WACUP

General => Skins => Topic started by: garetjax on May 04, 2018, 02:36:14 PM

Title: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 04, 2018, 02:36:14 PM
I've been thinking on giving up 1001skins; either selling or just letting it die...I've got to many other things going on and no time...Anyone interested?
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: dro on May 04, 2018, 04:23:33 PM
Yes, just timings are a bit of a pain at the moment to try & take it on. Is this something immediately you're looking for it to happen or can it tick over for a while (few months)? Up to you whether we continue this here or privately.

-dro
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 04, 2018, 08:06:19 PM
It is hardly oppressive cost wise to continue to pay for the hosting.  I'm @ 80 a year; and the site just keeps running.

I've had people donate on occasion for the hosting; but, ya know kids, house, work and etc.  Could be at some point I cannot pay the $10/$20 ...though, it hasn't presented itself as a problem yet.)

At the end of the day...I'm not as interested in being the last one on the block.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: dro on May 04, 2018, 10:57:24 PM
That makes sense especially the last comment (sadly or not I'm happy to possibly be that one). Will have a think about any questions, etc over the next few days.

-dro
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 05, 2018, 12:39:27 AM
I don't want to give it up.  I'm I  such a place though, to forget my responsibility to it and by way of a lapse... Lose it.

It made revenue... Never alot.  It's been around long enough to mean something, it was one of the least oppressive websites.,  and we'll I had the interest for years....


I don't anymore.  I love my part in the story... But, I've no interest in continuing my part in it.  I'd like someone I trust to take it.... But, barring that I can sell it as well.... Knowing it would be turned into a bastardized advertisement.


Idk.... Ya ask anything
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: dro on May 10, 2018, 03:12:32 AM
Have sent a few questions via pm.

-dro
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 17, 2018, 03:36:52 AM
I replied
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: jpickerell on May 25, 2018, 10:33:16 PM
Hope that you can keep the 1001skins site going, it's a great resource!
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 26, 2018, 12:08:22 AM
I have kept the 1001skins.com site going for about a decade +/-;  I've received a single donation for which I am grateful; that being said...there have been no other revenue associations with the website with a few exceptions.  At one point I did have advertisements which reduced the visibility but, gave me monetary value for usage; at that time hundred or so a month*12 mo =1200 Yearly.  I removed the ads as it was requested that they caused problems and so, for the last few years I have paid out of my own pocket for hosting.

I've done so, as I was one of the original winamp skinners; and enjoyed skinning so much that I took over 1001skins from Maximillan Bloch (the original owner and author).  However, within the last year or two with Radionomy and subsequently winamp failing to produce anymore viable version I have no reason to continue to be involved as it just pisses me off.  I've moved on from skinning for Winamp; and in general gave it up as a result of the blatant disregard for users that seemingly comes from the new ownership of that IP. 

I wish to sell the website; I'd rather sell it to someone that will put it into trust for users of winamp.  I'd rather not put it up for auction; at some point in the near future barring any agreement I will.  I have over the years fielded offers for a good sum of money (though to less than reputable parties).

So, here I am on wacup positioning the first person I believe, would hold in trust 1001skins with the intent of keeping it focused on users and keeping the resources available because, they are dedicated to the remaining community such that it is.  I also, as a developer respect Dr0 a great deal and value his input, output as it were (heh).

Anyway, at some point I will only move towards a different route; if Dr0 and I cannot make an agreement;  Our aggreement will likely be in private but, if you believe this is a good use of his time, it is something you believe, would be wise for him to support...then by all means let him know.

Thank You,

Joe Garrett
aka: Garetjax
garetjax@1001skins.com
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on May 27, 2018, 12:19:40 AM
..if you believe this is a good use of his time, it is something you believe, would be wise for him to support...then by all means let him know.

The site deserves to be kept online and the job you've done is great, I'm sure a lot of invisible work lays below what people can see (it always does with code and web design heh).
That said, for the last years I feel the site never was what it could be, there was a lot of potential but most of it was never fulfilled. The upload system was never solid for me, and that alone is already a great disadvantage. But without going any further, everything that the site may lack, is completely understandable since it's obvious that more than one dev is needed. I'm afraid that the site is doomed if a team can't be put in place to support it (at least for the setup, then mantaining could be easier).

