I understand what you´re saying Dokt. <br />However, I don´t believe it is anything to do with the particular site. It just depends. The 2 most downloaded NextStart themes at DeviantArt are Aquazone by me and Unlighted by Treetog. <br />Unlighted has been downloaded 4922 times and has been commented on 14 times. <br />Aquazone has been downloaded 7544 times and received no comments at all. <br /> <br />Enough said. <br />It´s an excellent point you´ve raised so congratulations on that! <br />:)
nikuki
Member
Snowman makes a good point. I don´t download a large volume of skins, but I try to comment on every one that I do download. I figure that it´s the least I can do for the artist. A way of thanks.
dokt
Member
Man - that´s crazy. So basically people just come here to download and not participate in the community? You guys considered limiting the downloads for non-members? Not saying you should charge or anything - just limit downloads for those who just leech.
cuttheredwire
Member
Personally, I think there should be commenting staff members. Intellegent, just, outspokken ppl to lead the way for others. Just have there job to be to comment, have a quota, and check everynow and then that they are. If it were me I would have a two levels: a higher one for more numerous & detailed comments, a lower one for few and more simple comments. I know one might argue that this would never work. I could see the following arguments... <br /> <br />1) You can´t make someone comment. <br />:::You can encorage ppl to take the time to think a few secs longer, and write a lil more. That would pan out to better single and more numerous comments. <br /> <br />2) You shouldn´t make someone an admin for commenting. <br />:::That´s debatable, but I more over agree. However, a lower staff possition still holds esteem while preserving the respect an admin deserves. There are many other ways you could work this though. AU has a featured commentors list, and DA has the site stats. Similare forms of the same idea, but this takes it up a notch. <br /> <br />3) It´s not fair to make a quote. <br />:::Depends on the quota. I would base it on what has been done. Keep it around the average. Maybe just a tad lower. This way ppl can reach it regularly. This also encorages just the ppl with the time to take the possition because they know they will lose it. Losing it should be automatic, along with a second chance, and a warning system. I leave third and future chances to your descression. <br /> <br />4) Who is to say what is a good comment? <br />:::Any constructive or possitive comment is a good one in my book. Plus, you can have a lil trianing session with tips. That might make a good general tutorial, tho similare ones have been made already. Some articles on art itself (color usage, symatics, history, etc) might be interesting to add. <br /> <br />5) Do you have any ideas how many lamers are going to scream "Duh, me comment! Make admin! Ug ug!" <br />:::Ya, you can´t avaiod that. It´s common amoung any site that´s fresh or accepeting staff. We had a fool at VA begging to be an admin after an idea he asked for was already implimented. Still, finding the right ppl for the job may not be as hard as youthink. You need to keep an eye out for ppl who do the following... <br />a) Act, behave, and participate as if they were an admin or staff. <br />b) Offer but don´t ask to be one (and deffinately not beg!). <br />c) In this case the quanitity and the quality of comments are the level you seek. <br /> <br />6) How are we going to find ppl for this? Besides the ones we already havem how will we get others? <br />:::Advertize. A news post around the community should do the trick. It should bring a few ppl over. With luck it will spark some activety. Also remember that commenting may increase by ppl trying to work their way up into a possition. The fact you have ppl already means they have set the bar. Now you just have to see what happens. <br /> <br />7) Simple commentors don´t deserve to have this kind of status. <br />:::Maybe they don´t, but this is a viable solution to a problem. Maybe that is just an old fashioned way of thinking. Also, I´m not saying make them admins, but to give them a possition with some kind of title. Other privleges are negotiable. You will need help if the sites quadruples in comments or soemthing. They might be good ppl to modderate comments. Perhaps but having comments "marked" or "show up" for review by the admins. It adds meaning to the title while not giving too much power. <br /> <br />8) Do you know how much coding that would take? <br />:::Not a clue, but if it works, it´s worth it. Ultimately that one is solely up to our bud grave. He´s the one most liekly to be coding this monstrosity I´ve congered up. (Ya, I know there is a cool shade smiley where an eight should be :P ) <br /> <br /> <br />It´s just an idea. I think most would agree that it´s a fairly well thought out one. It might work; it might not. It´s worth a try though. It may start a trend in other sites. I´ld like to see this at VA personally. I think many sites could use the system. It´s a very common complaint. What do you guys think?
