FAQ: Why can't I download any more stuff?

from WinCustomize Forums

Problem: After having downloaded 50 megabytes or more of skins, themes, icons, or wallpapers I am unable to download any more without having to purchase a subscription. What gives?

Discussion:

As of May 2004, WinCustomize.com uses approximately 27,000 GIGABYTES (not bits) of bandwidth each month. The cost of this bandwidth, as you can imagine, is quite significant.  In addition, while the site runs on a day to day basis thanks to a small but dedicated group of volunteer moderators and administrators, it still requires consider IT resources which are not free along with occasional hardware upgrades (a typical server might cost $10,000).

At the end of the day, someone has to pay for this.  You are not paying for skins and themes, you are simply helping pay for the bandwidth costs that you have used. The ISP that provides WinCustomize the bandwidth that has to be paid for each month doesn't care what is being downloaded. They don't care whether it's skins, themes, music, documentation, videos, whatever. Bandwidth is bandwidth and it has to be paid for. Thousands and thousands of dollars each month.

Once a user has downloaded 50 megabytes of skins and themes (and in actuality used considerably more than that in the form of previews and library browsing) they are asked to contribute *something* to the site.

One can contribute to WinCustomize in one of 4 ways:

(1) They can being creating skins and themes and icon packages and submitting them. That is, contribute to the library that they themselves have used.  Users with Apprentice access or higher are immune to the bandwidth caps.

(2) They can help their fellow users on the message forums. Answer questions, give them a hand or tips. This is another path to gaining higher access.

(3) They can purchase one of Stardock's programs (CursorXP, WindowBlinds, DesktopX, Object Desktop, IconPackager, etc.).  Since Stardock is the one who ultimately pays the bandwidth bill, they have agreed to pay for the bandwidth used by Stardock customers.

(4) They can purchase a WinCustomize account which is $19.95 and not only gives them unlimited bandwidth useages but access to premium suites, access to the WinCustomize skin browser (an extremely cool program), the WinCustomize system tray add-on, and more.

We hope that you will join our community and help it continue to grow and thrive. It is only because of those who contribute back to the site that it is able to exist today.

48,895 views 155 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well said, I agree.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This should be made into a sticky.
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It probably will after enough people see and read it. Seems like once its a sticky very few will see or read it.



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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very Well said and I think that maybe if people could pay monthly ot havel ike 200mb download cap or osmething that might work. I also want to say that I dont think 20 bucks is a lot. I paid for it right when I got the site for the first time I think that more people should do that. Support the skinning community. I know how much bandwith is and it is expensive maybe if people had a bandwith cost meter they could get a better idea of how much it costs.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One word: STICKY
(as kona already have suggested)
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
200mb download cap


50MB is more than enough for someone to make a decision about supporting this site or not. Most downloads, except iconpackages, are less than 1MB. With 50MB of material you can customize your desktop ten ways from Sunday
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree, well said.
I also agree with WOM, once something becomes a Sticky it is not always read as much.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah...we can keep it 'fluid' till it dribbles away...then make it sticky....
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well said, Frogboy. Just doing my part to keep it fluid and delay it becoming sticky.

/me suddenly feels as though he needs a shower.



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Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
/me has sticky fingers - does that count?

Hope this thread encourages more people to dip hands in pockets. I'm sure some still believe the internet is free WC is great value for money
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe....Madam Fuzzy Logic....

/me had to think of something to say to bump it up
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
" I'm sure some still believe the internet is free" It's not????

Bet I still won't get that white box around the quote
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ironically, the Internet was NEVER free.  It was just that in the "old" days it was US tax payer subsdized via colleges, universities, and the military.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool...never saw this here. Sounds really good!
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So, have I contributed enough to be permitted to download once again? How about after mentioning all the emails I reply to regarding getting my icons to work or the fact that the majority of them have been made at the request of wincustomize users. Anyway, don't take that the wrong way. I just figured I'd throw that in because you'd have no way of otherwise knowing and it might help if there was the possibility of the powers that be allowing me to download more. Truth is, I do it for my own enjoyment and will continue to do so it would be nice to be able to download though.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know what you're saying -daVo-. I had that problem for awhile too, until I bought the ObjectDesktop package. Its worth the money!
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Q: I don’t have a credit card. How can I purchase Stardock software?

A: We also accept checks or money orders in US funds (no Eurocheques, please, as they are not certified funds). Please print and use the order form at https://www.stardock.com/order.txt (also found in the directories of Stardock’s shareware products) and mail with payment to:

Stardock Systems, Inc.
17292 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
USA


Same applies to subscriptions here
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The big question I have is "How does one get the Apprentice Status?" Is there a set number of how many skins you must submit before you are considered an apprectice? Do you have to play brown-noser to an admin? I have 30+ skins hosted here and submit one every week/2 weeks. Does that qualify me as an apprectice?
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Road_Kill....'brown-nosing an admin' certainly won't do it....particularly as it's not quite the correct 'attitude'.

Generally it comes through positive attitude/contribution to skinning in general and Wincustomize.com in particular.

'30+ skins hosted here' appears  to be more like 20 or so logons which in themselves are not the most involved of skinning processes, often being little more than replacing one single bitmap with another found on a wallpaper site somewhere.

Ultimately people are 'noticed' through their contributions to the community by admins [and others] and 'advancement' is the result....

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Curious how would you enforce this 50mb limit on those who choose never to open a account,always use proxy servers or just do not have static ip's?

Scat - nearing 40mb downloads