What do they want?

MY VISTA

from WinCustomize Forums
I have spent a lot of time on the WC site the past few years but I have never seen a screenshot like My Vista by vistafanat.
I thought that this site had some class. Don't get me wrong. I've spent considerable amount of time looking at things on the net that I would consider ehh, for adults only. So my question is this: Is this site now allowing images/language/data that has the words - blow job, penis, anal sex, condomn, bitch, bastard......
So if that is what this site is going to be about, allow then I'll make sure that my kids don't go here anymoe and I will alos tell any friends that I know who frequent WC to beware. That's free speech too.  [link removed, as was screenshot] - Jafo
community
6,417 views 29 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
has been dealt with
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

From time to time the 'odd' undesirable image/vocabulary will slip through unnoticed.

However....

Approximately 30 seconds after it was brought to my notice it was removed.

Mistakes happen.....reparation happens faster...

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo,
What's the quickest way to notify a moderator if one were to find objectionable material? This could be getting into a grey area regarding what's offensive and to whom. WinCustomize has always shown what I consider to be the highest standards. I'd feel comfortable allowing my 8 and 10-yr olds pretty much free reign here; in fact, they've both built their own desktops with everything from here, incl. icons, cursors, and everything. So when they log on, they've got a cool work environment!

In all my time here, I've only seen one very small 'critter' that slipped thru, and it was gone as I blinked. The site is tight. WC does indeed have all the 'class' I'd expect from anyone, and then some. No worries here, ever. Just curious now that the topic's come up.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If I'm awake [ish] then I'm usually on #stardock in IRC ....possibly the fastest way to catch myself or several other admins/mods.

One day I'd like to see a built-in 'who's on' feature for the site....and an IM capacity for 'speedier' responses to issues/help/etc...

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thx. Last time I sent an email to "admin@...", and the offensive (to me) glitch was gone by the time I hit "Send"
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One day I'd like to see a built-in 'who's on' feature for the site....and an IM capacity for 'speedier' responses to issues/help/etc.


A couple sites I bbelong to have this feature..it's pretty cool, along with the PM systems in place ..it's great!

As fo the original thread..LoL.."on-Topic" at first I wasnt sure I understood but now I see that there was an issue...
as for the kids... their going to learn about the things they want to learn about...you can only "shelter" them so much...unfortunately..
Instead of keeping the "evils" of the world from them, try talking about it with them and telling them about it from your perspective..it's better coming from you than first hand discovery on the web..

Then there be one less subject to worry about..LoL
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Right on, DZ! I'm feeling pretty good about my kids being as prepped as they can be.
...it's as safe for them here as at home

"Who's on" sounds pretty good
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
while i understand it is in todays society a necessary evil to prep our youngsters about the evils of the world. I do wish that the world instead, would learn self control. Too easily is it now for people to say "hey every body else is doing it" as an excuse to behave badly in public where youngsters are able to see and emulate it...there is a difference between expressing ones self and just being crude within the ear/eye shot of impressionable minds...

I am glad to be part of a site that says " hey we have youthful members here and we want this to be a clean and wholesome site for all to visit" Bravo WC staff .. keep up the good work..
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
PM system is something I think would be great.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
PM system is something I think would be great.


Hey ID, only problem with this would be that we would all realize and have to accept that Jafo is not here 24/7.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

have to accept that Jafo is not here 24/7

I'm not?.....

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've wondered many of the same things about the Lover's XP bootskin as well.

Artsy? Sure. Obscene? Ehhh. Naked body parts? UBetcha.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I've wondered many of the same things about the Lover's XP bootskin as well.

Artsy? Sure. Obscene? Ehhh. Naked body parts? UBetcha

As Karmagirl suggested....'surely you jest'...

'Lover's XP' is hardly an issue...at any level...

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
man...if this site were a *edited* i'd *edited* all day with *edited* a pitching wedge and a whole case of *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* until my *edited* was so blue and *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited*...then i'd get some blue crayons and iced tea and *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited* *edited*.

you picking up what i'm laying down here?
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[edited due to lack of cohesive thought]
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
(censored due to me being naughty)
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am so glad that that "thing" was pulled. I was mad. I am not for censorship but at the same time I have 2 kids and I know that kids frequent this site. I thought, rightly, that this site was a safe haven from "bad things". Thanks for pulling that "thing" which had nothing to do with skinning your desktop and everything to do with the person posting it trying to cause trouble. They accomplished the goal. Hopefully the admins will come up with a better system of weeding out that kind of garbage.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
O.k., I highly appreciate this site. I respect the artists more than they will ever know.

With that said, where was all of the "anti-censorship" rhetoric previous to this? Either you censor, or you don't.

