Frogboy Frogboy

What's the point? Why have the site at all?

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What's the point? Why have the site at all?

from WinCustomize Forums

I don't often bring this up but I sometimes wonder why we even have this site. I get considerable hate mail every single day because of this site.

Someone didn't get a wallpaper accepted. No idea what the wallpaper was since I didn't moderate it but I get called a Nazi or worse.

Some other guy's network connection isn't working and can't access their skin for some reason so naturally we deleted it because we're "assholes".

And don't even get me started about the people who run into the 50 megabyte limits. You can be assured that for every guy who posts something here, I get 2 emails about it explaining why I am personally a putrid human being.

And I've had days where I get called a "fucking Nazi" and a "blood sucking Jew" (I'm not even Jewish) for things ranging from not "doing something" about the ratings on the site or some comment on some skin that I didn't remove.

And on top of that, this site costs a fortune to run.  The ONLY reason this site is remotely possible to keep up at this point is because of the generous volunteers who run this site day to day.  The admins and moderators who, I might add, often get treated poorly and without any kind of gratitude.  The other variable are the people who SUBSCRIBE to the site.  I.e. pay the $20 for 2 years.

One of the few pleasures I get out of the site lately has been to write about things that interest me.  I realize that some people don't like "blogs".  Or me ranting about niche developer stuff.  What does a PC user care if some obscure Mac developer is getting screwed over by Apple? Why should I keep "whining" about it? It doesn't affect Stardock one iota. If anything, it helps Stardock by taking out a potential competitor.

But I can't even do that without people bitching about THAT. Sure, those people don't know about all the crap that I and others have to put up with on a daily basis because of the site.

But then again, neither does the egomaniac skinner who sends me the nastygram telling me how I'm a parasite on the backs of skinners for working to make customization software.  And the "artist" who sends me a 10 page email insisting that other artists like him should be getting a "royalty" off of every WinCustomize subscription because it is really THEY who matter.  THEY, their ART is what makes this site run and for me to even suggest that developers, moderators, or even users fit in is a demonstration of my "arrogance" and "ignorance" of the circle of life that is the skinning community. That guy doesn't know about the crap we go through either.  Not that he'd be interested.

Right now, what's really helping keep thigns going besides the wonderful people who moderate this site and the users gracious enough to purchase WC subscriptions is the IT team working full time to create the next generation WinCustomize.  Their hard work and tireless devotion to trying to make something really special helps keep the excitement going.

But to those who feel the need to email me telling me that writing non-news items is a "waste of their time" or "yet another example of your petty egoism" or are just "lame rantings", I say to you: Fuck you. Of those who have emailed me, who have accounts, NOT ONE of them has a WC subscription.

Most people dont' seem to have a problem with editorials. And those who don't like them who have posted on the message boards have been at least constructive about it. I have a LOT more respect for the guy who publicly writes their views than the coward who just sends hate mail from their anonymous Hotmail or Yahoo or whatever email account spewing venom at me.

But I'm not having fun right now with this site.  I look at the bills (hundreds of thousands of dollars a year).  I look at my inbox.  And I ask "Why? What's the point?" 

Sorry if I sound a little depressed. I think everyone has those days once in awhile.  And I'm having one today.

46,201 views 161 replies
Reply #126 from WinCustomize Forums Top
groupies


Hmm....I could comment on that, but I wont....I'm sure she'll show up sometime.
Reply #127 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very nicely put, Frogboy.
Just a thought, if'd you'd like someone to answer your hatemail, I'd be glad to give it a whirl, for free.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #128 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Same here, Teddy! We could have a list of common resonses to people, including statistics and stuff...that would be cool.
Reply #129 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, I think that if someone says something like "I hope you get cancer and die" they should be exiled for WC.

I think if someone sends you hate mail, cursing you, they should be exiled from WC. Why do you have to put up with abuse?

I think if someone sends you hate mail, it should be published here and let the community decide if this person should be banned, and we can all see the identity and character of this person.

Maybe there should be a requirement to create a free account before one can download anything at all. This way, if their account is revoked because of their actions, they cannot download period. Maybe this way people will conduct themselves in a more appropriate manner.

If you get tired of the abuse, maybe you could just hit a switch and change the site to the above requirement. I'm sure a lot of freebies won't like it. But, like you said, its not them that are helping the site even one bit. And, if they are sending you such hate mail, they are hurting the site, by making you even have the thought of wanting to close it. It is therefore hurting all the subscribers as well. Why should we suffer from the abuse? Skinners, subscribers, customers, admins, and anyone who contributes to the site, shouldn't have to suffer for the actions of those who do nothing but leech and complain. >
Reply #130 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice follow up Brad. I doubt that you'll get 3000 people subscribing each month anytime in the near future. I do see that when your premium skins take effect that that might come close to covering the bandwidth cost. Hope so. I plan to be here for a long time to come.



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Reply #131 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think that a notice needs to be put up on the initial "Sign-up" screen saying that there is a 50 meg limit before you have to purchase something.
Reply #132 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Why should we suffer from the abuse? Skinners, subscribers, customers, admins,

Makes me wonder if people read their emails at all....

Reply #133 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Makes me wonder if people read their emails at all....


