilst others have good selections and quality works, I always find my way back to WC because there is no better place to find both quality and quantity, great personalities and support of all kinds....

So if you are dissatisfied and feel the libraries are lacking quality works, can't show some respect & common courtesy, then I suggest you look elsewhere to see if the grass is any greener....and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Good point aimzz, but I think everyone is misconstrueing my words, I pointed out one skin that I personally did'nt like to make an example of what I was explaining, however that was my opinion. My kids liked it so I downloaded the skin and put it on my children's computer, also my wife's system too, it just did'nt meet my expectations. Even what I consider good some may consider it too be bad, like you and everyone else said it is a matter of opinion and I stated that from the beginning. I'm not making any personal attacks as some of you in this thread are doing to me. And, if it is a matter of my opinion why am I getting all these personal attacks. Or, it may just be an ounce of truth in what I aforementioned and some just can't handle the truth.
I personally like dark-skins, it fits my flavor and tone in my office especially when I meet customers, so I won't have a bunch of fishes floating around on a screensaver, or a skin, not saying those items don't look good it does but just does'nt match my taste to what I think a skin should be. And, I simply just stated my opinion on the matter, no personal attacks.
When I speak and use the term good or bad, I don't sugar-coat anything. And my main point, is too strengthen the skinner abilities because I'm a skinner a real-life skinner which are all forms of art, in which I like. Geez, can't some people just agree and disagree once in awhile, instead of all agreeing.
I apologize if I offended anyone but I was'nt just stating my matter-of-facts.

Whatever made you think anyone was interested in your opinion?

I agree with you wholeheartedly Starkers. You will not find some of the best skins anywhere else, and I do respect the skinners. I search a bunch of sites none of them fits my taste than on here, this site is easy navigation, and a good unique design quality to the site. Especially on a Sunday about the only day when I have time, I make my coffee get my cigars and sit down in search of my perfect skin. I can't skin to save my life, I do appreciate the skinners hard time and dedication I mentioned that earlier. I was simply putting out a wake-up call. Because, on other sites and I will not name names of the sites or those who posted comments but some of the major players dissed w.c. and I'm not, and some of them come here and browse on how to make their site like w.c. then diss w.c., and I really don't like when they do that. It's some tough competition for the skinners out here, I'm saying to the ones here just step the game up a notch and especially in my business too, I had to do the same thing - step the game up.

I'd rather see something like "happy fish" than the ubiquitous dark, industrial-looking skins.

Hope nobody objects to my comments. I freely admit I lack the talent to create skins, but I certainly enjoy taking advantage of the abilities of others.

Please weed out those ridiculous skins

what's to "miscontrue"? Let's see what you can come up with. A challenge to you, ramesese. Show us a good skin, from which your "entire being" and countless man-hours are put into. Give us, or just me, a good skin.

I happen to appreciate the work and art put into "Happy Fish". It's not one I would use, but I can APPRECIATE it for what it is: good art, skinned well.

I think you were entirely out of line. Take it back, apologize to the skinner you insulted.

How can anyone learn to skin, those that would be the skinners you call upon to take the place of the deified artists such as those you've named, if they are "weeded" out?

You are supposed to post constructive criticism, not outright thrashings.

in search of my perfect skin

"Your" perfect skin???? How's about gettin a graphics editor and creating "your" perfect skin.

".."Your" perfect skin???? How's about gettin a graphics editor and creating "your" perfect skin.."

i have already make my perfect skin,the thing is that it's just perfect for ME'....´


now., i dont remember from where i read this but, some of the "good" designers are leaving wc.., maybe to pay more attention at work or maybe something else(personal things i think..., not of our business).., but even tho we still have great skinners in here, and i could name them in alphabetical order but the list is so loooong!

if my comment offend someone, please dont take it personal!

Didn't know we had cheerleaders.   

You know Ramesese- you may think the way you wrote this was constructive critisism - but in reality it came across as rude and pompous. First of all - this site isnt made up of just " men " Lots of women here and we like little fishies and pretty colours on our wb's. So just because you dont like them doesnt mean they are substandard- you made the statement that you take pride in your work and you get paid for it. When you start paying a skinner fot their 4 weeks of work tossing little " bars " together in skin studio - then you can complain if its not to you High Standards.

Until then - this post is over and out. I won't feed your ego.

I'm not sure what is so bad about 'Happy Fish.' While it's not my taste, who cares what my taste is? Who cares what your taste is? Happy Fish is an interesting and clever idea for a skin, so what's wrong with that? If you don't like it, don't download it.

If you think you know what makes a good skin, then by all means, go make one.