I'm a terrible handler of my time -another way to say I'm too slow for nowadays standards!- so I shouldn't even offer myself to help, but I would really like to be part of that team if it ever comes to be, to contribute even a little. The site has potential, but besides money, it needs an investment of time!
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 27, 2018, 05:08:26 AM
i was close on many fronts; but, never had enough input, test time, or collaboration to devote as much time as the site needed.  The framework is solid; just not perfected; I've started and stopped likely thousands and thousands of times to introduce final production worthy code that would last the test of time; I believe, that a vast majority of where I was able to devote my attention to is complete in many senses; thought, I would be the first to say I never had enough time to really make it all connect.


I have 6 children, a full time development job, a full load of 'senior developer' activities and a 24/7 on call status to provide support across 7 companies with 30+/- websites, hundreds of web applications, server applications, console applications and hundreds of installed applications in my work queue. I know that this may seem like I am making excuses for my apparent lack of development effort on 1001 but, truly it is not.  I wanted so much more and have at times made many changes when I could. 

However, as all things go...life took my attention away on to different avenues; Now that I am raising up this next generation of developers (28 of them); I do not have the desire to spend countless more hours pouring over code (honest).  I feel burnt out and that does not lend itself to proper development and is likely the cause for some of the delays, enhancements and/or bug fixes.

As I stated I believe Dr0 not only has the presence of mind to make it viable; but, to keep it in trust and to definitely bring together people where I was a skinner that took it over; and while I may be a developer - I work with a team and not by myself; things seldom work without backing and support that goes beyond an individual taste, and desire.  I suppose, what I am really getting at is that I was probably not the best choice to make 1001 into what it could have been and i am most certainly not the person now.

Sad but, honest opinion.  I let you guys down and I know it...this bothers me and I wish I could change that. 

Anyways, thank you for the critique, and imparting your opinion.  It was and always is valuable.

-garetjax
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on May 29, 2018, 04:45:16 AM
6 children??? My God, I don't know how you do to even participate on these forums at all!!. And that's precisely my point, you can't make enough room for something like this, in fact you've done enough. Sorry if it wasn't clear what I meant, I know you did A LOT, among a lot of other things to do with your own things and with little to no return or feedback. I also think Darren is best choice to inherit the site, I just hope he can find someone else to rely on for all the heavy work that the site needs or at least a scheme of work where it doesn't end up like it did so far, requiring a big investment of effort and time he doesn't have or can't afford to.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on May 30, 2018, 12:14:21 AM
The site doesn't really need much; relatively speaking of course; a few areas need TLC
-Uploads is one; but, I wouldn't recommend worrying about uploads as much until a competent developer can be used to rely upon.  Uploads, are one of the most contentious areas as too many bad actors try to use it as an avenue of attack against the site; hence why there have been updates there and then subsequently nearly impossible to upload with (this was by design as a conscious choice to prevent misuses).

At present, the site works well as an archive of around 4200 Skins (+/- not sure on the exact number) attributed to the authors that designed them.  There were many ideas for the continual development and some have many, many of those efforts.  Though, again in some ways it is also a problem, as I have over the last 10 years attempted to bring to life what once was dead built on php2 code, that was effective but, had many security implications and issues that couldn't in good faith be brought back as it was.

After 10 years I got pretty far just never where I felt competent enough to finalize it; and with many variations of development across each of the pages.

Anyways, I wasn't knocking your comment; I was and am responsible for the site and the state that it sits in.

-jax
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on June 13, 2018, 01:46:53 AM
:bump: 

Hopefully, we get a plan of action soon...as I am moved into the new home ; and have no internet (at least for a duration - no idea of when I will).  If the site goes down -  which I hope it doesn't....let me know through email (joegarrett@outlook.com).

dr0 - let me know...when you are thinking you want to take over?
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on June 15, 2018, 11:34:50 PM
Well, congrats on the new home! Awesome place, I saw it on your stream on Fb, maybe I'll also do something like that soon :) (but mine is obviously much more humble). Good to hear DrO is taking over, hope he finds a new space in his head for it hah.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on July 20, 2018, 01:34:57 AM
dr0 has withdrawn his support; I cannot blame him.  He has very good points....I do not yet have a plan nor do I have a direction on what will happen next.

