Is Skinning Worth It?

- Alot of time, no money back, headaches....

Published on November 26, 2005 By --Gabriel In Community

[rant]
Okay, I like doing graphic design. I grew up on a farm, in the middle of a 200 acre cornfield, I didn't like to ride 4-wheelers, go hunting, or line dance so I messed around with the computer when my Dad first bought an old 486. I was lucky enough that my best friends dad was a web-page designer on the side, and that MY dad is an art teacher an had an educational version of Photoshop. I began designing really ugly websites that served no purpose because it was fun and I had nothing better to do.

A few years later when Windows 2000 came out, and everyone was itching for XP I saw a program that could let me have the look of XP early on my older system... I thought that was pretty neat and so I used it. I began customizing the look of my PC and soon began designing skins because they actually were appreciated by people (unlike the useless websites I created.)

I've been happy to make skins and upload them but now as I'm becoming more and more busy and the time it takes to make a good skin become greater and greater with all the new features the fun factor is beginning to wane. I still enjoy the compliments, and the creativity involved... but is it worth dealing with the headaches, the insults, the assholes, the loss of free time?

In my observation several good skinners have recently seemed to say that it isn't worth the hassle, and kept thier creations to themselves. They may be onto something.
[/rant]

Comments (Page 2)

NightTrainthedark

on Nov 26, 2005

It is worth it if you do it for yourself and only yourself. Whatever the rewards are, if it brings you down, you have to take a step back and take a Holiday. There has been a shitload of "I am quitting skining" comments as of late. Some people I feel like....so C ya, wouldn't want to be ya, and then there is others like you Gabriel. If you, Boxxi, Pixel Pirate, drop out, we all lose. <--period!

Perhaps a challenge could spark some inspiration into some of you guys. I'll be back!

The Real Shark

on Nov 26, 2005

I would like to echo the semtiments of those that say to ^^Gabriel, PixelPirate, Boxxi, and essorant-you are great skinners. I would wish you not stop skinning. Indeed your designs are interesting and classic. You push the envelope for the rest of us that wish to aspire to skinning. I really do not have the time. I have played with certain elements like just designing a minimize. maximize, close button. This takes me much time and makes me appreciate what you designers do.
I have designed and maintained my own website. I designed the graphincs and the layout. It is very time-consuming. So, I know about the time issues. I don't seem to have the time anymore.
But, skinning... I don't know where to begin...
I really enjoy using WB and hope that there will be skinners that continue to create.
But, ultimately it is your decision. Perhpas if enough of us say do not stop, maybe you will re-consider.

DaRkFuSsIoOn

on Nov 26, 2005

you are a great skinner...!

Yes you are

Daiwa

on Nov 26, 2005

Skinning is very time-consuming unless you do it a lot & are skilled with the tools of a high-end graphics program. I do it as a hobby, mainly for myself, using nothing but MSPaint, because I just enjoy the challenge of making it all "fit" (takes all kinds, what can I say?).

Because I do it piecemeal when the time is available, it takes a long time to finish a skin - I have a suite of 7 or 8 skins which are all variations on a particular theme but substantially different from each other, 2 of which I uploaded more than 18 months ago, when I was still using WB3x. I've been working on them, and developed 5 or six more, ever since and it seems no sooner do I get them about ready to upload that a new version of WB comes out or new skinnable features are added to the existing version. Or I spot something off by 1 pixel or something I want to change which looks simple enough to do, or it occurs to me how I could get the look I want with a new trick, but then I remember that the graphics are so interdependent there are a dozen dominoes which must be attended to once you make a single change - even then I miss some which shouldn't be missed if I want to maintain a consistent look. I've just found it hard to keep pace with WB development as a hobbyist skinner. And I don't even mess with animations or Toolbar Buttons.