brub
Member
To answer this thread. <br /> <br />first of all, DO NOT compare skinbase with Deviantart. If you look properly to average people that visits Skinbase in a day, is what visits Devart in an hour. <br /> <br />Also Thanks for putting my name in there, I try to comment on alot of different type of art, Here and on AU, I do not visit VA quite enough (sorry Red) <br /> <br />But I have been uploading Photography and mostly did not receive comments on them. But if you go on AU, I received comments on all of them. But that´s not my goal. Yet i´m an Admin here not on ArtUproar. <br /> <br />My point with this is, You should be happy that your stuff is downloaded here, mine is not. :) I hope you keep bringing your artwork here. I´ll keep downloadeing them and commenting it if they deserve it :p
snowman
Member
yeah, feedback from downloaders is great, but the fact is that most of the here on Skinbase are "leechers" (not logged in) and in order to comment on the stuff you download you have to be logged in! <br /> <br />Example: at the moment there 3 logged in members and 108 leechers here on Skinbase!!
stev
Member
For me the fact is that this community I only use for uploading my artwork. Not for hanging around. On ArtUpRoar which is more my hangout place I comment a lot. Around 500 comments given. But Dokt If you want I don´t bother to go round all your works and comment them all. If people really appreciate critism I am not affraid to comment them..>
craeonics
Member
One day, in the far distant future, when i´ve finally recoded it, it will. <br /> <br />Works quite well, actually. See http://www.shellscape.org for instance.
stev
Member
BruB according to you, that must be mewondering why he doesn´t has that talent. Just og on creating Dokt. You are the man and you know. Be happy that you upload on more sites. That would mean you get a normal number of comments for an artwork..>
craeonics
Member
/me thinks red has got some good ideas <br /> <br />It would also help if commenting would be more streamlined and not so disruptive. Hit "comment" button, window pops up, enter the comment, window closes, done.
pk
Member
he! That sounds like a good idea! Maybe teknidermy.com could have that too!
cuttheredwire
Member
I´ve had a similare idea crae. A pop up with previous comments in it. Thx for backing of my ideas too. 8)
chichigirl46
Member
Snowman> yeah, feedback from down-loaders is great, but the fact is that most of the here on Skinbase are "leechers" (not logged in) and in order to comment on the stuff you download you have to be logged in! <br /> <br />Example: at the moment there 3 logged in members and 108 leechers here on Skinbase!! <br />_______________________________ <br /> <br />I think the word " leechers" sounds like some one else I know that calls people names, I think it´s unfair that they have to be labeled with a name, their just down-loaders right? Isn´t that why you upload skins to "SHARE" I did not know that the words "SHARE and FREE SKINS" means some one is a leech and RULES have to be enforced to download FREE SKINS or SHARING them? As you can see I hate the word leechers........ no offense snowman :-) <br /> <br />As for commenting on skins, I upload skins that I make for my computer to my taste to share with any one that likes and wants them, I don´t expect a comment, but when I get one I :-) But, I don´t upload them to just get comments, so when you do get a comment Dokt :-) <br /> <br />If your trying to make a "connivance" for one to comment more, craeonics has a fabulous idea for a popup comment window :-)
chichigirl46
Member
Brub, certainly the site owners are very busy trying to keep up with all the wantings and request that skinners want, it takes a lot of coding and very time consuming, except for a few site owner´s who like showing their ignorce............. <br /> <br />hmmmmm "connivance" = convenience, should have put on my glasses to see my spell checker on above comment LOL
travelian
Member