Sure, I've got a few nasty emails. Mainly from some people here, because I didn't respond soon enough. But excite started using third party tracking cookies, and ad policies that wouldn't let me into the email until I dropped my shields and allowed trojan files into my computer. So, I refused to do it and I couldn't get my email. Now, I've switched to hotmail.

P.S.- Jafo please don't send me anymore hate mail.
Reply #134 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ah....but you see...therein lies the problem.

A request from a site Admin that a member 'toe the line' and refrain from public personal attack is not 'hate mail' ...it is part of the duties of a site Admin who is charged with maintaining the site's smooth running and decorum.

Multiply similar instances by 'several' weekly or monthly and you see where Frogboy is coming from with this post.

Always strive to be part of the solution, not part of the problem...

Reply #135 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah....but you see...therein lies the problem.


Ah, I see too, but therein lies the Hypocrisy.

Therefore, I say to try to be part of the solution and not an instigator of the problem.

Now, need we air our personal dirty laundry in public?
Reply #136 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Multiply similar instances by 'several' weekly or monthly and you see where Frogboy is coming from with this post.


Also, I have fully supported Frogboy with my positive response to his post. I have supported Frogboy throughout my posts. I support Frogboy wholeheartedly in his site here at WC. Such as, spending 80 hours plus on each of the four WB skins that I have submitted here and at the GUI Olympics. I have not asked nor expected any payment for my time spent. I also had positive suggestions in support of his unjust and unfair situation in this post.

In respect to you as a person, I refuse to air personal dirty laundry here on the messageboard without your consent. So, can we end this now and the distraction this is creating from the real problem that Frogboy is facing? A problem which I agree is terrible.
Reply #137 from WinCustomize Forums Top

#63 by Skinner ChasUGC - 7/27/2004 8:17:11 PM
I guess everyone gets angry sometimes. The wise ones digress, apologize and think about the big picture. The even wiser ones learn to "bite their lips", laugh, and move on. Someday, I hope to be one of the "even wiser ones".

I really appreciated that post Chas.

Reply #138 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The problem with banning people from a site is people are so quick to file law suits for any reason, and also, some stonehead would enter the site from a different computer or different name and start to sabotage anything and everything. No matter where you go, there will just be those types of people. The good thing is, they have to live with themselves, which I'm sure is not that easy to do.
Reply #139 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1) No grounds for lawsuit.
2) What could they do? Come back and be banned again?
Reply #140 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You're right. But that doesn't mean someone won't try saying his ego was injured or his time wasted and ATTEMPT to sue for damages. There's always the lady who sues because her coffee was hot, and wins. She also would have filed suit if her coffe was cold.
Reply #141 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually, this is a private site with its own rules. Can't sue.



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Reply #142 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, then in that case, Stardock would crush him/her. There is NO WAY that lawsuit could come even close to being in favor of the offender.
Reply #143 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok.
Reply #144 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Brad, I understand your need to vent. I can't even begin to imagine the crap you have to put up with. For your own sake, I think you may want to reconsider such posts in the future though. All you've accomplished is to show the very losers you are writing about that they've succeeded.
Nobody likes getting called names, but when it happens, think about what you have accomplished with this site. I truly believe that this site is reserved for the best of the best. I've had hundreds of works approved on other sites (both moderated and not). Conversely, I've had well over a hundred rejections here. My point? Even though I currently only have 7 works in the library here, I am damn proud of them. I'm damn proud of being represented among the best. I'm damn proud to be a member of the Wincustomize family. It's all about respect, Brad. The word defines you and this site. The low-lifes who you describe don't know the meaning of respect. They don't respect others and they don't respect themselves. If they did, they would not take the rejections personally, rather they would see it as a challenge to strive and do better. So, chin up Brad! I know it's tough, but what you've done here is awesome and you've surrounded yourself by an awesome group of staff and have developed an awesome community here.
Reply #146 from WinCustomize Forums Top
#144 by chasindreams - 7/29/2004 12:01:06 AM Brad, I think you may want to reconsider such posts in the future though. All you've accomplished is to show the very losers you are writing about that they've succeeded.


Blanket statements like that are never good.

Never mind the last post because you meant what you said?

A suggestion for those wishing to post (vent)before they think. Go write yourself an email and read it over a few times if needed, and if after reading it you still agree with what you wrote, then copy and paste it here. Saves face that way.
Reply #147 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is NO WAY that lawsuit could come even close to being in favor of the offender.


When lawyers are involved, it costs money. No matter how rediculous the suit is.

Exiling will do nothing for stopping hate mail. Someone that has been booted and has no means to spread their crap on the site will only resort to bombarding you with email. After you put them on a blocker they will just come at you with another email address. Sometimes even your own addy.
Reply #148 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I've enjoyed this site ever since skinz.org became an empty shell and I think the people who run this site is doing a great job. I have a tiny, tiny site compared to this and even that generates a bit of work. So, keep up the good work.

Luckily I don't get hatemail, but rather the opposite.

I can't even imagine what it is like to run a site with a million users.
[Message Edited]
Reply #149 from WinCustomize Forums Top
just write down all the swear words you know, then have any email containing those words automaticaly deleted or have them sent to the WCsobz folder.
Reply #150 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WCsobz folder