User Shields

Some Suggestions...

from JoeUser Forums
A few suggestions on the user ranks...I think the "User Shields" or these things: should have a few more classes to them. When the WinC beta first came online, the shields were only for Skinners, or Apprentices and those on up. Perhaps there should be different levels of the shields, with the current one being the lowest rank. This could leave some room for customization, but I think it would add a great effect to the user ranks.

For instance, anyone who's just attained 1000 downloads or is a subscriber can keep the normal shield icon that we have now. Other colors or maybe different designs coudl be used for those who are Journeymen or Apprentices. Also, the Wizops or Admins could have special ones as well. Just from a coding perspective, this task could be a great deal of pain (adding a whole set of icons attached to each individual rank for the entire site is one tall order!), but it could definitely add some more depth to the community. If anyone has any ideas or mockups, feel free to post them.
18,209 views 63 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM thinks the 1000 download shield is to easy to attain. Maybe it should be moved up to 100k or something like that.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like the idea of keeping the same shields, but different colours for achievement of significant downloads.

I agree with WOM also ...1000 would be a snap for most people. Needs to be higher
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

How about 4 levels of 'Shield' for download levels....

Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum....

1000, 100,000, 500,000 and 1,000,000

That'd be the go....

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also think 1000 is far too low..

Maybe levels of 10,000 , 50,000, 100,000 , 500,000 and 1,000,000 ?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wyrm's numbers are a little better, in my opinion...
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM and Jafo are in agreement.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Of course we are, WOM....I stole your numbers.....
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think this is a good idea.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would like a Rolex-branded one. Nothing too fancy maybe platinum enrusted with a few diamonds. Or maybe
one with my initials?
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo: you could do it like the record industry where the gold is i think 100k and then platinum would be a million. If you had over 2 mil then you would have 2 of them - double platinum.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is just my opinion, and I have not uploaded anything yet, but I think that 1000 is a good starting point simply because it give the first-time skinner a sense of accomplishment. It's fairly easy to acheive, but provides encouragement and motivation to keep going, which is very important if the next shield won't be received until you hit 100,000 or even 10,000 dl's. Just my 2¢.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think I'm going double platinum in about a week. Wish me luck!

I like 10,000 , 50,000, 100,000 , 500,000 and 1,000,000. However keeping the 1000 for new skinners would be good. It felt cool to reach a milestone like that.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'll go with WOM and Jafo on the numbers, ofcourse a Rolex like Jeff mentioned would be awesome
I also agree that 1000 is too small of a number for a shield. 10,000 would be better since it will motivate new authors to create skins/themes [screenshots shouldnt count tho']

ExodusCrow, double platinum means 2 Million downloads. I think you have a bit more to go on that.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
because it give the first-time skinner a sense of accomplishment. It's fairly easy to acheive, but provides encouragement and motivation to keep going



That's a hollow victory. Anything worth winning should be hard fought. Just handing out a shield to any person uploading who gets a 1000 downloads is ridiculous. Any average skin will get that amount. So the shield amounts to basically nothing. Awards should be handed out for exceptional circumstances whether 10,000, 100,000 downloads or whatever. If someone needs to feel special by winning an award that most people get then i suggest they seek guidance in the self-esteem department. Just my 5 cents.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOM, JAFO way to go... Totally agree

ExodusCrow, don't "mess" with Apocalypse 67, he knows very well what a double platinum means (2,187,569 downloads)

Apocalypse 67: BTW
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
dont give them nay thing . Make them pay to up load and if they want a shield it should cost extra
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
LOL @ Snarph. That should send a few 100,000 users running for the hills

Thanks FilkoSE
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also agree that 1000 is quite low.I believe it should be like 10,000 50,000 and so on. But where I am in disagreement is that I do think screen shots shouuld count and not cause I do a lot of screen shoots, cuz I already got my shields. But what about the new guy ... how long do you think it takes to reach 10,000 downloads for a screenshot? I dont think you'll accomplish that in a week or a month and maybe that would encourage a new person to do them. Especially if they are only doing 1 or 2 a week. So I dont see why it shouldnt count. After all the guy doing screenshots is doing his best to participate to, and isnt that what this is all about..participation?
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

butch....screenshots are not skins...they are a tool.  They are the way to demonstrate a layout, or an issue with a layout.

