I've never had that bad connection, so it's probably something that is outside stardock that cause it. On a slow day pageloads take ~20 seconds to load for me, which is slow enough for me to complain... Going over 5 minutes for a page is ridiculous, but as I've *never* seen that, I think it's an indication that those pageloads are not caused by stardock servers.

I think that would be too much, which is where the download limit comes into play. Once you go over the limit (whatever that is now) you have to subscribe/purchase a product.

Yup, that is probably right on the money, and download limitations are the way to go.  Thing is, while it's not an issue for those who are hard-core skin/customisation fanatics, I'm wondering what Stardock/WC could do to make subscribing more attractive to the non-subscribers who frequent the site. I mean, given that advertising is thrust upon us everywhere we look, and people have learned to tolerate/live with it, is the price of a subscription worth being able to browse WC ad free?  Ads annoy the crap out of me and I prefer to be free of advertising when I'm browsing, but is ad free browsing a big enough draw card for some?

Yes, there are free skins for subscribers, but given the quality of free skins available in the galleries anyway, do those subscriber skins represent good value to those who see great skins for free in the galleries, are more casual customisers anyhow, and can tolerate browsing with ads?  Probably not, given how many quality skins they can get for free in the galleries!  And the promise of a personal page to upload skins and photos may not be enough, either, not if they are non-skinning and casual customisers who only want to change their desktop appearance every once in a while.

I'm not sure what else Stardock?WC could offer in the way of extra goodies and freebies to act as an added incentive, but I do know that it's easier to get a dollar from 50,000 people than it is from just a handful, so I'm thinking along those lines and tiered subscriptions may be the answer... different levels for different needs/wants...

For example:

$5.95 Basic Subscription:  prvides ad free bowsing and unlimited downloads.

$9.95 Standard Subscription: provides ad free browsing, unlimited downloads, forum access and access to subscriber skins current at time of purchase.

$14.95 Premium Subscription: provides all of the above... plus personal page for uploads and access to all subscriber skins and benefits released during subscription period.

Given the current economic climate, where finances are tight and people are finding 20 buck hard to come by, much less justify on a non-essential, maybe a $5.95 entry level sub is more palatable and one that more people would be inclined to pony up for.  It has to be remembered that not all customisers are as avid as the rest, and therefore require less, so why make them pay for more, like services and benefits they neither use or need.

Just a thought!

I agree with Island Dog, as I'm sure most of the folks that have current subscriptions probably will, that really isn't the problem though.  The problem is getting the folks that don't subscribe to think it is a 'good deal'.

What?? Having to pay to access the forums?? That's a horrible idea if I ever heard one.

thought the offer was $20 for the object desktop renewal....up until Feb 28th...

Link...

mmmmmm i dident see this offer....

so if i update now i get 12 months from when my other one runs out....?

I still don't think it's a good idea. First people pay for the product, then they have to pay *again* just to get *un*official support? Bad idea. Forums should be available to *everyone* regardless of their customer/subscriber status.

Just booted up...and found that folks are still/haven't stopped with this topic.

Gotta say I side with Bebi...her logic is absolutely correct.

Another thing: People go with SD software because they like customizing the Blaaah Windows GUI.

WC has 2 halves: the skins and the forums. The social aspect is important to a lot of folks...and I don't feel it's right to nickel and dime people, wringing the last penny out of them.

Let's not forget that the skinners make the software worthwhile...but without the community? What's all of it worth? A lot less.

In your opinion, but there are probably a few who would rather pay that for just downloads and being ad free than 19.95 for sevices they never use, want or need... and IMO it would be better to have $5.95 from those who'd pony up that much, but not a greater amount.

Bebi, the idea is NOT that you'd pay extra for forum services... but rather that those who do not use or need them don't have to pay.  If you look at the tier structure I tentatively put forward, you'd actually be paying less for that level than the current 19.95 sub.  And for those who want/need the whole shebang there'd be a Premium sub for a little more. So yeah, the idea is about structuring subs so that people are not paying for anything over and above that they use... which seems like a good idea and may very well attract subs from people who have never considered it before: eg, those who come to WC to download skins but nothing more.

Like I said, however, it was a tentative idea and not set in concrete... but I have to wonder how many $5.95 subs may have been added to the $50,000 total Stardock is aiming for, had they been available.

No, Rob, if you update now yoyur new sub would commence when your current one expires.

Yeah but a lot of the forums are cross-posted from other SD sites. Would people have to pay to access the sister-site forums too? In addition, I bet there are people on these forums who come purely for the community itself and have little to do with the gallery side of things, and making people pay to access forums will go over like a lead balloon.

How is deviantart setup - couldnt wincustomize foolow a similar model?   Just a suggestion

Accepting Money Orders, or Subs via 'snail mail' would be in SD's best interests as well, not everybody has a Credit Card, and not everyone feels comfortable [OR safe..] using PayPal!