Library Moderation (or lack thereof)

Can anything be done?

Published on January 4, 2005 By MadDeez In WinCustomize Site Issues

It has to come to the attention of some of us that only the wallpaper library is moderated for quality. In my opinion, it is painfully obvious that the same moderation standards should be applied to numerous other libraries on WC. I completely understand the thinking that the more skins available here, the more likely folks will be drawn to WC from other sites. But, on the other hand, people from other sites come to WC, scroll through 2 pr 3 pages of skins in a library or two, and go post elsewhere that there are nothing but 'crap' skins on WC. If a high standard of moderation can be applied to one library, why can't it be applied to all libraries? A couple examples are the CXP library and the OD library. There are some absolutely fantastic entries in each of those but there are some equally horrible entries. In the OD library, I imagine it's very possible to find almost exact duplicates of some icons/png's. If a quality standard such as the one used to moderate the wallpapers was used in these two libraries alone, 25% of the items posted would not be there, in my opinion. I'm not implying that I am the 'know it all art critic'. You can read the comments on some of these skins and see that quite a few people agree. Have a wonderful day, everyone

Comments (Page 1)

RadialFX

on Jan 04, 2005

I agree, I'm not a "world authority" on quality either but I do believe there needs to be some sort of "minimal" standard.

WOM

on Jan 04, 2005

Wouldn't hurt.

Chris TH

on Jan 04, 2005

I'd be worried it would discourage those that are submitting their first skin.

My logic is as follows:

Inot all that hard to come up with a rectangular abstract bitmap that can serve as a wallpaper.

However, the fine-grained detail work required to assemble a working WB skin along with .ini files etc is much more involved.

Therefore, to reward the submitter by allowing the skin to stand encourages those that may be reluctant to try otherwise.

My 2c worth.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

Mackintosh

on Jan 04, 2005

I'd be worried it would discourage those that are submitting their first skin.

I think the issue here is not someone uploading their first skin, but rather some people constantly uploading skins of very low quality in large quantities, something that's reminiscent of mass production, rather than a work of art. I too tend to agree that there should be a minimum quality standard enforced and if a consensus is reached that a skin does not meet that standard, or an artist mass produces such skins constantly, it should be rejected.

Sleeping Dragon

on Jan 04, 2005

Attempting to get some walls accepted, I got irritated with some of the skins in some of the categories that were accepted. To my shame, I made this gripe known in a not so diplomatic way.
On one hand, everyone likes to contribute and be accepted (including me), on the other hand there will be abuses. Maybe they could allow every entry, but only allow one per skinner per week. That way the category is not flooded with the one skinners skins. Just a thought.

Lantec

on Jan 04, 2005

I believe the Wallpapers are moderated heavily due to the volume of uploads. I also believe all forums are moderated to a degree to make sure they don't put up something objectionable or illegal due to copyright. By default the site does not display skins with a rating of less than 2 stars which would have been a 4 (I guess) on the old site.
This should help those just visiting avoid seeing or dowloading anything that might put Wincustomize in a bad light. While I know there are skins and packages "I" absolutelty don't like, there may be someone out there who feels just the opposite. (Personally I don't care for blue skins) I don't always agree with the ratings I see, but I don't usually vote unless I like the skin. I can tell you some of the skins I have used the most only rec'd a rating of 5 or 6 when posted. Many of those who have become regular contributors recieved a lot of "constructive" criticism when they started and their first posts didn't get accolades from the community they get now. If someone posts something he or she obviously thinks that their effort was worth submitting. The problem a moderator must face is just where to draw the line and I gaurantee that no two people will always agree on where that line is.

Sleeping Dragon

on Jan 04, 2005

Well said, Lantec. Needs to be a way to prevent someone from monopolizing a category, though.

Reppiks

on Jan 04, 2005

Just another point to everything already said, yes there are great and less-than-great uploads in many libraries. Thats where our "browsing prefferences" comes in to play. You can choose not to view anything with less than a set rating, or set it low so all uploaded entries appear in the library. Isn't that the reason there is a "star" rating system?

RadialFX

on Jan 04, 2005

I know that this is a terribly difficult task, even discussing it. What I'm talking about doesn't involve and individual "taste" per se. What I would refer to is just plain old poor quality. For example, and these are only mean't to be examples: a skin with lots of magic pink around borders, a cursor with real "jagged" or unclean edges that may be due to a lack of effort and not expertise. In other words just real obvious things that anyone viewing the offering here would notice as possibly a lesser quality. Not necassarily meaning a beginner that has yet to fully develop his skills. I, don't know just my 2 cents.

Fuzzy Logic

on Jan 04, 2005

There is a minimal standard - you just don't see the works which have been moderated

butch123

on Jan 04, 2005

Something I was thinking...if there was a moderator in charge of each section, dont know if there is, and if everybody was given a chance as long as its acceptable with a minimum standard, that maybe this would encourage people to upload, and encourage the beginners who have never made a skin or a wallpaper before, but at the same time if lets say after a day or so their product has not done very well, well maybe it could be removed. this way I believe it would encourage people to try improve themselves and at the same time with the more experienced people it would give them a chance to take a look at the work and maybe give a helping hand to the newer, less experienced people. I believe too that this might encourage people from other sites to visit WinCustoms. Never know..just my opinion.

Matchbook

on Jan 04, 2005

""I'd be worried it would discourage those that are submitting their first skin.""

-- I wouldn't. If people know this is the world's toughest site to have work displayed on and a first work is rejected, it SHOULD fuel them to do better. I know it would, for me.

CygnusXII

on Jan 04, 2005

While I know there are skins and packages "I" absolutelty don't like, there may be someone out there who feels just the opposite.

This exemplifies the spirit of Wincustomize, and where a Skins Author might not be up to a Critics Standards, they are up to the standards they set for themselves. As a beginning Skinner, those standards are a little less stringent, and through experience and education, and with a little guidance, they become streamlined and a benefit, to this Site and themselves. Tolerence, Patience and a lending hand goes alot further than moderation.

Essencay

on Jan 04, 2005

I am comfortable with the current level of moderation. For visitors, it's only 4 and up (7 and up on the old site) that show and like someone pointed out earlier, if you don't want to see the "Lower Quality" works, set your star-rating higher. A more pro-active approach would be for folks who have skills to first rate those types of skins accordingly and then make constructive comments or offer assistance to the aspiring artist. This is a community site and I don't think the approach of shutting out folks because their skills need development is the right one.

Tolerence, Patience and a lending hand goes alot further than moderation.

Well said Cygnus!!

butch123

on Jan 04, 2005

Cygnus

Tolerence, Patience and a lending hand goes alot further than moderation
Well stated, I applaude you

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