Reply #76 July 20, 2005 4:58 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

you guys are lucky to subscribe. if my parents knew that i was on wincustomize.com, they wouldn'like it cause they think that it's a waste of time and money. so i make skins and articles secretly.

hehe. Underground skinning. Make it more of a thrill. But then again, if you where to be "caught", you could allways highlight some of the other common ways for youth to waste their time and money. For instance, sex, drugs and rock'n roll.

Personally, i think a lot of it is that we need to support PayPal which is something we're goiing to look at once the site is stabilized.

Yes. If you could that'd be great. Makes payint so much easier. I hope it will be suported for the Gadget website as well.

Reply #77 July 20, 2005 5:09 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

$20 per year is pretty modest I think. deviantART charges $30+ or so per year I believe and subscriptions provide fewer goodies and they get a lot more subscribers. Personally, i think a lot of it is that we need to support PayPal which is something we're goiing to look at once the site is stabilized.

I agree, $20 is not that much, especially when it buys you two years upon renewal.

And I definitely agree you need to support PayPal. That's an absolute must. True, not everyone is a PayPal fan, but it's still immensely popular...and convenient. I'm actually surprised you don't already support it.

Reply #78 July 20, 2005 5:19 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Many of our own skinners winning awards and contributing very positive in fact vital
input but are minors and even 60year olds who think they are too poor themselves
may turn into exactly the customers whose improved user levels could make this site
even more attractive to new outsiders who would read our sponsors ads and register
too, to a certain extent ARE NOT ABLE to register, or so they and Wincustomize think,
which is why I have just released a blog on my site and the WC General forum,
TOO YOUNG or BROKE to REGISTER? including the PAYPAL issue and WC getting more
families hooked with interesting group rates AND about how these people, just like
us, should not only subscribe, just like I have already, SHOULD GET OTHERS TO SUB-
SCRIBE even if they are not rewarded for that, because they are not affiliates
yet, which also works for minors in many states of many countries even legally
taxed. Make more people subscribe and calm down about a temporary phase when 2 of
3 companies belonging together are still working, even improved a bit. And by the way,
not only russians had server problems and californians with DNS, but also
DEVIANT ART SEARCH FUNCTION WAS DOWN EVEN FOR SUBSCRIBERS, and I had only subscribed
for 8$ to get into their search function! If you make things much cheaper than 10$,
and 20 was fine for all the things I learned how to do better myself, most people
dont register thinking it is worthless because they are stupid, just like many
think they should not register here although they take something here every day.
There might just some hard talk with parents, or a bloody sacrifice of a sixty
year old so he can at least make someone else pay for his spamming up the sites.

Reply #79 July 20, 2005 5:20 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have used paypal for a long time, and have enjoyed it, and never had any problems with it. All that is needed to be safe using it is common sense. In other words don't ever respond to any email asking for your credit card number or information. Same as with online banking. I think it would be a good thing too.

Reply #80 July 20, 2005 5:34 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

A makeover would be nice, but I don't care much about it. I would rather try to fix the errors.

Reply #81 July 20, 2005 7:38 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Unlike other sites Stardock forgets minors already behave criminal even to have
bandwidth of their own AND are paying for some tools outside Stardock AND should
subscribe, but have less money than businessmen abusing our contacts for 110,-$
including divine tools, skins and subscription could pay for. Where are your family
rates. Europeans have rates for handicapped people and students. These never re-
gister here and should be the only ones able to add more money with rates under 15$.
New visitors like I was not long ago may then think you are sharks whose real costs
are way under the students rates so you are still making profits and should be
avoided, yet many people like this are working here hard every day and CAN NOT pay
even using tricks in my separate article because THEY ARE ALSO paying for other
things - HARDWARE, SPYWARE-etc.programs. There will be no perfect fast way out
of this vicious circle, be patient, still there is almost no excuse for our
users not working harder on how to get someone else register
them including old people.
I will check your affiliate program when established my taxed business site one day.
clwood has a loveable site on deviant art where I still could not enter, because
I prefer munching cookies to killing em and my subscrip may have expired, where
I cant reup now either, and she has won a WC award and also recommends PAYPAL, see

Reply #82 July 20, 2005 9:00 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think $20 is reasonable. I just think the marketing could be a lot better.

I think some other posters suggested similar things, but I think the following should occur.

A subscription drive. Maybe it would be possible to include the subscribers in this. I'm thinking that each subscriber would have their own url to "promote". When someone clicks that link to subscribe the subscriber gets a "credit". At the end of the drive the Wincustomize subscriber who has referred the most new subscribers wins. Offer a nice prize such as Stardock software, games, maybe even some hardware.