Nonetheless, I find it enjoyable, and those skins will get uploaded before too long.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Reppiks

on Nov 26, 2005

Is it worth it? A personal decision for sure. Those who can create art, weather it be music, graphic, or other, it fulfills a need within yourself. How much time you commit to it is dependent on what else you value in your life. Family comes first, along with the rent etc. Who you share it with becomes the big question, everyone wants to be apperciated, and indeed you artist are! There is a hidden ratting system here that all can see, it's right in front of all of us. Look at the download totals, subtract the negative comments, and look at the difference in numbers. Somewhere in that total is a bunch of people that like what they see, sure, they should have left a comment without a doubt! I, for one would miss your creations, but I also understand priorities, just don't let the loud ignorant few out vote the many that get great enjoyment of the works that you are willing to share with us. Have a happy holiday season, Reppiks

starkers

on Nov 26, 2005

[BoXXi]
I feel the same Gabriel......exactly. I won't make any more skins until the rating sytem goes, and you can choose whether to allow comments. Those things are never going to change, so I guess I won't be making any more skins

This speaks volumes for the abolition of the ratings system and policing of the comments section to remove the obnoxious and counter-productive.....the loud ignorant few, as Reppicks so aptly put it. Skinners are only human, and a kick in the guts is a kick in the guts, whether it be physical or mental, emotional or spritual, paticularly when it's too often repeated.

Nobody wants their efforts to be constantly put down, ridiculed and/or trivialised, particularly when they've shared them for free. Eventually they're dissuaded entirely, as is evidenced by several top skinners looking for the door, some already having found it.

If the current system isn't given a serious overhaul to prevent ratings abuse and snide comments, several more will eventually find the door and leave also. That is not in the best interests of WC or the majority of people who come here to enjoy the quality works and community atmosphere.

Civility and being polite costs nothing, whereas the alternative always bears a price, someone loses something.....and what goes around comes around.

Frogboy

on Nov 26, 2005

I tend to sometimes feel much teh same way.

I don't think the rating system is a problem though since only around 1% of site visitors can rate things (you have to be an apprentice or subscriber). I would like to see only apprentices on up be able to rate skins.

On commenting, similarly, I would like to see an option where only apprentices on up could comment on a skin if the skin author chooses that.

Apocalypse_67

on Nov 26, 2005

Brad, those options would be most helpful. It would give back the comfort level to skinners while eliminating all (or at least most) of the bad apples that spoils the fun for everyone else.
Hope to see these options in practice soon.

BoXXi

on Nov 27, 2005

I don't think the rating system is a problem though since only around 1% of site visitors can rate things

Sorry Brad, but I have to disagree. If the first rating that your skin receives is a malicious low rating, it immediately removes it from the view of the casual visitors, which significantly affects it's download count, and therefore it's popularity.
However, that is my last word as I don't want to become involved in another fruitless ratings discussion.

Corky_O

on Nov 27, 2005

I would like to see only apprentices on up be able to rate skins.

Studibaker

on Nov 27, 2005

What ever happens something needs to be done to stop all the great skinners and those that contribute a lot to this site being driven away by the few who insist on being nasty.If something isnt done then more will be lost and more people will stop sharing there work.

Natsgm

on Nov 27, 2005

I bring nothing to the table but my appreciation.

For all who skin, thank you. I love you and appreciate what you do.

Erk.

on Nov 27, 2005

If the first rating that your skin receives is a malicious low rating, it immediately removes it from the view of the casual visitors, which significantly affects it's download count, and therefore it's popularity.

Gotta say I agree wholeheartedly with this comment by BoXXi.

And given the low numbers of people who do actually comment and rate skins ...once that skin has disappeared from the view of casual visitors, it can take forever to regain popularity, if ever.

I hope something different can be implemented soon, before we lose so many many of the "old guard" [no offense meant with "old"

] of skinners, ~that skinning might lose it's popularity overall.

Not to mention that they're a nice bunch of folks that it would be a shame to lose...

PurrBall

on Nov 27, 2005

I myself have stopped skinning. I do not appreciate dirty comments, but nice ones that might suggest something. Example:

is this a joke, (sry if you worked hard). it looks like i just puked on the screen, lol. i have it on right now as a joke, lol! its worth the laughs!

However, I have finished an unreleased mini-suite that I will upload when the time comes.

Gregory2001

on Nov 27, 2005

Which means, especially for us non-skinners, we all suffer. There are some big names here (artists that I download everything they do) and if this trend continues I will no longer have the "perfect" desktop. I have noticed a lack of WB5 skins from authors who, under different circumstances, would be flooding the gallery by now. These artists are why I'm here. If you go, there is no reason for me to stay either. If the problem is just "ratings" and "comments", get rid of them. We want our artists back and I don't want to see them go becuase of some stupid teenager. A side note to skinners: I will gladly pay for your skins.

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