BigDogBigFeet

Join Date 12/2005

+461

Premium Content

Do we benefit?

I thought I would put this out for discussion. Much has been said regarding premium content especially since Master Skins were made available. The reasons cited were (as I recall) along the lines of 1) expanded availability of quality content 2) competition among skinners to produce very high quality content 3) more improvements in WinCustomize 4) more skinners and better retention of skinners. So, is this being attained?

I am definitely a self oriented person. I don't mind paying for some stuff, if I feel I need it or if I feel it's something I want. Along those lines then since skins are something I sometimes want, the purchase decision for me is, basically, am I getting enough for my money?

Based on my experiences so far I believe I am getting good value in my purchases. To that end, I've lately put together some screen shots showing how by mixing free and premium content, you can have excellent looking desktops for your own personal use as well as obtaining the satisfaction of doing some customizing of your own with Object Desktop.

The contrary points of view seem to be of the form first, they were always free before and second, the Master level skinners won't have any incentive to produce free content. It is my contention, since most people I know are also self oriented, the more successful premium content is the more the whole community and I will benefit.

How can this be? The answer is I have been getting higher quality content since skinners are now being compensated for their hard work, as they experience success at it, the more effort they will put into their work. I as a self oriented person benefit directly from this. In fact it is this very self oriented nature of the activity that ensures plenty of high quality content and a real possibility of continued improvements for the whole community. As far as I can see it, I can't find any genuine downside to premium content other than the grumbling that occasionally occurs because it's new.

Whether or not all of the above mentioned four points are being achieved I think it's still too early to know. I do know I like what I see so far. So, what's your experience been?

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My experience has been great,i enjoy the master skins.Only problem has been which to apply,cant have more than one on at a time.I would like to see a category
dedicated to master skins,or a link to all so i could browse them easier.Apart from that keep them coming

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On your point about no incentive to provide high quality free content.

It would seem to be in the best interest of a master skinner, or anyone else for that matter, to provide some high quality free 'stuff' to generate interest in the premium options they also produce. A quick example, VStylers Vienna web blind is a great web blind, but it is the first of his i have liked, no matter what the quality is, and it now makes me look for new stuff from him and indeed would buy anything that i found to my liking (and i do buy some stuff) So his excellent vienna WB has generated at least 1 prospective customer for him, and no doubt there are others with a similar opinion about other skinners.
So the 'free' is all about advertising for the skinner, if their free is no good, who would even consider buying it?? (maybe they can claim it as a business expense under advertising in their tax)

Just some thoughts

Cheers
Gro

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BigDogBigFeet

Join Date 12/2005

+461

On your point about no incentive to provide high quality free content.

Thanks for your interest. This isn't so much my point as it is one I have read before. What decision any individual master skinner will make in the free versus premium skin tradeoff will tend to vary. One thing that does seem to be happening is there has been more interest in submitting skins from more skinners. I'm thinking here that those interested in working their way up to the master level will easily fill any void left by the master skinners. Your point I think you are making that master skinners will still have the incentive of maintaining customer good will with some free offerings is valid.

As for your statement Cerebus

would like to see a category
dedicated to master skins,or a link to all so i could browse them easier.

If you look at the Gallery tab located at the top just below the WinCustomize logo and click it you should see a Top Master Skins section there. Just click on Top Master Skins and it will take you to the Master Skins gallery. Have fun!

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I already paid for Windowblinds, now I have to pay for content? You won't see me buying any.
Well theres enough good free content, so no worries really, and if it has the desired effect we should end up with more good free content. However I have serious doubts about this, I think you will see the master skinners put out there really good stuff as master skins and that will leave only mediocre or crippled/unfinished versions for free. If this happens it could really have the opposite result. Less good free examples for people to learn off of, and I think you will find people even less likely to buy something just so they can tweak and learn. And it's those people who just start tweaking that probably have potential to become future skinners. IMHO you're closing more doors than your opening.

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ZubaZ

Join Date 11/2001

+917

I think you will see the master skinners put out there really good stuff as master skins and that will leave only mediocre or crippled/unfinished versions for free.

I think most of the mediocre skins that the masters put out are still better than many of the other skinners.

The other thing to consider is that the masters are not just masters because of their skins. They are masters because they are part of the community. If a new skinner needs help, all they have to do is ask and a master (or future Master candidate) will be there.

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BigDogBigFeet

Join Date 12/2005

+461

IMHO you're closing more doors than your opening.

This is where I have to disagree the most strongly. I think the reason you have reached this conclusion is based on unfounded assumptions you have made. First of all, what seems clear is that for sometime now premium suites have been available. The production and sale of these has helped to retain valuable artists and has given added interest to the community. As a result, the community has better service and support. However, not every talented artist can work directly for Stardock Design, hence Master Skins fill a void.

The psychic reward of satisfaction is the primary reward developing skinners have. But, producing these works requires a significant investment of both time and money, and after a time, the psychic reward often loses its impact. Economic reward can help sustain the artist's interest in continuing to produce high quality work. Ultimately, it is the continuous supply of high quality content that will ensure continued demand for skins. Furthermore, developing artists have an added incentive with Master Skins to compete for. Hence, in this economicly driven process the community does pay some more, but they also receive more than just the content they pay for. I think, given time, my hypothesis will bare out.

I would also like to add that I am unconvinced that all free content from Master Skinners will be of a lesser quality. The Master Skinners have an economic incentive to ensure they maintain a good community following (active support and high quality free content) will stimulate demand for their premium content. The community wins on all counts in my opinion.

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I wonder how times I would read that peoples keep clamouring why few contents ain't free anymore. Seaching in forum,you will see those same-script-but-different-casts.

Zubaz has nailed it down simply. Has wont to it,no matter how you state,it won't change at short terms.

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