WC Charity/Sub Drive - Day 1

We're off to a great start!

https://www.wincustomize.com/charity.aspx

Yesterday we kicked off the WinCustomize Charity & Subscription Drive, a direct and coordinated appeal to the community to both support this site, and to support a good cause; Childs Play. The response in the first 24 hours has been fantastic. We set a goal of 2,000 new/renewing subscriptions, and $5,000 for charity. Here's where we stand as of 8am today:

  • Subscriptions: 67 (3.35% of goal)
  • Charity Dollars Raised: $228.82 (4.58% of goal)

If we can maintain the pace set yesterday for the duration of the drive (Nov 1 - Dec 14) then we'll end up with over 2400 subscriptions and nearly $8,500 raised for Childs Play! We have 43 days left, and the holidays are approaching, so I'm hopeful we can keep it up.

I'm sure some of you are asking "Why should I subscribe?" and the answer is actually pretty simple: To support a site that provides a service you enjoy and find useful, as well as to support a wonderful community of some of the most outstanding people you're likely to find anywhere on the Internet.

WinCustomize is primarily funded through two sources: Subscriptions & advertising. Many sites go the 100% advertising route and the result is pages covered top to bottom with ads. Pop-ups. Pop-unders. Those annoying ads that slide over the page content and are hard to close etc. You would be surprised how well those ads pay to be honest. But even though we could be making a lot more if we went the full ad route, that would turn WinCustomize into a site even we wouldn't want to visit.

So we need those subscriptions. It lets us continue to provide and expand the services we offer (file hosting, forums, bandwidth for downloads, a sales channel for Master Skinners etc). As the site grows, it takes more developers, more servers and more bandwidth, and that all is expensive. Each subscription helps us keep developing and improving the site.

Support the site, support Childs Play. Buy a subscription or a Master Skin from this page:

https://www.wincustomize.com/charity.aspx

8,197 views 22 replies
Reply #1 Top

Can someone tell me what the "four great premium suites" are that you get when subscribing? Are the WB6 & Vista Ready? Can you chose from a list or are the pre-selected? I am teetering on subscribing and if the Magic blind was one of them it would push me over the edge.

On a side note...is there an update on when CurserXP will work on Vista?
Reply #2 Top
Best I can do on short notice:


Perhaps Zoomba can do better.
Reply #3 Top
Oh, and yes, CXP (mostly) works with Vista.
I am having trouble with trails and stuff.
Reply #4 Top

Would ya'll consider offering The Magic Desktop as an equal trade for the 4 you listed?
If so, I'll sign up.

Reply #5 Top
Off to a great start.  Lets keep it up!

 
Reply #6 Top
Are the WB6 & Vista Ready? Can you chose from a list or are the pre-selected? I am teetering on subscribing and if the Magic blind was one of them it would push me over the edge.
End of quote


Only one is(RIP07), 2 could use an update, one is newish but no wb6 (The bottem one in Zubaz pic)
Reply #7 Top
Would ya'll consider offering The Magic Desktop as an equal trade for the 4 you listed?
End of quote
I think that'd be more than a tweak. 

RIP and WC Select are great skins.  And having the site ad free when you browse is awesome.  Then you get the WC Browser which makes getting around all the facets easier (integrated into Stardock Central if you have that).  And you get to support a charity.

I think that it's worth $20.
Reply #8 Top
one is newish but no wb6 (The bottem one in Zubaz pic)
End of quote

W.C. Select on Vista:


I think it looks good
Reply #9 Top
A few things I see there, icons arent fully Vista supported (256x256, Live folders), the start panel needs tweaking for the All Programs menu, Log off butons, Navagation bar & tab work.

I never said it wouldn't work, I said it wasn't wb6.
Reply #10 Top

I already have RIP and you are correct, it is a great skin. Since I am using Vista and WB6, I doubt that I would install the others.

Since I am a customer and already have site access for at least a year or more, I am trying to justify to myself the advantages in subscribing. The charity portion of this drive has me leaning toward subscribing but other than the site being ad free, I don't see much reward for doing so. I'm not that fond of the Stardock Central browser so I'm not sure if I would use the WC Browser. Would the site be ad free with IE 7?

Reply #11 Top
The site is ad-free period if you're a subscriber.
Reply #12 Top
As a subscriber you also get a photo album on your personal page where you can upload all sorts of photos, screenshots, works in progress, etc that don't have to sit through moderation.
Reply #13 Top
The site is ad-free period if you're a subscriber.
End of quote


Lovin that, 100 skins per page and my navigation bar on the left.. mmmm   
Reply #14 Top
100 skins per page? is that for all galleries?

i was looking for an excuse to subscirbe, and my 48 hour check/charity/WC Select skin have basically pushed me over the edge. plus no ads, and unlimited downloads could mean that im gonna be busy.... can i order a new subscription, and then renew right away? or do i have to wait for some time?
Reply #15 Top
you can renew quite a few years in advance
Reply #17 Top
The first day result is really great.

But where are the second and third days? Or people takes part in this action only from Monday to Friday?
Reply #18 Top
I almost missd this ... glad I didnt ! I havent renewed my subscription in a while. This week I will be mailing out a money order for renewal. how can you say no to such a worthy cause? Bravo to your committment to help out the children in need....
Reply #19 Top

But where are the second and third days? Or people takes part in this action only from Monday to Friday?
End of quote

I take the weekends off 

Monday there will be a tally from the weekend and updated numbers.  The drive goes until December 14th, so there'll be many updates and reminders between now and then 

I can't tell you all how pleased I am with the reception this has received.

Reply #20 Top
I'm sorry! I forgot that we have the right to rest...   

Thank you, Mike.
Reply #22 Top
Jeffrey, now that's a great idea. Thanks for posting the link.   

I've renewed my subsciption and brought a few skins, but nothing says I can't donate to a hospital near where I live.