Ya know considering that

"WC is not a democracy. It is actually part of a business,..."

Then I would think you would encourage high ratings "to promote a skin..."

If you think about it, you loose money when the skins are rated lower than a 6, because "Newbie who has just discovered our environment." That hasn't made a purchase or subscribed to WC is un-able to see any skins rated under that 6 (I think ita 6, correct me if I'm wrong) and therefore may not buy your software.

ChasUGC, sorry about using you as an example here....and this is only an example..

ChasUGC's "Thor Weather for DesktopX Objects" could be a deciding factor on weather or not someone makes a purchase.......Newbie's aren't able to see it because of the rating....but the rating is your opinion...well its 3 people's opinion (it has 3 ratings), but for someone else it may be a 10...it may be just the sort of thing they are looking for....but since they can't see it...they are unaware that it's available which may in turn keep them from buying the software...

Honestly, there are a few skins that were the "Deal Breaker" for me. Had I not seen the "Candy Vivian" wallpaper and icons...I wouldn't have bought OD when I did...maybe later, but I don't know...

Follow this link, please to the Candy Vivian I.P. comments....the 4th comment from the top, by Citizen Wombat6...is mine...I wrote it...right after I (my husband) bought ODNT, I didn't know I could link my TNBrat account to my husband's Stardock account, and because he bought it in his name with his email, as a surprise I might add...I thought I had to use his account so that I wouldn't be limited on my downloads....(and I can prove it's be if need be)
https://www.wincustomize.com/window.asp?Cmd=COMMENTS&Lib=2&SkinID=1058

Anyway it's benificial to WC AND Stardock IF a skin is rated high...for the purpose of promoting it!

I resent the fact that you accused me of rating to promote. I have said on several occasions that I try to be as fair as possible when rating a skim...I have a set of guidelines I go by
Read some of my comments...even if I don't like a skin, I still leave a positive (overall) comment, I point out things that I like and dislike...and then I try to rate it according to more than personal preferences...I'm not perfect no one is but I honestly take the ratings here seriously...and I consider it an honor to be able to rate....So, when you question my ethics, I tend to get offended...I stand behind my high rating of this skin, just as I do with Niko's!

...I'm not running around slamming anyone and I'm not running around promoting any ONE person.

And no one is talking here just to hear themselves talk.

Lastly...yes if an author decides to remove their work from the public...the Suite link wull die...BUT let's say ChasUGC (sorry about using you again) gave me permission to upload a Suite that actually contained he work...not linked...then he decided to pull all his skins, then he would only have to contact me and tell me to pull the Suite...and if he couldn't reach me or I refused to pull it...then he could contact you and ask that you pull it, in either case he still retains control of his work.

then he decided to pull all his skins, then he would only have to contact me and tell me to pull the Suite...and if he couldn't reach me or I refused to pull it...then he could contact you and ask that you pull it, in either case he still retains control of his work.

If the file is *outside* the suite (as a separate link), then there's no need to go through that rather long-routed method you suggest TN Brat...

(Just from a readers point of view ...no angst intended )

Suite that actually contained he work...not linked...then he decided to pull all his skins, then he would only have to contact me and tell me to pull the Suite...and if he couldn't reach me or I refused to pull it...then he could contact you and ask that you pull it, in either case he still retains control of his work.

Look....it's simply not an option.

As it is we 'apparently' get it wrong with suite upload approvals without complicating the process of having to wait for some potential complaint/demand from a disgruntled skinner who wants his work/s removed from a person's upload.

As for relative rating levels for works to be publicly visible to prospective visitors, that's an issue for the people charged with maintaining Wincustomize.com's financial viability.

The intent is that respectful, responsible people will rate legitimately and fairly and in so doing provide a valid 'filter' to works on public view....which is why issue is taken when there is a perception of bias or anomaly.

I can't believe what I am reading all of this over a Few Ratings, Which every one says the ratings don't count it's the Authors ART work that counts. This just reinforces my feeling that this is all about numbers for a select few. If you MUST have ratings why don't you have the moderators rate the skins, Or set up a panel just for that purpose . I Don't understand why you have the ratings any way. What do the ratings mean. Is the art work great, was there a lot of effort put into the work, dose the theme work right, Do the ratings tell the author where he or she might improve. Or does it just mean that some one likes or dislikes a theme. maybe you should divide wimcustomize into two parts. One for the average person who would like to make skins and have his or her peers tell them what they think about their skins and help them improve their work. a second section for those that JUST have to have all the high ratings and downloads. Or just drop the ratings as they seem to have been a problem for a while now.

"#4 by Madam TN Brat! - 11/2/2004 11:45:17 AM
I believe that opinions are important.
We are the customers after all.
"

Downloading a free skin doesn't make you a customer.

Someone just close this already...geez

Hippy: Buying the program does.

