Z71 Z71

Never Mind

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Never Mind

from WinCustomize Forums
Removed by me. Didn't want to upset anyone.

Edit:

It was never my intention to harm Wincustomize or the community.

The matter has been discussed, by Zoomba and I, with a very "agreeable" compromise.
Thank you.
40,453 views 147 replies
Reply #101 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For the record, there exists no special promotional relationship between WinCustomize and MaxStyles. The fact that often MaxStyles skins are featured is because 1) They're on WinCustomize and Free 2) They're good.
What they're doing is tossing out a lot of high-quality stuff that draws folks to their site indirectly. For example, I wouldn't consider the mass of Harmony related skins to be spam since they're skins. They're free. They're good. They just happen to be centered around a for-pay skin. Spam? Not really. A brilliant way to market a skin? absolutely. But it works because in the end the community is getting a lot of value without ever actually having to purchase anything.
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(I quoted the whole thing for the overall context but the bold is what I'm driving here.)

And this is the terrific thing about the community. You can get a lot for little to nothing. I stick a MaxStyles logo in the skins I create for MaxStyles crew members and post a link to the site in the description. Is that wrong? Plenty of folks do the same and have been for a long time...take for example Arnaez. But I'm not saying, "Here's my new skin, go get it at MaxStyles" I feel that would be somewhat disrespectful to WC. I've enjoyed reading this post and it's been a very thought provoking one indeed.



Reply #102 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Branding and self promoting in the forums are completely different things.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #103 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There's nothing wrong with advertising, but there's a time and place and I don't believe this messageboard is it.
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A noble thought, provided it applies to EVERYONE. That means TSF and other major players cannot advertise their latest and greatest. You cannot pick and choose who you allow to advertise ( unless of course someone is paying for the ad space ).

Honestly, I think think a mountain is being made out of a mole-hill on this. It has never really been a big deal in the past. THIS instance was not a big deal either.
Reply #104 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Phoon,

You're right.  This instance wasn't really a big deal, it just happened to touch off a conversation that was finally ready to happen.  It would have happened pretty soon anyway

Reply #105 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It will be a big deal when you see what happens if the door is open. People will resort to low down dirty tactics to sell and compete. Remember that I am not talkin about Wincustomizes Master Skinners. I am talking about self professed Masters that would try to sell their premium *cough* quality skins offsite.

If the door stays closed then we all continue on as usual.
Reply #106 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It will be a big deal when you see what happens if the door is open. People will resort to low down dirty tactics to sell and compete. Remember that I am not talkin about Wincustomizes Master Skinners. I am talking about self professed Masters that would try to sell their premium *cough* quality skins offsite.
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It happens already. It's not rampant however.
I see where your're coming from though. We don't want to see it get to that point, thus the need for the proactive discussion.
Looking at it from that aspect, I would say no to ads in the forums and joe user provided that the policy applies to all equally. I can't stress that enough because this site has never been noted for it's equal treatment of people.

Where do you draw the line though? If you ban them exclusively from the forums they will try to sneak in with skin descriptions, screenshots, screenshots of ads, watermarks in walls etc.
Reply #107 from WinCustomize Forums Top
talking about self professed Masters that would try to sell their premium *cough* quality skins offsite.
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care to pm me an example if you have time?
- this topic is so interesting I'd love to see some of this.
Reply #108 from WinCustomize Forums Top
do my homework? sorry, i didnt realize things hand changed so much since i left, people were getting paid back then......I know, i used to work for you, you recruited me. In the harmony suit, someone asked could they contribute to the skin and you replied "no, I have such and such that does that by maxstyles."

hence my question about its more of a maxstyles skin than a community one, and the confusion over a 'community skin'.......if it was a community skin then that person would have been alowed to skin something.......yeah?.......

Im not trying to make you out to be the bad guy, I did state dont take it personal cause it aint about you personally, its about asking whether maxstyles skin should be named a community skin when other people cannot contribute, only the staff from maxstyles can.
Reply #109 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kitty, Zoomba has asked that we keep this thread on topic. It's not about dA or Maxstyles or Z21's site. While I'm all for tangents in most cases, I'd suggest we stay on target. 

Your example is more specific than this thread and should be taken to another if you want to pursue it.

I appreciate everyone's understanding and want the dialog to continue and not get sidetracked.  Thanks!
 
Reply #110 from WinCustomize Forums Top
its about asking whether maxstyles skin should be named a community skin when other people cannot contribute, only the staff from maxstyles can.
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It's not a community skin in this case. It is a corporate sponsored skin.

Reply #111 from WinCustomize Forums Top
its about asking whether maxstyles skin should be named a community skin when other people cannot contribute, only the staff from maxstyles can.
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pixel-z isn't a member of MaxStyles, bilbo wasn't a member of MaxStyles, PuterDudeJim isn't a member of MaxStyles...those folks contributed to Harmony.   