I don't feel that having MY kids, should they browse this site, see a bootskin with a naked woman and man is appropriate. You can clearly see what (I hope) was half (or less) of his Penis, and, you can clearly see at least one of her nipples. This image would never be allowed on t.v.. Yet it IS allowed here. And, my bringing it up gets you all fired up to jump on me.

Same kind of jumping I received when I posted a link to Brittney Spear's SCULPTURE, showing NO naked body parts, giving birth. A picture I HAVE seen on t.v. (Reference David Spade's show). It was shown in commercials as well. A picture which is still easily viewed on the Daily Kos.

So, now, the very same person who received a public flogging about "obscenity" and "I don't want my kid's to see this", and "This is offensive", and on and on........gets criticized for trying to "censor"? Surely I jest? No, surely YOU do. This may very well be YOUR playground, but hypocrisy has a face that cannot be disguised. When a woman giving birth, (which I've seen 5 times, up close and, in person), is obscene.....and a Penis isn't.....I have to question your morality as much as you questioned mine.

I also kept hearing how this was not my "playground". And, if I'm going to come into YOUR playground, I'd better act like you want me too. I was blasted for being a non-paying member. Well, I am now. Am I a WinCustomize member? No. Did I purchase Stardock products? You betcha. Why not WinCustomize? You don't advertise a "make this your playground too" price. Personally, I don't want a Penis being shown on MY playground, but I guess I'm dealing with people who are far more advanced than me.

I was embarrassed beyond recognition when I had my post deleted and, suffered the consequences of arguing it. My arguments of "censorship" fell on deaf ears. As I'm sure this post will. I even changed my "nickname".

I'd like to apologize to Dr. Nick for calling him a name. That was totally wrong. He was a tried and true member of the playground and I wasn't. His age, etc. had absolutely NO bearing on the situation, and I should not have mentioned it. So, again, I am sorry. Even I don't like that side of me. What he did, and you supported......that's another issue.



I'd just like to quote something. I consoled myself with this originally, now....it just makes me mad.

"You agree to not use the Service to:
(a) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
(b) harm minors in any way;

In the first ten pages of bootskins alone, there are pictures of a naked woman's breast, a naked man's penis, a "sawed off" hand and, a Pot plant. Thank God "Bluntz" submitted that.

Well, what is what? I can't even post a link to the photo in question. I can download pic's of things that are obscene and illegal. Never mind disgusting.

So, maybe I'm truly alone in my argument. I'm just in the wrong playground. Well...the playground lay in the same "legal" area as mine does. So, what does this mean? Let's hear from the FCC

"In our assessment of whether material is “patently offensive,” context is critical. The FCC looks at three primary factors when analyzing broadcast material: (1) whether the description or depiction is explicit or graphic; (2) whether the material dwells on or repeats at length descriptions or depictions of sexual or excretory organs; and (3) whether the material appears to pander or is used to titillate or shock. No single factor is determinative. The FCC weighs and balances these factors because each case presents its own mix of these, and possibly other, factors.

Of course, you are not broadcasting. I just thought I'd use the "if my kid's seen this" measuring stick, as applied by the FCC.

Personally, if you showed my kid's the picture of Brittney Spear's sculpture, giving birth? I'd have to ask you why. If you showed my kids a picture of a pot plant? I would have to do some serious "damage control" and, do my best to point out why, the people that exposed them to that, were idiot's. If you showed my kid's a pic of a severed hand?.......Why do you think they have a ratings system for movies.

If you showed MY KID'S a picture of "Lover's XP"? Well, anything I can say at this point would be censored. Surely I jest?

This is little more than a group of self congratulatory people, running a "playground" under the the concept of running a business. You censor, and then criticize those who point out your hypocrisy. Relativity is in itself irrelevant. There are people who are members of this forum who can post a one word topic and get nearly universal positive response. Yet, criticism is universally condemned, and gotten rid of. Even someone who isn't quite "the same" in your "playground" is scorned. (See, skin for Brokeback Mountain) That offended me, and I'm straight!

You crapped all over someone who posted on the absence of "quality work" that has been posted recently. (I'd have used the other word for "crapped" but I'd be censored). (There IS a Recycle Bin with that name however).

I don't know if that person is right or, wrong. I like almost everything that has been posted here. If for no other reason, then it was done with good intentions. I think though, that this quote "Stick this up your opinion!! LOL.... AND the subsequent responses, speak volumes. I've also noticed that the higher rated submissions seem to be older. Right or wrong, that's what it looks like if you use the "highest rated" search category. But gutless as I've been, I didn't stick up for that person. Nor he, or she, me.