Generally I think comments are just a simple way of sayng "thank you" for all the hard work people put into things. I figure a comment is the least someone could do when they download someone´s work. <br /> <br />As far as tightness among communities I think general artists/photographers are way more chatty on art sites than skinners, and will embrace art sites since art has no general hub. Just look at forums on different sites. Lots of chat in "general" areas, good amounts of chatter in design areas, and a few "i can´t get skins to work because i´m a giant n00b" threads in the skin section. <br /> <br />My theory is skinners for a particular app will hover around their user base and fellow skinners of that app. Perhaps on the forum (ex Winamp forums) Hell if Sonique.com hosted Sonique 2 skins when I first started I never would have found this site. Luckily they didn´t (and still arent) but overall i´m glad to have gotten to know some of you.:) But since this happens, sites like skinbase become another source for "hosting." So what you get is a lot of users who upload and leave, and a bunch of anonymous downloaders who don´t comment. Just my theory on things. <br /> <br />
Gregor Klevže
Member
I added new feature on the right side of menu which displays monthly TOP 10 users by submited coments and the #1 will get 88x31 link to his homepage. <br />Maybe will this help to get some more coments :)
zerocool
Member
I hope it will help...! Because I think, everyone is happy if he get a comment for his work. <br /> <br />Great idea for this feature!! <br />I have to go... :brb ...to write comments lol
Edited
sed
Member
Pondering........... :o
dokt
Member
Congrats on the new comments feature - I think it´s cool. And already working. :jafo
brub
Member
After a few days of thinking of this comment I came up with a conclusion about Skinbase. I´m an active member of ArtUproar and Skinbase, But seen on almost everysite at some point and some degree. So i´ll compare AU and SB together, not mentionning bigger guys like DA, Deskmod or WinCusto. <br /> <br />AU is a community base website, the profile page are complete and you can upload almost any type of art. I´m a little of everything so I find my choice there. Skinbase is based more on the skinning itselfs, and like Snowman mentionned before, Skinbase as a ratio Members/Lurkers quite high. Skinbase is also an older site, so the active members here, are also quite activ all over the community, you see guys like Adni, Snowman, Chichi, Doreen, Elwin, Scarebear, Peanut, Red, and most of the others all over other site. AU as a real closed member base, Members over there, stick more with AU than the others sites. I hope this make sense so far :) <br /> <br />But it bring me one question, how come you don,t see the owners of these sites on others. I rarely see gRAVE outside of SB, Rarely see Chaz outside of AU, Rarely see Federal outside of VA, Rarely see Jark outside of DA, why? <br /> <br />Anyway, Dokt, keep uploading your stuff because someone somewhere is using one of your WP and still gaze at it after all these days wondering why he doesn´t have your talent.
doreen
Member
Brubby you know what I wonder about? why do ppl wonder so much? why do they draw conclusions? hehe! <br /> <br />but now you got me wondering again argh! (I have to stop myself alot) <br />I "think" cuz they only have so much time to devote to their own sites that they own? and these days there is just so many sites avail now? <br />I have however spotted Jarkles posting around on outside sites, I happen to remember him posting on ScreenPhuck & wincustomize (past & present)
cuttheredwire
Member
Brub: It´s cool. You need to put SB first, and only have so much time. 8) I haven´t been comment much anywhere. It´s just time consuming, and I only really like black/dark stuff. I think if I had a high speed connection I would do it more though. I have to admit, I´m more likely to comment on featured works, and AU has four at a time, and DA has six at a time. If I could see the skins w/o having to view them, I would comment much more often. Probly at least once a day, which adds up over time, and is more than I do now. <br /> <br />Call that idea #2: Just put more cool stuff on the front page. :P
travelian
Member
I try to comment on stuffs here as much as i can but i tend to ignore wallpapers and photography most the time. Sorry but wallpapers tend to be uploaded constantly and i don´t even bother trying to keep up.
