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FAQ: Why can't I download any more stuff?

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FAQ: Why can't I download any more stuff?

from WinCustomize Forums

Problem: After having downloaded 50 megabytes or more of skins, themes, icons, or wallpapers I am unable to download any more without having to purchase a subscription. What gives?

Discussion:

As of May 2004, WinCustomize.com uses approximately 27,000 GIGABYTES (not bits) of bandwidth each month. The cost of this bandwidth, as you can imagine, is quite significant.  In addition, while the site runs on a day to day basis thanks to a small but dedicated group of volunteer moderators and administrators, it still requires consider IT resources which are not free along with occasional hardware upgrades (a typical server might cost $10,000).

At the end of the day, someone has to pay for this.  You are not paying for skins and themes, you are simply helping pay for the bandwidth costs that you have used. The ISP that provides WinCustomize the bandwidth that has to be paid for each month doesn't care what is being downloaded. They don't care whether it's skins, themes, music, documentation, videos, whatever. Bandwidth is bandwidth and it has to be paid for. Thousands and thousands of dollars each month.

Once a user has downloaded 50 megabytes of skins and themes (and in actuality used considerably more than that in the form of previews and library browsing) they are asked to contribute *something* to the site.

One can contribute to WinCustomize in one of 4 ways:

(1) They can being creating skins and themes and icon packages and submitting them. That is, contribute to the library that they themselves have used.  Users with Apprentice access or higher are immune to the bandwidth caps.

(2) They can help their fellow users on the message forums. Answer questions, give them a hand or tips. This is another path to gaining higher access.

(3) They can purchase one of Stardock's programs (CursorXP, WindowBlinds, DesktopX, Object Desktop, IconPackager, etc.).  Since Stardock is the one who ultimately pays the bandwidth bill, they have agreed to pay for the bandwidth used by Stardock customers.

(4) They can purchase a WinCustomize account which is $19.95 and not only gives them unlimited bandwidth useages but access to premium suites, access to the WinCustomize skin browser (an extremely cool program), the WinCustomize system tray add-on, and more.

We hope that you will join our community and help it continue to grow and thrive. It is only because of those who contribute back to the site that it is able to exist today.

48,891 views 155 replies
Reply #51 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Question? If I have purchased Icon Packenger, Windowblinds, and a few others. But not the subscribtion. Do I also have a download cap?
Reply #52 from WinCustomize Forums Top
csurfside....no, you've contributed via purchases....so no cap applies....
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #53 from WinCustomize Forums Top
csurfside....no, you've contributed via purchases....so no cap applies....


Reply #54 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well... despite my having a Stardock Account and a Wincustomize (free) account, i continuously recieve error msgs and am unable to d/l anything. i mean i think i have managed to d/l MAYBE 3 or 4 WB skins and THATS IT. so we're not talkin 50MB here... i keep getting this annoying msg about cross referencing my S.Dock and my WinCust. accounts and i keep typing in my address like a good little boy... but even tho i get the emails and click on the link, nothing ever seems to change my miserable status - which i would like to note seemed like it might actually have been higher when i DIDN'T EVEN HAVE AN ACCOUNT. at least then i could download a few things...

grumpy, annoyed, and awaiting enlightenment...
BobtheboB
Reply #55 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Are you sure you are inputting the address that you signed up to the Stardock Purchase with?
Reply #57 from WinCustomize Forums Top
wow, i feel like some kid just mowed my yard while i was at work and put a damn invoice on my door... one minute i'm downloading yet another broken package of to see if it worked and the next i was over 50MB and being asked to pay... nice to know ahead of time. better yet, nice to see yet another online 'business' fail to have a working model and take it out on the patrons. tell ya what, dont worry about me, i can get other people's icons and desktops without paying you guys for it.

bye
Reply #58 from WinCustomize Forums Top
bye!
Reply #59 from WinCustomize Forums Top

UserID: 1347280...as usual it's comments such as #57 that lets us know where we're up to in membership numbers...