This playground is for everyone that has purchased, or is thinking about purchasing the products that make realization of all of these artist's works possible. Plain and simple. If you don't like it, get rid of Stardock. Personally, if I was Stardock, I'd bulldoze your little playground and start over. There are plenty on the internet who gave up on this place and post as much around the web. (See Download.com). Personally, I've helped to send people here. For the sake of Stardock. Last I checked, you are not only in violation of your own policies, but Stardock's policies as well. And, by your own admission, you are NOT self sufficient. So, your "playground" is, at least partially paid for, by.................. . Yup, a lot of people who aren't you.

Fact is, you are all the best thing that this site could have to offer. Your complete lack of humility, makes you a poison pill however. If one of you made a post saying "MAD!" you would line up with
But, if someone crosses you, even unintentionally.......you do on to them what one of the titles of one of your listed PNG's describes.

In conclusion........picture of Penis? Bad. Tell me where I'm wrong. (Also see next sentence) Picture of nipple? Bad. Tell the FCC where they are wrong. Picture of Pot plant? Bad......why? Glamorizes illegal drug use. Our country pays millions in drug prevention. So nice of you to give the pro drug people a forum though. Picture of a severed hand? If I handed you one, what would you think? Authorized picture of a sculptor, of a pop star, giving birth in an impossible position, showing NO nudity? Obscene and gotten rid of. We most certainly do NOT want our kids seeing a benign sculptor of a woman giving birth. That would be like a woman breast feeding in public! We could see...........gasp..............her breast, with nipple. Actually, maybe I'll make a "Breast feeding" bootskin. Nah, I know what would happen to that. If it's for the purpose of nurturing a child.......bad. If it's for the purpose of having one more bootskin to post? GOOD

Go ahead, trash me. Point out how you are right, and I am wrong. I'll tell you this, if any of you ever showed my kid(s) a picture of a naked man? We would have to tangle.

Surely I jest? No, methinks.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
**Edited**
For the purpose of keeping peace in the family..LoL
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Point out how you are right, and I am wrong. I'll tell you this, if any of you ever showed my kid(s) a picture of a naked man? We would have to tangle.


Threatening violence because your child might see another nude human being?

TheGUYPC- When you linked to the Britney Sculpture there were other more offensive pictures in that link. Unacceptable for any clean site that people visit.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

TheGuyPc If you were to be honest, this isn't an issue with the items mentioned is it? It's about your link being removed and you feeling hard done to. I suggest you go and examine your motives more closely.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The moderators on Wincustomize.com are responsible for the content that is accessible on Wincustomize.com.  They are answerable to the Owners of Wincustomize.com who in turn provide policy guidelines under which Wincustomize.com is 'governed'.

OK...so I win some kind of prize for posting our 'name' 4 times in one paragraph, but the reality remains. Wincustomize.com is NOT answerable to some arbitrary tenets of an 'FCC' but only by what is considered by the community at large...[this community, not another's] as appropriate.

Censorship is not an imposition on one's freedom of speech...not here, at least...but a determined 'limit' within-which we all agree to 'play'  [a 'playground' as you call it].

Those responsible for determining what stays and what goes are almost always 'on the ball', and are really never second-guessed.

The result of our 'selectivity' is not hypocrisy, but actually a fair and equitable balance.

Those who claim otherwise are really simply voicing displeasure that THEIR choices did not meld with those of the majority...

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well said Jafo. When push comes to shove the admins and mods come through!
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is much akin to describing colors to the blind....but here goes.

First, Yes, I threatened violence to anyone who would show my children pictures of naked people. I will not apologize for that. There are no accepted "standards" for anyone doing such a thing. As far as I'm concerned, it would be YOUR motives at question, NOT my threats. I don't know if you're Pope John Paul, Joe Pedophile or Jeffrey Dahlmer! Am I supposed to think any other way?

A quote from Jafo:

"Censorship is not an imposition on ones freedom of speech...not here, at least...but a determined 'limit' within-which we all agree to 'play' [a 'playground' as you call it].

and....another

Wincustomize.com is NOT answerable to some arbitrary tenets of an 'FCC' but only by what is considered by the community at large...[this community, not another's] as appropriate.

Finally........THIS SITES OWN RULES>

"You agree to not use the Service to:
(a) upload, post or otherwise transmit any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
(b) harm minors in any way;"

Arbitrary appears to have a rather arbitrary definition here.

An examination of my "Motives". A small bit of "justice", sure. Other then that, you wouldn't believe me.

The "playground" analogy did NOT come from myself.

I will admit, there were other pictures shown if you clicked that link. You did, however, have to scroll down, which was your choice. These were NOT the pic's I was pointing out. Though I fail to see how they were more offensive then a Penis.

