Should Wincustomize test skins out before accepting them?

from WinCustomize Forums
When i finally started to make skins (which was about 3 months ago) i always thought that wincustomize tests skins out.

Right now i think that Wincustomize just checks to see if skins follow the rules . I think wincustomize shouls test skins out before people find out that some skins aren't working.

For example: when i made my skins i always thought that they were working but when Cavan1 complianed to me that most of my skins aren't working, i just thought that he was mad cause of what i did or how i made my skin. (basicly i thought he was jelous) but i was wrong. he told me that most of my skins were bad so i checked them and it was true!

i was really disappointed that all this time i thought that all my skins were good meanwhile they were bad.

another exmaple: i'm not sure about this but i read that Meowy's skin (Forever on high) was not bad but not working something. (i forgot what happened)

Anyway sorry for the long story but do u guys think that Wincustomize should test out skins? Or should they continue doing what they do now and we check our own skins and find out if they're not working.

Please tell me what u think.
9,292 views 36 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I understand what you are saying Bash, but testing every skin uploaded to WC will be a huge burden on the admins that volunteer their time here. There is probably a hundred of skins/designs uploaded to WC daily (maybe more) checking each one to verify functionality can prove to be a tedious task for the admins.
Take BootSkins per example, the admins will have to download, install and re-boot their PCs to see if the skin works. I don't think they want to re-boot their system 20-50 times a day.
It is up to each author/artist to test or find a way to test their skins and make sure they work properly before uploading them. And if any problem should sneak pass the eyes; there are always people that would let you know if there is a problem with your skin, just like Cavan1 did.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

For bootskins I unzip them, then open them in PSP. That way I can check the sizes, colour depth and palette. Saves endless re-booting which is a real pain (try it). Because of all the programs I have loaded a complete re-boot can take 10 mins+ from start to finish - multiply that by the number of bootskins in the queue... Until someone comes up with an easy way of testing bootskins some not so good ones will slip through the cracks.

I don't know what the problem is with the Meowy bootskin, other than the colour conversion being poor (hence low rating). I approved that one, my PC booted ok with it, so it went public.

And don't confuse 'bad' with 'not working'

Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
we check our own skins and find out if they're not working.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can always post a thread asking for people to test your skin before uploading to the site.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

For example: when i made my skins i always thought that they were working but when Cavan1 complianed to me that most of my skins aren't working, i just thought that he was mad cause of what i did or how i made my skin. (basicly i thought he was jelous) but i was wrong. he told me that most of my skins were bad so i checked them and it was true!

Don't you use the skin for a little while to see if it works or not?

I have seen posts from time to time where artists come to the forum complaining that people are so negative in the comments.  Sometimes the posts they point to are ones with good constructive criticism.  I'm guessing that many people probably felt as  you did and then also regretted it later.  So many times what people say to try to help improve a skin gets taken the wrong way.  I think some people have given up trying to  help like that which is a sad thing.  People who have the experience and are able to teach and who take the time to do so are probably some of the better friends you can find.  They are also increasingly rare.

And speaking of friends, you might find someone in the community who is willing to test a skin for you.  Perhaps you can form a co-op with someone and test each other's skins.  I know a lot of people do that. 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Don't you use the skin for a little while to see if it works or not?


This is something I don't think many bootskin skinners do. Last night I spent about an hour downloading and testing some of the new bootskins added. 2 had progress bar color problems, one of which had org. jpg as preview not a jpg of 16 color image. 1 was using full color bitmap for image so did not work, 1 had either Prog bar color or .ini layout problem so did not work. I left comments on all 4, 2 are now gone, hopefully to be fixed. The author of another did reply and is now aware of problem. I don't mind doing this but what gets me a little sometimes is that working properly is part of the upload guidelines. Let take the one with full color image, when downloaded by moderator it will not open and show in bootskin due to image, do not even need to reboot to see it does not work. There are not that many that flat out do not work, but download to open with bootskin or importing to bootskin would catch these, wrong screen image type, size, color depth, will not show in bootskin.
Because of all the programs I have loaded a complete re-boot can take 10 mins+ from start to finish


Hey Fuzzy, since you take more care to moderate bootskins by checking color palette, you could run msconfig, disable startup, test bootskins, run msconfig enable startup. Just thinking out loud.
Edit, if you have an always on internet service enable Firewall and AV after disale all.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If I am not mistaken, rebooting parks the read-write heads.

Over time the read-write heads may become parked permanently - which means no more accessing data from that drive, including successful boots.

The old question of whether you should turn off your machine or not is partially based on the theory that if one only reboots occasionally to clear memory, the head accuator assembly in the drive won't wear out as soon.

