I like the idea. Would be a lot less subjective.
A couple of points to think about. (I know these are all pre-mature, but just some thoughts).
How often would the data be sent? Every time you logged onto the internet? Every time you vistited the web site? Would the program know to only send data once per day to avoid overcounts?
Only the top 10 or so would be calculated? As Tiggz suggested above, it would be fun to keep track of how many are actually using your skins, but not everyone will be able to produce skins capable of ranking that high. Again this will likely only go to prove my cyber ignorance but, would it be possible to place an extra statistic (number of active users, for example) next to downloads for the skins so that everyone can track theirs? It not only gives more accurate info, it makes it more interesting for everyone and gives them further incentive to be willing to use the program. If it's not feasible due to bandwith or some other technological problems, I understand.
Would my Spyware detection program catch it every time I did a sweep?
Not trying to cause problems. I think it's a great idea.

I somewhat doubt that the antispyware apps would add this program to their detection (although anything is possible) since as proposed it is not the classic adware/spyware and has an real opt in: people have to actively choose to download and use the app.

As long as there is full disclosure about what it does and the info it collects and how it is used, I don't see that there's a reason for the antispyware folks to target it. And since people would have to voluntarily download the program with full knowledge of its purpose it shouldn't be classified as "spyware" in the same category as CoolWebSearch and similar "foistware" that typically is installed without the user's knowledge/consent and is often almost impossible to unistall without specialized apps and assistance from spyware experts.

I rather like the proposed name: it reflects its function.

Sounds like a great idea. Wouldn't mind using it with certain features mentioned above. I think the proposed name is making people leary about its use. How about something like StarSkin, TopSkin, SkinScan, or Stardock Observer.

#45 How about CustomEyes or something?

Thats a no-go.
There is already an application by that name - OK its been discontinued but has been picked up by someone else and is now better known a ShellWM.

What about:
WBSnooper
SkinStats

SkinScan

I like!

SkinStats

Sounds cool I'm still a bit .. indecisive of whether I would use it or not.

I would *love* to know what people are really using.  I have downloaded so many skins, but there are only a few that I actually use.  This makes me believe that the "top" artists/skins are actually much more different if they are determined by usage versus downloads.

Being that you will have to willfully download, install and run this program, I can't see how anyone can say that it is bad or unethical.  It's not like it comes bundled with something else and installs without your knowledge.

How about SkinMetrix?

SkinMeter

SkinGauge

TrueSkin

SkinMetrix .. Sysmetrix

It's a cool name Frogboy but wouldn't there be people saying you have 'ripped' the name from Xymantics ? (sorry if thats spelt incorrectly)

SkinCollate
SkinCollator

I'll second "SkinGauge"

#57 Sums up my thoughts...

/me votes for 'SkinStats'

what everyone who is concerned about ''spyware in stardock products'' has to remember is, this is a seperate program.. i think its being approached in a good way. you can get away with saying object desktop software will not be bundled with spyware because this could be a seperate program, and if it is turned off by default and letting users specify what informatin they want to send, would be seen purely as a survey tool and wouldn''t be intrusive.

however, you''d want to be clear about what information people can turn on and turn off. if some people are showing their windowblinds themes and some arn''t, would that unbalance the actual most popular skins? and how often would it collect the data? having it send monthly information, with a prompt to say ''its that time again, would you like to participate in this survey?'' might be more appealing.

overall, i''d say i''ll do it. downloads do in fact not accurately depict the best themes and we all know you can''t count on ratings. if it could be categorized, and-for example-i label this machine as an office computer, and my theme (currently pixoffice) shows up as a popular theme for office users, it would be even more useful.

i''m also not concerned with privacy issues when it comes to stardock.. i''m generally not a trusting person and my computers are forts when it comes to withholding information.. but when you meet the programmers of this stuff in IRC to bullshit about pub jokes, ''trust'' with a company feels different.

every company and its mother''s son and dog are trying to collect information about how you use their software now.. but if you are a veteran user, consider that your opinions have a lot of weight in the community and you might want to share your tastes and interface habbits with people new to the software. if you are a designer and use a slick, streamlined objectbar (design by DesignCaddy, of course!) it would make an impression on someone looking for a solution to their interface problems.

anyway thats my 4 cents. if this thing would work, a large majority of people would have to use it to get accurate results. so i hope many of you reconsider.

^^^ i tried to include ''features'' in here as well as my opinion to keep this post relative
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having it send monthly information, with a prompt to say ''its that time again, would you like to participate in this survey?'' might be more appealing.

Monthly might not be frequent enough...I know that I change my skins more than once a month.

A checkbox that lets it send the information ''automatically'' would be nice too...I have a dislike for little nagging boxes that pop up in my face.
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Thats a no-go. There is already an application by that name

You beat me to it. I remember using that many years ago. http://www.skinbase.org/app.php?name=customeyes

As to the name for the app? How about "Skindecision"?

Well, you have Skin Studio, why not call this one, Skin Survey? Sort of tells what it does by the name.

Karma #57

Being that you will have to willfully download, install and run this program, I can't see how anyone can say that it is bad or unethical. It's not like it comes bundled with something else and installs without your knowledge.

If this is the way it would work there would be nothing wrong with it. Matter of choice then for each user. Only problem is that it would still not give an accurate count then.

SkinStats

Skin Census!

If its an individual program, installed at the user will, then I don't see what some of the fuss is. I might even use it

Just a couple of suggestions. These may or may not have been covered.

Send data on skin change.
If used with other data accumulated or determined such as frequency of change, skinning programs used, it could tell you what skins were used, by how many people, for what duration, etc.

Send data on personal library.
By personal library, I mean the skins a person has on their machine. This could give you data what's actually used that was downloaded, what's downloaded, but seldom or not used, etc.

As far as the spyware aspect. If you know about it, it's not really spyware, is it? At least in the sense that spyware is something unknown to the user.

My contribution to the name:
Skinsensor

Skinistics

Don''t search anymore, i''ve found it


C.I.A : Customize Inquiring Agent



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How would it discover what skinning programs we were using? Would it be watching to see if certain skinning programs are activated? or how.

I'd like to be able to set which programs I'd allow SD to see.

How would it discover what skinning programs we were using?

Simple regestry key for progs that are installed...Or it could check the running processes to see what skin progs are currently being used...