Customization a niche?

i think thats an awesome thing that girl did and an amazing story of how graphic design really is taking off... one day i hope to be successful like that even though i'll probably be an old man by then...lol

Saw her on tv recently...amazing.  

There is a difference between customizing things for others to see and customizing things for just you to see.

"Look what I got" is an inherent flaw in the human psyche in my opinion.

We customize for ourselves. If others were using our PCs things might be different.

Don't we do both?

i haven't just gotten into this graphics thing just for myself...i want other people to see what i can do and i want other people to want my art also...somethings i may keep to myself but for the most part i want to be in graphic design to show others my talents...thats why i make beats too...so other people can enjoy my music as well as make a little cash on the side for beats and graphics

Not sure what you mean John.

Customized my space pages is a different niche than skinning. Those pages get seen by anyone that visits and isn't only to please themselves. They want to impress others as well.

Where as skinning like we do, not many people see our desktops. It's more personal. I don't setup my desktop to please others.

If you have guests over all the time, you'll care about keeping the place in check. If you never have guests your attitude towards cleaning changes (unless your felix unger).   

Of course a family situation is different but I can only speak of my situation. Sometimes the cat is more impressed with my desktop than my wife is.   

Well, I understand what your saying but really the point of the post isn't so much about skinning per se as much as it was about people wanting to customize.. it is no different than buying furniture.., clothes, car accessories? Some like to show off what they have.. some just like to look at it.. cherish it.. perhaps try to nail down their own style. This is a demand.. that I(we) can fill)

All I'm saying really is people seem to feel a desire to change their environment.. hermit.. or extrovert..and the more time people spend on their pc's the better chance they will want to change how it looks.. I think the main reason customizing isn't more popular than it is.. is people arent aware.. they can. For example.. MYSPACE type sites brought web page customization to the masses.. who is bringing PC customization to them? If you don't "happen" upon Windowblinds..doesn't seem like there is a huge effort to get the word out.

I think there should be....or...maybe, its just my marketing background running amuck inside my head   

Great article.

I guess it really is based on perspective. Personally, I do see it the same way as John but, the same could be said about websites.

Some of my favorite & informative sites are basic html cranked out in notepad and usually by well educated tech people who could do better (if they wanted) but, the sites are built on sharing knowledge. For some reason most of these are usually by professors and such.

The same argument about skinning your computer could be said about all the new colors that Dell has available for you laptop case. It's about personalization and individuality to some people while other's are more concerned with functionality.

From a marketing perspective I don't know how Stardock could get the word out any more than they already do? It's very costly to try push strategies and in my opinion they usually don't result in direct financial results but, succeed in brand awareness/reinforcement.

Personally, I think MyColors is a great idea but, would be even better if you could get it onto every single Dell with a couple free themes. I think this would benefit the independent skinners also.

We are on the same page John. When I say skinning, I meant customizing.

Having OD or WB pre-installed on machines would be the best thing to ever happen to desktop customizing. Maybe Brad will send Michael Dell a fruit basket for the holidays.

...or a Stardock Knit shirt   

Very impressive young lady.  I'm a little skeptical about the "facts" of the story (I've been involved in enough of these kinds of articles to recognize when facts are being generated to fit a narrative).

One thing we can take away from this, if a site with far less traffic than WC can generate $1m a year in ads, then clearly we're doing something wrong since WC doesn't come anywhere close to $1m a year in ad revenue.

Thanks Brad I havent been called a young lady in a while      


and yes.. that was a point I'm trying to make...seems to me galvanizing more outward reaching ideas would be a huge step towards growing the site and skinning in general.

I think she found a market that obviously needed a change, and blew them out of the water with her ideas and design........i think good on her.

i think the same could be done for MSN email its ugly and it sucks.......(dont ask me, i dont want to go there)

good on her.

Kinda hard when everytime they update it, it breaks the previous build's skins.

Actually, the ad revenue was referring to early on (granted I have checked her site) nor do I expect her to share all the specifics. I'm sure the bulk is some form of co-opting worked into their designs.

That's what you need John to be a shill for the Fortune 500.

Coke or Pepsi Theme anyone?