I don't care really. I was embarrassed. I felt like it was ME who was bad. My post was judged, and discarded....you say accordingly. I say not. I don't care. My kids are NEVER going to see this site while they are minors anyways. I was simply using the arguments you used against me, against you. ............another quote

Well said Jafo. When push comes to shove the admins and mods come through!

Kinda proves a point. But, again..... it's like trying to explain the "red's" to Ray Charles.

An examination of your own motives would serve you well. I did little more than post a link. You are allowing nudity, illegal drug images, you allow humiliation of Gay's and...on and on. I most likely can't say Oh S**t! Yet you have a recycle bin saying just that. So, what is arbitrary?

MY MOTIVES Equal Administration. - Removal of the "Hogpile" mentality that so profoundly exists here. - Courtesy towards others.> I have work to do regarding this aspect myself. As I said in my previous post.
I want the best for this place. Believe it or not, I don't care about that stupid link. I had software installed on my computer a long time ago that had a revolving gear on a pointed nail. I know some of where all of this started. As I told the good folks at Stardock, "You've built up quite a little empire here". They were humble.

Most people couldn't care less. Most people would just dispose of all of this and never buy the software that makes it all possible. That ain't me. Sorry that this bothers you. What happened to me, as much as it makes me mad, is just a symptom of the overall problem. I have read several reviews that most certainly did NOT have the whole thing going on. At least one of them at Download.com. (NO, it wasn't me) called the people a Stardock "jerks". This is completely contrary to my experience and, I've posted as much.......about Stardock. Here? I have to wonder who this person was talking about.

If I had bad motives, if I didn't respect the software, the price, what the authors contribute and, I wanted these sites to fail, I WOULDN'T BOTHER. I HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO. I DON'T DO THIS ALL OF THE TIME. FRANKLY, THIS IS A FIRST, AND WE ALL CAN SEE HOW IT'S GOING. Jafo mentioned how he didn't want to stand any closer to the concrete wall, well, I am. This is comparable to a car wreck in my mind. Has been from the start. So, go ahead, examine my motives.

A** Ki**e*s don't create a profit margin. All of the "thumbs up" aren't going to pay the bills.

Let's hear from Jafo!

"Those who claim otherwise are really simply voicing displeasure that THEIR choices did not meld with those of the majority..."

I'm sure the Jewish people that my ancestors rid themselves of, as much as they could, had pretty much the same opinion. Shame they couldn't see the whole "Spongebob & Patrick" Gay animations.

If I really wanted to make a point of this...do you think I would have hijacked an obsolete post?

Again, I cannot make a point here. You've made sure of that. If I posted a link to the pic in question, you would delete it, and/or ban me. I could post links to the things that YOU have allowed, but I won't. So, examine my motives.

I may change this frame of mind.

I'm NOT one of the people posting bad things about this place around the web. I AM someone who paid to get the software. How many people who you S**t on have done that? (Of course, this beckons the question.....how many people have you ........

In the end, for those who just scroll through and put the "thumbs up" smiley after their posts...

Picture glamorizing illegal drugs? O.K.
Picture showing a naked man and, woman? Penis and Nipple included? O.K.
Severed body parts? No problemo.
Pic's of feces with the label "Oh S**t"? No brainer!
Post a link to the Daily Kos? O.K. buddy. NOW YOU'VE SCREWED UP! GET OUT OF OUR PLAYGROUND!
Nope, no hypocrisy here. I'm just misguided. I just wish I had a fact or two to back me up. I clearly have no point here, judging from the posts (here).

I'm sure I'm the exeption, not the rule. You really need to look up some of those who didn't have the guts to "stand next to the wall" though. They are saying things that even I wouldn't.
And they wonder why battered people keep going back for more.

Let me endear myself to you.



It's pretty freakin' easy to agree.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
HHHMMMMMMMM....Well, I'm nobody here, But I would never download anything about "Britney", and the sculpture is ofensive to me. This is a skinning site which seens to cater to a Broad range of people. If something is offensive you can go to another page, you dont even have to download anything from it, really, you dont. And maybe I'm wrong but as far as children are concerned...I thought the parents were responsible for what they see or don't see. I get offended just watching the news, much to much violence, thank god for the remote, I can change the channel.so your submission got pulled. was it worth all of the speech??? Many folks got offended about some of the things said here. I was. I'm not a paid member but I do give something back. I was never asked to leave nor was I banned.I have this saying ...get off the cross, we need the wood to build a bridge so you can get over it!!!!! It's skinning community not a place for political agendas. These guys do their best to make this place run smooth, they DON"T walk on water. Again, I'm nobody here just practicing a freedom...thanks for listening.