I'm with Chas and TN on this one....

You are correct, but I bought Object Desktop, Cursor XP Plus and Object Dock Plus, so that does make me a customer. #47 explains that.

Ya know, I get the whole thing about the Suite! OK, I get it...#35 I believe says that..

Here's what I don't get...when I upload something here, I agree to give up a certain amount of control of the skin upload. (and to make it clear, this is NOT an issue I'm NOT complaining about Stardock redistributing anything)

"In submitting these files for upload, I agree that they may be included by Stardock in future compilations or libraries.
(for example, as extra samples included with an Object Desktop CD)."

So, basically authors give YOU (WC) permission to redistribute their work.
When Pinchecl gives me permission to upload his skins in a Suite, HE gives ME permission to redistribute his work.
Why then is it ok for you (WC) to tell him he can't give me permission to do that?
If he wants me to upload the Suite, then that's between him and I. As long as there's a permission, why do you care?
When you reject the Suite, you take away a his option to be able to redistribute his works as he wants to.


Thank you Murex, for redirecting this back to the question at hand....That's all the thread was supposed to be about. Ratings. I asked why I wasn't permitted to rate skins I port...
The final verdict on that....
If the skin is a port, then it's ok to rate....if it's a coloborative effort then it's not.

So, considering that some ratings were taken away from a skin I rated and ported, and since it was established that Pinchecl does all the art...he does his own skins...the is kind enough to allow me to port his work, will his ratings be put back?

May I ask, though how anyone can tell me my ratings are wrong? If I give a 10, 5, or a 1...How can that be wrong? Especially, according to the new "Star" rating system. The choices are...
"I hate it"
"I don't like it"
"It's ok"
"I like it"
"I love it"
It is MY opinion, not yours....if "I love it", that should be ok. If you "Hate it", that should be ok too. The ratings suggest personal opinion...there are no options to rate according to functionablilty, or anything like that...I've read comments of skins where a person says that he/she doesn't like the skin, well that's ok...Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. IF this is the rating system here, then that's the way it is...you choose a Star according to how you feel about a skin, fine....I accept that, no problem, but don't come in and tell me my opinion is wrong, because I'm not telling you that your opinion is wrong.

And finally DWatson, I know I could count on you for some solid advice...the question was solved. DWatson is correct...
"Someone just close this already...geez"

I am of two minds... lock the thread since you asked, or leave it open to let peole address the last questions you posed.

May I ask, though how anyone can tell me my ratings are wrong? If I give a 10, 5, or a 1...How can that be wrong?

I think the problem here was not the specific ratings you gave, but rather the collaberation or not.  That issue has been addressed and over addressed.

Generally speaking, the rating system is there to let you follow your heart, mind, desires...  Most people treat the system with respect, some do not.  But in the end it all balances out,  hopefully.  This is a new system we are all getting used to.  Given time, perhaps some tweaking here and there, things may seem more balanced.

 

now for the lock:)

"In submitting these files for upload, I agree that they may be included by Stardock in future compilations or libraries. (for example, as extra samples included with an Object Desktop CD)." So, basically authors give YOU (WC) permission to redistribute their work. When Pinchecl gives me permission to upload his skins in a Suite, HE gives ME permission to redistribute his work. Why then is it ok for you (WC) to tell him he can't give me permission to do that? If he wants me to upload the Suite, then that's between him and I. As long as there's a permission, why do you care?

Sigh.

If and/or when Pinchecl wishes to remove a skin from WC he can do so personally and directly.  When he does it is no longer available for CD inclusion either.

If/when you upload his skins he CANNOT access them to remove them.  Instead, he must 'trust' that you will comply with his wishes and remove them for him, or, he is forced to approach the WC site admins to intervene on his behalf.

If you question his 'right' to their removal it puts WC [and everyone else] in an untenable position of trying to determine who retains copyright...ie...are the skins really his?

It is not an option to have an intermediary distribute another's works without contractual verification.

In the case of PORTING that is REQUIRED to be specific permission in writing that can be verified.  It must be included with any/all permutations of the Port's distribution....and that means within the archive so it 'stays' with the skin distribution at any subsequent level, and statement of its inclusion is required in the skin port description.

Suites are a way for a non-skinner to 'compile' a collection of skins that he/she fels works cleverly together to create an overall style.  This 'non-skinner' links to the skin content and does NOT include any skins within the theme 'distribution'.

A skinner can include his own skin/s within a theme file and include skin links to other people's skins that suit his work.

TN Brat! ....you fall into the latter category.  Include your own skins and link to Pinchecl's matching ones.

This applies to any/all sites which host 'Suite' files, not just Wincustomize.com

Copyright rules apply to the Global community, not just WC.

Rather than attract vacuous third party comment through public airing....what say you leave this to email where it belongs.