Free WC Subscription....

....an idea in the making.

from JoeUser Forums

Hello my fellow WinCustomize community members.
After browsing and reading some of the threads on the message boards about people that for one reason or another cannot afford or don't have a way to purchase a WinCustomize Subscription, I came up with the idea to give away two subscription by way of a small skinning contest.

The Prize:
Two WinCustomize Subscription (one per category)
As you all know (and for those that don't know) as a WC subscriber your User Level is increased to 5 which gives the user unlimited file downloads for an entire year. The user gains the ability to rate the skins uploaded to the site and a WinCustomize website. In addition to this, you'll also get SkinBrowser, two premium skin suites and exclusive WinCustomize features. But most important, it helps support the site so we can continue to share and promote our work.

The Contest:
The contestants can choose between a WindowBlinds Skin or an IconPack

The Rules:
- One entree per contestant
- IconPack must have at least 75 icons
- WindowBlinds Skin must be fully skinned. ALL Luna images must be replaced. Toolbar Icons and Animation are optional.
- Skin/Icons must be original work. No ports or images from other skins or artists. No re-coloring of previous skins/icons
Violation of any of these rules will result in disqualification.

In order to conduct a fair contest, the winner will be determined by the highest downloads by registered users. And just to give each contestant a fair shot, all skins and iconpacks will be uploaded on a chosen date. Here is where I will need the help of the admins since all these skins/icons will have to be moderated almost at once. (I know they are gonna hate me for this :LOL: )

I would like to know what do you all think about this?
Admins and staff, how difficult would this be?
12,935 views 41 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it's a great idea! I would like to contribute an additional subscription (as a runner up prize?)..I just need to know how to go about doing that.

As for the timing vs. moderation...perhaps you could set the entry submission deadline for a particular date, then allow a few days for moderation before uploading them for the public?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not bad Apoc, but it seems like most of the people complaining don't skin.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
great idea but i also a little dissappointed cause i cant be in it.....even if i can....i can't make those type of skins.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not bad Apoc, but it seems like most of the people complaining don't skin.

That was my thought also. It might be a better idea to look at an alternate form of contribution to the site like articles or forum activity (don't know how you could judge or quantify tho). Walls are also an area which most people can at least attempt. Skinning takes you a couple steps beyond that unless it's something like Sysmetrix.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would also donate a subscription ..I think this is a great idea..

Not sure how they can do all this but..im sure it can be worked out.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Please add another Subscription Offer from me as well ... !!!!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM, Lantec. I thought about this too that is why I posted the idea. I wanted to know what everyone thinks of the idea and what suggestions people have to make it come true.
I had also thought about CursorXP and Logon as the two categories used for the competition.
And since ama02 and Fairyy~ (Thank you both for participating and helping with this idea) want to donate 2 more subscription for a total of 4, two will be granted for the 2 Cursor Themes with the highest downloads and 2 to the Logons with the highest downloads. Or maybe add 2 more categories, BootSkin and Wallpaper, granting 1 subscription to the most downloaded file of each category.
How does this sound?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you Black Xero, this brings the prize to 5 WC Subscriptions.
I will start to organize the idea and make an official post for the contest by the end of the day.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sounds great..maybe a few more donations and then you can add DesktopX Theme and or Widgets etc. Maybe even a Rainlendar..

and.....drum roll...a really nice Screen Shot..then anyone can find a spot to be included.

( I can hear the groans of the Moderators at this point )
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Now you're TALKING ABOUT A GREAT DEAL HERE!!!!
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think categories should be: WindowsBlinds, IconPackager, DesktopX theme or widget, and Wallpaper / CursorXP .. !!!!

and if possible why not to donate extra 10$ (10 * 5 = 50) for a Grand Prize of ODNT on submitting best suite (WB/DX/IP/CXP/Wall) ... ???
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Put me down for a subscription donation - just let me know particulars later.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh ho! Xero THAT's a good idea! Except wouldn't it only be $35? Since of course the person making the suite probably has a current ODNT? I might just very well put in a donation, I was going to subscribe myself, but since I dont' skin I'll give it to someone who can, but I'd like to know the particulars first.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Since of course the person making the suite probably has a current ODNT?


Quiet possible if you have shareware version of WB/IP/DX ... !!!!
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think categories should be: WindowsBlinds, IconPackager, DesktopX theme or widget, and Wallpaper / CursorXP


i think it should be like that....but why not a different idea

what if there was a compition on only the major skins like Bootskins, Log-ons, CurserXP, etc.... and each category will have a compition on the top 5 best skins and each user is only allowed to make 3 skins.

how about that?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A-67, I would like to make two suggestions.

First make the contest open ONLY to those that DO NOT have a sub already. I say this because if you don't specify that requirement you may receive entries from some who already have a sub. And the idea was to provide a sub to one who does not have one already.

Second, if it does get to a point where screenshots are included, description/credit for ALL included components MUST be included. That should be manditory. It's incredibly annoying to see something that you really like in a screeny and not have any clue as to who created it or where to find it.

Just my 2¢.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First make the contest open ONLY to those that DO NOT have a sub already.


2nd it. And the description part too.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top


First make the contest open ONLY to those that DO NOT have a sub already. I say this because if you don't specify that requirement you may receive entries from some who already have a sub. And the idea was to provide a sub to one who does not have one already.

Second, if it does get to a point where screenshots are included, description/credit for ALL included components MUST be included. That should be manditory. It's incredibly annoying to see something that you really like in a screeny and not have any clue as to who created it or where to find it.


Absolutely..thats the whole point is to give subscriptions to those that dont have one. I only mentioned the SS section because to some of us..we enjoy that section but I agree its annoying to have no descriptions. Plus..if it were included then their entry must be one SS only. That way you wont get a Spam-a-thon going in SS's.

I already have OD and a WC subscription so Ill be sitting out the WB skinning contest.....ok..never mind the fact that I cant make one
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually I am against including SS in the contest because it is NOT your work. It is fruite of some one else' hardwork who have spent nights and days on them. You have just collected all those pieaces and constructed a building over them.

A FREE WC Subscription is a Good thing and it is always difficult to get good things. The primary objective of this contest is to entertain WC Users with some cool new ideas.


(No Offense, Just personal openion) ...
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And the description part too.


Okay I was scanning it (not reading) & I was thinking of the screenshots of DTX or WB etc., not 'screenshots'.

So, actually I'm with Black Xero. While some effort does go into 'decorating' without those people making the decorations we'd have nada.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with #19...plus, since this is really A67's baby, he should have final say on what additional categories (if any) are included.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you Bichur for your donation and support to this idea.
The whole idea of this giveaway contest is to grant a subscription to those that can't afford one, there for the contest will be open ONLY to those people that DON'T have a subscription.
As WOM and Lantect mentioned, most of these people don’t know how to skin or have very little experience in skinning, so we must keep the contest difficulty level low. That is why I have chosen CursorXP, Logon and BootSkin as the three categories on which the contestants will be participating on. These three applications are very easy to skin and don’t require a lot of skills as oppose to a WB, IconPack or DX Theme.
With Bichur's donation, it brings the total of the Prize to 6 subscriptions. 1st and 2nd place of each category will win a subscription.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
. That is why I have chosen CursorXP, Logon and BootSkin as the three categories on which the contestants will be participating on. These three applications are very easy to skin and don’t require a lot of skills as oppose to a WB, IconPack or DX Theme.


Nice and simple..sounds good.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice and simple..sounds good.