Sorry about the invoice, child, but I'll not be mowing your lawn for free anymore....not until you remove the barkers' eggs...

Reply #60 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The more you put in the more you get out of it and so do the rest of all that will comform and do the same!!!
Thus in the future of Stardock - there is their own bandwidth as they see fit to use it and provide for the future!!!
THE CAR!!!

No Sticky
Reply #61 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That future is for the artist, the members of Stardock and those that will fully partcipate in a proper fashion!
This fashion will be noticed and recorded by those of this world who truly mean business and those rewards will be in the fashion of $ - not what I can get for free and of course as in the past what is free for some will come back to them as they will find out when the system crash occurs due to what is not what they thought it to be - but what they allowed as to finding the wrong thing that was given freely to them at their own risk and what a risk that is too! All in all we all must pay and in so some will get exactly what is due them by what they pay for or espically what they do not pay for at first but in the end of it they do severly with what they thought not would happen - but it does and does again and again daily on the net for those that look at the things as they do - this is their future and ours too - you make your decision and I hope it is for the better future of Stardock - not what is free!

THE CAR!
Reply #62 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As of May 2004, WinCustomize.com uses approximately 27,000 GIGABYTES (not bits) of bandwidth each month.


You mean as in 27 terabytes of bandwidth per month???

Holy cow!
Reply #63 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yea, that's TERRABYTES, not GIGABYTES.  Doh, can't edit it either.

What I am wondering is looking at posts like #57 you have to wonder what htey're thinking.

I mean, do they really think they do US a favor coming on and downloading stuff?

Reply #64 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yea, that's TERRABYTES, not GIGABYTES. Doh, can't edit it either.


No need to edit it. You said "27,000 GIGABYTES" which is indeed 27 terabytes. To some people "27,000 GIGABYTES" might sound like the bigger numberto others "27 terrabytes" might sound bigger. I kinda like 27 terrabytes better myself. (P.S., I'm a registered paying customer...)
Reply #65 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This thread should be titled the leecher's rant thread.
Reply #66 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OKay, but what if I can't create something? Like windowblinds or wallpapers. I really would like to learn it but how??? I also want to help this site because it's amazing how many cool things there are here.

Thx
Reply #67 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Then purchase a subscription. It is a great way to help out. Afterall, $19.95 for the tray that keeps you up to date, the WC browser, two premium suites, and unlimited downloads for 2 years is the steal of the century. Or, if you really don't like that idea purchase Windowblinds, or better yet Object Desktop. Seriously, these are great ways to help out, get some great programs, and know that you are supporting good business practices.

I can't skin (except for things like Logons), so I choose to contribute buy purchasing products and a WC subscription. Go ahead and do the same. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.



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Reply #68 from WinCustomize Forums Top
one minute i'm downloading yet another broken package of to see if it worked


So, you call it a broken package before you even knew if it was actually broken?
Reply #71 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know . . . WC is pretty well linked in already. Plus it's not so much more visitors that's appreciated (otherwise there wouldn't be a bandwidth limit at all!) as more contribution from those that are around.
Reply #72 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe another way to get a membership is to post a graphical link in our own websites...


I think the best way is to do what is already set up. Either buy Stardock programs/WC subscription or really contribute to the site (being helpful to others and contributing your own work). It seems pretty simple to me really. Those who can share their art and talents, those who can't help with the overhead.



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Reply #73 from WinCustomize Forums Top
talking about that ... were can i find a Skinning TUT in this site ? hope u have 1 i wanna start skinning too for windowblinds stuff. seems fun ..

And another thing ive seen ppl "i wont say names" creating skins in this site and then couple days after i see someone els that post the exact same skin... whats the point ? thanks
Reply #74 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh...I think you're talkin about the Mac ones. Thats because they were based on two different Mac operating systems. If you look closely, there are quite a few differences between them.