doreen
Member
Well this topic sure does come up alot, and I agree dropping a quicky comment is good for interaction and fun and benefits everything all the way around (brings some life to the sites etc.) <br />but I doubt there will ever be a solution and I personally can only comment here by my own thoughts which are: <br /> <br />1. When I come out to play and coming out to skin land is an outlet and fun for me I sure won´t post a comment that someone has either told me what or how to say it? I think ppl have enough of that in their offline life (being bossed around and told what and how to do things) so when you come online you just want to relax, enjoy & be yourself right? (some ppl are just not commenters just want to grab art and enjoy it "period") <br /> <br />therefore I doubt anything would change by simply making them and admin or telling them or offering constructive ways to post a comment and all that stuff has been said before, that encouraging ppl will work but it don´t really cuz then you get fake type comments not from the persons heart or mind? <br /> <br />for me commenting is based on "mood & time" also I noticed I´m more prone to comment more if I can view images via "Thumbnails" so I can home in on what appeals to me and then "Zoom" drop a comment and Boom be on my way... <br /> <br />but commenting is really about time and mood for most, some ppl just are busy w/ no time to think about anyone else etc. and putting pressure on the "What to say and how to say it" only takes away the mood for anyone to comment cuz they should not have a formula to drop a comment. <br /> <br />again I do think comments are good all the way around, and ppl appreciate them so ppl should "try" to drop a simple comment even if it´s just a "Nice work" if that ain´t good enough then so what! hehe
snowman
Member
This thread gave me an idea for a new poll!! :D :D <br />(remember to comment on it) LOL
cuttheredwire
Member
Snowman: I tried... no dice. It won´t let me. :(
snowman
Member
Red, try again!! <br />It won´t let you comment right after you have voted - I believe "it" thinks you´re trying to vote again. Just go back to the frontpage and then return to the voting page, worked for me :)
This could be a good statistic to have at all time. Most comments add the column to the activity rating :)
snowman
Member
welcome back spoonman - China dropped out some time ago, dunno why though - but surfaces sometimes over at the WinCusto msgboard
brub
Member
Grimspoon? Is it the real Grimspoon?
grimspoon
Member
hmmm.... where is :china ?!? <br /> <br />
xenu
Member
:-)) well... I have DSL.. but i think i am just to GERMAN... :-) <br />but yess... wincusto is slower... but STILL it could be faster!!!!!!! :) and i think thats a reason why only a few are doing posts... (custo is pretty fast... dunno why but its faster... - at least for a german *smile*) <br /> <br />yeah brub u r right! we should put a break in - so they can download 5 an then they have to comment one ;-)) :-D }:D
brub
Member
Well bugz, the problem with site like these (Community site) is that most of the time when the site is slow it´s a part because of the lurkers that do not contribute to the site and are just here to leech the downloads. <br /> <br />And if these guys are here just for downloading the stuff they are the least interested in Commenting on it i´m pretty sure
bugzlitey
Member
maybe more comments would come if it were an option opened to anyone, not just members of this site...The ability to submit a comment would not provide me with enough motivation to join a site like this....nor would the page link and button, although it is a great idea..
brub
Member
I´ve been having problems with AU lately. Not sure why. SkinBase is pretty quick for me. /BruB: loves DSL
travelian
Member
All i said was a little slower than some others...never claimed it was slow or the slowest ;) <br /> <br />Customize, deskmod, and Velocityart load a little quicker than skinbase. <br /> <br />Devart has to be the slowest which is why i rarely go there.
snowman
Member
well Travelian, I can of course only speak on my own behalf but to me Skinbase is one of the fastest loading sites that I visit several times a day. I believe only DM is a bit faster :)
travelian
Member
Well this site is a little slower than some others loading but its not bad by any means.
flamme
Member
So long ? 8O <br />What kind of modem do you use ? Snails crawling along the cables ? :grin: <br />True it´s a bit long, but no big drama... The pages are a triffle too big, I think. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
xenu
Member
hmm yeah good question! <br />well i am posting sometimes... but if you look at customize - they dont download files they just comment them ;-) <br /> <br />well but i think the problem is the "speed" on this page - it takes ages to load a page (well not ages but loooooonger than other custo sites(still skinb. is the best :))) <br />so nobody is intrested on waiting another 30 minutes for the comments page and it is also not very clear WHERE to click to write a comment... <br /> <br />well my feetback so far! <br /> <br />Ml, <br /> <br />Xenu :jafo
