I have to agree, but that's hard to do with master skins...  master skins will be open to more critique than other skins because you cannot review before you buy. 

the screenshot really needs to sell the product...

And that is the whole point here! Unless the skin is purchased/downloaded, fair appraisal/critique can not be applied, and therefore should be refrained from, particularly when the comments are destructive regarding something which has not downloaded or tested.

Despite the best efforts of the artist, a screenshot is two dimensional and can never do justice to the skin itself, which is why the skin must be downloaded and used before one can comment with any authority... to otherwise comment is, to me, unqualified and an excuse to bump one's gums for no apparent reason.

I can't see what folks were being so picky about. I think that Vampothika has her unique art and style. Not every offering will satisfy nor interest every customer.

Perhaps a "shareware" option which times out after a given period would help people decide. I'm not a skinner simply because I don't have that unique combination of graphics skills, color sense and patience along with knowledge of the software and skill in using it.

I do know, however that my eye has been trained to observe and in Kitty I observe a Master at work. Period. starkers is absolutely correct as he usually is and you should listen to Po' and Jafo, Vamps. Good Aussie expression, that about the poppy. Thanks Paul, I'll remember it.

However, WC has promoted Vampothika to the rank of "Master". That is beyond contestation. She knows how to skin and her technique and ability are beyond questioning. Someone might choose to do something differently, but her art is her choice. "Saboteur" has been judged a Masterskin, therefore the matter is over and done.

Perhaps people should remember The Golden Rule, and who authored it.

negative comments are just not helpful, constructive critiscism is one thing bitching is another - i am in awe of all of vampothicas work - keep it up  

Just to reflect a lill bit on what messiah1 wrote....

If you skin to suit others needs - then you've sold out...
If you skin to please others - then you've sold out...

(Goes for all artists, not just Masters)

Skin for yourself. Enjoy what you do/make - and screw what everyone else thinks of your work.

Peace out.

Messiah1, any posible violations MUST be delt with in PRIVATE with an ADMIN, NOT in PUBLIC!

Thought you knew that by now.....

Everyone has an opinion and this is my take. Jafo said it best “it's accepted as a Master skin by Stardock/Wincustomize than that's all that really matters.”

 With the many talented skinners and designs it only natural that everyone isn't going to like every skin made. I have viewed skins that looked good from screen shots but I didn't like what they looked like on my computer. Did it the other way around with skins that looked so, so, and liked them.

 A skinner works hard to make the skin, they liked it, it was accepted, and that is what matters. I did like the idea of a time trial even if it was as little as 2 or 3 days and if you like it you buy it, if not it stops working and you delete it. Don't know if it's even possible to do this but still a great thought. The skinner won't know who actually decided to keep or delete it, but will know how many times it was actually purchased. I certain this is done with the many free skins available.

 Can you imagine if every skin received this kind of criticism, in a few months many skinners would just give up. So I say if it's a post about a new skin and the skinner is asking what can be improved before it's submitted than give the suggestions. If it's uploaded without posting for suggestions, than that isn't the time to say how much you don't like it or if you think it's bad. Just pass it by and look for another.  

Seems to me that she's selling a Windowblinds skin and giving a wallpaper away.

Seems to me she's trying to add value by including the wallpaper and some shitty icons.  It doesn't change the fact that she's making money off of someone elses work.

What the hell part of that didn't you understand?

Well, it ain't flippin jealousy ID.  Not on this skin, not on any of her skins.  It's ok for people to comment about how excellent and creative a skin is, but if someone puts in a true opinion about how they don't feel it's master quality, it's automatically bad and destructive and blah, blah fucking blah.

I'm sick of the mod/admin cliques on here myself.

I never understand why people will complain about a master skin not being good enough.  If you don't like the skin, then why do you care if it's free or not?  Obviously anyone who shells out the cash is happy with the skin, so good for them.  If you don't like it, why would you want it even if it's free?  Just let it be.  I personally don't like it, but who cares?  I won't buy it.  But I'm not going to bitch about it costing money because honestly I wouldn't be downloading it even if it was free.  I think it's obvious that she out alot of work into it, it's fully skinned from what we can see... so what is there that makes it "not good enough" to be a master skin?  Just because someone doesn't like it?

I don't like Pepsi.  Should I go to my local grocer and demand they stop charging for it because I don't like it?  No.  I just won't buy it.  But others will...

actually, if you don't like Pepsi, just buy it and give it to me. Pepsi is the nectar of the gods. i'll take all the pepsi you want to buy for me.