Apocalypse_67 Apocalypse_67

WinCustomize Skinning Contest

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WinCustomize Skinning Contest

From the community, to the community.

from WinCustomize Forums

WinCustomize community members.
Once again we are bringing a skinning contest to the community. This time around you have the chance to win one of three Object Desktop as a first place winner on a small skinning contest sponsored by Bones2112, Brewman, Bichur, Black Xero, Hus and me Apocalypse_67

The Prizes:
First place winners will get an Object Desktop.
Object Desktop is a desktop enhancement suite designed to allow users to turbo-charge their Windows experience. It's like getting the next version of Windows today. Use Object Desktop to personalize Windows to suit your particular needs. It comes with WindowBlinds, DesktopX, IconPackager, Theme Manager, ObjectBar, and much more.

Second place winners will get TWO premium skins of their choices from the following list.

    -ToonXP
    -Oxidized
    -Universe Metal
    -Oranda Cursor
    -Utopia Icons
    -Orion Icons
    -Carbonix
    -Essorant Pack
    -Unorthodox Pack

The Contest:
The contestants will compete on three applications. DX Theme, IconPack Theme and WindowBlinds Skin.
First place winners of each category wins an Object Desktop. Second place winners wins two premium skins.

The Rules:
- One entree per contestant per application.
- Only one prize will be granted to a winning participant.
- All skins submitted must be original new work of the contestant.
- No ports, borrowed images or re-coloring of previous work.
- ALL parts of the theme/skin must be skinned. Incomplete skins will not be accepted.
- IconPacks must contain at least 75 icons.
- Toolbar icons and animations on the WB skins are optional. All other parts of the skin must be skinned.
- DO NOT submit, upload or distribute the participating themes/skins on any other website until the contest is over.
- To ensure a fair download count for each contestant, ALL entries are final.
   NO UPDATES ARE ALLOWED DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONTEST.
- Violation of any of these rules will result in disqualification.

Time frame and dead line:
Contest will run for 2 weeks from 09/30/05 thru 10/14/05
Skins will not be accepted before 09/30/05 or after 10/14/05 Skins uploaded before 09/30/05 will be place on cue until the first day of the contest.
Winners will be announced on 10/17/05
When uploading the skin/theme make sure to write 'WC SKINNING CONTEST' on the file's description to indicate that the skin/theme is competing on the contest.

The Judges:
The judges of this event will be the WinCustomize community members.
1st and 2nd place theme/skins of each category with the highest download count by registered users will be the winners.
KEEP IN MIND THAT REGISTERED USER DOWNLOADS ARE NOT THE SAME AS TOTAL DOWNLOADS

CONTEST IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

Good luck to all the contestants and have fun skinning. :CONGRAT:

45,861 views 70 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top


People could easily create new accounts more and more, and download the skin/theme on each account. The method of judging is too faulty...


You have to remember..the moderators arent stupid.If they see an onslaught on "new members" it would raise an alarm. Also...I think your forgetting but last I looked..when you check d/load history you see the IP number of last person that d/loaded...So you see..this would not be a foolproof plan....

Besides..its a contest for "fun"
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A Christmas based theme sounds good for a contest


I'd love to see this. The contest,however, should end in time for the start of the Holidays. Ending the Eve of Thanksgiving so we can enjoy the Themes for the entire Season. Don't you think?
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I guess I'm chiming in here a bit late. I saw the original post about this contest, but missed this "official" announcement.

I was thinking of entering a DX theme, but the thing about using download counts is that it means that I (or anyone) could simply put together a theme that looked really cool but didn't work all that well. I've downloaded themes that looked great, but once I got them, it only took a couple minutes to realize that I couldn't use them at all. So if I'm looking at a DX theme that is entered in the contest and it looks good, I would probably download it. But if it didn't work well ... I've already voted with my download.

The question is: what are we looking for in a winning theme? Is it just about the "advertising" in the library and the preview, and not so much about the actual usablility of the theme?