Idk....maybe turn it into wordpress...
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on January 20, 2019, 04:46:36 AM
1001Skins -> Updated

https://1001skins.com/

Take a look around.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: Dr.Flay on January 21, 2019, 05:51:31 PM
Is this the old site ?
https://web.archive.org/web/20041012081658/http://www.1001winampskins.com:80/
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on January 21, 2019, 06:08:15 PM
Yes, that was the site around 2004/2005
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on January 22, 2019, 12:45:51 AM
The first 4 posts that look like posts.. are Ad posts? Any chance to move them to the bottom or to a more traditional form of ad? Is very confusing seeing that in the top, the first skin appears only after a scroll down :(

EDIT: Oh I see now they are Bootstrap themes. I'm all in for the site heading to a "all sort of skins site", but being Winamp skins the main focus (traditionally and by "amount force") still feels a bit confusing to have those at the top..
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on January 22, 2019, 03:06:21 AM
The posts are categorized by date of submission...so the bootstrap themes show up top.  Not an easy way to discern any difference for now...

I have plans on creating a static homepage that will allow for a featured gallery, and content that is automatically generated.

The only other solution is to remove them; and I am unsure if I want to yet.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on January 22, 2019, 03:11:54 AM
You can Use the following Links to specifically filter to individual categories:
- https://1001skins.com/winamp/winamp/
- https://1001skins.com/winamp/bootstrap/
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: dro on January 23, 2019, 12:40:46 PM
So that's why there's that stuff on the site as it made it feel like its incomplete / still being setup. Still looks odd having a bootstrap theme as the main thing you see first but sounds like it's still a w.i.p. anyway.

-dro
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on January 27, 2019, 04:06:31 AM
https://1001skins.com/1001news/

And yes, somewhat of a wip; though a-lot less so than the old.  At this stage only 2 outstanding issue remain; really. 

-Password Reset Links/Emails
-Editing (while possible, I am not completely in love with the method of doing so *yet).
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on February 16, 2019, 04:42:47 PM
Well, after some time testing the system, this is my experience:

POSITIVE:
- Having an almost full Wordpress editor is a game changer, I know it gives space to wildly different skin pages but.. what the heck, power to the people!!!
- Site is fast

NEGATIVE / TO FIX:
- ".wal" files should be accepted by default, despite security reasons, it's a Winamp skins site! It makes 200% sense to have working ".wal" files
- Categories could use some specifics, like "Winamp modern skin", "Winamp classic skin", ""Winamp Classic Pro skin", "WMC", etc (in fact, this seems like not developed actually, grouping skins from different apps isn't of much use unless I'm doing some school asignment and I'd like to see all the sports-related themes for Bootstrap and.. Winamp -¿?-)
- Header image doesn't show on mobile (fixing this would help to standarize the format of skin's pages)
- reCAPTCHA is annoyingly showing on home page (I have the same issue with a web page I'm mantaining!)
- Feels like it needs a standarized Download button.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on February 17, 2019, 02:47:20 PM
Another thing to fix:
- While navigating the list of skins on Mobile, entire content of the posts are shown, when it should be using the excerpt, or just the preview pic.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: garetjax on February 17, 2019, 05:16:55 PM
1. wal files are now added.
2. Multiple Categories can be chosen; and Additional categories have been added.
3. Looking into the mobile view 'change'.
4. Re-Captcha Is a bit of a pain I know...but, the volume of spam I get is out of control; and as such this is the best solution so far.
5. I am thinking on how to implement a standard download button through.

Categories:
- Bootstrap Themes
- Featured
- Winamp Skins

Winamp Skins - Includes Sub Categories (Alot)
- From art to Classic Pro and touchscreen; a crap ton.

Combined with the ability to select multiple categories a given skin can be attributed to 1 or all;  by default most only have 1 category.
Title: Re: 1001skins
Post by: victhor on February 18, 2019, 12:21:25 PM
OK, I've updated category on all my entries. Do you have a script or some way to make all other skins that have "cpro" on their name get a "classic pro" category? If not, I can update it manually if you want (there aren't so many IIRC).

I'll replace zip to wal files at home, great fix!

The header image not showing on mobile is actually a double issue, SITE header is not showing (only shows "1001 skins" in letters), beside entries headers.
Don't forget to check the list view, it's probably a simple tick on the theme options of WordPress.