They shouldn't count as an actual contribution to a skinsite's library, but just as a display of a skin/collection's potential.

Library downloads should be limited to 'product' download....wallpapers, skins, cursors, widgets, etc are the 'actual' site content....

 

For a person who has just joined...and plucked up the courage to submit a skin or wall, I think 1000 as a 'first award attainment' level sends the right message of encouragement.

Not everyone here is guaranteed of massive downloads/popularity so we should be seen to be encouraging those new to the 'game'.

The idea of perhaps having different attainment 'levels' is that those who ARE well beyond the novice can be shown to be beyond 1000, or beyond, 1,000,000 etc., too....

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Admin Jafo
Cant agree with you. So what you are saying if you are not a skinner then you arent worth anything. And I cant agree with that. Because no matter what you do to participate, you are particiaping. Your suggestion creates two class of people. And unfortunately if you like it or not, I believe everybody here is equal. if it be male female skinner or the person that just sits and downloads. This is all one big community and should be all the same for everybody.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

butch123 ...think about it ...how does a 'downloader' actually USE a screenshot?

Does he/she load it as a wall and try to click the icons?

This is nothing to do with 'class of people'.  It has to do with those who create skins...actual workable 'product'.

Skins is what a skin site is all about.

Screenshots are like this message board....except rather than 'oral' it is VISUAL communication of an idea, nothing more.

When someone accesses a SKIN file he intends to apply it to alter his GUI....something a screenshot cannot do, no matter how hard you try.

What I AM saying is...if all you ever upload to this site is 'screenshots' then do not attempt to claim to be a 'skinner' as the correct terminology would be 'screenshot uploader' or 'skin user'.

Everyone here is equal in that he/she uses skins.

Some make them ..... many more use them. [including those who make them].

Screenshots mean nothing except as  a tool used by skinners to demonstrate [or market] their wares, or by 'users' to demonstrate that they are using them.

That's it....

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
FilkoSE, I would never mess with 2,187,569 downloads. Me saying I'm going double platinum was just a large case of download envy
If we were to eliminate the 1000 downloads shield, what about having a small section on the site with a daily list of some people who reached the small milestone. Just to give them some recognition for being new skinners. And as for the people with shields, they would be regarded as VERY prestigious.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Screenshot is usually a combination of different skinners wares and how they can be combined to make a attractive desktop. Visitors to this site may look at the screenshots and say to themselves "Hey this will look great on my computer" and go on to download the highlighted/referenced skins. They might go on to buy OD, they may become Subscribers, buy WB, IP, DesktopX etc. and they may also increase the download totals of the skinners. If you look at the Screenshots you will find many that display the various skins in a better form than some of the efforts in the other library sections. So if I may be so bold to say on behalf of the other non skinners of this COMMUNITY, we were only trying to do our little bit to be part of/and contribute to this great site. And as far as I'm concerned, if the general feeling of the upper echelon is that we are not deserving of the little pixel badge please take the appropriate action to remove it from my name I certainly don't want it.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't see any use in spamming the screenshot area with shots of skins (that were provided with the skin also) anyway. And screenshots clearly don't have to be counted. Otherwise butch123 would be a millionare quite easy with downloading and applying 10 skins a day and making a screenshot.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think upping the shield levels is a very good idea.
1000 is indeed way too easy to attain. Setting the initial shield to 10k would encourage new skinners to create quality works to begin with, in order to attain these shields. These in turn, will mean happier users and serve to proliferate the use of software featured on WC.
Once you raise the bar, the quality of skins will more than likely improve.

I also disagree with butch's views. As Jafo pointed out, screenshots are indeed only tools for skinners and customizers to use.
Perhaps a participation award system could be implemented instead, so that those that do participate and contribute in areas other than skinning also have something to aim for.

Just my 2 cents.