If a moderator has to reboot 20 - 50 times a day, the drive life expectancy may be lessened by a significant amount of time.

With that in mind, it might be better to have authors test their own skins, or team up, as has been suggested - to alleviate the wear and tear on a few moderators machines.

Just a thought from the economics sector.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is it possibly time to enroll in a spelling class?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is it possibly time to enroll in a spelling class?


A punctuation and grammar class could also help somewhat. No offence meant: it's just that a little effort, when put into editing your writing, can make a huge difference.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmm...Why not ask Wincustomize to put new skins that are posted by all contributors into a directory called say "Beta"...even if its an already proven performer, it atleast lets people know the skin has been worked on (over) and is now soon to be released in the galleries..(save give a 5 day quarentine in the beta directory...then folks can read reviews and decide when they want to try it...only a suggestion
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Aren't you supposed to test them yourself before submitting them?


Yes but I feel that many people think that if it looks ok in bootskin preview it is working, this however is not correct.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is it possibly time to enroll in a spelling class?


if u meant me then i can't enroll
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is a handy spelling tool if you are using an IE based browser.  http://www.iespell.com/  It adds spell check to the right click menu, works with forum posts, and is FREE.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bash2cool, if you are 14 years of age, it's high time you start using correct spelling and grammar in public forums. We are not your middle school internet buddies. The use of proper spelling and grammar will go quite far in regards to respect in the community. Most people, including myself, can deal with a lack of capitalization but the use of correct grammar, spelling, and puctuation can determine how your posts are received. The correct word is "you". You forgot the comma after the word "then". Also, there's the lack of a period at the end of the sentence. I realize I've come across as a crabby preacher but I won't post again.

if u meant me then i can't enroll
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well...we could always penalise people who habitually upload untested/faulty works....eg, 'demotion'.

I'm sure the uploader would 'soon' get the message....

I'm certainly not intending to reboot my computer for every bootskin....it's enough to have to do to test faulty LS themes and lose my entire GUI/shell....as infrequently as LS themes are uploaded....

It's the specific responsibility of the skinner/uploader to ensure his works actually work.

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sorry, but I couldn't resist:

Most people, including myself, can deal with a lack of capitalization but the use of correct grammar, spelling, and puctuation can determine how your posts are received.


You do realise that you spelt punctuation wrong?
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like to test my skins before uploading them. As for my Bootskins thanks to DigitalCHET's awesome tutorial I have never had had a Bootskin that didn't work properly. Most of the time if your skin dosen't work you'll get comments on that skin about it.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why not ask Wincustomize to put new skins that are posted by all contributors into a directory called say "Beta"...


That would be a nice idea,but a costly one too i suppose.

Is it possibly time to enroll in a spelling class?


Here's an idea i could use! I ain't much of a speller. And my grammar could use some sharpening too,as i often use greek grammar rules in english.

It's the specific responsibility of the skinner/uploader to ensure his works actually work.


I'll second that,it does take time to test a skin. Why not just test it yourself?

Well...we could always penalise people who habitually upload untested/faulty works....eg, 'demotion'.


That would be a first step to gradually raise quality and lower quantity.

Also you may post a thread for skin testing! I'm sure some volunteers will come up!
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You do realise that you spelt punctuation wrong?


Yes, I certainly did. I noticed it as soon as I hit "Enter" but decided to not correct it since I found it humorous that I made the mistake while lecturing Bash. It was not intentional but humorous. I found it so, anyway.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[Madam GoodMorphing]
This is a handy spelling tool if you are using an IE based browser. http://www.iespell.com/ Link It adds spell check to the right click menu, works with forum posts, and is FREE.


Im so glad I checked this tread....this will be perfect.When I want to use my servers spell check , I have to minimize all windows and paste the word on an email then run spell check. Although it won't correct my poor typing But..I do like to make sure I spell correctly.
Thankyou
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top


Yes, I certainly did. I noticed it as soon as I hit "Enter" but decided to not correct it since I found it humorous that I made the mistake while lecturing Bash. It was not intentional but humorous. I found it so, anyway.


Looked more like just a "typo" to me..but, humorous just the same....and its more fun when we can laugh at ourselves..I do it all the time.

Bash...download that spellchecker. You may think its not important now, but it does make a difference in how people percieve you when your older. I have a brother with a college degree , but he can't spell at all.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bash...download that spellchecker. You may think its not important now, but it does make a difference in how people percieve you when your older. I have a brother with a college degree , but he can't spell at all.


i will.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Bash...download that spellchecker.
i will.


But will you use it?
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
BTW, spellchecker is not in the ieSpell dictionary. It suggests you use spell checker.