I think moderation should take a slightly different approach. I know I am relatively new here (since about september or october of 2003...woot! its 2004!) so I lack experience here, but I feel that I have the intellectual capacity to at least try to make some valid suggestions. I think moderation should be chosen like it is...by a select group of individuals very experienced in the field of skinning and long time members here...but sometimes I have to wonder at why some things are allowed to be added to the library. I haven't had a single thing rejected yet, and that makes me wonder a little. It is granted that I haven't uploaded anything thats particularly bad (at least to my tastes) or in a catagory that has strict moderation. Also I haven't uploaded that many things: I have 11 uploaded and accepted. However I stray from my stated topic.
I think that moderation should be stricter and looser. Particularly in the catagories that have the most skins it needs to be stricter. Lately a few icons for objectdock have slipped through that I wonder about, and some walls just aren't that good. I think the hardest part is opinion. All of the admins have their own opinions about what they like and dislike, and that is understandable and expected. But should only peoples opinions matter at what is uploaded. I know that this might not be the case as I have nothing to do with things being excepted, but still from what I have heard over my time here that that is the generally accepted method. I was wondering what the guidelines and rules that admins follow to accept skins the otherday and I came up with quite a few that I think should be followed. Again I don't know if these are followed as I have never fully read the faqs here (I'm lazy). Here they go:
1) First and formost is if the material is acceptable content to the site. The main exclusions are nudity, extreme sexual inferences, drug, or alcohol related, and other non-family oriented content.
2) Is the material a rip of somebody elses hard work. Mostly I see these in the objectdock section. I personally don't mind it as long as they provide a comment stating it isn't their own image/idea. Kona is a good example of the right way to do this.
3) Is the work complete. This really needs no explanation. And I have seen uncomplete works uploaded with no intent to finish. A demo is understandable as long as it hints to something very good. I don't want to see a demo of something not worth downloading.
4) Is the material good. This point is what is the most biased. I myself have strict opinions as to what is good and bad. Many things uploaded here I personally don't consider good work, but I can understand the hard work put into it, and can usually see if others could like it.
5) The experience of the author. If the author is a very experienced skinner I think harsher guidelines should be applied. While the work might be considered better than average it is simply underpar with the rest of their work. However if an inexperienced skinner posts the a work of about the same level as above it should be accepted because the newer skinners need encouragement and many of the comments might help them to make a better skin next time.
6) For wallpapers only. If a wallpaper looks good it doesn't mean its a good wallpaper. Several other factors need to be considered like its usability, originality, and personality. Some things just aren't meant to be wallpapers. Also scenery needs even stricter moderation. There is just too much of it. I can take pictures that look better then most of it. Its not hard to do. I understand the time it takes to make some of the landscapes in a 3d program, but I personally would never use one as a wallpaper when I could have a better looking photograph in its place.
I am tired of writing this post. Please accept my apologies for its length. I hope at least a few good ideas are in it.
