Why charge subscription ?

Who would buy them if they could still download them for free? At any rate, non-subscribers can still download (within reason) a great many skins.

BTW, some of us are 'rich' because we worked hard and earned our money. One or two days work at McDonalds would more than pay for the price of a full Object Desktop subscription - so would mowing a few neighbors lawns (if you're not old enough to work at McDonalds). The world does not owe you 'poor' chaps a thing....There's no such thing as a free meal (although stardock is kind enough to let you snack a little)

Peff: that´s crap about being rich and working hard, actually this fits only for a smaller part of the world. for $50 i can have a full meal in a restaurant in Thailand or India about 15-20 times. would make $250-400 in the western world. quite an amount of money, isn´t it ...
note: i´m not bitching about the prices, but this "working hard" thing is rather an insult to most people around the world.

Well its a pity, that Peff missed the theme of message and started his shallow talk. My friend, you got to understand that there are countries where 5 dollars are enough pocket money for even college-going guys.
I am a Computer Science Faculty at a local institute and am earning 3000 Indian Rupees which is about 60-65 dollars. And that while I am pursuing my final year at Graduation in Psychology. My parents earn enough to let me buy every thing that is justified. In a country where 45% people are below poverty line, I guess I can stay calm with an unregistered version of ObjectDesktop. The problem is you are not from an asian country or else you'd know that there are more ways to earn than stripping for a night or serving grub at McDonald's.
I might sound irritated but then, Peff and those who agree with him try not just here but in a broader spectrum to look things from angles more than one. It helps.
And thanks Moshi;so glad that you understand !

Mukul

You already can buy a CD with all the skins available here on it. Just click on the Store link at the top of the page to see what's on offer. Have fun!

Yes I do understand. I was born and spent most of my youth in North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morrocco to be precise). My parents were volenteers for the red cross and I can remember having to share a small can of sardines for dinner with them and my two sisters. I also remember begging in the street for money to buy bread for my family at the age of five. School was only a dream for someone like me. We (my sisters and I) learned to read an write with the help of our parents and did not attend school. We eventually immigrated to the US in 1971 where my father worked as a nurse during the day and a janitor at night for a pitance.

To make a long story short - After years of diligent work (doing everything from hauling honey buckets in Alaska - buckets of shit in places where there was no running water - for those of you not familiar with the term) to selling plasma to for food money, I taught myself enough about computers to make it 'rich'. So you see, my friend, I do 'understand' where you are comming from. My point is that noone ever 'gave' me anything and I never expected the 'rich' folks to pay my way.

Since you are able to use Object desktop (shareware or not) then I would assume (maybe incorrectly) that you are using your own computer (using it on a 'shared' computer would be a no-no, I think). If that's the case then I think of at least 20 ways to make extra money on the side (tutoring, transcribing, etc...), that would eventually pay for the OD subscription.

When I saw your name I did indeed realize that you might reside in a country where financial gain might be more difficult. I did not assume anything about you (as you and moshi did about me).

Finally, it was not my intention to belittle anyone or to be confrontational. I get irritated when people want something for nothing. There is a rather large amount of 'stuff' that you can download from Wincustomize without paying anything - and the wincustomize browser is not necessary for any of it (believe me, you still get the equivalent 'time-out' messages with the browser). If you've got enough time to download skins and apply them (and from the sound of it - make your own) then I would think that you had time to spend making a little extra money on the side.

I appologize if I offended you, but that's the way the ball bounces.

Mukul: would you like to be characterized as "the richer one who came with a silver tablespoon?" No doubt in your country there are people who would regard you as precisely that, as your "poverty" evidently allows you the necessities of life and a university education.

Your characterization that suggests that anyone who can presently afford a WC subscription, or to purchase Windowblinds, was "born with a silver spoon in his mouth" as the saying goes, is incorrect. As Pelf points out, the skins are free and if you can't always download them when you want that is a mere inconvenience for something that isn't a necessity.

"The problem is you are not from an asian country or else you'd know that there are more ways to earn than stripping for a night or serving grub at McDonald's."
Then you have many opportunities to earn enough money to subscribe to WinCustomize! What's the problem?
"My parents earn enough to let me buy every thing that is justified. In a country where 45% people are below poverty line, I guess I can stay calm with an unregistered version of ObjectDesktop."
If you aren't included in the percentage, then you aren't such a poor chap. Why not obtain a job? That way, you won't have to depend on your parents for your material possessions.

Well well well, So things aren't that calm. Peff, coming to your point , a story well written just proves how much money plays a role in our lives. So probably it would be saner on ourt part to let the discussion be on real terms than senti stuff. Probably you could have refrained from such comments in the first place; on second thought, its all fine, with your side of explanation, but then Peff, the ball shouldnot bounce that high atleast ! It might never hit gorund again. And I can surely pay for the ObjectDesktop Suite, I am saving and yes I am not that poor, but all that I said was to let Peff know of the way it is in these countries. Having strived hard himself in his childhood, i wonder how on earth could he be so arrogant and offending. I guess this is getting personal but yes Peff, I never meant that I want my way out on the expense of those who've earned their bucks hard way. i was just making point about the additional sources of income possible for the guys maintaining this site. That's all. when I purchase the suit, I am gonna send its wrapper to let you know.
It's not about saving money or hardwork boy, you got it all wrong.
Sorry for anything that might have been offending.

And thanks Boxxi for leting me know of the CD in the store.

Sorry for everything I said and for everything I didn't.

Grow Up. It's not money friends !

Love to you all and specifically a bit more to Peff!

Mukul

Mukul "That way poor chaps like me can still download skins for free while the richer one who came with a silver tablespoon can get it on some premium with the convinience of CD."

THAT sounds arrogant and offensive to me!! (and to others, by the looks of it).

Mukul "I never meant that I want my way out on the expense of those who've earned their bucks hard way."

Reading the first quote, it sounds exactly like you meant just that!!


As for the love part....Right back at you Mukul

Oh, calm down, guys...the important thing is that people can get hold of the 'right stuff' on CD already.....I've got two of them, so should you all...