This would also apply to WindowBlinds, but perhaps not so much.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I thought about the download issue, but - i don't just go by screenies when i dl. mostly, but not just. i also peruse the comments specifically looking for issues that may have to be addressed first. i don't know what's involved in any moderation process, but i kinda hope they ensure it works to some degree at least. and yes, i have also downloaded stuff that didn't work for me - a lot times it didn't mean it was bad, it just didn't work for me and i don't have the knowledge or skill to 'correct' it.

bear in mind, this is for fun - and for myself, a way to give something to the skinners who have made my desktop much more enjoyable.
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Exactly what Bichur said.
This contests are a way for some of us community members to give something back to the skinning community.
We all upload our work here for fun and for free, here is a chance to actually get back something more than just ratings, comments or download counts.
Give it a try, who knows... you might end up a winner
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Apoc, Is it ok to post screenshots prior to the contest?

Great effort by the way!
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you NT

Apoc, Is it ok to post screenshots prior to the contest?


That will eliminate the element of surprise, but I'll consult with the rest of the sponsors and see if there is any harm with the screenshots
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wouldn't it be better to have someone judge the skins? Using download counts puts later uploaders at a disadvantage.



Hippy, I thought about that since the 1st contest, but I didnt want to run into the assumptions or speculations of people that "X" winner was favorite by the judges.


What if someone opens up (or if WC provides one) a temporary page, where you can upload your skin, and at the end of the contest, all skins will be displayed at the same time?

I experienced events where when theres a large number of skins submitted at the same time, it totally "flushes" the other skins to another page even though it was submitted on the same day.

I have to admit though, it's gona be a lot of trouble, expecially if large number of skins are submitted, one page may not even be enough, but its the best i can come up with.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That would be a good idea but it will require a lot of work.
The admins did a great job on the past contest by keeping all the competing entries on cue until the day of the contest. We will be working with the admins again to repeat the process of approval.
Bear in mind also, that this contests are suppose to be fun competitions. A way for some of the members to give something to the community and for artists to get something back for sharing their work.
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
- ALL parts of the theme/skin must be skinned. Incomplete skins will not be accepted.


A_67 - Could you clarify this as it pertains to DesktopX themes?

Thanks.
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The admins did a great job on the past contest by keeping all the competing entries on cue until the day of the contest. We will be working with the admins again to repeat the process of approval.


that would be similar to what i was trying to say, couldn't u admins release the contest entries at the same time?
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A_67 - Could you clarify this as it pertains to DesktopX themes?


That part of the rule applies mostly to the WindowBlinds skins where sometimes the authors will leave essential parts of the skin 'un-skinned' such as scrollbars, logoff buttons, drop menu backgrounds, etc.

Nocen Intus, Yes, the admins will hold all entries and approve them the 1st day of the contest.
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I figure uploading the first day will eventually be a bad decision. If you wait then you have a better chance at getting a highlighted skin and the downloads will continue. If you upload amongst a group of skins you will probably suffer a lack of downloads because it won't be visible for very long.

Oh and BTW, I just finished the winner of the windowblinds portion. All others are wasting their time. Go clean your bathroom or something.
Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh and BTW, I just finished the winner of the windowblinds portion. All others are wasting their time. Go clean your bathroom or something.
Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh and BTW, I just finished the winner of the windowblinds portion. All others are wasting their time. Go clean your bathroom or something.


Self-confidence will get you to a lot of places.
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
would it be ok if clip arts are part of our graphics?
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh and BTW, I just finished the winner of the windowblinds portion. All others are wasting their time. Go clean your bathroom or something.


I wouldn't be SO confident of myself... remember, the higher you are, the harder you fall.

I always expect the worst possible scenerio... so i'll never be dissapointed.. but then again, I'm not an expert like you, i guess you have reasons be so confident...
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Since my butt only has about 20" to fall before it hits the floor, I am willing to hang it in the breeze.
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well said NT!

but then again, I'm not an expert like you, i guess you have reasons be so confident



Anything is possible, so don't count yourself out of the race just yet.
And To answer your question, you have to use all original graphics, no clipart.
Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And To answer your question, you have to use all original graphics, no clipart.


curses....
oh well i prepared for that...
I always expect the worst possible scenerio... so i'll never be dissapointed
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Anything is possible, so don't count yourself out of the race just yet.


who said i counted myself out... just for being so confident, i'm making my own WB skin to challenge Night Train just for the heck of it!
Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i'm making my own WB skin to challenge Night Train just for the heck of it!


This contest might turn out ot be a real show.
Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top