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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.

48,887 views 155 replies
Reply #126 from WinCustomize Forums Top
SupremeWeapon... you still haven't Cross-Referenced you account, which would solve your problem. If you insist on reporting your problem to the BBB, be sure to inform them that you refuse to comply with this simple requirement. The site database can't know your a subscriber until you reference you account with the email used to subscibe. Have you attempted to contact Stardock? 
Siege of Centauri
Reply #130 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Citizen
Author: Chris Wilhelms
Nick: SupremeWeapon
UserID: 705036
User Level: 2
Bytes Downloaded: 51587 k

Reply #131 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Now....51587 k is the salient point.

Having a passing knowledge of English and/or mathematics, I translate that simplisticly to be 51,587,000 bytes....however that ignores the reality that a kb is 1024 bytes....but do the math...multiply 50 by 1024 by 1024 and you'll get the preset limit for a Level 2....

BTW......the BBB will be amused to death [to use a title from Roger Waters]....

Reply #132 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I did the math for Supreme Weapon...
(He probably doesn't know howto use a calculator).
50x1024x1024 = 52,428,800 bytes.

The owners of Wincustomize and Stardock are very graciously giving everyone that supplies an e-mail 50 MB's (52,428,800 bytes incase you have short term memory lose) of downloading.
They DON'T make you pay for that, which is extremely nice. Even when you sign up for the FREE account, it tells you that you have LIMITED download unless you subscribe for 20 bucks for 2 years.

You can't get ANY magazine for that price, let alone Computer Programs and materials.
So people, quit fu**ing complaining.
Either dish out the 20 bucks, or just shut up.

Alright, my 2 cents are in...
Keep up the good work artists. ^__^
Reply #135 from WinCustomize Forums Top
#134 by Citizen Altarius Tetanus - 11/5/2004 2:51:13 PM
... and now, people will make tons of bad skins, just to enter in apprentice group.

Submitting sub-standard skins will never get anyone promoted. It's not quantity that counts, it's quality.

Reply #136 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, dunno, just brain damaged I guess so. Bought and registered a Stardock product, "Galatic Civilizations," tried the "cross reference" step. No joy and no DL's
Might have done something wrong or dumb..? Why yes, I did vote for Bush, why do you ask?
Reply #137 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Submitting sub-standard skins will never get anyone promoted. It's not quantity that counts, it's quality.

What is standard for quality?? If you think that some skin is good that doesn`t mean that all people think the same.
Reply #138 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe SupremeWeapon has been checking out the screenshots? I still don't understand why looking at the screenshots counts towards the introductory 50 meg download cap.
Reply #139 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I still don't understand why looking at the screenshots counts towards the introductory 50 meg download cap

Accessing any part of the site requires bandwidth, not just the library content itself....and all of the bandwidth costs money, not just the file downloads....

Reply #140 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Accessing any part of the site requires bandwidth, not just the library content itself....and all of the bandwidth costs money, not just the file downloads....


I totally understand that aspect. I just remember the days before my promotion and it struck me as odd that screenshots counted against the trial period whereas wallpaper previews did not. It just seems that if a non-subscriber came to the site in search of wallpapers, a good number of them are available in a ready-to-go format through the preview function.
Reply #141 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, I have a question:

I paid my $19.95 for a subscription, but when I try to login to the WinCustomise Browser, it says that my account has expired.

Do I need to wait a while for the account details to be updated or something?

Thanks in advance.



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Reply #143 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Having purchased several products from Stardock, I have to think that the people who run Wincustomize are EXTREMELY good about allowing the community to have access to this great source of creativity. I don't know how I would stand running Windows 98, ME or XP without having Object Desktop and its applications available. It allows us to personalize our systems as we like and see what can be done with a little talent (and there's TONS of talent represented on this website...



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Reply #144 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have bought everything here that is available, I even bought it all the first visit. The sad to admit the truth is, I don't even know how to get anything to work! I try and try, yet I just haven't been able to figure any of it out. And since I don't have anyone computer literet around me with the patients to teach me, everything I have and have access to, goes to waste. Unless there is someone out there (hint hint) who wouldn't mind giving me some step by step instructions.

NATIVEPRIDE aka, DEBBIE
Reply #145 from WinCustomize Forums Top
NP aka Debbie create a new post in this forum https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WCH explaining the specific app(s) and/or skin(s) you're having difficulty with
Reply #146 from WinCustomize Forums Top
50 mb havent even downloaded 1!!!!

a bit annoyed at this .. decided if they cant get this bit correct they wont do very well on the program side! so wont even try! sorry will remove from my pc!
Reply #147 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Author: pweibj poppy
Nick: pweibj
UserID: 1677522
User Level: 2
Bytes Downloaded: 51618 k

51618k would be 50 meg, give or take....

Reply #148 from WinCustomize Forums Top
but my point is i registered today! so not downloaded anything!?
yet says passed my free 50 "whatever"?
Reply #149 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you purchased products, etc from Stardock then you'll need to cross-reference your account to remove the 50 meg limitation...