Monthly contests. Every month it can be switched up. For instance, maybe one month every 100th person to subscribe gets a Windowblinds license.

Promote things such as personal pages and galleries. If I didn't read about it on the front page I would never have known this. Features like this should be emphasized and promoted.

What happened to the skinning contests? I thought this was going to be a regular event. I think there was one and that's the last of it.

Reply #83 July 20, 2005 11:55 PM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I agree we should probably do a suscription drive.  What we would NEED is an extra 2,000 subscriptions over the regular level and I'm not sure that's realistic.

Reply #84 July 21, 2005 12:16 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I agree we should probably do a suscription drive. What we would NEED is an extra 2,000 subscriptions over the regular level and I'm not sure that's realistic.

Sure it is. There just needs to be advertisement (even on the front page/home page) and some sort of worthwhile reward.

Many businesses fail for lack of advertising. Have a notice on the front page that says "WC wants you" or something along those lines that explains why subscriptions are necessary and ask for support and understanding. Change the heading weekly to keep it fresh.

Part two. Ask one of the devoted skinners (or a collaboration) to create a suite that is available only to new subscribers. We regulars might complain a bit about it, but you could make it available to the rest of the world in 3 or 6 months.

Just a couple of ideas. But if you think it won't happen, it won't due to lack of enthusiasm. If you think it will, it might.

Reply #85 July 21, 2005 12:54 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

82/84 making sense.

i won't even complain if newbies get a really cool skin & i don't (for 3-6 months ! )

Reply #86 July 21, 2005 12:56 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Come on non-subscribers, you all love the great stuff here at Wincustomize, so join a great skinning community and subscribe! WC needs you!!

Reply #87 July 21, 2005 1:29 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Right on, SD....the power of positive thinking....initiates the ability and mechanisms to proceed rather than stagnate.

Attracting new subscribers with a premium suite and other goodies might be a way to go, but Ive read all too often that various 'current' subscribers are disenchanted for some reason and will not renew. I for one am more than happy with what WC offers and will continue my subscriptions regardless, but it seems to make sense to retain as many current subscribers as possible, so perhaps a some thought could be given here as well.

One positive step in this direction could be to have a 'bitch tank' so whingers and flamers can still let off steam but not infect the general forum pages with angered words. Restricted freedom of speech, perhaps, but a compromise that's surely better than when mud's thrown, mud........

I went to Microsoft last night to investigate an update and got an server error page....timed out...so even the largest of sites can have problems. I've encountered instances like this all over the net, so WC is not alone. Yeah, I've had some recent down times here as well, but so what, they didn't last long, and that means somebody is constantly working to resolve the issues, so what more can I/we ask.

Reply #88 July 21, 2005 2:29 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

How fast dya need 2,000 subscrs? Use giveaways that won´t make Stardocks revenues
decrease. One 3rd of the 2,000 are users that could get in via their family, if an
average of 3 people per family pay 15 instead of 20 dollars, saves em 15, call it
40 flat, still you have 2 new subscribers and your average is only one more than 2
people using the attractive new s., who is a minor, be easy on that exception, cause
he uploads 1000 skins, not his parents, dad gets multiplicity 3 dollars cheaper,
helps again, mom gets interested in JU. Once there in, some start paying for more
things.

To keep old customers, see to it that 6 months downloaders of half a gig get limited
offers a bit more expensive n regular long term folks are rewarded by cheaper rates,
special offers. Giveaways are additional rewards for uploading a lot, for reuping
subscrips and new customers. Like Kaspersky antivirus, if you downpay terms up to
5 years, the rate is cheaper. Otherwise people who just download and use wont stay
long and get away to cheap. In germany, web hoster 1&1 has a second reward program
for private folks from minors to geezers, they just pay less cause they can deduct
less, and so can the receiver, but small amounts are big to privates. Then make it
more attractive depending on how good you advocate, otherwise your crude and not
interesting enough. Thanks for the positive snowball effect of seriousness even
amongst skinners and young people. Promise to go to bed now, moon is too full.

Reply #89 July 21, 2005 3:54 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

One of the main reasons given for site problems is always "too much traffic, too many visitors and not enough money, eg subscribers". If that is the case why is it that non-subscribers are allowed to upload screenshot after screenshot day after day after day. Surely this takes up room, time and resources. Screen shots uploaded by non-subscribers offer nothing to Wincustomise or its paying customers, all they do is feed the egos of those uploading them. Surely paying subscibers only should be allowed to upload SS as this would save greatly on room, resources etc. Another issue arises out of this anomaly, why does a non-subscribers ss show up regardless of star rating and a paid subscribers widget, wb, or anything else thats creative and takes some time to make, only show up if its rated 3 and a half stars or more. Its wrong and its unfair. As for being able to post on forums, same deal, subscribers only. Pay up or butt out.

