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User Shields

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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.
18,210 views 63 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is a participation award system already, called 'promotion'
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Administrator Jafo : In a way I agree with you, that a screenshot you can do absolutely nothing with and that it is not a skin. But you know I'm an older person as you are...and I cant help but think about peoples feelings.I can tell you first hand that there is a lot of work that goes into making a decent presentation of a screenshot. And I think for people to push the issue that a screenshot is not worth anything is kind of degregating. Everyone has feelings, and should be respected. The person who puts their heart into making a screenshot to be told well tis not really much is kind of a blow. dont we want to make everybody feel that they are all part of the community here..what we are talking about is a stupid sticker...cant get rich on them. So while I do in general agree with your position, I think overall the most important thing is that all members feel whatever contribution they make it is appreciated and worthwhile.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
c242: You know since i have been here you do nothing but try to belittle me. But I dont blame you, its not your fault you were never taught any manners. And as for my financial siutation how do you know i'm not? i didnt have to wait till 65 to retire...Or maybe i am a little more human and have more feelings for people...I've never called your work spam, although not one of my favorite, cuz I belive in encouraging people, instaed of trying to belittle them. Not trying to preach to you but maybe you should try and see the good in things, instead of always be so negative. So just for you I will dedicate the rest of my screenshots for the rest of my life, forever and ever, just to you...long live spam.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

its not your fault you were never taught any manners

Ok...time to move on here....this isn't appropriate.

The thread topic is about User shields and downloads...not about screenshots and their overuse/abuse.  From post #18 this has been derailed....

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree with you Jafo I think its time to move on. So as I previously stated I do believe that 1000 is quite a bit too low. hey we are in agreement..
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Only a short note : butch123, You clearly didn't get, what I mean and have no clue, what the 'spirit' is all about. And for my 'bad manners' You can ask others here, my User-ID is 51, which shows how long I have been here already...
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
C242: Perhaps you feel I have misjudged you, but on the other hand I feel that you have been antagonistic towards me ever since I became a member here. So why dont we just try to get along..if you really dont like my stuff please just 'pass it by' and let it go at that. I in turn will do the same. Mutual respect.
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
moo<----- the last word....
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"Setting the initial shield to 10k would encourage new skinners to create quality works to begin with"

I think this statement is crap. I've only uploaded one skin here, it's a DX widget and I happen to think it's very good in both graphic quality as well as overall asthetics. It only has 2216 downloads, does that mean it's not "quality work" as you so eloquently put it? I don't think so, perhaps it's because DX objects are not as popular as WB skins or IP packages, but regardless I think that a blanket statement directly linking download count to quality is short sighted at best.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"Setting the initial shield to 10k would encourage new skinners to create quality works to begin with"
WOM doesn't believe that statment.

Setting the initial bar to 10k would enncourage people to continue to strive to get there, but as Jafo pointed out, its probably best to leave it a 1k and have different levels to reach.
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, so maybe the 1000 level is low and too easily attained, so why not set the first shield at 5000, 50,000, 100,000, 500,000, & 1,000,000? We all realize that a DX Theme, WB, or IP are gonna move up the chart (so to speak) a lot quicker than say a widget. Or am I wrong concerning that?
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So as I previously stated I do believe that 1000 is quite a bit too low. hey we are in agreement..

No, I'm pro - 1000.

It is people like Developer f0r3  in #34 .... who demonstrate that 1000 is a legitimate goal/achievement for people at 'entry level'.  THEN you have the harder or long-term 'awards' ....but don't discriminate against the 'newbie', as butch123 is wont to maintain ....we are all 'equals'...

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I see your point Jafo but in f0r3's case, he only has one upload to count for, there for it will take a while for that single upload to collect 10k DL's. I’m sure that if any author contributes with more work, that mark can be reach rather quickly.
Also, uploads for sections such as DX widgets, Rainlendar, OD icons, Beatnik, etc. generate lower DL's as oppose to sections such as WB, IconPack or DX Theme on which a single upload can reach the 10k mark in matter of days.
A shield for a 1000 mark seems petty compared with one for a 10,000. I know I had a bigger sense of achievement when I reached 10,000 than when I got 1000.
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

A 67 ....then in your case you could strive for the 100,000 or million, etc.

Some people are not prolific uploaders attempting to attain some pinacle of prominence, but are students of the craft who may or may not have many uploaded works at all.

Don't deny them their place in the sun....

Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think that 1000 should stay as well. This may be a significant first achievement for someone who uploads in the less popular areas and who is not a "big name". It may not mean much on the scale of things, but if it encourages them to go for later ones then I'm all for it.
Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Agreed.. I'll never be one of the big contributers because I'm simply a coder by nature and graphics aren't really my thing. Heck, I may never upload another item, not for lack of desire but even if I come up with a good idea for a skin, widget etc. chances are it will get started but never see the completed state, Anyway, I guess I'm just trying to say 1000 is nothing more than a pat on the back for a relatively OK skin. I don't think anyone is under the impression that a skin that gets 1000 downloads is good enough for premium suite level but it's kinda cool to know that something you did was downloaded by that many people and on a site that actually takes steps to keep download counts as accurate as possible. So, that's my opinion take it or leave it but let's not go out of our way to make ataining some sort of kudos out of reach for the *average* joe.
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Don’t get me wrong Jafo. As an author my self I'm all for support and encouragement to others and from others.
I’m also not trying to deny anyone of their level of achievement. As I also don’t think anyone that uploads here is just going to be conform with just 1 upload (since this is a very addictive hobby) I just think that the gratification for achieving a mark would be greater if it’s not easily obtained

[Edited]

Reading Nick's last post. I can concur with his idea.
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just to Butch...I don't consider myself a skinner yet. Once I skin my first WB and/or attain Apprentice status on the site for helping out, then I'll start to call myself one.

But back to the issue at hand: I do like TSF's idea of double platinum and such. Here's another idea graphic wise for the shields...Should the shields just be used for download counts? Maybe they should have a little icon within them to designate the rank of the user, such as a little paintbrush for skinners/apprentices, a wizard's hat for wizops, etc. Another issue is color...if the base value (1000) is yellow, then what could be the others?

Maybe levels of 10,000 , 50,000, 100,000 , 500,000 and 1,000,000 ?


I definitely like GSW's suggestion, but i'll add a few more...fyi, the few 4 colors are arbitrary:

1,000: Yellow (easily attainable, can give a confidence boost)
5,000: Orange (again the same)
10,000: Red (now, here's the difference, if someone has say, 75,000 downloads in only screenshots or some other library, then this is the highest level they can attain with just that amount. The 40,000 to the next level must be in REAL skins)
50,000: Blue (first d/l rank without screenshots or whatever)
100,000: Bronze (the first true testament, it takes a while to get to this landmark)
500,000: Silver
1 Million: Gold (really, this is all it needs to go up to, unless some of the juggernauts really want more levels)

Now this is NOT a bias to butch or SSGOKU or any of the other screenshot guys, just I'm trying to present a way to give both sides some ground on the issue. I hope this helps!
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There we go nick...excellent proposal.

One that Id like to see implemented.
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum....
1000, 100,000, 500,000 and 1,000,000

Sometimes simple is better...

Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not long ago I realized I had this 'coveted' little shield...... the amusing part is that I thought it was a glitch from the new site,but, a couple of days later when reading one of the comments on a screenshot I realized it was there for a reason. At any rate, I am not a skinner nor do I think I will ever be one. Having said that here are my two cents......

I've been a member of WinCustomize for over a year and a half. I happened on this site by accident and as soon as I realized what this site was about I was thrilled, because I am one of those people who are not at all enchanted by what WidowsXP calls 'themes'. It was the screenshots that compelled me to start trying programs other than WincowBlinds. I would also like to add that I was quite the tyro when I started using the programs but found that the people here on the forums were always very helpfull and polite and have made me feel welcome.... I abhor rude people (Hannibal Lector is my hero.... but that's fodder for another thread). My point is that I believe this site is for customizing the desktop as it's name implies and is comprised by people such as myself that love to change their desktops and those who create the skins. Although, they are not at all the same they are equally important and have a symbiotic relationship. So, perhaps the debate exists because these awards are being lumped together for both groups..... my suggestion would be to have awards for each group. Awards for those who support the site, purchase the products, and display them with their screenshots, AND awards for the creators and skinners of these programs.

Just a suggetion and point of view from a non-skinner!

Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top
P.S.

Forgot to add that although I was surprised I thought the 'shield' was a nice little acknowledgement!
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Interesting thread. Jafo, I am impressed. A67, too. Perhaps (and I suspect this has already been done in some way) screenies should only count as .5 or .25 downloads or .10. My point is, a person like fOr3 who creates a nice skin or like Apoc 67 that spends a lot of time on a blind or wall, and then gets numerous downloads for his art brought about by creative juices should get more kudos than a person who posts a wall of a pitbabe in a screenshot and has 1500 people "download" (zoom) in on her mamalia. All of the people on this site have a place,like Jafo and Lady Aarielle attested to, but skinning rewards should, I agree, go to the creators and not the users. Make a different award for them .. but not downloads. C242 mentioned promotions which is a great idea already being used. Maybe have badges for skinners that have their work downloaded, and different badges for those that have downloaded the most skins of others work. Butch123 has to be leading that category with all of his creative shots. Just a thought.
Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I wonder if I could get a user sword instead.
Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1000 = green
10,000 = bronze
100,000 = silver
500,000 = gold
1,000,000 = platinum

Simple is best and I don't really care if it's 500,000 screenshot views or 500,000 skin downloads, but I think that screenshots should expire after 30 days, therefore keeping the screenshot view totals in check.