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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.

48,872 views 155 replies
Reply #76 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You'll hit the 50 megabyte limit soon enough. Click on your "view my profile" in the "Edit Account" page at the top of the site and it will tell you how much you've downloaded.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #78 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thats only 5 meg....you get 50.
Reply #79 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, why can't you guys have a torent system, so each skin etc. has the direct download link, and also a torrent link so that it will cut down the bandwith signifcantly (can't spell)
Reply #81 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I still think 50 megs is way more than enough (should be less) for anyone to see the benefits (I saw that in one skin) of having the paid version of WindowBlinds. I think that after some people see what this does it's just a mad frenzy to download as much for free as possible, and then they get pissed off when they hit the wall. I think Brad would be better off limiting those free downloads to a lot less than 50 megs. Maybe just pick a few nice skins to download for free that are sufficient enough to see the benefit and limit it to that. If you can't decide after that...get your eyes checked.

And to say that what you get with Object Desktop is worth the money is a gross understatment. I have yet to see anyone offer as much as what you get with Object Desktop + the great support you receive when you act civil. It was by far the best purchase I have made to date of any software.

Reply #82 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi everybody,

I just found out about all of these marvelous products a couple of days ago while doing a search to change the Windows XP icons on my laptop. I like to have themes on my computers to relieve the boredom of the usual Microsoft look.

I've downloaded the available free versions but I haven't installed them yet. I've been trying to find all of the information I could on all of the products. I created an Excel spreadsheet listing all of the programs available and so far I've found listed at least 26 products for Object Desktop - which doesn't include the Plus or other extra packages you can purchase. What a fantastic amount of products for just $49.95.

I have to wait a few more days before I can purchase Object Desktop and the subscription here. But I don't see why people make such a fuss about not being able to download more than 50MB. The price is so negligable compared to what you get.

Sorry I went on for so long.
Reply #83 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is probably a pointless post since the new version of Wincustomize is around the corner but there's one thing that never made sense to me. Viewing screenshots counted towards your 50meg limit but viewing a wallpaper preview doesnt.
Reply #84 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I completely agree. This is by far the best site on the net in a number of ways and it is a small price to ask for that amount of downloads. I recently subscribed to Wincustomize and it is worth every penny. I used to contribute skins but recently I have been way to busy with family and work and have not had the time. Since I depend on Wincustomize in order to really take advantage of my OD subscription, it's a natural progression. You folks, the people at Stardock and all of the artist out there do incredible work and IMO, it's the least I can do in return. Keep up the great work and thank you for an excellent resource!!



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Reply #85 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Pardon me, but I signed up for your site just to download one thing. Apparently, I've over extended my allotted 50 mb attempting to do so.

The key word is 'attempting', as, everytime I tried to download said item, I ended up running into a 'page cannot be displayed'. I didn't download anything, but, yet, I am told I did.
Reply #86 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I spend loads of time on this website and I think we should be awarded for using the website lots as well as having to pay for subscription
Reply #87 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I spend loads of time on this website and I think we should be awarded for using the website lots as well as having to pay for subscription


Unfortunately, using the site does nothing to help defer the costs of maintaining a large site such as this one. Web site space costs lots of money as well as the servers to maintain it.

The only way other that I've heard to defer such costs is by spyware type advertisement. And, this site, to my gratitude, does not support that type of cost deferment.
Reply #88 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Come on people it is only $10 dollars a year. I think people should sit back and take a reality check as to what they get for their 10 bucks and relax. I just purchased the software a few days ago and have not learned to skin yet and truly appeciate the work done by others and would like to thank them all. Why is it that you skin for the site in the first place, isn't it for enjoyment and to showcase your talents to others for the pure pleasure of it. One thing that I think is important is that if you do download a skin and you like it, let the skinner know and tell them how much you enjoy it. At least pay for it by showing them some respect and if their is a problem don't just complain, they did not do it on purpose, try offering some assistance instead of insults.

Keep up the good work and I hope I can pay you back with a skin of my own at some time in the future.



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Reply #89 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Come on people it is only $10 dollars a year.


Exactly, less than one dollar a month.
Ill bet your internet connection costs quite a bit more than that.
Reply #90 from WinCustomize Forums Top
About $90 a month.....and I'm mostly on here...
Reply #92 from WinCustomize Forums Top
About $90 a month


And I thought we paid a lot ($50...)

Then again, is that 90 a fixed rate, or pay as you go?

Proves the point even more though... The claim 'its too expensive' is baseless, and shows a lack of cerebral function.
[Message Edited]
Reply #93 from WinCustomize Forums Top

90 AUS is about 60 USD....and yes, it's fixed....unless I go over 3 gig....and much of that is dl'ing junk walls/skins for moderation, etc...so there's a cost, not just in 'time' of being a site admin.

Has its rewards on occasion though, when I exile some twit who really deserves it....

Reply #94 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Whoah....I get high-speed for only $30 canadian a month.

(thats like, $20 u.s. I think)
Reply #96 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jeo Maria...What is so stupid? Could the fact that you reached your download cap [55147 k], have anything to do with your opinion? I'll never understand people that want everything for free. Do some research to see how much 27+ TERABYTES of bandwidth usage per month would cost. (That's 28,311,552 MegaBytes) Do you really feel that it's unfair to ask that you purchase one the programs your probably enjoying, (and at the same time get added functionality) or purchase a 2 year subscribsion for $20 to help defray costs? $20 for 2 years..... where can you find such a bargin? Less than $0.84 a month for unlimited downloads, and access to faster servers. Yeah, it's such a stupid concept that people help support a site a offers so much.
Reply #97 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So, after 50 stuffs worth we get no more? Doesnt that mean we can just make another account and start all over or does it mean its IP protected and well, yea that ones self explanitory
Reply #98 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Torrent still seems like the best solution(apart from the system currently in place).

It'd only take a month or two to torrent everything.

Of course, you'd need to set up a tracker and modify the site to take the torrents into acount.

The trickiest part would probably be keeping everything seeded and/or booting people that don't at least seed the filesize.

Hmmm.

-SoulTorn D.
Reply #99 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yea well, torrents are a pain in the arse to set up. sometimes they dont work at all. its like they have a mind of there own.
Reply #100 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So... whats to stop users just creating new accounts ???

I think a torrent system could work here however it would be hard to keep everthing seeded and maybe would still require the site to remain the same for some of the content.

Why not impement torrents on the newer stuff and see how things go ???

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