EDIT

Whoops, Zubaz say stay on target. That were off target. So sorry...  
Reply #112 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kitty if you will read back I said we have an official skinner of that app but i am not opposed to you making a skin... Regardless.. the option to grant permission to any skinner to port any of my skins to another remains mine whether it be a pay skin or not, again.. this has no bearing on this discussion. Also, you never worked for me. You were never paid, I merely offered you an opportunity to be part of a team and help you improve your skills. The ONLY payments ever made by me to anyone on my site are for artists premium skins sales.
Reply #113 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am on the topic, here is a perfect example

remember the "community' halloween skin? of course we all do. so how did that start?
with a post by avman, asking skinners to participate if they wish. and that happened.

my question is , why is maxstyles skins tagged as 'community skins' ? where is the post to advertise for skinners to help on harmony? or whitefire? there isnt any, its a maxstyles skin, thats why.

I am asking, why is it named a community skin, when people of the community (besides maxstyles team) cannot participate?

Its a legitimate question concerning the topic, it confuses people.....seriously.

I personally think its cross advertisting. I dont have anything against maxstyles, i never will, they make great stuff with a talented bunch of guys.
Reply #114 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Where do you draw the line though? If you ban them exclusively from the forums they will try to sneak in with skin descriptions, screenshots, screenshots of ads, watermarks in walls etc.
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I suppose that is what the moderators have to watch for. If someone does something over the top, they will be called out. They have in the past and things normally worked out for the common good.

Allowing anyone to promote work in the forums is an easy thing to keep tabs on. Simpy don't allow it from anyone... except the Admin. If they feel something is worthy of attention , then they will post it.

Look at post # 100. Hypothetically, Leo the Lions original post could have been made on behalf of D Arnez..... Psst. Hey Leo, do me a favor and make a post at WC about how much you liked the icons you bought off of my site. THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF TACTICS TO WATCH OUT FOR. I AM NOT SAYING THAT IS WHAT LEO DID. IT IS HYPOTHETICAL.
Reply #115 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am asking, why is it named a community skin
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Its for the community.
Reply #116 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am asking, why is it named a community skin
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It's by members of the community.
Reply #117 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Okay John, I didnt work for you....I dont know who runs maxstyles......okay? its all some mystycial magik enignma to me now. Did you tell that person who wanted to skin something that it could possibly be looked at by you, and you might include it in the skin? No, i only saw, "no, we have a skinner who does that" ......in other words, bug off, its covered. You are only interested in recruiting, if there is some major part of skinning that isnt covered, so your suit is complete......hey im being honest here, not mean, so accept it. I saw what happened.......

this is besides the point. Someone please answer the "community tag' question........
Reply #118 from WinCustomize Forums Top
where is the post to ask the community to skin it? there isnt one. its a maxstyles skin ......

hello?
Reply #119 from WinCustomize Forums Top
kitty. please start a new thread about the issue before the parents show up and make us pack up our toys and go to bed.
Reply #120 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No, i only saw, "no, we have a skinner who does that" ......in other words, bug off, its covered.
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You saw what u wanted to see apparently. Boils down to this.. I surrounded myself with people I could trust to do quality work. If it is an official Maxstyles skin.. it will be a skin of quality.. done by an official skinner. I havent once labelled any of our suites a "community" skin as far as I know Zoomba did that in his articles.. why are you getting so bent out of shape? I run a business and as such I think I retain to the right to dcline or offer up permissions as I see fit and again... what does this have to do with this thread?
Reply #121 from WinCustomize Forums Top
John. please start a new thread about the issue before the parents show up and make us pack up our toys and go to bed.     

Reply #122 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I give up.. lol. I sense resentment, not gonna argue with that... Kitty I did my very best to help you further yourself, If you hold that against me Im sorry.
Reply #123 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I find it very strange how these community skins 'suddenly appear' the community dosent know about it until its released. (thats NOT a community skin) its by maxstyles team and selected, secret few, not community

Id like the stardock admin to answer this.
Reply #124 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Johnny, I dont hold resenment my dear, far from it, i still use your skins as templates for alot of my work because you are a stickler for detail and have a hawk eye for errors..........

I am asking the staff not you why its called a community skin when its cleary a maxstyles skin.

I also stated at the start that its not personal against you. And it still isnt.

the topic is still about advertising...........
Reply #125 from WinCustomize Forums Top
if there is some major part of skinning that isnt covered, so your suit is complete
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why he never ask me


'well back to serious mode'

Kitty please keep the topic in mind, it's not only about maxstyles it's about master skinners and their sites...
Moreover, Zoomba answer this question before in this tread:

For the record, there exists no special promotional relationship between WinCustomize and MaxStyles. The fact that often MaxStyles skins are featured is because 1) They're on WinCustomize and Free 2) They're good.
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