Reply #90 July 21, 2005 5:37 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Wait for Longhorn. But it would be cool if the present site WORKED!!

Reply #91 July 21, 2005 5:51 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

As for a site make-over....well how about some curtains, a vase of flowers here and there, a painting or two...maybe picket fences to separate differnent areas....... Maybe a bit of rouge and lipstick on some of the emoticons to better represent our female members:

lololol........best idea yet..A vase or 2 or 3 .

Perfect !!

Reply #92 July 21, 2005 5:53 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think Buzz has an excellent point, and totally agree with him. It would also help some of the younger and older people who haven't got much money to be able to subscribe by the week, a month, and so on. Something like what DA offers. It would be alot easier for them to come up with a few dollars at a time, than the whole $20. Continue to offer the 2 year renewal for those who subscribe for a year.

Reply #93 July 21, 2005 6:08 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

[Bash2cool] the site today was running really bad this morning that i couldn't even to to wincustomize.com but hey... it was running pretty good and fast after a while

As of 6am...i cant access any page( library) except front page. and " my skins " and forum. I get "ERROR" please refresh or return to home page. Refresh doesnt work.

Reply #94 July 21, 2005 6:09 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Night Train does have a good idea....

$20 for 2 years (current)
$10 for 1 year
$5 for 1/2 year.

So the half-year option is more like a 'try before you buy' except revenue is still made. If they like, they can go up to 1 year, 2 years.

Maybe a $30 3 year option????

Reply #95 July 21, 2005 6:18 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

I didnt even read all the way down to your post or buzz's post..but I too agree 100% ..thats why I mentioned yesterday about people expressing their opinions..yet, are visitors ..im not saying that visitors arent welcome. Of course they are..but..after 6 months or a year..your no longer a visitor. If you feel you " belong " here..then buy a subscription. One of the reasons i dont go to DA often is because i cant enter a name in the " search " Thats for PAID members only.
Right now...there is little difference in a paid subscription and what a visitor can access..therefore..why buy a subscription ?

A visitor with only 2 logins..neither which was rated over a 4 or 5..can become an " apprentice" without being a member of WC.

What a deal.....

Reply #96 July 21, 2005 6:21 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

[Meowy] Night Train does have a good idea.... $20 for 2 years (current)

I believe I paid $20 for 1 year..its a 2 year renewal after the one year for $20..

Unless its been changed..
( Post 95 was in reply to Clwoods post 92..quote never showed up )

Reply #97 July 21, 2005 6:26 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

Right now...there is little difference in a paid subscription and what a visitor can access..therefore..why buy a subscription ?

Excellent point, Karen. There needs to be much more incentive to become a member. Non members should be as limited in all areas of the site as they are in the amount of skins they can download.

Reply #98 July 21, 2005 7:15 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

How about this:

$1.00 a month

i think this could work because if everybody paid $1.00 a month, then wincustomize will get loads of cash every month, year, and every 2 years.


Think about it: $1.00 a month = $12.00 a year = $24.00 every 2 years x 10.000 people = A LOT!!!!!

Reply #99 July 21, 2005 7:55 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

As I've read these posts, I have to say that it's VERY EASY to do the complaining but it takes even more of a MAN (or woman) to provide a solution that is POSITIVE. I have been a subscriber now for a few years. I don't know a fraction of what it takes to keep this site up & running but there is one thing I DO KNOW: there is no one who wants this site to be up & running in perfect form & fashion more than Brad & the team (Jafo, T-man, etc.). So, while they do everything they can possibly do to work out all the kinks, shouldn't we just trust in that fact and support them in their efforts? I mean, seriously, what does complaining do? And can't we remember what we were taught as children: If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all!
Instead of providing (possibly good) suggestions to the admins under the guise of bashing & derrogatory comments, it might be a better idea to start a new thread under a positive light. Maybe something under the title of:

"I have a few concerns with WC. So here's a couple of great ideas that the admins could possibly take a look at to help improve the site. If you have any ideas or positive suggestions, post them here"

Brad & the gang: keep up the good work. My thoughts are to see what you can possibly do increase the subscriptions.
I do have one question: Brad, you mentioned that DA provides less "goodies" than WC & costs more money. Am i missing something? With the exception of unlimited DL's, I haven't noticed any goodies at all since XP Augustus & Kryptonite (which are so old I don't even know if I have them on my computer). I'm not complaining. This is an honest question. If I'm forgetting something, please remind me.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

Reply #100 July 21, 2005 8:32 AM from WinCustomize Forums Top

If I'm forgetting something, please remind me.

You forgot about the Skin Browser, Photo Album, Personal Website, and No banner ads!